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Gathering 2 Fire 100% Contained (posted 7/8/08)
Fire near Dutch Joe/Big Sandy and Rainbow Camp
Pinedale Online!
A fire that started on Monday near the Rainbow encampment in the Big Sandy area is now 100% Contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire started on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land near the boundary with the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Bear Trap Meadows around 2:30 PM on July 7th. The fire was approximately 31 miles southeast of Boulder.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest ordered the evacuation of two camps associated with the Rainbow Family Gathering.
An Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team was activated to manage the fire. It reached 4 acres in size, burning in heavy dead and down timber and bug-killed pine trees. There were 44 people assigned to the fire, including a 20-person hand crew and firefighters and equipment from Boulder, Pinedale, Daniel and Bondurant Volunteer Fire Departments. The fire is believed to be human-caused.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire is in the "mop up" phase. Crews are working to make sure there are no remaining hot spots in the burned area. There is presently light smoke and smoldering spots within the burned area, but no flames.
Fire danger is currently MODERATE on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. No restrictions are in place for campfires.
This is the second fire to occur this season in the Big Sandy area near Dutch Joe. An earlier fire occurred on June 23rd near Dutch Joe Guard Station and reached 1/10th of an acre in size.
For more information on this fire, call 307-739-5564. Fire information hotline for the Bridger-Teton National Forest: (307) 739-5577.
Related Links:
www.inciweb.org
www.tetonfires.com
NIFC Daily Large Fire Incident Map
NIFC Daily Wildfire Incident Report
Garrett Bardin found (posted 7/7/08)
Media release from the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office
Below is a media release from the Sublette County Sheriff’s office. A Memorial Service for Garrett will be held on Wednesday, July 9, at 10:00 AM at the Pinedale Auditorium. Cards may be sent to the Bardin and Richie Family at PO Box 22, Boulder, WY 82923.
_________________________________________________________
MEDIA RELEASE
July 7, 2008
SUBLETTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PO BOX 701
PINEDALE, WY 82941
Point of Contact: Special Investigator Randy Hanson - Public Information Officer
(307) 367-4378 / (307) 260-7062, randall.hanson@yahoo.com
The body of the man found on July 3rd in the Wind River Mountains not far from the banks of the Big Sandy River has been identified as Garrett Bardin, 24, of Pinedale.
According to Sublette Deputy County Coroner K.C. Lehr and county investigators who recovered the body and processed the scene, the apparent cause of death was a single self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Randy Hanson said Bardin was found by Tip Top Search & Rescue volunteers at about 10:00 AM in a remote area about 650 yards southeast of the spot where his 2006 Lincoln 4x4 pickup was recovered on June 24th, and a little over half a mile from the Rainbow Family Gathering camp.
Searches for Bardin in the high mountain country around the old Dutch Joe Guard Station, carried out by sheriff’s deputies, search and rescue members, family members and volunteers since his family reported him missing on June 24th, produced negative results.
Search efforts on July 2nd and 3rd focused on particularly rough country that officials believed merited additional attention. It was this strategy that resulted in the discovery of Bardin’s body.
During the investigation into Bardin’s disappearance and his last confirmed contact on June 21st, leads were developed that indicated he may have spent time in the Rainbow camp or along its fringes in the days before his death.
"Unfortunately, we may never be able to confirm or rule that out with any degree of certainty," Hanson said.
Hanson said investigators believe Bardin died at least four to five days prior to his body’s discovery.
The identification was facilitated through a dental examination made by a forensic odontologist. Cause of death was determined through scene investigation, scene processing, and a forensic examination of Bardin’s body conducted after its recovery.
Sublette County Sheriff Wayne "Bardy" Bardin, Garrett Bardin’s father, and Carol Richie, his mother, again expressed today their thanks for the efforts and support of the men and women of the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, Tip Top Search & Rescue, all the volunteers who participated in the search for their son, and the people of Sublette County.
Related Links:
Search for Garrett Bardin
The BLM's comments to the EPA have been censored from this public document..
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BLM covering up public health issues? (posted 7/7/08)
Visibility, Air and Water Quality impacts
Western Resource Advocates
A recently released letter reveals the BLM is attempting to censor how they resolved health concerns on a controversial plan that would dramatically expand drilling on the Pinedale Anticline gas field.
A final plan was released at the end of last week, but now a public record for that decision is being deliberately hidden.
"BLM’s been silently stonewalling our concerns and now they give us this done-deal final version rather than address the issues," said Susan Kramer, local resident of Pinedale.
