Counties unite against NREPA
Sublette, Lincoln and Uinta counties organizing a campaign opposing H.R. 980 bill (Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act)
by Sublette County
April 25, 2009
Residents and recreationists in western Wyoming can rest assured that county government officials are taking action on their behalf to oppose the congressional bill called the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, which would result in 24 million acres of new wilderness, wild and scenic river, and recovery area designations in the region. During a meeting of western Wyoming’s Coalition of Local Governments in Kemmerer this week, the group discussed H.R. 980, which will be subject to a Congressional hearing on May 5. Concerned about the impacts of the proposal on various resource uses and the negative impact on local communities, county government officials from Sublette, Lincoln and Uinta counties began organizing a campaign opposing the bill. Rep. Cynthia Lummis has requested the Coalition to provide testimony on this legislation.
Sublette County Commissioner Joel Bousman has been selected by western Wyoming’s Coalition of Local Governments to travel to Washington, D.C. in early May to give testimony against the bill. He is working directly with Rep. Cynthia Lummis, who is a member of the Committee.
Sublette County Clerk Mary Lankford is accepting written communications from organizations, county departments, businesses and interest groups that provide detailed analysis of the impact of the bill. All the information will be compiled next week and used in preparation for Bousman’s testimony to the congressional committee. Contact information: maryl@sublettewyo.com, sbcc@state.wy.us, or FAX 307-367-6396.
All personal letters should be emailed directly to Rep. Lummis local representative Pat Aullman. Contact information for Pat is: Pat.Aullman@mail.house.gov.
Click on this link to hear comments by Sublette County Commissioner Joel Bousman on this issue. (Audio file,1.43 MB .mp3 file, courtesy KPIN Radio, 101.1 FM)
Text of audio: "We have a potentially serious situation developing with HR980, which would seriously limit the many uses of public lands here in Sublette County. This includes Fremont Lake, Lakeside Lodge, White Pine Ski Area, Half Moon Lake, Boulder Lake, basically all recreational areas on the forest, that are used by boaters, skiers, hunters, snowmobilers, ATVers, and so forth.
Sublette County is leading the effort to work with Wyoming’s Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis in her efforts to oppose this legislation, and I will be travelling to Washington DC in early May to give testimony against this bill.
Sublette County Clerk Mary Lankford is accepting written communications from organizations, county departments, businesses and all interest groups that will provide detailed analysis of the economic impact of this bill. All the information will be complied during the last week of April and used in preparation for my testimony to the Congressional committee." – Sublette County Commissioner Joel Bousman
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Citizen Meeting April 30th in Pinedale about NREPA
Concerned citizens are invited to attend a citizen’s meeting at the Pinedale Auditorium on Thursday, April 30th, at 7:30 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to form a coalition opposed to H.R. 980, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA). Please bring your comments to the meeting so that they can be compiled for delivery to Washington D.C. At the top of the letter please state "Against H.R. 980-Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act" Also put down your name, phone number, address, and a couple of paragraphs about why you are against the bill. For more information contact Jason Ray at 307-360-6927.
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