Merlin has been asked to comment on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposal to prepare a draft of a 50-year environmental impact statement that will affect bats and humans.
Proposal Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announces their intent to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the draft Oil & Gas Coalition Multi-State Habitat Conservation Plan (O&G HCP). The O&G HCP is being developed to streamline environmental permitting and compliance with the ESA for nine companies in conjunction with their respective midstream and upstream oil and gas exploration, production, and maintenance activities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia over a 50-year period. The companies have indicated that they intend to request ITP coverage for five bat species: The endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), the threatened northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), the eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibii), and the tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus).
For more information and details about the intended proposal, click HERE.
Merlin has provided his statement below after discussing the proposal with a U.S. FWS representative.
We invite you to leave your comments as well via this link. The deadline for comments is December 27th.
Response to long-term oil & gas draft permit proposal
It is my understanding that the “incidental take” issue, as it pertains to bats in this case, simply limits the time of year when forest clearing for items such as wells, access roads and gas lines can occur. It does not prevent cutting of bat roosting trees. It just prevents cutting them during the bats’ active season. As traditionally enforced, I doubt its relevance to long-term population trends of tree-roosting bats. Industry undoubtedly could gain big saving from being allowed to work year-round instead of just in winter. If a portion of those savings could be invested in long-term protection of quality habitat, the net result could be positive for all concerned.
Unless negotiations are allowed to proceed, we cannot know that the outcome would be bad for bats. I am concerned regarding how mitigation funds are spent. They should not be wasted on attempts to stop or cure WNS. This horrible, bat-killing disease cannot be stopped, and it is extremely unlikely that a practically implementable cure will be found. It is time to focus conservation efforts on protection of key habitats.
In addition to protecting roosting habitats, we must also be seriously concerned about impacts on water availability and contamination. These issues also directly impact humans, endangered fish and mussels, and a wide variety of other wildlife.
Finally, any 50-year agreement must recognize that major changes, both technologically and environmentally, will likely occur. It is essential that sufficient flexibility be included to ensure equitable and effective implementation over a lengthy period of potentially rapid change. This agreement could be good for all concerned if negotiated under fair-minded leadership.
