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Gas, oil drilling concern sportsmen
Poll shows Colorado anglers, hunters favoring protections for fish, game
The poll, conducted by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va., was given to 400 licensed hunters and anglers in Colorado.
Sportsmen were asked their opinions on a number of topics related to gas and oil extraction on public lands.
The majority of respondents, while favoring responsible development of domestic resources, expressed concern over the impact drilling will have on fish and game populations and, by extension, hunting and fishing opportunities.
"That's pretty telling," said Corey Fisher, energy field coordinator for Trout Unlimited, one of the organizations working under the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development banner.
"Colorado sportsmen want to see energy developed on public lands, but not in a way that compromises fish and wildlife habitat and fishing and hunting opportunity," Fisher said.
For instance, when asked if public lands in Colorado should be managed more for fish and wildlife or more for gas and oil extraction, 66 percent said public lands should be managed for both about equally.
Thirty-two percent believed management philosophy should tilt in favor of fish and game, while no Colorado sportsmen believed public land should be managed solely for gas and oil extraction.
"Sportsmen have consistently called for balance when it comes to industrial development on public lands in Colorado," said Fisher, who has worked extensively with sportsmen and women in Trout Unlimited's efforts to protect wildlife resources and sporting opportunities atop western Colorado's Roan Plateau.
The poll also revealed information regarding the depth of the connection sportsmen have with the land and waters of
Colorado.
Approximately 85 percent of the hunters and anglers polled said they believe the energy industry should be responsible for meeting the regulations put forth in the federal Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Currently, industry is exempt from some provisions in both laws, according to Fisher.
"Hunters and anglers in Colorado have seen the impact irresponsible oil and gas drilling can have on the state's water sources," Fisher said, citing a host of industrial spills that occurred atop the Roan Plateau last winter on private land.
At one point, more than 2 million gallons of drilling mud was spilled, and much of it
remained frozen in a waterfall until the spring thaw, he said.
Downstream, a private citizen was poisoned after drinking tainted well water, he added, citing news accounts.
"There's a direct connection between clean water and the quality habitat fish and game need to survive. As you know, the better the habitat, the better the hunting and fishing," Fisher said.
Other findings in the poll:
•73 percent of those polled believe the federal government should take the necessary steps to protect hunting and fishing opportunities on land leased for gas and oil extraction.
•The poll revealed sportsmen and women in Colorado are concerned gas and oil extraction will result in loss of hunting and fishing access in Colorado, less wild area or natural habitat for fish and wildlife, and increased poaching.
•84 percent of those polled strongly or moderately opposed any process that would exclude sportsmen and women from the decision-making process surrounding the leasing and drilling of public lands.
•In rating the importance of the uses of public land in Colorado, the sportsmen and women polled placed hunting and fishing atop their list, with wildlife habitat management coming in a close second and fish habitat management third. Traditional oil and gas extraction came in seventh, below development of renewable
energy sources, such as wind and solar.
•71 percent of those polled believe the federal government should take more steps to protect fish and game on Colorado's public lands that
are leased for gas and oil
extraction.
To view the poll in its entirety, visit www.tu.org.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
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