LAKEWOOD, Colo.—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has once again found that a plan to explore for oil and gas on the Baca National Wildlife Refuge will have no significant impact on the environment.
The announcement Friday means there won’t be a more rigorous environmental review of Lexam Explorations (U.S.A.) Inc.’s proposal to drill two exploratory wells. The agency had reviewed its findings after conservation groups sued in 2007.
However, the Fish and Wildlife Service says it’s imposing 43 terms and conditions on Lexam, beyond what the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and Saguache County have imposed. Its terms include restrictions on what time of year Lexam can explore, measures to minimize the risk of water contamination, and measures to reduce air, noise and light pollution.
———
Online:
