Conflicting studies over impact of oil drilling

​Conflicting studies over impact of oil drilling:  Another problem with science is that different research often produces conflicting results so that decision-makers have to decide which studies to employ in decisions. A recent Wyofile article by Scott Streater points to an article published by U.S. Geological Research and Colorado researchers that fewer males visit leks where well density reached a critical level. In contrast, a study done by the Western Energy Alliance and Petroleum Association of Wyoming claims that advances in drilling technology (horizontal drilling in particular) have reduced surface disturbance so that wildlife including sage grouse “can flourish” around “energy development.”  See http://www.wyofile.com/wyo-drilling-increased-grouse-numbers-declined/
The consequences of such disagreement mean that government agencies like the USFWS and possibly Federal courts have to decide which studies to believe in making decisions about protecting habitats of grouse and other species.