BLM DISMISSES PUBLIC OPPOSITION

Despite receiving nearly over 80,000 public comments supporting stronger protection of the Jack Morrow Hills in the Red Desert, the BLM has released a Record of Decision that fails to provide the safeguards needed to preserve this unique area of the Red Desert. Wyoming has given much to the mineral extraction industry and although we feel that is important, we also feel we need to ensure protection of Wyoming’s last special places for future generations. The open spaces and fantastic formations of the Jack Morrow Hills are currently unspoiled and should be kept that way. The short-term economic gains realized by oil and gas development must be weighed against the permanent loss of our state’s natural heritage.

The plan has serious flaws:

•   Indian Gap Trail will be open to surface disturbance
•   Most of the Big Empty, the Honeycomb Buttes expansions, and part of the Oregon Buttes Badlands, citizens proposed wilderness areas will be open to oil and gas leasing and development with no protection
•   Big game crucial habitats will remain open to strip mining
•   Seasonal stipulations for big game winter range and birthing areas, which are known to fail for elk, sage grouse and mule deer, will be the primary defense for crucial wildlife habitat
•   JMH will be eligible for introduction or reintroduction of both native AND nonnative species
•   Seasonal stipulations for raptors will only apply within ½ to 1 mile of raptor nests, and exceptions will be allowed. Raptors are sensitive to human intrusion needing more distance. This is especially true for ferruginous hawks
•   Thumper trucks could drive along or across the Oregon Trail as long as the BLM determines there would be no adverse effects; adverse affects are a given when using thumper trucks
•   The project assumes development of 255 more wells in the area, but this is an estimate not a cap
•   Public outings sponsored by organizations such as Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Wyoming Outdoor Council and Friends of the Red Desert may require a special use permit

A balanced approach, which would leave the Jack Morrow Hills portion of the Red Desert free from oil and gas development, is needed. With our domestic gas reserves more than adequate for our needs, what is the need to destroy these special places? (See below)

Data released in July 2006 by the Energy Information Administration indicates that despite the high prices that consumers are currently paying for natural gas, there is no shortfall in natural gas supplies. In fact, there appears to be a natural gas surplus. Despite the loss of offshore natural gas platforms during Hurricane Katrina, the Energy Information Administration reported that 2,763 billion cubic feet of natural gas are currently in storage in the U.S. as of July 14. This total exceeds the 5-year average of 2,201 billion cubic feet set for this week of the year from 2001-2005.

We need everyone’s help to stave off what appears to be a disaster for the Jack Morrow Hills! Please write a letter to the editor and submit it to the newspapers listed below. Remember, you must include your name, address, and phone number for verification; and the text of your letter should be in the body of your e-mail and/or faxed. The maximum number of words allowed is 350. Don’t let industry take our special places! We can have oil and gas and preserve Wyoming’s natural heritage!! For additional comments and to read the full Record of Decision go to: http://www.voiceforthewild.org/jmh/index.html

NEWSPAPER CONTACTS
Casper Star LTE
Contact:      Kerry Drake
phone:         (307) 266-0549
fax:             (307) 266-0568
e-mail:         letters@casperstartribune.net
address (mail):      P.O. Box 80, Casper, WY 82602-0080
address (physical): 170 Star Lane, Casper, WY 82602

(Cheyenne) Wyoming Tribune-Eagle LTE
Contact:      Letters to the Editor, Scott Smith
Phone:         (307) 634-3361)
toll free:       (800) 561-6268
LTE fax:       (307) 633-3189 (newsroom)
e-mail:         scotts@opinion@wyomingnews.com
address:      702 W Lincoln Way, Cheyenne, WY 82001

Rawlins Daily Times LTE
Contact:      Dave Perry
phone:         (307) 324-3411
fax:             (307) 324-2797
email:          dtimes@tribcsp.com
address (mail):      P.O. Box 370, Rawlins, WY 82301
address (physical): 522 West Buffalo, Rawlins, WY 82301

(Rock Springs) Rocket Miner, LTE
Contact:      Publisher Holly Dabb
phone:         (307) 362-3736 or (888) 443-3736
fax:             (307) 382-2763
e-mail:         rocket@fascination.com

The Green River STAR LTE
Contact:      Kieth Jantz
phone:         (307) 875-3103
fax:             (307) 875-3103
email:          grstar@sweetwaterhsa.com
address (mail):      P.O. Box 580, Green River, WY 82935
address (physical):520 Wilkes, #6, Green River, WY 82935
Note: signature and phone number required.

Lander Journal LTE
Contact:      Letters to the Editor c/o Alicia Giuffrida
phone:         (307) 332-2323 or (877) 640-0977
fax:             (307) 332-9332
e-mail          newsdept@wyoming.com
address (mail):      P.O. Box 10, Lander, WY 82520
address (physical): 332 Main Street, Lander, WY 82520

Laramie Daily Boomerang LTE
Contact:      Deb Thomsen
phone:         (307) 742-2176
fax:             (307) 733-2047
email:          dthomsen@laramieboomerang.com
address:      320 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY 82070

Jackson Hole News and Guide LTE
Contact:      Letters to the Editor
phone:         (307) 733-2047
fax:             (307) 721-2973
email:          editor@jhnewsandguide.com
address:      1225 Maple Way, Jackson, WY 83001
Note:           Due before Mon at 5 P.M.

The (Riverton) Ranger LTE
Contact:      Letters to the Editor
phone:         (307) 856-0189
e-mail:         ranger@wyoming.com
address (mail):      P.O. Box 993, Riverton, WY 82501
address (physical): 421 E Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501
Note: Signature and phone number required; letter may be shortened.