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Victory in the Wyoming Range!

Wyoming’s namesake mountain range is a landscape the Wyoming Outdoor Council and our partners have worked to protect for 10 years. Many of you will recall the controversial offering of some 40,000 national forest acres for oil and gas lease sale back in 2005-06. This unpopular decision resulted in the formation of a powerful coalition. Citizens, hunters, anglers, recreational users, wildlife enthusiasts, ranchers, labor union members, outfitters, tourism interests, and conservationists came together in a united effort to protect the Wyoming Range.

While the fate of these leases remained in limbo, we worked together to pass the Wyoming Range Legacy Act in 2009, bipartisan legislation that withdrew 1.2 million acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest from future oil and gas leasing. Three years later we came together again to find a solution to the threat posed by 136 natural gas wells in the Upper Hoback Basin. We helped raise $8.75 million to purchase and retire these valid, existing oil and gas leases.

The issue that started it all—the controversial and long-contested oil and gas leases—was the last to be resolved. The fate of these leases has always rested with the Forest Service. Five years ago, the agency made a good decision not to lease these acres, only to pull back when faced with legal challenges. Today, after years of careful additional analysis and consideration of input from thousands of citizens, the Forest Service is reissuing its no-leasing decision.

This decision approaches what we hope will be the end of a long chapter of uncertainty. Unfortunately, because the decision comes so close to the change in presidential administrations, it is still unclear whether it will persist. We will keep you posted. For now, however, a celebration is in order.

Warm regards,

Stand Tall for Public Lands Next Week in Cheyenne

We need your help to continue to show strong public opposition to the agenda to seize our national forests and other public lands. An important meeting is coming up in Cheyenne.

Next week, a subcommittee of the Legislature’s Federal Natural Resource committee will hold a public meeting to hear what the public thinks about a proposed constitutional amendment that would pave the way for state takeover of public land. This bill continues a long effort—pushed by a few legislators—to advance state takeover and probable sale of our public lands.

Federal Natural Resource Management Subcommittee Meeting
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Jonah Business Center, Room L-54
3001 E Pershing Blvd.  Cheyenne, WY

Please attend the meeting in person if you can! We need citizens to speak out against this land grab effort. Even if you don’t want to speak, your presence will support others who are there and send a strong message to legislators. Contrary to what the proponents say, this amendment does not prohibit the sale of public lands. It leaves the door open for future privatization and loss of access to our outdoor heritage.

You’re also invited to join us for a free citizen orientation before the meeting, where you can learn more and get your questions answered. We’ll provide background information and talking points for those who wish to offer comments during the hearing. Lunch will be provided. RSVP here.

Free Pre-Meeting Citizen Orientation
When: 
Wednesday, December 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Laramie County Public Library, Cottonwood Room
2200 Pioneer Ave.  Cheyenne, WY

Learn more about the proposed constitutional amendment in this blog post or check out our fact sheet. If you can’t make it to Cheyenne next week, please e-mail the committee (and be sure to cc your newly-elected legislators) to let them know our public lands are not for sale. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Stephanie Kessler, Director of External Relations

You Can Help Protect Public Lands

uncle_samOppose the agenda to seize our national forests and other public lands

Next week, the Wyoming State Legislature’s Federal Natural Resource committee will consider a constitutional amendment to pave the way for state takeover of public lands.

When: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 starting at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Central Wyoming College, Room SC103, Riverton.
Why: This is an attempted land grab. A small group of legislators are taking extreme measures to try to wrest control of our treasured public lands. As we have seen in other Western states, this leads to privatizing these lands, limiting public access and costing the state too much.

What Can You Do?

  • SAY NO. Attend the meeting. You will have an opportunity to speak during the public comment period, if you choose. Having a crowd there will make a difference.
  • E-mail the committee members by Tuesday, November 8th to let them know you oppose land grab legislation. Make your comments as unique as possible!

What Can You Say?

  • Feel free to speak from your experience, background and values. Always be civil and respectful.
  • A state takeover of our public lands would be a threat to our way of life and it would be too costly.
  • Tell the committee to vote NO on the proposed constitutional amendment.

For more information, download a fact sheet on this amendment, read the text of the amendment itself, visit keepitpublicwyo.com or view our report on the history of public land grab efforts in Wyoming.

