FIELD Notes

By Lisa McGee

THE ROCK CREEK AREA OF THE BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST is a treasured landscape.

Adjacent to the Cloud Peak Wilderness and encompassing a full spectrum of mountain habitats—from low-elevation forests and canyons to high-alpine lakes—the area is unique for its jagged rock spires, pristine streams, and old-growth aspen groves.

The U.S. Forest Service decided years ago to make the Rock Creek area off-limits for future road building, timber harvest, motorized recreation, or mineral exploration. So there was little public controversy when the agency recommended, in its most recent management plan for the Bighorn National Forest, that Congress designate the area as new wilderness. The new plan was finalized in 2005.

But congress is unlikely to act on this recommendation unless one of Wyoming’s congressional delegation pushes for the wilderness designation.

New wilderness generally needs a “hometown” sponsor to be viable. This is why Wyoming’s congressional delegation needs to hear from you.

The Forest Service and many Wyoming residents—especially locals who value the backcountry hunting, fishing, camping and non-motorized recreation that the area provides—have recommended that the highest and best use of this land is to maintain its wilderness qualities.

Protecting Rock Creek will ensure that future generations can enjoy this place tomorrow as we do today.

So now it’s time for Congress to act—and Wyoming’s congressional delegation should lead the way.

PLEASE CONTACT WYOMING’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

Please take a moment to send an email to Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis and Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso.

Ask them to introduce legislation that will protect Rock Creek as wilderness. It would be the first new wilderness area designated in Wyoming in 26 years.

Citizens of Wyoming will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate Rock Creek’s protection during the last week of September.

Your emails of support prior to that trip will make a difference.

You can contact Rep. Cynthia Lummis here.

You can contact Sen. Mike Enzi here.

You can contact Sen. John Barrasso here.