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BLM DIRECTOR STAYS ADOBE TOWN DRILLING
In response to an administrative appeal filed by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance (BCA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Director has issued a Stay halting the Desolation Road drilling project, in the heart of the Adobe Town citizens' proposed wilderness. BCA argued that because the BLM had determined that the area to be drilled and bulldozed had wilderness qualities, the project would have a significant impact on the environment. Thus, a full-scale Environmental Impact Statement was required instead of the 'Finding of No Significant Impact' issued by the BLM, and low-impact alternatives needed to be considered. The project now goes back to the drawing board while the BLM reevaluates impacts to wilderness-quality lands. The Wilderness Society, the Natural Resource Defense Council, and Defenders of Wildlife joined BCA's appeal.
FISH AND WILDLIFE LEAVES PYGMY RABBIT IN THE WIND
Pygmy Rabbit
(Photo by J. Witham)
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In April of 2003, BCA and several other conservation groups and citizens submitted a petition to protect the pygmy rabbit under the Endangered Species Act. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service initially found the rabbit not worthy of protection, but in March of 2006, several groups, including BCA, filed suit to challenge this finding, represented by Advocates for the West. In September of 2007, the court issued a judgment finding that the Service's denial of the petition was contrary to the applicable law. In January of 2008, the Service agreed to a "Status Review," the second step to protecting the vanishing pygmy rabbit. The Service then found that this tiny bunny, small enough to roll up in your hand, does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation groups participating in the petition and in settlement talks with the Service are considering further legal options. In the meantime, BCA will continue to collect and assess new scientific studies as they become available.
The public is also invited to submit any new information, materials, comments or questions concerning the pygmy rabbit to: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502.
NO FISH & WILDLIFE PROTECTION FOR GUNNISON SAGE GROUSE
Many conservation groups, including BCA, were stunned two weeks ago when the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would not extend Endangered Species Act protection to the Gunnison sage grouse, which is now found only in small populations in northwest Colorado and parts of Utah. This decision is the Service's official response to a petition by eight conservation groups in addition to San Miguel County, CO. Slightly smaller than the greater sage grouse, the Gunnison sage grouse remains at the mercy of voluntary human actions for its long-term survival. The bird's population is declining, and its primary threat — habitat loss due to commercial development including oil and gas extraction — is intensifying. Only about 4,000 Gunnison sage grouse are left on earth. The Audubon Society lists Gunnison as one of the "Ten Most Endangered Birds in North America." The Endangered Species Coalition lists it as one of the top ten most Endangered Species in a 2008 report. Gunnison sage grouse are absent from more than 90 percent of their original range. In response to the failure of the Obama Administration to protect the Gunnison, BCA will submit additional scientific information as it becomes available. A growing body of information points to the imminent threats facing the Gunnison sage grouse. The Administration cannot forever ignore these threats.
GREEN ROCK BADGER BALL FACEBOOK ALBUM
BCA Board President Perry Wechsler and Daughter
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You can check out pictures of BCA's annual event on Facebook. The BCA staff extend our thanks to the many volunteers and local businesses that donated for the success of the Green Rock Badger Ball — this year we raised over $4,000 to help Keep the Medicine Bow Wild!
Special thanks to our sponsors who made the event possible — please tell them you appreciate their participation next time you do business with them.
Atmosphere Mountainworks
Bath & Body Works
Big Hollow Food Co-Op
Pavel Bujak
Lois Chickering & Alan Redder
Cross Country Connection
David P. Egolf
Earth Wind and Fire Gallery
Extreme Angles Publishing
Linda Lillegraven
Gallery West/The Frame Plant
Jeff Lockwood
High Plains Outdoor Institute
Maurice's
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Erik Molvar
Hilton Garden Inn
Mary Lou Morrison
Darcy Gardiner
Mountain Hardwear
Grand Avenue Pizza
Mountain Woods
Furniture
Franz-Peter Griesmaier
Northridge Discount Liquors
Alison Grossman
The Phone Store
The Jeweler
Prairie Woods & Clay Works
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Mark Jenkins
Chip Rawlins
Duane Short
Jalan Crossland Band
Dave Showalter
Jay Shogren Shanghai'd
Bob Strayer
Janet Johnson
Sweet Melissa Vegetarian Cafe
Jeffrey's Bistro
Teewinot Ranch
Laramie Children's Museum
Three Peaks Pottery
Laramie Digital Photography
A Touch of Country
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FAREWELL, MEDICINE BOW FOREST SUPERVISOR MARY PETERSON
In May of 2010, Mary Peterson retired as the Supervisor of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland. BCA would like to take this opportunity to thank Supervisor Peterson for her recent successful efforts to protect the Medicine Bow from out-of-control ATV use, and black-tailed prairie dogs from poisoning on the Thunder Basin. A champion for black-footed ferret recovery and reintroduction efforts throughout her career, Peterson holds the distinction of being the only Forest Supervisor to have overseen black-footed ferret reintroduction efforts on two different national grasslands — the Conata Basin and Thunder Basin here in Wyoming. Under Peterson's leadership, over 100 wetlands have been protected and restored in the last two years after degradation by ATVs, and 550 prairie dogs were relocated to black-footed ferret reintroduction areas and spared from poisoning deaths.
WELCOME, SUPERVISOR PHIL CRUZ — MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU!
Supervisor Phil Cruz (Photo by United States Forest Service)
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Phil Cruz has been named Peterson's successor.
BCA has worked with Cruz in his role as the Deputy Supervisor of the Medicine Bow National Forest for two years, and we are hopeful that our efforts to protect the 'Bow, the Routt, the Thunder Basin National Grassland, and the wildlife that depend on them will be met by Supervisor Cruz in a spirit of ecological sustainability.
Biodiversity Conservation Alliance
P.O. Box 1512, Laramie, WY 82073
(307) 742-7978 - sarah@voiceforthewild.org
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