Last month, IPAA submitted comments with the American Petroleum Institute (API), New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA), Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association (PPROA), Western Energy Alliance, International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) and the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association of Oklahoma (OKMOGA) regarding the proposed federal listing of the lesser prairie chicken. Read the full comments HERE.
Among the concerns highlighted was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s inability to demonstrate what additional protections would be provided under a federal listing. The comments also note that while current range-wide 2012 data indicates that the Lesser Prairie Chicken’s habitat is increasing and range occupation is expanding, the Service has failed to recognize this range-wide estimate in favor of state estimates, greatly impacting the Service’s interpretation of the bird’s current population size. The Services failure to properly consider conservation measures currently in place and it’s inaccurate analysis of the oil and natural gas industry’s activities, and their impact on the habitat region, are also discussed in the letter.
