How does oil and gas development affect sage-grouse?

A donation from Questar Exploration and Production Company will allow
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists to find more answers to
that question.

Questar recently donated more than $27,000 to the UDWR to fund a
greater sage-grouse study. Biologists will conduct the study in 2008
and 2009 in the Deadman Bench and Glen Bench areas in northeastern
Utah.

Biologists will focus their efforts in areas that have sage-grouse leks
(breeding grounds). They’ll learn more about the migration patterns
and the breeding and productivity of the grouse in the area, the habitat
quality in the area and the effects oil and gas development have on
grouse.

The goal of the study is to identify opportunities for habitat
improvements in the area and to suggest mitigation in areas where energy
development may affect the grouse.

“We are pleased to help fund the UDWR’s study,” says Scott
Gutberlet, general manager of Questar Exploration and Production’s
Uinta Division. “These studies [have been] beneficial to wildlife and
wildlife managers in other areas [where] we operate. Results from the
studies help us to better manage our operations and to ultimately
demonstrate that wildlife and energy development can coexist. This is
another step towards our goal of being responsible energy developers
wherever we operate.”

“Questar has been very proactive in resolving wildlife issues,”
says Kevin Christopherson, the UDWR’s regional supervisor in
northeastern Utah. “Working together to solve problems on the front
end has proven to be beneficial for both wildlife and energy
development. We appreciate Questar's progressive approach."

Questar’s collaboration with wildlife managers in Utah will help
develop a solution to reduce impacts on grouse and improve knowledge
about greater sage-grouse in northeastern Utah. This partnership will
address important natural resource issues across the state.

Both groups look forward to working for the greater good of the
grouse.