NWTF Recognizes Conservation Partners - 2009
National Wild Turkey Federation
The National Wild Turkey Federation recognized Fidelity Exploration & Production Company and two other companies for their support of the Energy for Wildlife Program. “These companies have set their organizations apart from other companies in the energy industry,” said Jay Jordan, NWTF’s Energy for Wildlife coordinator. “The companies are committed not only to providing safe, reliable energy for their customers, but also are dedicated to improved habitat for wildlife wherever possible.” Energy for Wildlife was created by the NWTF in response to the utility industry’s need for assistance in managing the millions of acres of rights of way and other land that could potentially provide ideal habitat for a number of wildlife species.
Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship Award - 2008
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
A four-year study northeast of Sheridan, Wyo., designed to find ways to improve habitat for sage grouse won Fidelity Exploration & Production Company an Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship Award. The Wyoming Game & Fish Department honored Fidelity for "working proactively to deal with the management of produced water’’ as a benefit to wildlife, including habitat work to increase the survival of young sage grouse chicks. "Our awards to companies are for doing something above and beyond what’s required of them to benefit game and fish,’’ said Vern Stelter, critical habitat protection coordinator for Game and Fish. Fidelity’s four-year study and habitat work "is especially valuable with the attention sage grouse are getting, and it adds to our knowledge and how to apply it, not just for Fidelity, but elsewhere as well,’’ Stelter said.
The winners of the awards are selected by a team of specialists in Game and Fish, most of them in the habitat protection unit.
Environmental Integrity Award – Reclamation and Habitat Enhancement - 2008
MDU Resources Group
Two Fidelity employees won the MDU Resources Group Environmental Integrity Award for Reclamation and Habitat Enhancement at the corporation’s 2008 Leadership Conference. The employees lead the way in developing a comprehensive strategy for the protection of sage grouse. The strategy includes legal, public affairs and operational efforts made by Fidelity to operate responsibly in sage grouse habitat. The plan calls for a cutting edge, GPS-based bird-monitoring program designed to help minimize the degradation of valuable habitat. The strategy is being used to guide operations in protected habitat areas, allowing the company to work in an area and also accommodate and promote the natural ecosystems it encounters.
Environmental Stewardship Award - 2004
MDU Resources Group
Fidelity’s coalbed natural gas asset team was selected to receive the MDU Resources Environmental Stewardship Award for its work in encouraging landowners along the Tongue River in Montana to participate in a soil and crop testing program. The Tongue River Agronomic Monitoring and Protection Program was used to build baseline soil and crop data with which future data can be compared. The data will provide for objective criteria in the environmental impact of coalbed natural gas production.
Environmental Stewardship Award – 2004
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
Fidelity Exploration & Production Company was recognized with a major Environmental Stewardship Award from the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC). The Award was presented at the IOGCC Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City on October 18, 2004. In a news release announcing the award, the IOGCC remarked that their award program “recognized the best of the best in environmental stewardship.” Fidelity earned the award for its sponsorship of a three-year soil and crop testing program called the Tongue River Agronomic Monitoring and Protection Program (AMPP). Fidelity started the monitoring program in July 2003 to monitor water and soil conditions for any potential impacts from the discharge of water produced in conjunction with coalbed natural gas. The IOGCC, representing the governors of 30 member and seven associate states, promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. Established by the charter member states’ governors in 1935, it is among the oldest, largest and most effective interstate compacts in the nation.
Fluid Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award – 2004
Bureau of Land Management
Fidelity Exploration & Production Company was honored in June 2004 with a Fluid Mineral Environmental Award from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The award recognizes Fidelity’s community education and outreach efforts related to its coalbed natural gas production activities. A BLM news release announcing Fidelity’s selection for this award stated: “Fidelity has been an exemplary operator in Montana and Wyoming’s Powder River Basin for many years. With agreements in place for each of the more than 950 wells it operates in eastern Montana and northeastern Wyoming, the company makes working with landowners a priority. Fidelity meets extensively with the ranchers, landowners, and environmental groups as well as Federal, State and local officials to discuss coal bed natural gas issues. The company protects sensitive wildlife habitat, addresses noise and dust impacts, and maintains local water quality levels. Fidelity has also committed to a three-year soil monitoring program for farmers and ranchers along the Tongue River to monitor impacts from coal bed natural gas development.” According to the BLM, the community outreach award “recognizes the benefits of mineral development, with an emphasis on coordination with local and regional stakeholders.” This award category also rewards projects that enhance the local community’s quality of life and long-term health plus honors operators that use innovative techniques to operate in technically challenging conditions or in sensitive environmental settings.