UNIONS & SWEETWATER GOVT ACT FOR ADOBE TOWN

The spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife of Adobe Town now have two new, powerful, and vocal friends. On November 13th, the AFL-CIO, representing over 18,000 sportsmen and blue-collar workers in Wyoming, submitted a hard-hitting resolution to the BLM demanding that all of the Adobe Town proposed wilderness be protected from future oil and gas development. This resolution sent a powerful message that working class residents of Wyoming, particularly those in the Red Desert area, support protecting this special landscape for the long haul. Kudos to our union allies for taking this bold and visionary step to protect the lands they love.

The following week, the Sweetwater County Commission voted unanimously to adopt an equally strong resolution, seeking protection of all 180,910 acres of Adobe Town from future mining and oil and gas leasing. This historic and decisive action represents the first time that a local government in the Red Desert area has ever made a concerted stand for the protection of one of its crown jewel public lands. These resolutions were the result not only of BCA's concerted organizing efforts over the course of years, but also thanks to the equally tenacious support of BCA members and conservation supporters throughout the region. Most of all, credit is due to the courageous leaders who are rising up around the state to defend special places from industrial development. You can view the Sweetwater County Resolution and even listen to the historic County Commission meeting at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/news/n21nov06.html. Big thanks to the Commission for doing the right thing!

ATLANTIC RIM PROJECT AN ECOLOGICAL DISASTER

The BLM has just released the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Rim coalbed methane project, where 2,000 wells are slated to be drilled in some of Wyoming's most important and sensitive wildlife habitat. Much of the Wild Cow Creek proposed wilderness area would also stand to be industrialized under the BLM's proposed alternative. Most of the crucial winter range for Sierra Madre elk and mule deer lies within the project area, which also includes one of the two largest and most important sage grouse breeding complexes in the state. The BLM has chosen to double the proposed well density (to 8 wells and more than 3 miles of roads per square mile), creating a 'scorched earth' alternative likely to completely destroy the Atlantic Rim's habitat function for elk, pronghorn, mule deer, sage grouse, and even songbirds. This project makes a compelling case that the BLM cannot be trusted to manage sensitive wildlife habitats, and that the agency is chronically incapable of fulfilling its multiple-use mission. Watch for alerts coming soon with more information about how to help convince the BLM to turn away from this destructive path; comments can be sent to the Rawlins BLM through December 30th. Visit http://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/rfodocs/atlantic_rim/index.htm to view the full EIS.

BEAR HUNTING COMING TO VEDAUWOO?

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is considering an expansion of black bear hunting on the Medicine Bow's Pole Mountain unit. The proposal would ban bear baiting (the unethical practice of putting out garbage or food to lure bears in to be shot), which is a very positive step worthy of support. But it also expands bear hunting south of the Happy Jack Road, all the way to the Colorado border. The area between the Happy Jack Road and the Vedauwoo Road receives heavy recreational use, and bear hunting is likely to result in increased danger for other recreationists in this heavily used area. Voice your opinions on the bear hunting expansion at the public hearing, December 5th at 7 p.m. at the Laramie Game and Fish department office at 528 S Adams St. (in West Laramie, just West of the Interstate, take a left off of Snowy Range Road), or write by December 29th to Wyoming Game and Fish dept., Attn: Regulations, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604.

SEND LETTERS SUPPORTING SNOWY RANGE QUIET REC

The Medicine Bow National Forest is conducting their Travel Management Plan for the Snowy Range, and they need to hear from YOU by December 15. The Laramie Ranger District currently has 358 miles of illegal, unauthorized roads and trails which were created by ORV users driving off designated roads (vandalism).

The Forest Service needs to hear what it has heard time and again—that the majority of recreationists on the Snowy Range are quiet users who want to protect backcountry and roadless areas from motorized use. Please make the following points when you speak out to the Forest Service: There should be no net gain of motorized routes on the Forest. Existing routes for motor vehicles totaling 2300 miles is more than enough for one forest. There should be absolutely no motorized trails in roadless areas or areas designated as "non-motorized" in the Med Bow Forest Plan. Motorized trails should not be allowed along sensitive riparian habitats. Send letters on or before December 15 to:

Mail: Medicine Bow National Forest, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070, Fax: 307-745-2398, Email: comments-rocky-mountain-medicine-bow-laramie@fs.fed.us.

