SOURCES OF METHODS AND STANDARDS 

 REQUIRED ON REFUGES 



Methods, recommendations, and standards utilized on refuges were deter- 

 mined from detailed examination of refuge records and discussions with managers. 

 Each refuge had a history of oil and gas activity in particular ecosystems. 

 Since an object of this study was to assess past and present methods and 

 formulate recommendations based on ecosystem type, all methods, standards, 

 etc. were classified according to the sort of ecosystem affected. 



A major source of information came from permits issued by the USFWS for 

 various phases of oil and gas extraction. These permits are often the result 

 of meetings and negotiation between the company, refuge manager, and regional 

 office of the USFWS. There may be other interested parties having input into 

 the process, including other branches of the USFWS, USAGE, and state natural 

 resource agencies. 



The permits detail the activity to be carried out and include a series of 

 stipulations, conditions to be met by the company, imposed by the USFWS. 

 Stipulations fall into three general categories: administrative, aesthetic, 

 and environmental. Among the administrative stipulations are statements 

 ensuring that the company or contractor complies with the requirements of the 

 Civil Rights Act of 1964, or that the U.S. Government is held blameless for 

 any damages to mineral owners or lessors from actions taking place under the 

 terms of the permit. 



Aesthetic stipulations usually deal with control of trash and litter, 

 though in the case of one pipeline permit, provision was made to paint equip- 

 ment to blend into the background. The other types of stipulations deal with 

 treatment of the environment and may be divided into two groups - broad general 

 requirements, and specific requirements tied to particular geographic sites or 

 conditions. Other documents of interest have included correspondence with 

 companies seeking to develop on the refuge; reports of meetings with company 

 officials; reports of field observations; memoranda to and from regional 

 offices; correspondence with the USACE concerning Section 404 permits; reports 

 of refuge biologists; notes of refuge managers; and technical information 

 supplied by companies in their applications. 



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