A Sustainable Vision
The Western Heritage Alternative, backed by local businesses, hunters and conservationists, envisions a landscape where well-planned development is compatible with wildlife and public recreation. This plan allows these lands to remain as they are today, providing spectacular hunting, camping, and hiking opportunities for our children, and our children's children.
Hanna Draw, slated to become a coalbed methane field
Photo by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance
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Saving Our Unique Western Landscapes
Development must occur in a way that is compatible with maintaining our scenic
landscapes and wide open spaces. Wildlands like Wild Cow Creek, the Pedro Mountains, and the lands surrounding Adobe Town are irreplaceable treasures that deserve to become Wilderness Study Areas. This status will allow them to remain as they are today for the benefit of current and future generations.
Protecting Our Wildlife Heritage
Ferruginous Hawk
Photo by Marry Apple
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The Great Divide is one of the last strongholds of high desert wildlife, such as the sage grouse,
Sage Grouse
Photo by BCA
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mountain plover, and pronghorn antelope. Under the citizens' plan, elk and mule deer calving areas
and crucial winter ranges, as well as key habitats for other sensitive wildlife, would receive
special protection from drilling. Development plans would be modified so that wildlife can flourish, while still allowing for oil and gas production in most cases. Wyoming's native wildlife is a treasure that we must conserve for our grandchildren to enjoy, and meaningful habitat protection should be a part of every land use plan.
Oil and Gas Development -- Doing it Right
The use of our public lands and resources for private profit can only be allowed if it is done with respect for the land and an eye toward sustainability. This means using the best available technology (like directional drilling) to minimize landscape impact, and avoiding habitat destruction in sensitive areas. Oil and gas development should occur only in well-managed stages. And strong protections must be adopted to prevent water and air pollution, widespread erosion, and the discharge of toxic coalbed methane wastewater.
Ferris Dunes
Photo by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance
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Oil Drilling in the Ferris Dunes
Photo by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance
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