The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is so focused on encouraging oil and gas drilling on its Western lands that it is ignoring the environmental consequences and the harm to wildlife, the Washington Post reported [1]. Studies have shown that mule deer and sage grouse numbers have been declining in Wyoming over the past five years, since the drilling frenzy began.

But, the paper reported, the findings of wildlife declines have not led BLM [2] officials out to the field to monitor the situation. One of three BLM wildlife biologists in Pinedale [3], Wyoming – near Jackson – quit his job last week after becoming increasingly frustrated that he was spending all his time dealing with drilling requests rather than monitoring wildlife.

According to the Post, an internal BLM review found several years ago found that the agency was spending a third of its wildlife budget on other programs, and another study last year concluded that the diversion of funds had resulted in missed opportunities to protect wildlife.

The Interior Department convened a citizen advisory group to monitor the impacts of drilling near Pinedale, but the group leader told the newspaper that the BLM has refused to listen to its recommendations.

Image credit: State of Wyoming [4]