¤ SPRING 2004 37Years of Conservation Action R E P O R T A Means to Responsible Oil and Gas Development That Respects Our Natural and Cultural Heritage By Bruce Pendery ronghorn graze among sagebrush scoured free of snow by the wind. In the background, the Popen plains stretch unbroken for miles. But underneath the placid herd, natural gas is flowing to a well six miles away. This is “doing it right.” “Doing it right” is an approach often mentioned when WOC seeks ways to keep the explosive oil and natural gas development rush sweeping across Wyoming from ruining the state’s rural communi- ties and the natural environment. The question is: what is “doing it right”? On the one hand, “doing it right” is like “multi- ple use”— a philosophical approach for how to treat the land and the people using it. But there are a number of specifics that give “doing it right” sub- stance. These specifics transform philosophy into a framework for responsible development on both public lands and private lands with underlying federally-owned oil and gas deposits (so-called “split estates”). According to the Northern Plains Resource Council, which popularized the phrase, there are at least six elements to “doing it right” in coalbed methane country, such as the Powder River Basin: • effective monitoring of development and enforce- ment of existing laws; • provision for surface-owner consent and surface- use agreements on split estate lands; • the use of best-available technologies to ensure aquifer recharge along with clustered develop- ment to reduce the area impacted; • the collection of thorough information on fish and wildlife resources followed by phased development to diffuse impacts; • meaningful public involvement in the decision- making process; and • complete reclamation of disturbed areas accompa- nied by bonding sufficient to ensure that taxpayers are not saddled with reclamation costs. anuga Jeff V continued on page 4 E D I Director’s President’s John Corra Legislative Wyoming S 2 Message 3 Message 7 Interview 12 Report 17 Conservation Congress N I DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE A Heartfelt Thanks to Dan Heilig Established in 1967, the Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC) is the state’s oldest and largest independent statewide conservation organization. Our mission aw firms call their most successful legal victories in the seemingly never-ending is to protect and enhance Wyoming’s attorneys “rainmakers,” near-miracle battle to protect Wyoming’s natural treasures, Executive Director Dan Heilig’s environment by educating and involving workers who significantly boost the clear skies, clean water and quality of life from citizens and advocating environmentally L Farewell Message sound public policies and decisions. firms’ revenues, reputation and prestige. runaway industrial development and violations Frontline Report is the quarterly news- If WOC were a law firm, Dan Heilig would of environmental laws and regulations. National letter of WOC and is provided as a benefit be its undisputed rainmaker. and international media coverage has highlight- of membership. Letters to the editor and articles by members are welcome. Now, after nearly 13 years at WOC, the past ed WOC’s campaigns to protect the Red Desert, For more information contact: five and a half as executive director, Dan has the Powder River Basin, the Greater WOC, 262 Lincoln, Lander, WY 82520 decided to take a well-deserved period of R&R. Yellowstone Ecosystem and other areas of the Dear Friends, (307) 332-7031 (phone) Dan came to Wyoming in the late 1970s state besieged by oil and gas drilling, logging (307) 332-6899 (fax) [email protected] drawn by the state’s mountains and work with and other environmentally destructive activities. After almost thirteen years working for WOC, seven as staff attorney the National Outdoor Leadership School based In mid-January, after Dan told the board Board of Directors and the last five and one-half as executive director, I have decided—after a Nancy Debevoise, Lander in Lander. He spent eight years leading courses of his plans, we immediately convened an considerable period of introspection—to heed the advice of Ed Abbey: “It is not President and traveling around the world climbing before eight-member ED Search Committee. The enough to fight for natural land and the west; it is even more important to Jim States, Saratoga deciding to go back to school. After graduating committee has developed a plan and timeline enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still there...” In this spirit, I will be stepping Vice President Susan Lasher, Worland from the University of Wyoming’s College of for a comprehensive and professional executive down as WOC’s executive director on August 31, 2004. I look forward to a very Bob Kiesling Treasurer Law and working as a law clerk for Wyoming director search, including a detailed schedule of appealing period of relaxation and adventure, followed by the flexibility and Molly Absolon, Lander freedom to explore new