Gas exploration company wins wildlife award
The Bill Barrett Corporation (BBC) was presented a Conservation Achievement Award at this year's Wildlife Society meeting in Moab. Nominated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, BBC was lauded for its progressive attitude toward wildlife and innovative approach to wildlife mitigation. "BBC representatives have made every effort to assure that potential impacts of oil and gas development on wildlife were minimized or mitigated," wrote DWR Wildlife Biologist Brad Crompton in the nomination application.
BBC's achievements included:
*Five years of sage-grouse research on the West Tavaputs Plateau. Research documented crucial winter habitat for sage-grouse. After finding that corporate activities disturbed sage-grouse distribution and behavior, BBC rerouted travel to avoid future disturbance of these birds.
*Grazing agreements that have increased available forage for deer and elk and reduced the risk of disease transmission to bighorn sheep populations in the area.
*The funding of wildlife habitat improvement projects on more than 5,000 acres of land. Projects included prescribed burns, Dixie harrow treatments, pinyon juniper treatments, and water development projects.
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