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FWS statement on wolf management (posted July 22, 2008 )
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service press release
The U.S. Federal District Court in Missoula, Montana, issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, July 18, 2008, that immediately reinstated the Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. That area includes all of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and the eastern one-third of Washington and Oregon and parts of north-central Utah.
This injunction will remain in place until final resolution of this case occurs.
The Endangered Species Act provisions reinstated by the court are the same ones in effect before wolves were delisted on March 28, 2008. Any and all wolf take permits issued by the States under State authorities while wolves were delisted are null and void as of 4:04 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008. In the meantime, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are evaluating legal options regarding the Court’s order and the ongoing litigation over the Service’s delisting of the northern Rocky Mountain wolf population. The Service believes gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains have recovered and no longer need the protections of the Endangered Species Act.
All wolves in the southern half of Montana, all of Idaho south of I-90, and all of Wyoming will be managed under the 2005 and 2008 Endangered Species Act nonessential experimental population regulations. To better understand these regulations, please visit the Service’s website by clicking on the link below.
These regulations allow people to take wolves under certain circumstances, such as when wolves are in the physical act of killing, wounding, chasing, or molesting legally present livestock and dogs. Any killing or wounding of a wolf in that area must be reported within 24 hours and the scene should not be disturbed. Each incident will be investigated by law enforcement agents to determine that the physical evidence at the scene demonstrates those wolves were in the act of attacking livestock and dogs.
Wolves outside of the experimental population areas, including all those in the northern half of Montana and all of Washington, Oregon, and Utah, are listed as endangered and may not be legally harmed by the public, except if it is to defend an immediate and direct threat to human life.
Any other conflict with wolves listed as endangered may be legally addressed only by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or its legally designated Federal, State, or Tribal agency agents. Violations of the Endangered Species Act can result in penalties up to $100,000 in fines and one year incarceration.
Under cooperative agreements with the Service that have been in place for the past 3-4 years, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will continue to lead all wolf management activities under the Endangered Species Act regulations in Montana. Idaho Department of Fish and Game will continue to lead all wolf management activities under the Endangered Species Act regulations in Idaho. Until a similar cooperative agreement can be finalized with Wyoming, the Service has resumed the lead for all wolf management activities throughout all of Wyoming. All wolves in all areas of Wyoming are protected by the Endangered Species Act as a nonessential experimental population.
Related Links:
See the Federal Register notice by Fish and Wildlife Service titled "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of Special Regulation for the Central Idaho and Yellowstone Area Nonessential Experimental Populations of Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains".
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf page
Public lands policy deadline looms (posted July 21, 2008 )
Cat Urbigkit
Want to have a say in the county’s public lands policy? Now is the time to get your comments in on the Sublette County Commission’s draft federal and state land use policy. This policy document addresses everything from special designations such as wild and scenic rivers, to livestock grazing and fire management.
The Sublette County Commission has released its 36-page draft document for public comment. The deadline for comment ends July 31. Copies of the draft are available on the counter at the Sublette County Clerk’s office, or can be downloaded from PinedaleOnline! at www.pinedaleonline.com/landusepolicy/.
The commission looks forward to receiving comments targeted to improve the document and the county’s policy. Comments should be submitted to the commission’s consultant on the project: Cat Urbigkit, P.O. Box 1173, Big Piney WY 83113, or email: cat@pinedaleonline.com.
Bridger-Teton announces elk feedground decision (posted 7/19/08)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton of the Bridger-Teton
National Forest signed a Record of Decision on July 15, 2008 approving the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s (WGFC) continued use of National Forest System lands for feedgrounds at five locations. Those locations include Dog Creek, Fall Creek, Fish Creek, Muddy Creek, and Upper Green River on the Jackson and Pinedale Ranger Districts. These and two other locations (Alkali Creek and Patrol Cabin) were considered and evaluated in a Final Environmental Impact Statement that is available for review.
WGFC proposed an increase in authorized area at Fish Creek and Patrol Cabin in the Gros Ventre watershed because wolf pressure has affected elk behavior at these feedgrounds and can cause elk from three feedgrounds to congregate at one site.
Forest Supervisor Hamilton decided not to authorize the increased area at Fish Creek and at the Yellowjacket Flat addition to the Patrol Cabin feedground. "I decided not to permit an increase in authorized area at this time because of the environmental effects to vegetation and wildlife habitat that result from this intensive use," Hamilton said.
