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Wyoming lawmakers to meet on wolf issue (posted 10/15/08)
Meeting in Cody Oct. 16 and Riverton Oct. 17
Wolf Watch
Members of the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee will meet to discuss how Wyoming should proceed on wolf management. The Committee will meet on Thursday, October 16th in Cody, and on Friday, October 17th in Riverton. Wolves were reinstated on the Endangered Species List in response to a lawsuit from environmental groups charging that wolves wouldn't be adequately protected under state plans adopted by Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
Meetings will be held:
Thursday, October 16, 2008: Cody, Wyoming, Cody Auditorium, 8:00
Friday, October 17. 2008: Riverton, Wyoming, Central Wyoming Community College, 8:00 AM
The purpose of the meeting is to hear testimony regarding the status of state management of gray wolves and consider state action necessary to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list.
Click on this link for more on this story and for the Draft Agenda for the two meetings: Wyoming lawmakers to meet on wolf issue
Related Links:
Wolf Watch By Cat Urbigkit
Hazards still exist near Shingle Mill Fire (posted 10/15/08)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
(Kemmerer) – The Shingle Mill Fire is a lightening caused fire that was ignited on the Kemmerer Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 11, 2008. The Forest has been monitoring the fire and working with it to restore fire to the ecosystem in that area. The fire is not extinguished and has burned 1290 acres approximately 45 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming. While there are no closure orders in effect in and around the Shingle Mill Fire, visitors are cautioned to be vigilant when entering the burn area.
"The fire is still burning and while there may not be any flaming trees or thick, heavy smoke, there are still potential dangers that exist in the area," said Kemmerer District Ranger Tracy Hollingshead. "Unpredictable winds can cause partially burned trees to fall over or across the roadway presenting hazards for anyone recreating in the area," she said. The fire also could still be burning the roots of the trees and organic material in the ground. "Anyone traversing through a burn area is at risk of sinking into one of these hot spots and sustaining significant burns and injuries to their limbs," said Hollingshead.
The Shingle Mill Fire received some moisture over the weekend, but not enough to extinguish the fire. The fire danger for the Bridger-Teton remains at Low. For information about the Shingle Mill Fire, call the Kemmerer Ranger District at 307-877-4415.
Mark Gocke. Wyoming Game & Fish courtesy photo.
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G&F’s Mark Gocke honored (posted 10/13/08)
For his public relations and photography skills
Wyoming Game & Fish
Mark Gocke, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s information and education representative in Jackson and Pinedale, has been honored as the department’s 2007 Services Division Employee of the Year.
Gocke started his Game and Fish career as a habitat extension biologist in Wheatland in 1991 and also served in that position in Sheridan before being promoted to his current post in 1995.
"Mark has established himself as a trusted and reliable spokesman for the department on issues ranging from brucellosis and elk feedgrounds to grizzly bears, wolves, energy development and a variety of other sensitive subjects," said Bob Lanka, regional information and education supervisor.
Gocke is a York, Neb. native and a 1985 York High graduate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1990, where he served as the publicity co-chairman for the UNL Wildlife Club and earned an Alumni Award. He served as a biological aid for the Soil Conservation Service and a conservation technician for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before moving to Wyoming.
Gocke was also cited for his photography expertise in receiving the award. Since 2004, he has won numerous awards from the Association ofConservation Information for his photography. He also practices that craft for his own photography business. His scenic and wildlife images regularly appear in regional publications.
Gocke and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Jonah, 12, and Emilie, 10, plus a black Labrador.
Click on this link to see some of Mark’s photos: Photography by Mark Gocke (11 pictures)
Related Links:
gf.state.wy.us/ Wyoming Game & Fish Department
Bubonic Plague case details prove elusive (posted 10/13/08)
Boy Scout visited area in summer of 2008
Wyoming Department of Health
Wyoming Department of Health officials said the follow up investigation and tests involving a bubonic plague case this summer in an out-of-state resident who visited Teton County and Yellowstone National Park yielded no definitive results.
