Proposal could extend protection for endangered beetle by 3 years
A process for streamlining protection for an endangered insect would be extended for three years under rules proposed this week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The service has begun a 30-day comment period for its proposal to extend the American Burying Beetle Industry Conservation Plan (IPC) until May 20, 2019.
Implemented in 2014, the plan provides a uniform way for oil and natural gas companies to comply with the Endangered Species Act, allowing them to receive incidental take permits for the American burying beetle. With the permits, companies can continue operating in the beetle’s habitat, which includes 45 counties in central and eastern Oklahoma.
“Extending the timeframe ... will help ensure that future oil and gas development in Oklahoma has minimal impacts on the American burying beetle,” Benjamin Tuggle, southwest regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement. “The service has worked closely with oil and gas operators over the last few years on implementation of the American burying beetle ICP and believes that extending its timeframe will benefit both the American burying beetle and the oil and gas industry.”
Under terms of the plan, oil and natural gas companies can choose to conduct their own mitigation or contract with a third party to do the mitigation for them. Most companies contract for the mitigation, Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Kevin Stubbs said.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has approved two conservation banks in Oklahoma: the American Burying Beetle
Conservation Bank on 1,600 acres of Pittsburg County; and Muddy Boggy Conservation Bank on 2,700 acres near the border of Coal, Hughes and Pontotoc counties.
Common Ground Capital owner Wayne Walker praised the proposed extension Tuesday.
“For once we see some certainty in the endangered species space. That’s good for everyone,” Walker said.
“Once you have certainty, guys like us and our competitors will invest in these markets to have mitigation so when the industry needs to transfer liability, we’re happy to do it.”
Classified as an endangered species since 1989, American burying beetle mitigation has slowed pipeline construction and inflated project costs throughout the eastern half of the state.
The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2012 suspended its established practice of requiring companies to bait and trap beetles before operating in the area.
Companies had no universal process to receive a permit to operate in the area until the industry conservation plan was implemented in 2014.