And here is the Legislature’s commissioned report “Study on Management of Public Lands in Wyoming” that concludes such a state takeover of management would be too costly and present major financial, administrative and legislative challenges without any real benefits to the Wyoming public.

The Case for Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

  • The state cannot afford to manage our national forests and other public lands and will be forced to sell them off to cover the high costs of management. The state would not be able to foot the bill for fighting forest fires, road and trail maintenance, and much more. The recent $75,000 Report on Management documented these many costs and other management challenges.
  • Wyoming manages its state lands for profit and this same emphasis will drive newly acquired lands. The Legislature could seek to sell off these lands to gain quick fixes to budget woes.
  • This effort will result in our public lands privatized and loss of public access. Under the guise of “transferring” ownership or management, it all leads to the same place—privatizing our public lands, control by special interests, and sales to the highest bidders.
  • Our Wyoming public lands are fundamental to our character, our way of life, and the legacy we leave our kids. Our outdoor traditions make us who we are. We want our children and grandchildren to have this access too.
  • We support our unique, democratic American birthright—envied by the rest of the world—of wildlife as a public resource and wild landscapes where the public is free to roam. Each of us is a part owner of the largest piece of public real estate in the world, and thus, every American is rich in opportunities to hunt, fish, hike and explore.

Media Release: New Report Issued by the Wyoming Outdoor Council Details State Legislature’s Public Land Grab Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2016

Wyoming Public Lands: For Sale and for the Few?

New Report Issued by the Wyoming Outdoor Council Details State Legislature’s Public Land Grab Efforts

LANDER — Some Wyoming state legislators are pursuing a long-term plan of seizing public lands within Wyoming with the clear intent of allowing some of these lands to be sold to private interests.

In a report released on Thursday, the Wyoming Outdoor Council details the public legislative record— which not only illustrates an intent to sell public lands, but also to favor special interests over the public in decisions about our shared public lands.

“Seven of these land-grab bills have been introduced in the last four sessions alone,” said Steff Kessler of the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “Many of these bills include language about sale of public lands, once acquired by the state. The record is clear: some lawmakers want to see our national forests and other public lands privatized.”

Changing politics in the United States Congress has brought about a new reality, Kessler said, which makes these state-level legislative efforts more dangerous than they were in the past.

“If state legislators can demonstrate what appears to be local support for the takeover of public lands, there is a real chance that this U.S. Congress will move to allow these lands to be handed over to the state,” Kessler said. “And here’s why that’s dangerous: Once our public lands are seized and auctioned off, public access disappears—there goes our longstanding freedom to hunt, fish, camp, ski, snowmobile, you name it.”

The white paper, titled “Our Public Lands—For Sale and For the Few? A Recent History of the Wyoming State Legislature’s Land Grab Efforts” outlines the incremental approach state lawmakers are taking to “chip away, year by year and bill by bill, at opposition, while also moving Wyoming closer to the goal of state seizure and sale of public lands.”

Neil Short is an attorney from Casper and an avid outdoorsman who has followed the legislative history of this effort and strongly opposes the premise behind it. “The freedom to enter upon public lands to hunt, to fish, to ride horses or ATVs, to snowmobile, to hike, climb, and run– is at the very heart of our Wyoming way of life,” he stated. “Transfer of public lands to the states would be just a quick stop on the way to privatization.”

Short also reminded residents that once lands are transferred, the locals lose out. “The highest bidders would be absentee billionaires and even foreign corporations.  Once our lands are transferred, our Wyoming way of life is gone forever.”

Nyssa Whitford, a Lander business owner, highlighted the potential impacts to recreational businesses.

“Our business, The Bike Mill, depends on public lands. All the riding areas around Lander are on public land and trails. People come into our shop for bikes, apparel, mechanical service, and other merchandise. If our public lands are taken away, where will our customers ride? How will our business stay open?”

Whitford pointed out the additional economic benefits of public lands. “I would not live in Lander if there was no access to recreation on public lands. I suspect many other people feel the same way. Taking away our public lands would be detrimental to our local economy. It would be harder to attract quality applicants and people would move elsewhere to get the quality of life they crave.”

Darren Wells, a professor of outdoor education in Fremont County, noted that “Students come to Wyoming from all over the US to study outdoor education on our public lands. Without access to these areas, we would be confined to the classroom. These public recreational areas are fantastic and access is appropriately managed for commercial outfitters and educational organizations. Shifting land management to the state would be disastrous for outdoor education and recreation. US history shows us that the end result would be privatization of our wildlife habitat, hunting areas, fishing holes, and hiking and biking trails.”

