Upper Green River

The Green River Valley of Wyoming is fast becoming the major natural gas-producing region of the United States.  At risk are vast open spaces and the largest migratory ungulate herd in the lower 48 states. Air and water quality in these areas are severely compromised and affecting much of Wyoming and also northern Colorado and southern Montana. The BLM has recently approved all industry requests for winter drilling on Federal Lands in the Upper Green, which will disturb both big game migration corridors and winter grazing habitat, and severely impact sage grouse habitat. To learn more, visit  www.uppergreen.org

The Pinedale Anticline Natural Gas Field lies in the Upper Green River Valley of Wyoming near the town of Pinedale. The natural gas field is being developed in one of the valley's most important winter range and spring birthing areas.  This area is also in the center of one of the nation's longest and most ancient big game migration routes, a crucial link for animals in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem traveling between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and Wyoming's Red Desert.

The Bureau of Land Management has approved the development of 700 well pads in the Pinedale Anticline Project, most of which will soon be constructed. In December 2006, the Bureau of Land Management released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on industry's proposal for year-round and expanded drilling. The expanded development calls for 4,400 more wells, almost nine times the number currently in place, drilled at a rate of up to 232 a year. Seasonal drilling restrictions, set up to protect wintering big game, would be abandoned. Learn more about this crucial wildlife migration area by visiting www.uppergreen.org