Welcome to Wyoming’s Namesake Mountains
Corruption uncovered on the
Wyoming Range
A public process with big importance for the Wyoming Range has been compromised and corrupted by a cozy relationship between the Forest Service and industry. The Bridger-Teton Forest Service entered into a secretive legal agreement with Colorado-based Stanley Energy last October, effectively giving the company undue power to influence this public process. The Governor and Casper Star Tribune have voiced outrage, but we need your help getting Wyoming's Senators to weigh in as well. Their influence might be something the Forest Service would listen too. Find out more information and how to contact them here.
Gov urges Forest Service to delay Hoback Drilling - Public Remains Overwhelmingly Opposed to Gas Field
The public comment period for the 136-well gas field in the Upper Hoback Basin proposed by Texas-based Plains Exploration and Production Co. has closed. However, as Governor Freudenthal has noted in his recent comments to the Forest Service, the agency needs to delay acting on this proposal which would be the first domino that falls toward gas-field industrialization of the Wyoming Range. Adding fuel to his comments, newspaper reports have again confirmed that public opinion is overwhelmingly against the proposal at two public meetings in Jackson and Pinedale.
Wyoming Range Legislation Introduced!
On October 25th, Wyoming’s US Senator, John Barrasso, introduced legislation that would protect the Wyoming Range from future oil and gas drilling. The Wyoming Range Legacy Act builds upon legislative efforts initiated by Senator Craig Thomas prior to his death and is supported by a wide coalition of homeowners, sportsmen, government officials, conservationists, and small businesses within Wyoming.
Our group, Citizens Protecting the Wyoming Range, brings together a diverse collection of voices and interests to take a stand against new energy development in the Wyoming Range, one of the state’s most impressive, but unprotected treasures. CPWR is comprised of local landowners, anglers, outfitters, hunters, business owners, and ranchers, united in the belief that rampant drilling in Sublette County should not be allowed to spread into this special part of Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Enough is Enough!
Today the Wyomings remain rich in wildlife and support outstanding recreational opportunities. These mountains are fundamental to why many choose to live here. The tourism revenue the range generates is a mainstay of our local economy. With all the changes that the energy boom has brought, we believe it is more important than ever to preserve traditional outdoor experiences that make up Sublette County’s heritage. We must also maintain the crucial habitat for wildlife by drawing a line at the national forest boundary to prevent new energy leasing and development in the Wyoming Range. We invite you to join our efforts to safeguard the Wyoming Range and the benefits it provides for future generations to enjoy.
Legislation for the Wyoming Range
Despite the Wyoming Range’s supreme natural values and the onslaught of oil and gas drilling on nearby public lands, the Bridger-Teton National Forest proposes opening undeveloped parts of the range to new leasing and drilling proposals. The best hope of permanently forestalling development here is for Congress to pass legislation recently introduced by Senator John Barrasso entitled the Wyoming Range Legacy Act. This legislation would prevent new leasing of federal mining rights and create a mechanism for the voluntary retirement of the existing leases that blanket undeveloped parts of the Wyoming Range.
Work left to be done
This is an important first step, however, there is still work to be done. Despite the introduction of this legislation, the Wyoming Range remains unprotected until the bill is finalized in Congress and becomes law. Right now, the Forest Service is in the process of deciding whether 44,500 acres contested acres along the eastern flank should be leased, prior to legislation being passed. In order to save this special place for all of Wyoming, and ensure that future generations experience our proud outdoor heritage, there is still valuable work to be done.
Our group’s goal is to first establish public awareness of the issues brought about by the offering of oil and gas drilling leases in the Wyoming Range. We feel that the long-term recreation values that the Range offers far out value energy development. Our ultimate goal is to have legislation introduced in Congress to permanently protect the Wyoming Range from energy development. 
—Gary Amerine, outfitter and co-founder, Citizens Protecting the Wyoming Range