John Parr, a retired veteran and lifelong hunter and angler from Cheyenne reflected on what could happen to Wyoming. “When I was in the service and stationed in Beaumont Texas, I learned that there was no public hunting there. All the land was privately owned. I don’t want Wyoming to turn into a Texas, where you have to pay to hunt. That’s what we’d get if the state takes over our public lands.”

Allison Baas, a Green River mother of two cited the importance of this issue to her family. “When my husband and I moved to Wyoming to raise our family, our largest motivating factor was the access to our public lands.  Wyoming offered the access for my family to learn hunting and angler ethics as well as preservation of our habitat.  As we backpack, hunt and fish across our great state my girls learn the importance of the ecosystems and how related we are to the planet.”

Terry Jones, a Wheatland farmer and avid sportsman, agreed. “In Wyoming, our outdoor traditions make us who we are. I think we all want our children and grandchildren to have this access. An attack on our public lands is an attack on our way of life here.“

The Wyoming Outdoor Council report can be found on their website.

Show your support for the Northern Red Desert and other SW Wyoming landscapes

Five years ago, the Rock Springs BLM sought your perspective for a land-use plan that will determine management for Adobe Town, the Northern Red Desert, and other landscapes in Sweetwater and Sublette counties. Now, they want to hear from you again.

What: Rock Springs BLM Open House
When: August 24, 4-7 p.m.
Where: Rock Springs Field Office, 280 Hwy 191 North

Devil's Playground is just one of many amazing landscapes found within the Rock Springs Field Office. Photo: Soren Jasperson
Devil’s Playground is just one of many amazing landscapes found within the Rock Springs Field Office. Photo: Soren Jesperson

Check out our fact sheet for more information. Staff will answer questions about the planning process—including what they’ve been doing during this delay and when we may see a draft plan. This is a great opportunity to discuss what’s changed in five years and the places you want to see protected. We’ll be there and hope you’ll join us!

Love recreating at Johnny Behind the Rocks? Comment today!

The Lander BLM is recommending that surface mining at Johnny Behind the Rocks be restricted so as not to disrupt the recreational opportunities there. The Fremont County Commission has decided to oppose this proposal, but they are reconsidering on August 23rd.

JBR biker good stone background
Johnny Behind the Rocks is a well-established destination for mountain biking in the Lander area. Photo: Bob Wick, BLM

We believe the outstanding trail system and scenery at Johnny Behind the Rocks is incompatible with mining. Johnny is one of those special places that drives Lander’s economy and helps make us a recreational hot-spot. The BLM hails JBR among its top 20 mountain biking destinations. Volunteers from Lander and Riverton have invested hours of effort building its trails. They have also generously funded infrastructure. Johnny is one of the important locations around Lander. It helps make our town the special place it is today: a western town with rural charm and world-class recreation areas. These areas encourage existing residents—our young people—to stay in town. They draw in new residents: young professionals who buy homes, put down roots, start families, and start businesses. These professionals could live anywhere in the West but bring their energy and their tax dollars to Lander. These areas also draw in tourists. Wyoming’s second-most important economy is tourism and it’s a vital one for Lander. Tourists who come to hike, climb, and bike pay lodging taxes and buy gas, groceries, and restaurant meals, helping keep businesses on our Main Street afloat. Whether you head to Johnny for an adventure-filled ride or a Saturday morning dog walk, you know its views, geology, wildlife, and natural setting are incompatible with mining.

How can I help?

The Fremont County Commission is deciding whether to oppose or support this withdrawal on August 23rd. The commission made a preliminary decision on August 2 to stand opposed to this withdrawal. Email the county commissioners to let them know what you think—let them know why you go there, and how important Johnny is to Lander.

and tell the BLM what you think, too!

Send comments to the BLM by September 8. They can be emailed to Kristin Yannone at kyannone@blm.gov. Include “JBR Mineral Withdrawal” in the subject line. Or, mail your comments to: BLM-Lander Field Office, ATTN: Kristin Yannone, 1335 Main Street, Lander, WY, 82520

Check our Johnny Behind the Rocks fact sheet (PDF) for more information.

