Partnership Enhances Water Resources for Wild Horses and Wildlife

A new partnership among the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office, Marathon Oil Corporation, and Friends of a Legacy (FOAL) is making significant progress in enhancing water sources for wild horses, wildlife, and livestock in the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area (HMA) east of Cody, Wyoming. This initiative aims to address the reduction of produced water from Marathon's Oregon Basin oil field, which has been crucial for the area.

Background and Purpose

For years, the McCullough Peaks wild horses, livestock operators, and wildlife have relied on water from Marathon’s Oregon Basin oil field flowing into Dry Creek. However, to comply with a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality permit, Marathon is reducing the amount of produced water it releases into Dry Creek.

“This partnership is a proactive step towards looking at alternative ways to provide additional sources of water to the Dry Creek drainage,” said BLM Cody Field Manager Mike Stewart. “I am so pleased that Marathon came forward with this idea to benefit wild horses, wildlife, and livestock and comply with its permit at the same time.”

Memorandum of Understanding

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed earlier in 2012 by the three parties. The purpose of the Dry Creek Water Augmentation MOU is to identify, evaluate, develop, and enhance water resources along the Dry Creek drainage. The partners will employ a phased approach over the next few years.

Phase I: Initial Developments

The first phase includes identifying water supply development options such as reservoir enhancement, groundwater wells, and guzzlers. Plans to capture, contain, or conserve available surface water are well underway. Potential sites for shallow groundwater wells on FOAL and BLM property within the HMA have been identified, and groundwater of adequate quantity and quality was recently found at one site. Additionally, several reservoirs have been cleaned out in the HMA, which are critical for capturing spring snowmelt.

Phase I also involves planning a salt cedar and Russian olive eradication effort along Dry Creek. Removing these invasive plants will benefit wild horses, wildlife, and livestock by increasing water availability and allowing native vegetation to thrive.

Marathon's Role and Contributions

Marathon has operated in this area since 1917 and has partnered with the BLM on numerous resource improvement projects. To ensure the success of the Dry Creek Water Augmentation Project, Marathon has secured grants and provides funding to the National Wild Turkey Federation and Wyoming Wildlife Heritage Trust to implement fieldwork and other projects.

“We’re grateful for the partnerships we have with these groups,” said Environmental Professional Mike Williams with Marathon’s Senior Wyoming Asset Team. “We look forward to the work we can all accomplish together in the Dry Creek Drainage.”

FOAL's Involvement

FOAL, a non-profit wild horse advocacy organization located in Cody, is a key player in the new partnership. The BLM and FOAL signed a separate MOU in 2006 to coordinate and cooperate on public education opportunities, enhance habitat for all creatures living within the McCullough Peaks HMA, and assist the BLM in managing the McCullough Peaks wild horses.

A grant received by FOAL from the Park County Winter Recreation Coalition Fund, held by the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF), will contribute to the success of the Dry Creek Water Augmentation Project. The grant supports the costs of water wells, signage, and wild horse fertility control to benefit the McCullough Peaks wild horses. WYCF is a charitable organization that builds and preserves funds established by individuals, families, corporations, agencies, and private foundations, using the earnings to benefit community needs across Wyoming.

“Water is a key ingredient for sustainable habitat in the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area,” said Marshall Dominick, a founding member of FOAL. “By developing reliable, life-giving water sources, our partnership will provide a win-win situation for all creatures that live there, as well as for us humans who benefit from the existence of those creatures and their habitat.”

Future Phases

Subsequent phases of the Dry Creek Water Augmentation Project will include the design, permitting, and construction of wells, delivery systems, and various points of use for the delivered water, including guzzlers, reservoirs, and wetlands. It is hoped the partnership will continue to grow with the addition of new participants and public involvement in future workdays.

Originally posted by the BLM, Cody Field Office