BCA WIN SHOWS FROGS AND TOADS HAVE RIGHTS IN THE MED BOW

On July 19, BCA successfully challenged the Forest Service’s approval of a controversial ski area expansion in the Snowy Range west of Laramie.  The proposal would have allowed the Snowy Range Ski Area west of Laramie to increase its snowmaking capacity by taking more water from Nash Fork Creek in the Medicine Bow National Forest.  According to the Forest Service, water withdrawals would have drained creek flows to a low of only 0.3 cubic feet per second in the winter time, a nearly 80% decrease in existing flows.  These massive stream flow losses would have destroyed habitat for wildlife and fish, including imperiled amphibians.  Under the Forest Service’s long-range management plan for the Medicine Bow National Forest however, the agency cannot allow any loss of habitat for wood frog and boreal toad, both species at risk that are on the brink of extinction in the Southern Rocky Mountains.  BCA filed an administrative appeal challenging the failure of the Forest Service to ensure adequate stream flows to protect wildlife and fish habitat, including habitat needed to recover populations of wood frog and boreal toad.  Agreeing with BCA, the Forest Service withdrew its approval on July 19.  For now, imperiled amphibians and aquatic habitats are safe and the Snowy Range Ski Area expansion is on hold.

YOUR LETTERS NEEDED FOR NATIONAL PROTECTION IN JACK MORROW HILLS

•    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 and need 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

For newspaper contact information visit http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/newspapercontacts.html.

Cut and paste  your Letter to the Editor into the space provided on Senator Thomas’ Home Page at: http://thomas.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home.
Or, customize a copy of your Letter to the Editor and  mail it to Senator Thomas at:  
Senator Craig Thomas, 2632 Foothill Blvd. Ste. 101, Rock Springs, WY 82901
Thank you for taking action!

SETTLEMENT IN BRIDGER-TETON SAVES ROADLESS AREA

In a real victory for wild places in Wyoming, BCA and other conservation groups have settled major parts of their appeal of the Moose-Gypsum logging project in a roadless area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.  The settlement, negotiated with the Forest Service, will spare over 5,000 acres in the roadless areas from the loggers' axe, and will also halt road construction in the roadless areas.  The logging and road construction activities slated for the Little Sheep Mountain, Mosquito Lake/Seven Lakes, and West Slope Winds Inventoried Roadless Areas, will be halted  for the next 5 years, or until a lawsuit challenging the Bush administration's repeal of the Roadless Rule is resolved.  BCA is a plaintiff opposing the Bush Roadless Repeal; the lawsuit is pending in federal court in California. 

BCA CHALLENGES "ROUTINE" LOGGING IN THE MED BOW

BCA has appealed a decision by the Medicine Bow National Forest to allow the "routine" thinning of lodgepole pine saplings in a previously clearcut area near Rob Roy Reservoir.  Claiming that the thinning was necessary to prevent tree growth from stagnating, the Forest Service's decision could allow the removal of over 2 million trees from 900 acres; activities which clearly are not routine. The project could also have destructive impacts on fragile soils, on wildlife and wildlife habitat, and on recreation at Rob Roy Reservoir.  Since the Forest Service categorically excluded the project from full NEPA analysis, the extent and intensity of the project were never disclosed by the Forest Service until the final decision was released.

BADGER BALL EVENT DATE CHANGE - MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 23RD

The Badger Ball is BCA's annual member meeting and auction.  After our great success last year we are excited about seeing you all again at the Snowy Range Lodge at 5pm on Saturday, September 23.  Thanks to local businesses and generous individuals this year’s Badger Ball is sure to be a hit.  Many businesses and individuals have already made remarkable donations and more are expected.  The auction will feature a wide range of items and will offer something for everyone.  Be sure to attend, bring your checkbook, and be ready to bid on some can’t-miss items.  All proceeds will benefit BCA's mission to protect wild places and wildlife in Wyoming.  Businesses and individuals that have already donated include: A Touch of Country, Altitudes Chophouse and Brewery, Aphrodites Emporium, Ben Meadows Company, Country Hollow Gift Shop, Gallery West and the Frame Plant, Grand Avenue Pizza, Grand Newsstand, Hastings, Heron Dance Art, In Sheep's Clothing, Jean's Closet, Jeffreys Bistro, Jenny Originals – Yarns & Hand Wovens, JJ Llamas, John Nance, Laramie Travel, Mark Jenkins, Marquart Natural Images, Medicine Bow Natural Foods, Morrison Art Studio, Mountain Hardwear, Mountain Woods Furniture, Natural Balance, Natures Nook and Cranny, Scrappin' Mammas , Rainbow Photography, Sundance Antiques, Sweet Melissas, Sweet Pickles, The Bead Shop, The Grand Bazaar, The Jeweler, The Pedal House, The Second Story and The Terrapin Station.

BCA SENDS A FOND FAREWELL TO CONSERVATION INTERN JACOB DOLENCE

BCA is blessed to have the capable help of many volunteers; we cherish their company, and their contributions multiply our work for the wild.  BCA Conservation Intern Jacob Dolence will be leaving us after more than two months of full time volunteer service.  You may have met Jacob at festivals where he helped with our community outreach organizing, in the BCA office where he conducted scientific and grants research, or on his rounds to engage local businesses in our work.  A Laramie native, Jacob will go back to school to finish his bachelor's in Conservation Science at the University of Idaho this Fall.  Jacob is an avid rock climber, and his goals include a master's degree in Environmental Education.  He hopes to someday work for the Access Fund in Boulder.  We are proud of his work and will be sorry to see him go.  If you see Jacob, please thank him on behalf of wild places in Wyoming!  If you would like to volunteer with BCA, we will be happy to connect you with an opportunity you will enjoy, for an hour, for a year, or anything in between.  Just email volunteercoordinator@voiceforthewild.org to learn more!

FOUR MONTHS LEFT IN EARTH FRIENDS WILDERNESS CHALLENGE

The time to become a new member or increase your donation is 2006, because Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation will leverage your money.  Up to $70,000, Earth Friends will match new and increased donations to BCA in 2006.  Don't wait to join the challenge for wildlife and wilderness!  Visit http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/join.html to learn about the many ways of contributing to BCA.