The individual traveled to multiple sites in the area with a group of Boy Scouts from July 26 to August 3 and was involved in a combination of activities such as working on an outdoors service project, camping, sightseeing and participating in sports.
"Not surprisingly, the exact location where the young man was exposed to the disease could not be determined," said Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. "He was active in a number of places where exposure could have occurred."
"The follow up investigation and testing did not reveal significant animal die-offs or other specific evidence of increased plague activity in the locations the Boy Scout visited," Murphy said.
After the case was reported, Wyoming Department of Health staff participated in an environmental investigation with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This summer’s human plague case was the sixth thought to be acquired in Wyoming since 1978. Other recorded Wyoming cases include a 1978 Washakie County case, a 1982 Laramie County case, a 1992 Sheridan County case that resulted in death, a 2000 Washakie County case and a 2004 Goshen County case.
Dr. Karl Musgrave, state public health veterinarian with the Wyoming Department of Health, said that while the risk for humans to contract plague is relatively low in Wyoming, the disease has been documented in animals in 22 of Wyoming's 23 counties since records were kept.
"It’s safe to assume that the risk for plague exists all around Wyoming," Musgrave said. "And while the disease is rare in humans, it is important that people take common-sense precautions to reduce their exposure." For more information on this incident contact: Kim Deti, 307-777-6420.
Related Links:
Information on Bubonic Plague Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Bubonic Plague Wikipedia
The Vogel family is traveling through Wyoming on their 2-1/2 year, 20,000 mile trek on the Pan American highway. They are currently stopped in Pinedale waiting out the sudden winter snow storm.
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Family on 20,000-mile bike trek visits Pinedale (posted 10/11/08)
Parents and twin sons biking from Alaska to tip of South America
Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
Ten-year old Davy and Daryl Vogel will have a unique story to tell about their 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. They are spending those two-1/2 years with their parents bicycling 20,000 miles on a trek from Alaska to the southern tip of South America.
The Vogels, from Boise, Idaho, began their trip in June 2008. They arrived in Pinedale on Friday, October 9 and decided to hold tight after hearing reports of a strong winter storm threatening to drop from three to ten inches of snow in the Upper Green River Valley, and bringing blizzard conditions and wind chill values to 10 below zero further south near Rock Springs over the weekend.
The family is staying at High Country Suites in Pinedale and expect to stay until Monday, when the weather is forecast to return to sunny conditions and warm all the way up to around 39 degrees. Mom Nancy wrote in their blog, "I can’t imagine being out here in blizzard conditions with 15 degree temps!! "
Parents John and Nancy, both long-time teachers, are "home schooling" their sons along the way to keep them up on their schoolwork. They are incorporating the sights and history they encounter along the way as they travel the Pan American highway.
The family is using their educational background to bring the world to under-privileged children in New York City through Reach the World (RTW). Reach the World is an educational non-profit organization with the mission of linking students in under-funded schools to online, global expeditions. These expeditions have the power to expand learning beyond the four walls of the classroom. The cyclists will be linked to classrooms via RTW’s interactive website and live Internet chats.
The family is traveling with two single bikes and a tandem, which allows the boys to switch back and forth between the single and tandem. Once they arrive in Argentina at the end of their journey, Davy and Daryl will become the new Guinness World Record holders as the youngest people to cycle the Pan-American Highway.
Follow the Vogel family's adventure on the blog on their website. You you can also sign up to receive their newsletter for more updates. Photos courtesy of the Vogel family.
Click here for more photos of the Wyoming portion of trip: Family on Bikes (12 photos)
Click here for an interview with the John and Mary Vogel by Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1 FM Pinedale Radio: Interview with the Vogel family Saturday, October 11, 2008 (694K, 3:50 min, mp3 audio file)
Related Links:
www.familyonbikes.org.
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Winter comes to Wyoming (posted 10/11/08)
Winter arrived in full force on Saturday, abruptly ending the wonderful mild fall. Roads became slick and emergency services were busy helping travelers with slide-offs and minor accidents. Outside livestock and wildlife have many months to go enduring the challenging weather conditions Wyoming will bring next.
