Star-Tribune Editorial Board

When Gov. Dave Freudenthal expresses concern about oil and gas development, people should listen.

The governor has a long record of supporting energy development, while recognizing there are places in Wyoming where wildlife and environmental concerns outweigh the need to drill for oil and gas.

Freudenthal's request to the Bureau of Land Management last week to reconsider plans to offer oil and gas leases in the Saratoga Valley is a prime example of his desire to develop the state on Wyoming's terms.

The governor noted that the acreage in question contains important sage grouse habitat, crucial mule deer winter range, and elk and pronghorn critical habitat. The governor said oil and gas exploration could harm the North Platte River drainage, groundwater resources, air and watersheds, and split-estate values for livestock and grazing. He said the quality of recreational opportunities also could suffer.

Freudenthal is actually doing the energy industry a favor by pointing out how development in the Saratoga Valley could hurt sage grouse. Agencies elsewhere in Wyoming are desperately trying to maintain habitat for the birds. If the federal government decides sage grouse throughout the state should be protected under the Endangered Species Act, the restrictions imposed could hobble the state's extraction economy.

The Petroleum Association of Wyoming argues that sage grouse have always returned to the area once drilling is over. But it's not worth the risk of destroying sage grouse habitat on the chance that a company might find some resources worth recovering.

Freudenthal's Saratoga Valley recommendation is consistent with his request last month to the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture departments to cancel oil leases on about 44,500 acres in the Wyoming Range. In both cases, the governor said unique wildlife, recreation and tourism opportunities should not be sacrificed in pristine areas where companies want to drill.

No one can accuse this governor of always putting environmental concerns first. His strong support for the coal-bed methane industry has dismayed conservation groups.

It's a popular belief -- but not necessarily true -- that making both sides angry means an official or agency must be doing something right. But in the case of Freudenthal and the need to balance Wyoming's energy exploration with its protection of other natural resources, the governor obviously has a healthy respect for all interests. The BLM should follow his advice about the Saratoga Valley and pull these parcels from the sale block.