The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has prepared this environmental assessment (EA) of Proposed Oil and Gas Exploration, Baca National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), Saguache County, Colorado, in accordance with the procedures for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as stated by the Council of Environmental Quality. The purpose of this EA is to ensure that the proposed oil and gas exploration on the Refuge by Lexam Explorations (U.S.A.) Inc. (Lexam) does not unreasonably impact the surface estate (including all surface and subsurface natural resources not considered to be minerals) of the Refuge and associated cultural, socioeconomic, and aesthetic resources. The Service seeks to protect Refuge resources while honoring a mineral owner’s rights to access and explore the oil and gas mineral estate. The Service will ensure protection of the surface estate and associated resources occurring on the Refuge from unreasonable damage by requiring that Lexam follow specific protective measures during all phases of the proposed oil and gas exploration, including the intended drilling of two exploratory wells on the Refuge. This EA evaluates and compares the No Additional Protective Measures Provided by the Service Alternative (no action alternative), Acquisition of the Mineral Estate Alternative, and a Maximum Protection of Refuge during exploration Alternative (proposed action).