Click here for more pictures of the valley's first snow: Winter arrives in the Upper Green (8 photos)
Snow Totals for Sublette County
Loomis Park Snotel 5 inches
New Fork Lake Snotel 5 inches
Elkhart Park G.S. Snotel 5 inches
Triple Peak Snotel 4 inches
East Rim Divide Snotel 4 inches
Big Sandy Opening Snotel 4 inches
Pinedale 13.8 NW 3.8 inches
Pinedale 8.5 SE 3.8 inches
Snider Basin Snotel 3 inches
Kendall Ranger Station Snotel 3 inches
Boulder Rearing Station 3 inches
Bondurant 1 inch
Weekend Weather Update (posted 10/10/08)
Winter arrives
Upper Green River Basin, Pinedale, Big Piney, LaBarge, Farson: A WINTER STORM WATCH is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. After periods of light snow today and tonight the snowfall will likely increase in intensity Saturday. There is the potential for 6 to 10 inches of snow to fall across the Upper Green River Basin on Saturday with up to 10 to 15 inches across the Upper Green River Basin foothills. Travel over Highways 191 and 189 will likely become slick and snow covered.
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming & Salt River Ranges: The National Weather Service has cancelled the Winter Storm Watch and changed it to a WINTER STORM WARNING until midnight on Saturday. Snowfall is expected to increase today (Friday), becoming heavy at times. A brief lull is expected late Friday night before the snowfall rate picks up again on Saturday and continues through Saturday night. The Wind River Mountains could see 1 to 2 feet of snowfall by late Saturday night with up to three feet along the east slopes above Fort Washakie and Lander. Road conditions over South Pass and Togwotee Pass will likely become slick and snow covered. Strong northeast winds will create considerable blowing and drifting snow and possible white out conditions. South Pass is expected to get northeast winds with gusts over 40 mph on Saturday and into the evening.
South Lincoln County, Rock Springs, Green River, Kemmerer, East Sweetwater County, Flaming Gorge: A BLIZZARD WATCH in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. There is the potential for 3 to 6 inches of snowfall to occur across Sweetwater County Saturday and Saturday evening along with 4 to 8 inches in Southern Lincoln County. In addition, very strong east northeast winds of 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph may create 1 to 3 foot drifts along with white-out conditions. Travel along interstate 80 as well as other area highways may become extremely treacherous. In addition, wind chills of 10 below zero are possible. A Blizzard Watch is issued when sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts over 35 mph will combine with considerable falling and/or blowing snow to produce frequent visibilities below one quarter mile in the next 12 to 48 hours. Roads may close or become impassable in these conditions.
Hunters, travelers and others with outdoor interests should pay close attention to the weather forecast. Listen to NOAA weather radio or your favorite media outlet for the latest forecasts and winter statements. A winter storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are imminent or highly likely.
Pinedale Forecast:
Friday: A chance of snow before noon, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 18. North wind between 7 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: Snow. High near 32. Breezy, with a east northeast wind between 13 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday Night: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 17. Blustery, with a east northeast wind 20 to 23 mph decreasing to between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. East northeast wind at 7 mph becoming west southwest.
Sunday Night: Scattered snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Related Links:
www.weather.gov/riverton National Weather Service - Riverton, Wyoming
South Piney Creek runs through the middle of the project area. Four new wells are proposed to be drilled on the ridge on the south side. Graphic courtesy Cimarex Energy Co.
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Cimarex Energy proposes helium/methane project near Big Piney (posted 10/9/08)
Friday, Oct. 10 deadline for public comments
The public has until Friday, October 10, to make comments on the proposed Cimerex Rands Butte helium-methane project near Big Piney.
In early August, Cimarex was granted a Wyoming Special Use Lease for development of a methane and helium recovery facility located on State of Wyoming land on the ridge south of South Piney Creek on the eastern flank of the Wyoming Range.
