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Agency to evaluate concerns before allowing drilling in Wyoming Range.
By Jim Stanford
Responding to widespread public outcry and pressure from Gov. Dave Freudenthal, the U.S. Forest Service has decided to withhold oil and gas leasing in the Wyoming Range southeast of Jackson.
The agency will not lease 175,000 acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest much of it in roadless areas prized for wildlife and recreation until it can evaluate the concerns of citizens and the governor, Deputy Regional Forester Bert Kulesza said Tuesday.
Kulesza said the decision was made by Regional Forester Jack Troyer, head of the agency's Intermountain Region office in Ogden, Utah, at the request of Gov. Freudenthal. Auctions of leases were slated to occur in October and December.
Postponing the sales will allow for further analysis, Kulesza said. The Forest Service essentially is saying, "Time out here let's take a look," he said.
The areas affected stretch from Cliff Creek in the Hoback Canyon to upper Star Valley and beyond Big Piney. Most of the lands are in Sublette County, some are in Lincoln County, and about 640 acres lie in Teton County. Leasing could have resulted in drilling rigs about 25 miles from Jackson.
Troyer sent a letter Tuesday to Bob Bennett, state director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, asking him to withhold auction of the leases. The BLM is the agency charged with selling the leases approved by the Forest Service.
In his letter, Troyer cited the governor's recommendation that "maybe it's time to apply the carpenter's rule ... measure twice and cut once."
Freudenthal, a Democrat, released a statement Tuesday applauding the Forest Service for doing "the right thing" by slowing the leasing process.
"I continue to fully support Wyoming's oil and gas industry, but development needs to occur in a deliberate fashion that takes into account all the impact it brings," the governor said.
Troyer's decision temporarily halts the course set by Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton, who opted to lease the areas over the opposition of citizens who decried the loss of the "last best place in the state."
Public outcry had been mounting in recent weeks, with more than 100 people attending open houses in Jackson and Alpine to express concerns about oil and gas development in the forest. Freudenthal plans to visit the Wyoming Range to assess its resource values.
Sen. Craig Thomas on Tuesday became the latest elected official to add his voice to the growing chorus of protest over the leases. Thomas, a Republican generally seen as pro-industry, issued a statement challenging the Forest Service to justify the auctions.
Analysis outdated
"We must work to ensure that the natural beauty of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is protected," he said. "This area supports a wide variety of wildlife and has many outstanding features. In addition, since the forest is in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park, we must make sure this area is well protected."
The Bridger-Teton had identified the parcels in question as viable for leasing in the early 1990s but had not initiated auctions until recently. Conservation groups have argued that the agency's analysis is outdated and needs to be revised, taking into account a change in public sentiment and the recent boom in gas development in the neighboring Upper Green River Valley.
In his letter to the Bureau of Land Management, Troyer acknowledged the dated nature of the studies. "The Forest Service decision to consent to leasing was made several years ago and while we are not withdrawing that consent, we have decided to delay implementing that decision until we can meet with State and Forest personnel and fully understand, if not resolve, the concerns identified," he wrote.
Troyer invited the BLM to participate in the process because "some of the concerns extend beyond the National Forest boundary," he wrote.
Pam Lewis, chief of fluid minerals adjudication for the BLM office in Cheyenne, said her agency would meet the Forest Service's wishes.
The level of further analysis for the leasing areas will be determined by Bridger-Teton officials in Jackson, Kulesza said. The decision will not affect lease sales in other parts of the state.
Troyer's letter caught forest officials in Jackson off guard.
Jay Anderson, spokesman for the Bridger-Teton in Jackson, said officials will "take some time to assess where we're going from here." He added that the decision shows the Forest Service is "responding to public interest in the lands we manage, and that we're balancing for all multiple uses."
Franz Camenzind, executive director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, hailed the decision, saying, "The highest and best use for lands sometimes is the least intrusive kind of use."
Wide coalition of interests
Camenzind commended Sen. Thomas and Gov. Freudenthal for their foresight and courage and for "doing their homework" on the issue.
The Alliance organized the open houses in Jackson and Alpine with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Camenzind said the strong turnout in both towns showed that a coalition opposed to drilling had formed across a wide range of political and economic interests.
"Clearly their voice is being heard," he said.
Dru Bower, spokesperson for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming in Casper, called news of Troyer's decision "frustrating."
"We are disappointed that the leases will be pulled at this time," Bower said. However, once the additional study is completed, "we are confident it will comply with environmental regulations, and it is our hope that parcels will be available for lease in the near future."
Rebecca Huntington contributed to this report.
