Wilderness Society: Too Many Roads Around Pinedale

Laramie, Wy – A study by the Wilderness Society says that wildlife habitat around Pinedale is severely fragmented by roads. Most of the roads are used for natural gas drilling in the area. A wildlife biologist for the Game and Fish Department, Dean Clause, says this is the latest of several studies looking at the way development affects wildlife. He says they show there is a negative impact on elk, deer, pronghorn and sage grouse.
The Bureau of Land Management is working on a new management plan for the Pinedale area. It could come out as soon as May. The Wilderness Society says the B-L-M should consider requiring a mix of seasonal restrictions, clustering wells and using directional drilling techniques.