The project area is approximately 1-1/2 miles east of the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary and 15 miles west of Big Piney. The project area is comprised of approximately 618 acres. Four wells would be drilled from an existing well pad on BLM land. A methane and helium recovery facility would be located on State of Wyoming Land within the project area. The methane would be transported to the nearest connection to Williams Pipeline for sale. The raw Helium (less than 1% of the gas) would be piped approximately fifteen miles to a liquefacation facility on private land on Calpet Road near US 189, approximately three miles south of Big Piney.
Click on this link for more on this story: Cimarex Energy proposes helium/methane project near Big Piney (19 photos)
Wyoming Highway Patrol’s newest K-9 makes big bust (posted 10/9/08)
Wyoming Highway Patrol
(Cheyenne) – The Wyoming Highway Patrol’s K-9 officers and their partners are increasingly valuable in the battle against narcotics use. They are particularly helpful in locating easily concealed drugs that are being transported across Wyoming’s highways.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol’s newest member, Bonnie, has been involved in two felony drug cases this week. Her biggest find of the week has been the seizure of just over 22 pounds of high grade marijuana on Tuesday.
Bonnie, a two year-old black lab, has been with the Wyoming Highway Patrol for approximately three weeks. She and her Highway Patrol K-9 handler have together successfully completed 80 hours of dog handler training.
Bonnie's extensive training has certified her and her partner in the area of narcotics detection for marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, ecstasy and their street derivatives.
Bonnie’s call out on Tuesday was to assist a Trooper on eastbound Interstate 80 when he requested a narcotics K-9 at a traffic stop made just before 9:00 a.m. approximately 30 miles east of Cheyenne. Upon her arrival Bonnie alerted at the trunk area of the 2006 Chrysler convertible.
Troopers opened the trunk and discovered two black duffle bags which were packed with plastic bags stuffed with high grade marijuana. The driver of the Chrysler, 28 year-old Matthew R. Frazier from Knoxville, Tennessee, has been arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The street value of the high grade marijuana seized is approximately $57,800.00.
On Monday Bonnie assisted Troopers at a traffic stop on US 287 seven miles south of Laramie. Seized during that traffic stop was a felony amount of pharmaceutical tablets and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. The driver and passenger in the vehicle, both from Hayden, Colorado, have been arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Currently, these new narcotics trafficking cases remain under investigation. Troopers along with Special Agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation will be conducting follow-up investigations in an attempt to determine where the illegal narcotics contraband originated and were eventually destined.
Bonnie joins a team of seven additional Wyoming Highway Patrol K-9’s that are deployed in various locations throughout the State.
IPSSSDR provides fuel for Mushers (posted 10/9/08)
$500 to help defray costs of high gas prices to get to sled dog race
International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
Despite their "fueled by dog-power" tagline, even sled dog racers are being pinched by high gas prices as they transport their teams to events. In recognition of the fuel costs that mushers incur in getting dogs to its race starting line, the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) will provide every registered team that arrives in Jackson, Wyo., for the 2009 race start with a gas voucher for $500 to help cover costs.
"Many mushers drive over 2,300 miles one way to compete," says IPSSSDR Race Director Frank Teasley. We don’t want the price of gas to stop these top teams from participating."
Other changes to the 2009 IPSSSDR include over $80,000 in cash prizes for mushers registered in the PEDIGREE Musher Support program.
For the 2009 race, mushers will have four ways to win money:
- Overall purse;
- Day money (overall and day money total over $80,000);
- PEDIGREE Musher Support program ($80,000);
- Gas stipend ($500 per musher).
The addition of the $80,000 in PEDIGREE Musher Support funds effectively doubles the cash winnings available to participating teams this year.
The 2009 IPSSSDR is slated for January 30 to February 7, 2009, beginning in Jackson, Wyo., and ending in Park City, Utah. The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public.
For more information, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org; contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, telephone at 307-734-1163, or visit www.pedigree.com.
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