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SURVEY REPORTS RANCHERS’ OPINIONS OF COALBED NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT
January 18, 2005

The Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance (CBNGA) conducted a survey of 450 landowners who have coalbed natural gas development on their land in an effort to learn first-hand what they have experienced.

“The results of the survey counter the claims of numerous environmental groups that coalbed natural gas development, ranching and farming are mutually exclusive operations,” said Karen Brown, CBNGA coordinator. “An overall majority of ranchers and respondents that responded to the survey believe that coalbed natural gas development, ranching and farming coexist today on their property. In addition, the respondents appreciated the many benefits of development, including water (especially during the last several years of drought), electricity, bridges and roads.” Brown added that several respondents mentioned that “the initial phase of development was disruptive, but that as soon as reclamation was completed their property was as good as or better than it had been before.”

The survey was issued by mail in September 2004 and tabulated in November 2004. The majority or 58 percent of those responding represent full-time ranchers, ranchers who both ranch and hold a second job or retired ranchers.

The landowners included those with surface or mineral or both surface and mineral rights. More than 15 percent of those asked to participate responded to the survey representing more than 2,104 wells or approximately 12 percent of the total producing coalbed wells in the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming.

The survey found that most landowners generally perceive coalbed natural gas development as beneficial for their community with more positive than negative impacts on the environment. In response to the question, “Would you say the overall impact of the coalbed natural gas development on your community has generally been positive or negative,” 36 percent said “very positive” while 77 percent said that it was between “very positive” and “neutral”. In regard to a similar question on the environment, 47 percent said the effects were either positive or neutral with 32 percent saying somewhat negative.

In answer to the question, “Please describe the most helpful or the most impressive thing a CBNG operator has done for you, your family or for your ranch”. The item receiving the largest number of votes with 33 was the use of new water sources for their ranch. Tied with the second highest number of votes were the actual surface use agreement and revenue stream from the surface use fees. Other items ranked in order of votes include revenue stream from production, roads, and the friendships gained with employees of the producing companies.

A similar question was asked about the most damaging thing the coalbed natural gas industry has done that the landowner had personally observed. A number of respondents said that roads, pipelines and power lines were the most damaging. One theme that ran throughout the answers involving this category was the need for better planning in placing roads, pipelines and power lines to avoid excessive construction. The other concern frequently expressed was that the new roads had greatly increased traffic and dust, and that operators had failed in some cases to spray the roads to reduce the dust. Other issues mentioned included the increase in weeds and limited weed control, leaving gates open regularly and driving too fast.

While some environmental groups have made the claim that the water produced in conjunction with coalbed natural gas would be harmful to soil, water and land, the survey results yielded few comments along these lines. There were several comments concerning sodium levels in the water and a couple of the respondents felt that the water may have polluted streams and some land indicating that they thought nothing could now be grown upon these lands. To this end, a question was included asking the landowners if they found the environmental groups who have developed positions against coalbed natural gas development to be credible or not credible. Sixty-five percent of the landowners responding to the survey said these environmental groups were not credible.

While many special interest groups have become involved in discussions about CBNG development, this survey may be the first to actually poll landowners with actual coalbed natural gas development on their property. “Instead of the misinformation tactics that we have seen from special interest groups, we are getting information directly from the landowners themselves. While it points to some things that operators and industry can improve upon, we are pleased with the overall positive responses”, Brown said.

The majority of respondents were male ranchers from Wyoming over 45 years of age.

The CBNGA's mission is to inform and communicate accurate information as well as provide education about coalbed natural gas development primarily within the Powder River Basin. The CBNGA is composed of energy providers, businesses, ranchers, farmers and citizens throughout Montana and Wyoming that support responsible energy development.