NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
February 7, 2007

Conservation Groups Intervene To Support BLM Cell Tower Decision

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LARAMIE – When the Lander Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acted to protect the sensitive wildlife and plants on the Beaver Rim Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) by denying a permit to Union Telephone Company to build a cell phone tower, road and other buildings there, it drew the ire of Union Telephone. The communications company filed its appeal of the decision earlier this month and Biodiversity Conservation Alliance (BCA) and Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC) have filed a motion to intervene in the case, taking sides with the BLM. Beaver Rim is crucial winter range for mule deer, elk and pronghorn, as well as home to a host of rare and sensitive plant species. The area was set aside in 1987 as an ACEC to protect these special resources.

"This decision was a real win for the environment," said Suzanne Lewis with BCA in Laramie. "The Beaver Rim ACEC is a beautiful, fragile place that deserves protection and we are thrilled that the Lander BLM staff recognized this. We are intervening in the appeal to support the BLM's decision which was made after years of study and careful consideration of other alternatives available."

The cell tower project included building an access road to the site, which was of particular concern for conservationists. Roads are known to fragment big game habitat and lead to animal mortality from vehicle collisions. They also bring in weeds, dust and increased traffic. Mule deer are already suffering from years of prolonged drought and the added stress of disturbances in their winter range could result in significant population declines.

"The deciding factor for us was that Union Telephone Company can use an existing road and an existing cell site to provide the same coverage for its users. Why jeopardize our wildlife when there are less destructive options available?" says Steve Jones of the Wyoming Outdoor Council in Lander. "We saw no reason for an unnecessary sacrifice in this situation."

In addition to providing important wildlife habitat, Beaver Rim hosts a number of plants that have been designated by the BLM as sensitive species, including the Porter's sagebrush, Cedar Rim thistle, Beaver Rim phlox, and Rocky Mountain twinpod. The ACEC also contains a portion of the historic Oregon/Mormon Pioneer Trail and significant cultural and paleontological resources which will be left undisturbed thanks to the BLM's decision.