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Proposals seek safeguards for Wyoming’s wildlife
A coalition charged with developing a plan to protect a key wildlife migration corridor in western Wyoming has submitted two proposals for consideration.
One plan outlines ways to address oil and gas development, private land development, fencing and vehicle collisions to animals migrating through the historic Trapper’s Point area west of Pinedale.
That proposal, developed by the majority of the 22-member coalition, was submitted last month to Bureau of Land Management officials.
The Wyoming Outdoor Council and other conservation groups, meanwhile, developed a counterproposal that calls for more “no leasing” for oil and gas development areas within the Trapper’s Point bottleneck. The groups felt the original plan didn’t do enough to protect migrating animals.
BLM officials say both proposals will be included in revisions to its management plan for the Pinedale Field Office. An environmental impact statement is expected to be available for public review by April 2.
The coalition, which met several times this fall, was formed by state Rep. Monte Olsen, R-Daniel. It included government agencies, state lawmakers, agricultural producers, conservationists, and oil and gas industry interests.
“I think that people came together ... we didn’t throw darts at each other,” Olsen said. “We had some great conversations and we were very proactive as a group and, quite frankly, I think we’ve got a nice plan.” Bottleneck between two drainages The Trapper’s Point bottleneck is located between two drainages in the Upper Green River Basin about seven miles west of Pinedale in Sublette County. Thousands of deer and antelope migrate through it each year.
Olsen said the coalition’s plan would protect a core 2,240-acre area at the heart of the bottleneck, recommending no oil and gas leases on 640 acres and no surface occupancy on the rest.
The coalition has also proposed speeding up Wyoming Department of Transportation plans to install sensors and lighting in key portions of U.S. 191 that runs through the bottleneck to reduce wildlife collisions.
“The plan also takes a better look at the fencing and makes sure fencing out there is wildlife-friendly everywhere ... ‘ag’ is actively involved in that,” Olsen said.
The plan also explores subdivision development and hunting, though the most contentious point was oil and gas development, he said.
Conservation groups on the coalition want BLM to adopt a no leasing position for all of the public lands within the 2,240-acre core area.
- The Associated Press contributed to this article
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