CHEYENNE -- A coalition of conservation groups dedicated to preserving public lands for hunting and fishing said Monday that the government should tighten rules for oil and gas development in the Rocky Mountain West. Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development released a list of recommendations that members said would allow for energy development in the resource-rich region without sacrificing wildlife and water resources.
Group members said they're concerned that public discontent over high gasoline prices could result in management practices that prioritize the development of energy sources while overlooking other uses of federal lands.
"While there is little to no relationship between the price of gasoline and development of natural gas on public lands, our rush to produce short-term energy supplies can have a profound effect on the fish and wildlife habitats and water supplies that define the West," said Chris Wood, Trout Unlimited's chief operating officer.
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The group's recommendations also include removing exemptions from the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water acts for energy development; implementing new measures for monitoring the effects of oil and gas development; re-emphasizing "multiple-use management" of federal lands; and making sure development decisions are based on up-to-date scientific information. The group also wants to reduce the standard length of an energy lease from 10 years to five years to allow for more public participation in decisions regarding drilling projects.
http://casperstartribune.net/articles/2008/07/24/news/wyoming/f8a151a1e33280b28725748e00010a72.txt
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