No decision was made concerning the Coal Mine Draw addition to the Patrol Cabin feedground or the Alkali Creek feedground at this time. "I need more information before I make a decision concerning Alkali Creek Feedground. The Gros Ventre Wilderness boundary is immediately adjacent to the Feedground and it has not been officially located by cadastral survey. I also need a more detailed inventory of vegetation effects inside the Wilderness from the adjacent feeding," Hamilton said. A decision concerning these two areas is expected before the existing authorization for Alkali Creek feedground expires in 2011.
This decision is subject to administrative review. Appeals must be postmarked or received within 45 days of the date of publication of the legal notice in the Casper Star-Tribune. The Final EIS and Record of Decision are available upon request and can also be downloaded from: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/btnf/projects/. For more information, contact District Ranger Greg Clark by phone or email at 307-276-5810 or gwclark@fs.fed.us.
Wolf protections restored (posted July 18, 2008)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
A federal judge in Montana has ruled that "Endangered Species Act protections are hereby reinstated for the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf" pending final resolution of a federal lawsuit challenging the delisting of wolves.
That means state management of wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming is over, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service back in charge. Hunters in the predator area of Wyoming, you may no longer take wolves.
Click here to read the entire decision.
Details of the wolf decision (posted July 18, 2008)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
The federal court ruling this afternoon was on a motion for a preliminary injunction, which sought to have federal protections for wolves reinstituted while the full case is heard in court. The judge approved the injunction, noting: "In my view, Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the majority of the claims relied upon in their request for a preliminary injunction.
"In particular, (1) the Fish & Wildlife Service acted arbitrarily in delisting the wolf despite a lack of evidence of genetic exchange between subpopulations; and (2) it acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it approved Wyoming’s 2007 plan despite the State’s failure to commit to managing for 15 breeding pairs and the plan’s malleable trophy game area. In both instances, the Fish & Wildlife Service altered its earlier position without providing a reasoned decision for the change based on identified new information."
The court also noted: "Plaintiffs have also shown a significant possibility of irreparable injury. More wolves will be killed under state management than were killed when ESA protections were in place. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming each have public wolf hunts scheduled for this fall. Additionally, he states’ defense of property laws permit the killing of wolves in more circumstances than defense of property regulations under the ESA.
"Because Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of several of their claims and the possibility of irreparable injury, their motion for a preliminary injunction is granted. The limited preliminary relief will reinstate ESA protections for the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf to ensure the species is not imperiled during the pendency of this lawsuit."
WG&F responds to wolf decision (posted July 18, 2008)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
A decision issued today in federal court will have significant impacts on the way wolves are managed in Wyoming. Judge Donald Molloy issued an injunction to suspend the removal of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the federal Endangered Species List.
Wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the Endangered Species List in March 2008. A number of environmental groups are challenging the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s delisting decision. Today’s injunction effectively returns management authority for wolves in the region to the federal government while these legal challenges are heard.
Under state management, wolves in Wyoming were classified as Trophy Game animals in the northwest corner of the state and Predatory animals in the rest of the state. In the Trophy Game area, wolves could only be taken by hunters with a wolf hunting license during an open season or by ranchers who had been issued a lethal take permit by the Game and Fish. In the Predatory Animal area, wolves could be taken by anyone at any time.
As a result of today’s injunction, wolves can no longer be taken anywhere in Wyoming except in cases where wolves are in the act of attacking livestock. Ranchers who are experiencing livestock depredation problems anywhere in the state should contact their local Wyoming Game and Fish office.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and US Fish and Wildlife Service are currently drafting a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to cooperatively manage wolves in Wyoming until a decision is reached on wolf delisting. Under this agreement, the department will likely remain active in monitoring, conflict resolution, and law enforcement activities related to wolves in the state under the authority of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Under the proposed MOA, the department will be active in wolf management only in the Trophy Game area.
New County Attorney Appointed (posted July 17, 2008)
Bob Rule, KPIN
Thursday afternoon, Lucky McMahon was selected as the new Sublette County Attorney by the County Commissioners and sworn in by County Clerk, Mary Lankford.
Brucellosis update (posted July 16, 2008)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Walt Cook reports that the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has agreed to extend the deadline for testing contact cattle herds in Sublette County to October 31.
"This means that we have until October 31 to complete the testing with no risk to our status but that the affected herd must be depopulated by Aug. 29 or we lose free status," Cook said.
The Daniel cattlemen with the infected herd has now retained legal counsel and recently met with federal and state animal health officials to discuss his options.
Cook reported: "At this time the producer is planning to test out and not depopulate his herd."
Wyoming will be downgraded to Class A status should this herd be retained, but local cattle producers have been very vocal in supporting whatever decision this livestock producer makes in this case.
