Put Human Health and Environment First in Wyoming
Just a few short years ago, the Upper Green River Basin of Wyoming, a major migration corridor for wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, was known for its pristine air and water quality and 100-mile views.
But that was before the valley saw the rapid development of two of the largest gas fields in the nation. Today, residents of this rural region are subject to unprecedented ozone health advisories, and there is documented evidence of widespread groundwater contamination caused by oil and gas activity.
Incredibly, the federal government's Bureau of Land Management is now proposing to develop more than 4,000 new wells in the area, and drastically increase the pace of drilling activity without giving adequate thought to how that would further impact the local people and wildlife.
Unfortunately, we cannot stop this development outright, but we can insist that the strictest environmental safeguards are included and the pace of drilling is significantly slowed down.
The Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to do just that, and put human health and the environment first. Let's make sure the EPA knows it has plenty of public support for this approach. Please sign the petition below!
Dear Administrator Johnson,
Thank you for taking a strong position insisting that the Bureau of Land Management consider the full human health and environmental impacts of drilling 4,400 new wells in the Upper Green River Basin of Wyoming.
As your agency has pointed out, the current expanded drilling plan is not environmentally acceptable for air, water, wildlife or human health.
This has become all the more evident given that five unprecedented ozone health advisories were issued just last month, NOx emissions are five times predicted levels, haze has been increasingly reported in the surrounding class-I airsheds, and there is documented evidence of widespread groundwater contamination.
The EPA is an important protector of human health and the environment. It's important your agency continues to work with the BLM to come up with a newly revised plan that responsibly safeguards local health and the environment of the Upper Green River Basin and includes a full public comment opportunity.
Administrator Johnson, your organization is best positioned to ensure the final plan contains real teeth and enforcement mechanisms that previous drilling plans have lacked. Not only are the impacted citizens of Sublette County behind you on this, but the larger American public supports you as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
