Laramie, WY-Expressing major concerns over the impacts of clearcutting and road building to recreational uses, water quality, and wildlife, citizens from southeastern Wyoming have challenged a massive industrial logging project slated for the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Called the Silver Run timber sale, the logging threatens the Medicine Bow National Forest outside of Centennial along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, an area described by the U.S. Forest Service as "the highest recreation use areas on the Medicine Bow National Forest." Authorized in February 2004, the logging involves over 150 acres of clearcutting, nearly 300 acres of logging, and 2.5 miles of new road construction.

Described by Laramie resident and avid skier Bob Strayer as "an inexcusably destructive use of the Silver Run area," the logging has drawn intense ire from citizens. During a public comment period in the Fall of 2003, the Forest Service received letters from citizens, business owners, and conservation groups in Centennial, Laramie, Cheyenne, and other Wyoming communities, all of which were opposed to the logging. In total, the Forest Service received 63 comment letters that expressed some kind of concern over the timber sale. The Forest Service received no letters in support of the logging.

"I escape to the trails near Centennial for my mental and physical health," commented Linda Taylor, owner of the Trading Post in Centennial. "I wish to emphasize very strongly that I am opposed to the Silver Run Timber Sale." Mike, Jenny, and Erin Stoesz, Laramie family and owners of Rainbow Photography also expressed concern, commenting "No timber sale, please."

The Silver Run area is especially popular because of its accessibility and trail system. Situated within the Highway 130 corridor, the area gives people an opportunity to experience hiking, biking, skiing, hunting, fishing, and other activities with relative ease. These trail systems, like North Fork and Corner Mountain, are very popular and receive high levels of use.

The area is also popular because of its natural backdrop, having remained relatively untouched from massive clearcutting and road building experienced by other parts of the Medicine Bow. The last time logging occurred in the area was in 1993. The forest has since been recovering, each year attracting more and more recreational use and appreciation because of its natural beauty.

Mark Jenkins, Laramie resident and writer for Outside Magazine was "appalled" by the logging proposal. He commented, "As a native of Laramie, the Silver Run area has been one of the most beautiful hiking and especially cross country skiing regions in all of the Snowy Range." Speaking to the Forest Service, Jenkins questioned "What on earth can you be thinking?"

The Silver Run timber sale also threatens water quality. According to an environmental analysis prepared for the logging project, the proposed 2.5 miles of new road construction will lead to increased sediment pollution in the Gold Run Creek drainage and the North Fork of the Little Laramie River.

Logging also threatens wildlife, especially animals that depend on old growth habitat. Of particular concern is that the recommendations of Forest Service wildlife biologists were ignored. Specifically, biologists recommended against logging two areas because they provide valuable old growth habitat for pine marten, an animal that the Forest Service has designated as "sensitive." This biological recommendation was thrown out in the final decision, placing the pine marten and its old growth habitat at great risk.

Citing concerns over recreation, water quality, and wildlife, Laramie conservation group Biodiversity Conservation Alliance filed an administrative challenge of the Silver Run timber sale. Representing members from throughout southeastern Wyoming, BCA filed over 200 pages of objections in an effort to convince the Forest Service to reconsider the logging.

"This is the most popular recreation area on the Medicine Bow and an area that provides invaluable wildlife habitat to boot," said Jeremy Nichols, Endangered Species Coordinator for BCA. "The Forest Service needs to be held accountable to the public and to the irreplaceable natural values of the Bow."

The Forest Service has 45 days to respond to the challenge and until then, cannot move forward with logging. If the challenge is rejected, then litigation may be pursued.

"The Forest Service has stated that recreation should be the determining factor for management of the Silver Run area," said Patricia Dowd of the Sierra Club. "We're hoping they live up to their word."

Satellite Image of Snowy Range