#United States #Montana #Well Done Foundation #US Fish and Wildlife #Orphan Wells

A Significant Step Towards Habitat Restoration

The Well Done Foundation (WDF) has recently announced a collaborative venture with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Well Done New Mexico LLC. This undertaking is set to make waves in wildlife conservation as it targets the plugging of more than 110 orphaned oil and gas wells across four crucial National Wildlife Refuges in the United States.

The Initiative Overview

This ambitious initiative focuses on some of the most sensitive ecological zones, including the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge and the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, as well as the Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge in Montana and the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The collaboration not only aims to seal these wells permanently, but also to reclaim surrounding areas to safeguard wildlife and preserve vital natural resources.

Curtis Shuck, Founder and Chairman of WDF, expressed his gratitude for being part of such a meaningful project: "We are humbled and honored to be a part of this critical effort to restore our nation's precious wildlife refuges. This project is an essential step towards restoring the balance between natural ecosystems and our built environments."

Addressing Safety Hazards

Orphaned oil and gas wells are not just an environmental concern; they pose significant safety hazards as well. This collaboration will address these risks by locating both documented and undocumented orphan wells along with accompanying infrastructure. The WDF plans to manage a series of activities to ensure these sites are handled responsibly.

• - Site Assessment: Deploying teams to survey and document current conditions of each well and its surroundings.
• - Environmental Precautions: Implementing erosion and spill control measures before any well work takes place.
• - Testing: Conducting pre- and post-plug tests for methane emissions and assessing water quality in surrounding areas.
• - Cleanup Measures: Safely removing contaminated soil and ensuring that the area is restored to its original state post-plugging.

More than just a well-plugging operation, this initiative seeks to actively involve the community. WDF plans to create volunteer opportunities and partnerships with local educational institutions, nonprofits, and tribes for internships that will further enhance awareness and accessibility of public lands.

Previous Successes and Future Goals

Since its inception in 2019, WDF has plugged over 46 high-priority orphan wells across five states, leading to the elimination of methane emissions equivalent to over 1.5 million metric tons. This successful track record underlines the foundation's commitment to making impactful environmental changes one well at a time.

By engaging with stakeholders at all levels—farmers, landowners, and government agencies—WDF continues to pursue its mission of addressing the estimated 2.15 million orphaned wells across the United States, thus playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change.

Conclusion

The collaborative project between the Well Done Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is about more than just closing wells; it’s about healing ecosystems and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the unparalleled beauty of America's natural habitats. This pioneering effort underlines the importance of partnerships in environmental conservation and sets a precedent for similar efforts nationwide.