Detective Andy Pearson of the Jackson Police Department approaches the Crain vehicle wearing a special protective bomb suit. Picture from Sweetwater Bomb Squad robot's on-board cameras.
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Bomb Squad Callout in Sublette County (posted July 16, 2008)
Joint Media Release
Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office, Sublette County Sheriff's Office, Jackson Police Department
A Wyoming Highway Patrol REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) call south of Pinedale resulted in a bomb disposal incident on Tuesday.
According to a joint release issued by the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office and the Jackson Police Department, on Tuesday afternoon WHP Trooper Jason Moller responded to a REDDI report on U.S. Highway 191 and stopped the subject of the report, a blue Dodge pickup, near mile marker 85 in Sublette County, about 15 miles south of Pinedale.
The vehicle was driven by 21-year old Michael C. Crain of Lander. Moller arrested Crain for DUI and during the course of his routine inventory of the Crain vehicle, found a quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Three firearms were also found, including a loaded .45-caliber pistol in a pocket on the driver's door. Near the .45 was an improvised explosive device fitted with a fuse.
The Sweetwater and Teton Bomb Squads were notified and two bomb technicians responded: Detective Tony Niemiec of the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office in Rock Springs and Detective Andy Pearson of the Jackson Police Department. Investigators from the Sublette County Sheriff's Office also responded and assisted in handling the call.
Using the Sweetwater Bomb Squad's bomb disposal robot, Niemiec and Pearson removed the device from the vehicle and safely destroyed it near the scene. The bomb techs said the device had apparently been constructed from fireworks.
Crain remains in custody at the Sublette County Jail in Pinedale pending his initial appearance in Circuit Court.
The Sweetwater Bomb Squad is comprised of law enforcement officers of the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office and the Rock Springs and Green River Police Departments. Bomb techs from the Jackson Police Department and the Teton County Sheriff's Office staff the Teton Bomb Squad.
The bomb disposal robot, a Remotec Andros Mark V-A1, was purchased this year with Department of Homeland Security funding through a special network of agencies, including the Sweetwater County, Uinta County, Sublette County, and Lincoln County Sheriff's Offices, the Rock Springs, Green River, Bairoil, and Wamsutter Police Departments, the Rock Springs and Green River Fire Departments, Sweetwater County Fire District #1, the Sweetwater Airport, and Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.
No one was injured during the course of the incident, though state troopers closed Highway 191 for several hours.
For more pictures see Bomb Squad Callout (3 pictures)
Troopers Close Highway 191 South of Boulder (posted July 15, 2008)
Road Now Open
Wyoming Highway Patrol
Pinedale – For the safety of motorists, Troopers have closed a portion of US 191 in Sublette County approximately 4 miles south of Boulder in both directions while a team of bomb experts remove an explosive device from a vehicle.
This incident began shortly after 4:00 this afternoon when the Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch Center in Cheyenne received a REDDI report on a southbound pickup on US 191. Troopers were dispatched to the area to look for the vehicle, which was located and stopped by a Trooper.
During the initial traffic stop Troopers did arrest one individual on suspicion of driving while under the influence. During the course of the investigation Troopers discovered a small user amount of drugs and an
explosive device in the vehicle, which has been described as a "Sparkler Explosive". The quantity and type of illegal drugs is unknown at this time.
"Sparkler Explosive" devices are homemade explosive devices made from hundreds or thousands of individual hand held sparklers that have been tightly compressed and packaged together. When tightly packed in this type
of configuration the sparklers can become very dangerous and become explosive when ignited.
Troopers requested assistance from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department in Green River. Deputies from that department have specialized training in the handling, removal and destruction of explosive devices.
Illegal explosives are not fireworks. The laws against such dangerous devices are enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), and the mere possession of such items can result in an individual being federally prosecuted.
This case remains under investigation at this time. US 191 has been reopened to normal traffic in both directions at 9:05 p.m.
Three names forwarded to county commission (posted July 15, 2008)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
The Sublette County Republican Party Central Committee met late Monday afternoon to consider eight applicants for the currently vacant position of Sublette County and Prosecuting Attorney. The committee's role was to select three names to forward to the Sublette County Commission for consideration.
After reviewing letters of interest and resumes, the committee listened to three-minute presentations, then voted.
The top three candidate names were then sent to the commission for consideration:
Michael Crosson
Lucky McMahon
Marilyn Filkins
The commission is slated to meet on Thursday at 3 p.m. to interview the candidates and make the final appointment to fill the vacant position.
More than 12,000 permitted for concealed weapons (posted July 15, 2008)
Two percent of Wyomingites packing
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
Wyoming's statewide population is estimated at 522,830, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And just over two percent of that population are packing concealed guns.