opportunities. Secretary District Court judge Arthur Hanscum, Dan came activities and firm deadlines for this important Tom Bell, Lander to WOC in 1991. executive search effort. THANK YOU NANCY This was not an easy decision for me. During my years at WOC I developed Emeritus As WOC’s staff attorney, Dan joined four Thanks to Dan’s extraordinary leadership, strong bonds with many people throughout the state and region. These people After seven years and 28 Joyce Evans, Saratoga other full-time WOC employees, including our the bright and dedicated staff he’s attracted to are all exceptionally talented, committed, caring, and principled individuals Cherry Landen, Wheatland issues, Nancy Debevoise has most senior staff member, Bonnie Hof bauer. WOC, and the organization’s well-deserved who are working for a better world. I feel privileged to have worked with them Laurie Milford, Laramie passed the role of WOC Frontline on both a professional and personal level. I will miss my frequent interactions, Barbara Oakleaf, Lander For the next seven years, Dan aptly tackled a reputation as one of the most effective and Report editor to Lander writer based on a shared commitment, with my many friends. Barbara Parsons, Rawlins brutal workload of detailed comments to public respected environmental organizations in the Lorna Wilkes-Ruebelmann, Sheridan agencies on development proposals and com- West, we look forward to receiving strong Molly Absolon. Nancy continues I have provided more than seven months notice to the Board of Directors so Staff plex administrative appeals and lawsuits defend- applications from highly qualified candidates. her committed service to WOC that a thorough and successful executive director search and transition can take Michele Barlow ing Wyoming’s wild, open spaces and clean We anticipate welcoming WOC’s new executive as president of the board of place. My passion for protecting Wyoming’s wildlife, wildlands and quality of Director, life stays very strong, as is my belief that WOC is among the most effective Environmental Quality & Justice Program environment from ill-conceived logging, min- director to Lander in early August, permitting directors. organizations in the West fighting for these goals. Thus, I am deeply committed Mac Blewer ing, and oil and gas drilling on our public lands. several weeks of orientation by Dan before his Nancy brought Frontline to a Outreach Coordinator to making sure that the transition to the new executive director goes smoothly. By the time Dan took over as executive planned departure on August 31. new level of professionalism. The Mary Corning director from Tom Throop in September, 1998, While executive director transitions I am confident WOC is in a position to use this transition as an opportunity Executive Assistant newsletter has been praised by WOC had a growing reputation as Wyoming’s inevitably involve a lot of work and some for further growth. Your continued involvement with WOC and support of our Leslie Gaines WOC members and other read- environmental 911—the group everyone called stressful moments, we are confident that work through this transition will allow us to sustain and strengthen the vibrant Communications Director ers for its clean look, its pithy about threats to the state’s wildlife, wild places with your continued support and involvement, and effective organization you have helped us build. Dan Heilig articles, its range of subject mat- Executive Director and environmental quality. WOC will use this opportunity to continue to In closing, please allow me to say how deeply appreciative I am of your sup- Bonnie Hof bauer In his nearly six years as ED, Dan has grow and strengthen. ter, and its relevance, much of port and the trust and confidence you have invested in this wonderful organi- Office Manager increased WOC’s staff from five to 12, hiring Dan has done a superb job of leading WOC which can be attributed to zation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with any questions. Steve Jones Nancy’s influence. Watershed Protection Program Attorney talented and passionate lawyers, organizers, and he will be greatly missed. On behalf of Thank you, Nancy, for all your Marisa Martin and media and development professionals; sub- WOC’s staff and board, members, funders and Coordinator stantially boosted our annual budget by attract- all those who love Wyoming, I offer Dan our hard work. Sincerely, Greater Yellowstone Program ing generous individual donations and founda- heartfelt thanks for his devotion to WOC Bruce Pendery Director tion grants; built strong coalitions and his prodigious achievements as rainmaker Public Lands Program with state, regional and national conservation extraordinaire. D.J. Strickland partners; increased and diversified the organiza- Development Director tion’s membership; and overseen the creation Dan Heilig Meredith Taylor of a professionally managed endowment fund to Field Office Director Executive Director Greater Yellowstone Program ensure WOC’s long-term financial stability.