U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Agencies Release 2013
Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Population Numbers
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in collaboration with other federal, state and tribal agencies, is announcing the 2013 Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) Gray Wolf Population numbers.
This annual report is conducted as part of the Service’s work to monitor the wolf population to ensure that it continues to exceed recovery goals under professional state management, and no longer requires federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
As of December 31, 2013, there were at least 78 breeding pairs and 1,691 wolves within the NRM area. The wolf population remains well above the recovery levels identified by Service and partner biologists in the recovery plan. Minimum management targets are at least 45 breeding pairs and at least 450 wolves across the NRM area.
The report is posted online at http://www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery/ and http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov. The report is a cooperative effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Wyoming Fish and Game, the Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Wind River Tribes, Colville Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Utah Department of Natural Resources, and USDA Wildlife Services.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/.
April 4, 2014
Service Extends Comment Period on Thurston Energy’s Proposed Oil and Gas Wells on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Uintah County, Utah
Contact: Sonja Jahrsdoerfer (435) 545-2522
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is extending the public comment period on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Thurston Energy Operating Company’s (Thurston) proposed Ouray NWR 2-Well Development Program in Uintah County, Utah.
A 30-day public scoping period for the EA opened March 10, 2014. The comment period was originally scheduled to close on April 8, 2014. The comment period has been extended for two weeks, and comments will now be accepted through April 22, 2014.
Thurston is proposing to drill, complete and operate two (2) oil and natural gas wells from two (2) proposed well pad locations on the Ouray NWR in Uintah County, Utah. The proposed development would require the construction and maintenance of associated access roads, gathering pipelines, and overhead electrical lines. Specifically, Thurston’s Proposed Action includes the following primary components:
The Service will work with Thurston to minimize impacts to the Ouray NWR. The Service Refuge Planning Division has prepared this EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations to analyze proposed oil and natural gas development by Thurston within the Ouray NWR boundary.
The draft EA is available on the Refuge web site at: http://www.fws.gov/ouray/. A paper copy can be reviewed during business hours (7:30-4:00) at the Ouray NWR Office at HC 69, 19001 Wildlife Refuge Rd., Randlett, Utah 84063. Comments should be submitted in writing by mail to the Ouray NWR Office or by email to sonja_jahrsdoerfer@fws.gov.
For more information, please call the Ouray NWR Office at (435) 545-2522.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
April 4, 2014
Service Extends Comment Period on Ultra Resources’ Proposed Oil and Gas Wells on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Uintah County, Utah
Contact: Sonja Jahrsdoerfer (435) 545-2522
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is extending the public comment period on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Biological Assessment (BA) for Ultra Resources, Inc’s (URI) proposed Ouray NWR 9-Well Development Program in Uintah County, Utah.
A thirty-day public scoping period for the EA opened March 10, 2014. The comment period was originally scheduled to close on April 8, 2014. The comment period has been extended for two weeks, and comments will now be accepted through April 22, 2014.
URI is proposing to drill, complete and operate nine (9) oil and gas wells from five (5) proposed well pad locations within the Ouray NWR in Uintah County, Utah. The proposed development would require the construction and maintenance of associated access roads, gathering pipelines, and overhead power lines. URI will utilize three of the five proposed well pads to directionally drill multiple wells, thus reducing surface disturbance and minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment. Specifically, URI’s Proposed Action includes the following primary components:
The Service will work with URI to minimize impacts to the Ouray NWR. The Service Refuge Planning Division has prepared this EA and BA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations to analyze proposed oil and natural gas development by URI within the Ouray NWR boundary.
The draft EA is available on the Refuge web site at: http://www.fws.gov/ouray. A paper copy can be reviewed at the Ouray NWR Office at HC 69, 19001 Wildlife Refuge Rd., Randlett, Utah 84063. Comments should be submitted in writing by mail to the Ouray NWR Office or by email to sonja_jahrsdoerfer@fws.gov.
For more information, please call the Ouray NWR Office at (435) 545-2522.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