There are 12,287 valid concealed firearm permits in the state, according to the Wyoming Attorney General's Office.
Wyoming issues concealed firearm permits pursuant to W.S. § 6-8-104. This statute authorizes attorney general to issue permits to carry a concealed firearm to persons that qualify. The attorney general was assigned this task as of October 1, 1994.
In 2007, there were 1,716 new application permits issued, along with 1,285 permit renewals. Four permits were revoked in the state, with two cancelled. The number of permitted carriers is up from just over 11,000 in 2006.
Wyoming Rural Development Council offers training to meet rural community goals (posted 7/14/08)
Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Rural Development Council will hold a team member training workshop in August for individuals interested in helping shape the future of rural Wyoming.
Interested persons will be trained to become active participants in the Community Assessment Program, which assists communities in developing locally-conceived and driven development strategies, and helps provide a long-term support system for communities to achieve their development goals.
The workshop will take place on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Little America in Cheyenne, 2800 West Lincolnway.
The training is free and includes lunch, breaks, and all training materials. The deadline for registering is July 31, 2008.
Participants will learn how to conduct a community assessment that identifies assets, problems and challenges, and defines issues and projects a community would like to achieve.
Common topics of community assessments include economic development, infrastructure, health and social services, housing needs, volunteerism, and youth activities, among others.
Please visit www.wyomingrural.org to view the workshop flyer and to access five- and seven-year Synopsis Reports for assessment work previously conducted in Wyoming communities. For questions regarding workshop registration or the Community Assessment Program, please call or email Jo Ferguson at 307.777.5812 or jo.ferguson@wybusiness.org.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.
Pinedale grew 12.4% last year, Census says (posted 7/14/08)
Pinedale 1st in the State, Marbleton 3rd
Jeffrey Jacquet, Sublette Community Partnership
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its population estimates for Wyoming cities and towns and Pinedale again led the state with a 12.4% rate of growth between July of 2006 and July of 2007. Pinedale now has an estimated population of 2,043 as of July 2007, according to the Census Bureau, up from 1,818 in July of 2006.
The Census estimates typically do not count temporary or transient residents that may be residing in motels, campgrounds, RV, Man Camps, or other types of non-traditional housing. However, the estimates are useful for looking at changes in more permanent populations.
Marbleton is estimated to have grown 8% during the last year, Big Piney 5.1%, and the non-incorporated areas of Sublette County 8.9%. The Census Bureau's Wyoming County estimates released earlier this year showed the county and the towns as a whole with a combined 9.4% increase, one of the highest in the country.
Despite the high rate of growth in Pinedale, about 67% of Sublette County residents still reside in the non-incorporated areas of the county, 60% of new residents since 2000 have moved to these non-incorporated areas.
The rural areas of Sublette County are growing in population much faster than other counties in the State, the non-incorporated areas of Lincoln County grew 3.6%, the second highest rate.
Sublette County and its towns have been growing rapidly for the past 6 years, however the county has grown much faster between 2006 and 2007, according to the Census Bureau. Pinedale had the highest rate of growth in the state, while the Casper suburb Bar Nunn came second with a 11% rate of growth, and Marbleton came in third. Gillette had a 6% rate of growth, and Labarge grew by 5.4%.
Related Links:
U.S. Census Bureau July 1st, 2007 Population Estimates for Wyoming Cities and Towns
Population growth rates since 1990
County grew by 9.4% in 200
www.sublette-se.org Sublette Socioeconomics
Passing Lanes on US 191 to be Chip Sealed (posted 7/14/08)
Wyoming Department of Transportation
Beginning July 22 the contractor for the 16 passing lanes on US 191 north of Rock Springs will begin chip sealing the project.
The project was made possible through the additional funds appropriated by the 2007 State Legislature, and in May 2007, the $14 million contract was awarded to LeGrand Johnson Construction Co. of Logan, Utah. Each passing lane is slightly more than a mile in length and the project spans nearly 75 miles in length.
"Doing the posted speed limit of 65 m.p.h., motorists will have the opportunity to safely pass other vehicles about every five minutes when the project is completed," said Theresa Herbin, Public Involvement Specialist for District 3. "The public voiced their safety concerns for US 191, and thanks to the Legislators, we got the funds to do something about it," she said.
It is planned that the contractor will begin the chip seal project at milepost 8.8 and progress to the north towards Pinedale. The project is due to be completed Oct. 31, 2008.
WYDOT and the prime contractor are committed to public and contractor safety and urges motorists to slow down and obey the posted speed limits, as well as to be alert and cautious while driving through these construction areas.
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