Natural Resources and Environment

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Although most people think of themselves as environmentally sensitive, when it comes to natural resource specifics, the “devil is in the details.” With decades of experience as neutral third-parties in natural resource disputes and the management of natural resources, we bring clarity and focus to challenging issues, ranging from whether to privatize the cleanup on an Air Force base to how to more effectively address a Superfund site even after the record of decision had been issued.

British Petroleum Whiting Refinery:

After the launch of a major initiative to import crude oil from Canada for refining at the Whiting Refinery on the shores of Lake Michigan near Chicago, BP faced numerous environmental, permitting, public involvement and political challenges. The Osprey Group facilitated a two-day workshop involving senior project managers to discuss and determine the best ways of moving forward to expand the refinery's capacity while addressing these various concerns.

Fountain Creek Conflict Assessment:

Fountain Creek is a tributary of the Arkansas River in Colorado that drains nearly 1000 square miles. The importation of water from the West Slope and expansion of development in the Colorado Springs area have increased the mean annual flow in the Creek by almost four times in the last few decades. Major problems include erosion, siltation, water quality and risk of flooding. Osprey conducted a conflict assessment on behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Political leaders and other stakeholders are currently considering the Osprey recommendations and meeting to decide how the major problems can be addressed most effectively.

Barry M. Goldwater Range:

Working with the Meridian Institute, Osprey facilitated the meetings of a Congressionally-appointed Task Force focused on the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona and the survival of endangered species, most notably the Sonoran Pronghorn. This was a large project, conducted over a compressed schedule, which culminated in consensus on the contents of the mandated report to Congress.

Texas Workshop on Ecosystem Banking:

Working with CDR Associates, Osprey helped design and co-facilitated a three-day workshop on Ecosystem Banking. The workshop involved over 30 employees of state and Federal departments and regulatory agencies. Ecosystem banking is currently practiced on a limited scale in Texas. This workshop advanced the development of the theory and practice of ecosystem banking for large transportation projects.

Privatization of Environmental Cleanup, Lowry Air Force Base:

Osprey designed and facilitated a multi-year series of Stakeholder Advisory Group sessions that explored the range of issues and concerns about the privatization of the environmental cleanup of more than 500 acres on this base. The initial effort led to signed agreements by the negotiating parties. This was the Air Force's first privatization of the environmental cleanup of a converted base. The project involved working closely with citizens and negotiating parties including the Lowry Redevelopment Authority, the Air Force, EPA, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the cities of Aurora and Denver. Based upon early on-the-ground success with the privatized clean-up, Osprey facilitated subsequent discussions focused on comprehensive and expanded clean-up at the base. The resulting agreements were signed into law by the Governor of Colorado in December 2005. The expected cost of the cleanup is $30 million.

Shattuck Dialogue:

Osprey organized and co-facilitated a Dialogue that involved all major stakeholders concerned with the Shattuck Superfund site which contains radioactive waste within Denver's city limits. A highly contentious issue for years, the old joint EPA-State of Colorado decision that led to "on site disposal" was never accepted by many Denver citizens and elected officials. EPA Assistant Administrator Tim Fields participated in all Dialogue plenaries and used its deliberations to help make the final decision, which was to remove the waste to a licensed disposal facility. Corrective actions are underway. Information is available at www.epa.gov/region08/superfund/shtk/shattuck.html

Wilderness and Mountain Biking:

Osprey mediated an ongoing dispute between the major nonprofit organizations involved in advocacy for wilderness expansion and mountain bike access. Despite a history of acrimony and hard feelings among the participants, this mediation, funded by REI and Patagonia, Inc., led to a concrete signed agreement on how the two communities plan to work more productively together in the future and ongoing conference call communications.

EPA Mining/CERCLA Meeting about Historic Mine Sites:

For EPA, organized and ran a major 120-person workshop focused on the Federal government’s role, especially on lands the Federal government owns or manages, in addressing the cleanup of historic mine sites. Most of these sites were producing mines prior to any reclamation laws and frequently pose challenging environmental cleanups today. The desirability and effectiveness of the use of the provisions under CERCLA was a primary EPA focus along with cross agency coordination. The conference produced a series of concrete steps to be taken by each agency and the establishment of a cross-agency coordinating body.

Gunnison Watershed:

Conducted a feasibility assessment about the viability of establishing a longer-range watershed planning effort. The evaluation reported that issues were so complicated and controversial that a watershed planning process would face serious challenges. Accordingly, the local Water Conservancy District determined that a larger planning initiative should not be pursued at present.

Nellis Stewardship Dialogue:

Facilitated plenary and workgroup sessions focused on future ecological stewardship for the Nellis Air Force Range which comprises almost three million acres of public land in Nevada. The 65 dialogue participants included federal land management and military agencies and affected local, tribal, regional and national stakeholders. The project produced consensus agreements on the specifics of future stewardship expectations, roles and responsibilities.

Ski Industry Charter:

Working with the National Ski Association of America (NSAA) and various stakeholders around the country, co-facilitated a year-long process that developed the Environmental Charter for the Ski Industry in the United States. The Charter includes an environmental vision and mission statement, a set of voluntary principles, and environmental tips and information for resort guests. The Charter has been endorsed by NSAA and several participating environmental groups.

Bolts and the Wilderness:

At the request of REI, Inc., convened and facilitated a meeting of members of the conservation and climbing communities to resolve differences over the use of fixed climbing anchors in wilderness areas. The parties agreed to a set of common principles and to a strategy for advancing their common agenda among the various federal agencies that manage wilderness in the U.S.

Department of Defense Dialogue on a DoD Biodiversity Strategy:

Facilitated dialogue that involved DoD and its branch services, other land management agencies, the environmental and scientific communities, and commodity representatives. Produced a DoD strategy for the management and protection of biodiversity on DoD lands. This strategy was published, distributed and implemented throughout the various branches of the military service.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Workshops on Snow Goose Overpopulation:

Facilitated a series of three workshops along the Snow Goose flyway to address the challenge of the overpopulation of the species and consequent ecological damage. Participants included federal and state wildlife officials and hunting and conservation groups. Result was a series of recommended administrative and legislative changes that were consolidated and posted to the Federal Register in advance of adoption.

Sierra Club-International Mountain Bike Association Policy Mediation:

Mediated national effort that resolved policy differences over mountain bike usage on public lands nationwide. Outcomes included formal revision of national Sierra Club policy and an ongoing conflict resolution process involving both organizations to resolve site specific conflicts wherever they may occur.

Wilderness and Mountain Biking:

Osprey mediated an ongoing dispute between the major nonprofit organizations involved in advocacy for wilderness expansion and mountain bike access. Despite a history of acrimony and hard feelings among the participants, this mediation, funded by REI and Patagonia, Inc., led to a concrete signed agreement on how the two communities plan to work more productively together in the future and ongoing conference call communications.

Sierra Club-International Mountain Bike Association Policy Mediation:

John Huyler was the sole mediator for national effort that resolved policy differences over mountain bike usage on public lands. Outcomes included formal revision of national Sierra Club policy and an ongoing conflict resolution process involving both organizations to resolve site specific conflicts wherever they may occur.