Gas Exploration Endangering HABITATS

Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

Photo courtesy Texas GLO

Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Luis J. Santiago, Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement announced that Hawk Field Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston-based Petrohawk Energy Corporation, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the illegal take of endangered species in north-central Arkansas. United States Magistrate Judge H. David Young ordered Hawk Field Services, LLC, to pay a $350,000 fine and to donate $150,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, for use in restoration projects in the Little Red River watershed.

Hawk Field Services, LLC, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2011, to three counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act is a federal law that makes it illegal to take endangered species, by harassing the wildlife to such an extent that it significantly disrupts normal behavioral patterns such as breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

Natural gas is an abundant natural resource widely considered to be the next big thing in energy production, not only in the U.S., but around the world, as technology finally enables cost-effective extraction of the bountiful resource, leading to huge profits in the industry and, consequently, a massive influx of companies trying to find and extract the most product in the least amount of time. Unfortunately, the fierce competition has led to a lot of irresponsibility that must be addressed. Fortunately, there are people in the world who remember that prosperity comes at a price, and it’s not always cheap, as Hawk Field Services, LLC found out.

Rulings like this one are encouraging in the fight to preserve natural habitats and endangered species, even as we scramble to provide an affordable and more environmentally friendly energy source to support our continued growth and development. A similar situation arose in West Texas earlier this year when lawmakers pushed to have the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard placed on the Endangered Species list.One side wants to have the lizard named to the list, while the other side contests that it will effectively halt oil and gas production in the very fertile region. According to Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, “Just like they worked to protect the Kemp's ridley sea turtle on the shores of the Texas Gulf Coast, oil and gas producers want to help craft sensible conservation plans for the dunes sagebrush lizard”. While I can’t personally take a position on the push to have the lizard named an endangered species (admittedly, I don’t have all the facts), and the possible halt on production in that region that could result, I do agree with the position that we should all be made aware of the consequences of our actions on our environment as well as the environments of the “little guys”. It is my belief that we have a responsibility to look out for those who cannot look out for themselves, big and small, human or otherwise. I am glad there are people and organizations willing to point that out and hold these businesses responsible. 

As U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Thyre stated, "In order for us to continue to enjoy the Natural State for generations to come, it is incumbent upon those doing business in our state to protect our natural resources and wildlife. Even the speckled pocket book mussel plays an important role in the health of the Little Red River." I don’t know if something so prohibitive as declaring a species endangered is the answer, but it is apparent that cooperation is key to ensuring that we all may prosper…at the smallest price.