Acres leased for energy development vs.

Acres protected for conservation for the first quarter of 2013

Acres for Energy

From January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management leased (for oil and gas drilling): 85,737 acres in Wyoming 60,010 acres in Colorado 37,414 acres in Utah 35,889 acres in Nevada 29,939 acres in New Mexico 8,887 acres in Arizona 2,831 acres in Montana

Acres for Conservation

From January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013, the following acres were put into permanent protection by the federal government: Congress: ZERO new parks, wilderness areas, or national monuments Obama administration: 5 new national monuments Rio Grande del Norte: 242,555 acres Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad: 11,750 First State National Monument: 1,108 acres San Juan Islands: 970 acres Charles Young House: 59 acres

TOTAL: 269,594 for oil and gas And approved 3 renewable energy projects totaling: 1,208 acres in California for solar 7,700 acres in California for solar 9,300 acres in Nevada for wind TOTAL: 18,208 for renewable energy

278,915 acres leased for energy development

256,442 acres put into permanent protection by the federal government

Cumulative acres protected and leased since January 2013

Acres Leased for energy development since January 2013: 278,915 Acres permanently protected since January 2013: 256,442

Total acres protected and leased

Acres leased for energy development during the Obama administration: 6.5 million acres Acres permanently protected during the Obama administration: 2.6 million acres

Balancing Energy and Conservation: National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska

A good example of a balanced approach extracting energy and protecting sensitive lands is the recently finalized plan for the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska. The Bureau of Land Management will manage the NPR-A in a way that protects more than 95% of the critical wildlife habitat while still leaving 72% of the oil reserves accessible to drilling. The decision balanced conservation and demands for energy and this model should be replicated across federal lands, especially in places like Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Opportunity for Conservation: Organ Mountains

More than 500,000 acres of Chihuahuan desert in the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks region in New Mexico should be protected. This alpine desert is home to hundreds of rare and endangered plants and animals, and is threatened by development from nearby Las Cruces. Legislation to protect the area was introduced in the 112th Congress, and should be introduced again and passed in the 113th. Local county and city governments and a full 83% of the public support protecting the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks as a national monument.

Organ Mountains in New Mexico courtesy of BLM

The Organ Mountains, which are only part of the area, are named for the needle-like extrusions of granite that resemble organ pipes. The entire area boasts incredible botanical diversity with 870 species of vascular plants, including 36 species of ferns and two threatened endemic flowering perennials: the Organ Mountain primrose and smooth figwort. The pristine and rugged qualities of many of the areas provide opportunities for soul-filling solitude and outdoor recreation including hunting, horseback riding, hiking, birding and camping.