FWS authorizes wells in Baca refuge

Posted by egable on October 27th, 2008 filed in Energy development, Wildlife refuges

The Fish and Wildlife Service will allow the Canadian firm Lexam Explorations Inc. to drill two exploratory gas wells on the Baca National Wildlife Refuge under a final environmental assessment released last week.

FWS conducted the environmental analysis in response to a lawsuit filed by the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council. The lawsuit is still pending.

FWS received more than 48,000 comments criticizing the draft study and asking that the agency do a better job of assessing the potential impacts of drilling. The National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Division of wildlife and the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation were among many who sharply criticized the study earlier this year.

Additionally, opponents contend that newly released e-mails, memos and other official records show that lawyers in the Interior Department allowed industry lobbyists and attorneys to improperly influence the analysis of Lexam’s plan to drill exploratory wells in the refuge. The records were obtained as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the Citizens for San Luis Valley Protection Coalition.

The 92,500-acre Baca National Wildlife Refuge is next door to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos, the refuge protects the largest concentration of wetlands in the Southwest. The federal government purchased the refuge for $33 million in 200 to protect its “unique hydrological, biological, educational and recreational values.” Mineral interests within the refuge were not included in the purchase agreement.

FWS is still working on a management plan for the refuge, which remains closed to the general public.