PROJECT SUMMARY
WHAT:
Marathon Oil Company Wildlife Mitigation Plan and Agreement for the Colorado Piceance Basin
WHO:
WHERE:
WHEN:
BACKGROUND
In 2010, CK assisted Marathon in developing and negotiating the mitigation agreement with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and ultimately submitted a Wildlife Mitigation Plan (WMP). The objective of the WMP and agreement was to facilitate early and collaborative planning for operations within the Piceance Basin. In addition, as part of the WMP, Marathon sought to expedite the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) process as stated in the WMP agreement. The WMP agreement represented one of the first WMP’s in the state of Colorado under the new Oil and Gas Rule. The WMP provided the wildlife information basis for the agreement and the guidance for Marathon’s operations within the Piceance Basin. The WMP is designed to function as a ͞living͟ document to accept adaptive management components as needed over time. As of 2016, the WMP agreement was renewed between Marathon and CPW for another 6-years. CK has maintained ecological management of the asset on behalf of Marathon. During the last 6-years CK has responded to wildlife mortalities and other regulatory issues. The primary mitigation for the WMP was associated with the Greater Sage Grouse (GrSG) within the SWH. However, Marathon applied avoidance and minimization efforts with best management practices (BMPs) to address other wildlife components, which included elk, mule deer, American peregrine falcon, bald and golden eagle, and raptors.
PROJECT SUMMARY
WHAT:
Marathon Oil Company Wildlife Mitigation Plan and Agreement for the Colorado Piceance Basin
WHO:
WHERE:
WHEN:
BACKGROUND
In 2010, CK assisted Marathon in developing and negotiating the mitigation agreement with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and ultimately submitted a Wildlife Mitigation Plan (WMP). The objective of the WMP and agreement was to facilitate early and collaborative planning for operations within the Piceance Basin. In addition, as part of the WMP, Marathon sought to expedite the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) process as stated in the WMP agreement. The WMP agreement represented one of the first WMP’s in the state of Colorado under the new Oil and Gas Rule. The WMP provided the wildlife information basis for the agreement and the guidance for Marathon’s operations within the Piceance Basin. The WMP is designed to function as a ͞living͟ document to accept adaptive management components as needed over time. As of 2016, the WMP agreement was renewed between Marathon and CPW for another 6-years. CK has maintained ecological management of the asset on behalf of Marathon. During the last 6-years CK has responded to wildlife mortalities and other regulatory issues. The primary mitigation for the WMP was associated with the Greater Sage Grouse (GrSG) within the SWH. However, Marathon applied avoidance and minimization efforts with best management practices (BMPs) to address other wildlife components, which included elk, mule deer, American peregrine falcon, bald and golden eagle, and raptors.