Respond to this article by e-mailing [email protected]
By Jim Stanford
Responding to widespread public outcry and pressure from Gov. Dave Freudenthal, the U.S. Forest Service has decided to withhold oil and gas leasing in the Wyoming Range southeast of Jackson.
The agency will not lease 175,000 acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest much of it in roadless areas prized for wildlife and recreation until it can evaluate the concerns of citizens and the governor, Deputy Regional Forester Bert Kulesza said Tuesday.
Kulesza said the decision was made by Regional Forester Jack Troyer, head of the agency's Intermountain Region office in Ogden, Utah, at the request of Gov. Freudenthal. Auctions of leases were slated to occur in October and December.
Postponing the sales will allow for further analysis, Kulesza said. The Forest Service essentially is saying, "Time out here let's take a look," he said.
The areas affected stretch from Cliff Creek in the Hoback Canyon to upper Star Valley and beyond Big Piney. Most of the lands are in Sublette County, some are in Lincoln County, and about 640 acres lie in Teton County. Leasing could have resulted in drilling rigs about 25 miles from Jackson.
Troyer sent a letter Tuesday to Bob Bennett, state director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, asking him to withhold auction of the leases. The BLM is the agency charged with selling the leases approved by the Forest Service.
In his letter, Troyer cited the governor's recommendation that "maybe it's time to apply the carpenter's rule ... measure twice and cut once."
Freudenthal, a Democrat, released a statement Tuesday applauding the Forest Service for doing "the right thing" by slowing the leasing process.
"I continue to fully support Wyoming's oil and gas industry, but development needs to occur in a deliberate fashion that takes into account all the impact it brings," the governor said.
Troyer's decision temporarily halts the course set by Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton, who opted to lease the areas over the opposition of citizens who decried the loss of the "last best place in the state."
Public outcry had been mounting in recent weeks, with more than 100 people attending open houses in Jackson and Alpine to express concerns about oil and gas development in the forest. Freudenthal plans to visit the Wyoming Range to assess its resource values.
Sen. Craig Thomas on Tuesday became the latest elected official to add his voice to the growing chorus of protest over the leases. Thomas, a Republican generally seen as pro-industry, issued a statement challenging the Forest Service to justify the auctions.
Analysis outdated
"We must work to ensure that the natural beauty of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is protected," he said. "This area supports a wide variety of wildlife and has many outstanding features. In addition, since the forest is in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park, we must make sure this area is well protected."
The Bridger-Teton had identified the parcels in question as viable for leasing in the early 1990s but had not initiated auctions until recently. Conservation groups have argued that the agency's analysis is outdated and needs to be revised, taking into account a change in public sentiment and the recent boom in gas development in the neighboring Upper Green River Valley.
In his letter to the Bureau of Land Management, Troyer acknowledged the dated nature of the studies. "The Forest Service decision to consent to leasing was made several years ago and while we are not withdrawing that consent, we have decided to delay implementing that decision until we can meet with State and Forest personnel and fully understand, if not resolve, the concerns identified," he wrote.
Troyer invited the BLM to participate in the process because "some of the concerns extend beyond the National Forest boundary," he wrote.
Pam Lewis, chief of fluid minerals adjudication for the BLM office in Cheyenne, said her agency would meet the Forest Service's wishes.
The level of further analysis for the leasing areas will be determined by Bridger-Teton officials in Jackson, Kulesza said. The decision will not affect lease sales in other parts of the state.
Troyer's letter caught forest officials in Jackson off guard.
Jay Anderson, spokesman for the Bridger-Teton in Jackson, said officials will "take some time to assess where we're going from here." He added that the decision shows the Forest Service is "responding to public interest in the lands we manage, and that we're balancing for all multiple uses."
Franz Camenzind, executive director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, hailed the decision, saying, "The highest and best use for lands sometimes is the least intrusive kind of use."
Wide coalition of interests
Camenzind commended Sen. Thomas and Gov. Freudenthal for their foresight and courage and for "doing their homework" on the issue.
The Alliance organized the open houses in Jackson and Alpine with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Camenzind said the strong turnout in both towns showed that a coalition opposed to drilling had formed across a wide range of political and economic interests.
"Clearly their voice is being heard," he said.
Dru Bower, spokesperson for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming in Casper, called news of Troyer's decision "frustrating."
"We are disappointed that the leases will be pulled at this time," Bower said. However, once the additional study is completed, "we are confident it will comply with environmental regulations, and it is our hope that parcels will be available for lease in the near future."
Rebecca Huntington contributed to this report.
Respond to this article by e-mailing [email protected]
