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November 28, 2007

State Protects Adobe Town with ‘Very Rare or Uncommon’ Designation

ROCK SPRINGS – By a 5 to 1 vote, the Environmental Quality Council (EQC) voted to protect 180,000 acres in Adobe Town south of Rawlins and Rock Springs by designating the area as ‘Very Rare or Uncommon’. In addition to the currently protected Wilderness Study Area, this designation expands protections to include the Haystacks, Willow Creek Rim and Badlands, the Flats at the Base of Skull Creek Rim and portion of Powder Rim. Private lands are not included in this designation and private property owners within the area retain all of their rights to use and access.

The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance (BCA) and 7 other conservation groups submitted the petition to protect approximately 180,000 acres in the area, including a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wilderness Study Area plus adjacent unprotected lands that remain undeveloped.

Council Chairman Richard Moore best summed up how special and unique Adobe Town is and the need for protection when he commented, “It’s a real diamond among all the gems in Wyoming.” Councilman Dennis Boal commented, “If you live in Wyoming, it’s hard to escape feeling that all of our places are subject to impact from industrial use. We need to do some things to provide protection for areas that are unique and uncommon.”

By granting this designation the EQC recognized the extremely rare and world-class variety of giant mammal fossils from the Eocene epoch; spectacular array of fragile geological features, including spires, arches, multi-colored badlands, pillars and window rocks; the wealth of sensitive wildlife habitats found here, including important nesting habitat for golden eagles and prairie falcons, mule deer and pronghorn crucial winter range and rare species such as sage grouse and mountain plover; historical importance of the area for prehistoric archaeological sites and areas used by Butch Cassidy and other vestiges of Wyoming’s outlaw past and the spectacular scenery that would readily be scarred by industrial development.

The ‘Very Rare or Uncommon’ designation protects these areas in Adobe Town from non-coal surface mining under state law and prevents mining permits from being issued. It will protect the area from oil shale mining and uranium mining, both of which are looming threats in the southern Red Desert, and is part of a broader effort to protect all of Adobe Town from heavy industry. Although this designation would not affect oil and gas leasing and development, it would send a strong message that Adobe Town needs to be prioritized for conservation and public enjoyment, not industrial use, and might help convince the BLM to do its part to prevent future oil and gas leasing there. Prevention of oil and gas development would need to occur through the federal land management process
“This designation is a major victory for the crown jewel of Wyoming’s most spectacular desert landscape,” said Erik Molvar, Wildlife Biologist with the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. “We applaud the Environmental Quality Council’s wisdom in conferring protections on this key piece of Wyoming’s natural heritage.”

“Adobe Town is one of the most spectacular wild places nationwide that are threatened with industrialization,” added Molvar. “The ‘Very Rare or Uncommon’ designation from the State of Wyoming provides an important recognition that this area needs to be protected and now the Bureau of Land Management should follow suit by withdrawing the area from future oil and gas leasing through its revision of the Great Divide land-use plan.”

“This excellent decision reflects what the real people of Wyoming long for—balance. We are benefiting from the temporary rewards that come with temporary jobs and growth, but underneath we love our open space and relatively untouched natural and lasting blessings,” commented Jana Weber, a Rock Springs attorney and resident.

“This designation is a good step in working out a compromise between industrialization and conservation. Future generations will appreciate what happened today,” observed Tom Gagnon, a Rock Springs realtor and resident.

“There are many places n Wyoming where one or maybe two of the values defining rare and uncommon remain. Adobe Town possesses all of them. Adobe Town is unique because of its historical, archaeological, wildlife, geological, botanical and scenic values,” said Mike Evans, a Saratoga cattle rancher and representative of the Wyoming Wilderness Association.

“We think the Environmental Quality Council made the right decision to protect Adobe Town by designating it a ‘Very Rare or Uncommon Area’”, said Laurie Milford, Executive Director of the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “This magnificent area is treasured by many Wyoming citizens and protection helps ensures that it remains wild.”

The Very Rare or Uncommon petition can be viewed online at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/greatdivide/pubs/AdobeTownRare_and_Uncommon.doc.