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Wyoming Public Lands Initiative: Facts for Johnson County and How to Participate

Johnson County Residents: You can help determine the future of some of our most beloved local landscapes!

What is the Johnson County Wyoming Public Lands Initiative?

The Johnson County Commission recently announce its participation in the statewide Wyoming Public Lands Initiative. This is a major stakeholder effort to consider the fate of wilderness study areas (WSAs) and possibly other public lands, in each county that participates. The ultimate goal is to develop a legislative package to be submitted to Congress.

Click here for a copy of the application for the Johnson County advisory group. The application deadline is September 1, 2016. This is a complex process, so please take a look at our Johnson County Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Fact Sheet for more information.

What areas will be considered?

The Johnson County Commissioners are looking for volunteers to participate on their Advisory Committee for this collaborative process that will consider the future status of the North Fork and Garner Mountain wilderness study areas in the southern Big Horn Mountains. We encourage you to apply! We understand that they are interested in recruiting committee members that are familiar with either of these areas, and you do not need to be a  Johnson County resident.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, and let me know how I can help!

All the best,

Steff Kessler
Steff_mug_black&white

Wyoming Public Land Initiative: Facts for Sublette County & How to Participate

Sublette County Residents: You can help determine the future of some of our most beloved local landscapes!

Photo: Fred Pflughoft
Shoal Creek Wilderness Study Area Photo: Fred Pflughoft

What is the Sublette County Wyoming Public Lands Initiative?

The Sublette County Commission has initiated a formal collaborative process to consider the future management of its Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas. The commissioners are looking for local citizen involvement to help craft a proposal for public land legislation that will be forwarded to Congress.

Click here for a copy of the application for the Sublette County advisory group. The application deadline is June 6, 2016. This is a complex process, so please take a look at our Sublette County Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Fact Sheet for more information.

What areas will be considered?

The Wyoming Public Land Initiative focuses first on wilderness study areas (WSAs) but can include other beloved local landscapes. For Sublette County, this means Scab Creek WSA, Shoal Creek WSA, and Lake Mountain WSA will be evaluated but other landscapes that would benefit from public land legislation, including the Upper Green or along the southern Wind Rivers could also be considered.

Please join us at an informational meeting to learn more about this process and how you can participate and share your local knowledge and perspectives!

Tuesday, May 31 – Pinedale
6-7:30 p.m., Sublette County Library

Refreshments will be provided! For more information, contact Steff Kessler, (307) 438-0187 or stephanie@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

Wyoming Public Lands Initiative: Facts for Carbon County & How To Participate

Carbon County Residents: You can help determine the future of some of our most beloved local landscapes!

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Ferris Mountains

What is the Carbon County Wyoming Public Lands Initiative?

The Carbon County Commission has initiated a formal collaborative process to consider the future management of its Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas. It is looking for local citizen involvement to help it craft a proposal that will be forwarded to Congress.

Click here for a copy of the application for the Carbon County advisory group. The application deadline is June 1, 2016. To read about the process as it’s playing out elsewhere in the state, check out our blog post about the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative in Fremont County.

What areas will be considered?

The Commission will focus on the following areas:

  • Ferris Mountains
  • Encampment River Canyon
  • Bennett Mountain
  • Prospect Mountain
  • And possibly other county public lands

Please join us at an informational meeting to learn more about this process and how you can participate and share your local knowledge and perspectives!

Wednesday, May 11 – Saratoga
6-7:30 p.m., Saratoga Inn

Thursday, May 12 – Rawlins
6-7:30 p.m., home of Barb & Bill Parsons (contact us for details)

Refreshments will be provided! For more information, contact Steff Kessler, (307) 438-0187 or stephanie@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

Please Support ‘No Leasing’ Decision in the Wyoming Range!

The U.S. Forest Service has at long last released a draft analysis for its final decision about the last remaining—and most controversial—oil and gas leases on the eastern slope of the Wyoming Range.

Please click here to voice your support for the agency’s preferred alternative: No Leasing.

It has never been more important to show broad public support for a “no leasing” decision. Please speak up today!

In order for comments to be most useful and to ensure they are considered prior to the final decision, please submit them by May 23, 2016.

  • Click here to read the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s media release.
  • Click here to see the draft analysis in its entirety.

Continue reading Please Support ‘No Leasing’ Decision in the Wyoming Range!