March 25, 2009
Wyoming Range Protection Becomes Law!
In spite of overwhelming support from Wyoming residents to protect the Wyoming Range from new oil and gas drilling, Cynthia Lummis wasn't listening
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed and omnibus conservation bill by a vote of 285 to 140 that protects most of the Wyoming Range from oil and gas leasing and also designates Wild and Scenic protections in the Snake River watershed. Last week S. 22, the Ominbus Public Lands Management Act, passed the U.S. Senate with the support of Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) and passed the House by 285-140. We applaud the efforts of Senators Barrasso and Enzi in supporting this balanced and important conservation legislation.
Congresswoman Lummis votes against protecting the Wyoming Range
Unfortunately, Wyoming's Congresswoman, Cynthia Lummis, was one of the 140 no votes. Lummis was vocal in her opposition to protecting this area from oil and gas drilling, objecting to the idea that permanent protections, even in national crown jewel areas like the Wyoming Range, should be signed into law. Lummis was unsuccessful in inserting sunset provisions into the bill that would have provided only a few years' protection before the area was opened up to drilling once again.
Protecting a Special Place
The Omnibus Bill will protect l.2 million acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, including the Wyoming Range, the Salt River Range, and Commissary Ridge from new oil and gas drilling (although not with wilderness designation), and will also designate a portion of the Snake River and some of its tributaries as Wild and Scenic. In other states, 2 million acres of threatened lands in other states received wilderness designation.
The Wyoming Range is rich in wildlife and supports outstanding hunting, hiking, camping, and other recreational opportunities. It is crucial habitat for many other types of sensitive wildlife, including lynx, bighorn sheep, and wolverine. The tourism revenue the range generates is a mainstay of local economies. Three differenct government assessments show the new law will have a negligible impact on Wyoming's energy production.
A History of Broad Support
The Wyoming Range Legacy Act, which became part of the Omnibus Bill, is a product of a diverse coalition that includes locally elected officials, local landowners, anglers, outfitters, hunters, business owners, and ranchers. BCA was one of the state's first champions of protecting the Wyoming Range, and we congratulate the efforts of BCA members in urging protection for this area for many years. We would also like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Wyoming Outdoor Council, Sportsmen for the Wyoming Range, The Wilderness Society, and Trout Unlimited who played the leading role in advancing the Wyoming Range bill in more recent years. Our congratulations to all of the many conservation groups who pitiched in and helped.
Thank our friends in Congress
Please contact Senator Barrasso and thank him for his leadership on the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, and thank Senator Mike Enzi, and Governor Freudenthal for their support. You might also want to let Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis know how disappointed you are with her NO vote.
Senator Mike Enzi Senator John Barrasso Governor Dave Freudenthal
379 A Russell Building 307 Dirksen Building State Capitol
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 200 West 24th St.
202 224-3424 202 244-1724 Cheyenne, WY 82002
307 777-7434
Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis
1004 Longworth House Building
Washington, DC 20515
202 225-2311
Also, if you want to contact these elected officials by email, their email address is on their website.
Thanks for encouraging our elected officials to protect Wyoming's special places and wildlife!