VICTORY FOR WILDLIFE ON THE BEAVER RIM

The Beaver Rim, a lofty scarp east of Lander, is an officially designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern and home to a desert elk herd and the only populations of the Endangered desert yellowhead wildflower in the world. The Bureau of Land Management recently heeded the concerns of Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and Wyoming Outdoor Council, both of whom wrote letters opposing the siting of a cell phone tower in this sensitive landscape. Kudos to the Lander BLM for its recent decision to deny this destructive proposal, and for standing up for wildlife and the public interest!

BCA HEADS TO COURT FOR WOLVES & MOUNTAIN PLOVERS

BCA recently joined as plaintiffs in two lawsuits to protect the regions' imperiled wildlife. Together with Forest Guardians, BCA filed to challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove the mountain plover from the Endangered Species list. There are only about 12,000 mountain plovers worldwide, and the species went extinct in the state of Utah even as the Fish and Wildlife Service was moving to remove its protections. For more information on this case, visit http://www.voiceforthewild.org/wildspecies/news/n20nov06.html.

BCA also joined the Sierra Club, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, NRDC, and Defenders of Wildlife in intervening to defend the Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to reject the State of Wyoming's recovery plan for the timber wolf, which would have allowed wolves to be shot on sight, year-round, outside Yellowstone and its surrounding wilderness areas. The State of Wyoming had filed suit to require the agency to accept this plan, remove the wolf's Endangered Species protections, and reduce Wyoming's wolf populations from 300 estimated today to 100 animals. For more information on this case, see http://www.voiceforthewild.org/wildspecies/news/n15nov06.html.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM, DUANE SHORT AND CHIP RAWLINS

After providing his great services to BCA for many years Jeremy Nichols is leaving us to chase the brown clouds in Denver. Starting his own new nonprofit, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action, we know Jeremy will reach great heights and we wish him and the air breathers of Denver the best of luck. Visit his new website at http://www.ourcleanair.org/. Stepping into Jeremy's shoes, Duane Short, formerly of Illinois, will join the BCA staff on December 4 to protect the forests and species of our region. Duane comes to us with many years of experience volunteering for conservation groups; we are excited to welcome him to the staff.

Bob Strayer of the BCA Board of Directors will also be changing his role. Having served on the BCA Board for many years, Bob is stepping down but continues his dedicated volunteer role. Thanks, Bob! Where Bob stepped out, Chip Rawlins, author and former employee of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is stepping up to serve as a board member. With much experience serving on boards of conservation groups in Wyoming, we are proud to welcome Chip.

HIKING BOOTS FOR SALE & REASONS TO SELL FOR A CAUSE

Your purchase of size 10.5 Tecnica men's hiking boots, bidding starting at $20 through BCA's eBay profile, "bcalliance," directly benefits our mission; the auction ends on December 10 at ten minutes 'til 7pm, Mountain Standard Time. Check it out at http://myworld.ebay.com/bcalliance/.

If you sell on eBay yourself, let us convince you that donating a percentage of the sale to BCA through eBay GivingWorks is worth your while. Cause marketing makes your listing rise above the rest with a ribbon icon in the gallery, and shows BCA's logo and mission statement on every item you list. EBay will credit your fees back to you in the percentage that you donate, and buyers will be able to find your listings on two extra websites (eBay GivingWorks and MissionFish). It's easy to sign up and your donation is tax-deductible as provided by law.

GIVE THE GIFT OF WILDLIFE & WILD PLACES THIS HOLIDAY

A membership to Biodiversity Conservation Alliance is a great gift for a friend or family member this holiday season. Benefits for a gift contribution of $20 or more include a one-year subscription to The Voice for the Wild quarterly newsletter, and the knowledge that your contribution is working to protect wildlife and wild places in Wyoming the whole year. As an alternative to materialism, this simple gift reflects the spirit of the season. To make a gift contribution, write a check or money order to BCA and send it to PO Box 1512, Laramie, WY 82073. Write your name on the return address on the outside of the envelope and your friend or family member’s name on the inside with their contact information. OR, to use your credit card visit the BCA website (http://www.voiceforthewild.org) and click on “donate now” near the bottom of the homepage, then send us an email with the contact information for the gift recipient (sarah@voiceforthewild.org). Both of you will receive receipt of your gift.

Thank you, and Happy Holidays!