The letter in question is a response from the BLM to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Earlier this year, the EPA gave the Pinedale Anticline draft plan it’s worst possible rating of EU-3, stating significant concerns with air visibility, ozone pollution, and groundwater contamination.
The BLM’s response (to the EPA comments) was released to Lander-based Western Resources Advocates after a Freedom of Information Act request, but entire paragraphs have been blackened out under the topics of "Visibility," Groundwater" and "Ozone." These are glaring omissions that would have illuminated the process BLM used to resolve EPA’s concerns.
"Citizens have a perfect right to this information," stated Dan Heilig, an attorney with Western Resource Advocates. "They are the folks who will be most directly impacted by these questions of public health. The agency is improperly applying exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act to this letter."
In what language is free from censors, the BLM makes it clear they would not be following through with EPA’s suggestions to release another revised draft plan with full opportunity for public comment. Rather BLM notes, all "appropriate measures" will be presented in the final plan.
Yellowstone reports record June visitation (posted 7/7/08)
Yellowstone National Park
Visitation to Yellowstone National Park hit a new record in June, and is on a near record pace for the first six months of the year.
The park recorded 612,095 recreational visits in June 2008. That’s up 2,489 visitors from June 2007, and marks only the second time in history that Yellowstone’s June visitation has topped the 600-thousand mark.
For the first six months of the year, the park recorded 947,647 visitors. While that’s down slightly from last year’s record of 978,235 visitors, this is the second highest visitation level ever recorded for the first six months of the year. It remains well above the 889,234 visitors recorded for the first six months of 2006.
Yellowstone had a record 3,151,342 visitors in 2007. The previous record was set in 1992 at 3,144,405 visitors. The bulk of the park’s visitation occurs May through September.
Detailed visitor information figures are available online at
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/mpur/logon.cfm
Temporary Extension of Unemployment Benefits (posted 7/7/08)
State of Wyoming media release
Additional unemployment benefits are available to qualified individuals in Wyoming beginning the week of July 6, 2008. The program will continue through March 28, 2009.
The unemployment benefit extension is available to workers who exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits after May 1, 2007, and are not eligible for a new unemployment insurance claim. Individuals qualifying for the program will be eligible for up to thirteen additional benefit weeks based on their most recent unemployment insurance claim.
These benefits are available as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 recently passed by Congress. The program is 100% federally funded and Wyoming employers will not incur any additional direct costs.
The Unemployment Insurance Division will mail notices beginning the week of July 6, 2008 to individuals who may be eligible for these benefits. To inquire about the extension or to file a claim, contact the Wyoming Claims Center at (307) 473-3789 or visit: http://wyui.doe.state.wy.us.
Forum on Upper Green Water Management slated for Nov. 14-15 in Pinedale (posted 7/7/08)
Water management on the Upper Green River will be the topic of a public conference held in Pinedale by the University of Wyoming’s Stroock Forum on Wyoming Lands and People.
The free public event, running Friday afternoon, Nov. 14, and Saturday morning, Nov. 15, at Rendezvous Pointe in Pinedale, will feature audience discussion and speakers including the Wyoming State Engineer, the State Climatologist, the director of the Wyoming Water Development Commission, and the head of UW’s School of Energy Resources, among others.
For more information and registration, in early fall check the Stroock Forum website, http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/STROOCKFORUM/
Fire ignites near Dutch Joe Guard Station (posted 7/7/08)
Forest Service evacuating some Rainbow camps
Bridger-Teton National Forest
A fire was reported near the Bear Trap Meadows on the border between the Bureau of Land Management Land and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire has been named the Gathering 2 Fire and has burned approximately ¾ of an acre of dead trees that have fallen on the Forest. The fire is located approximately 31-miles southeast of Boulder, Wyoming near the Dutch Joe Guard Station. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Several Interagency firefighters are responding to the area. A Type I helicopter, which is a specialized helicopter for combating forest fires, has been ordered for this incident. Currently, the fire appears to be moving in an easterly direction. As a precautionary measure, the Bridger-Teton is ordering the evacuation of two peripheral camps associated with the Rainbow Family Gathering. The annual Rainbow Gathering was held in the Dutch Joe area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest last week. Some of the camps associated with the Rainbow Gathering have not been vacated that was held in that vicinity of the Forest.
Related Links:
Inciweb.org - Gathering 2 Fire
Memorial Service for Garrett Bardin July 9 (posted 7/6/08)
Pinedale Auditorium, 10:00 AM
Pinedale Online
A Memorial Service for Garrett Bardin will be held on Wednesday, July 9th in the Pinedale Auditorium at 10:00 AM. A dinner will follow at Stockman’s.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a donation please make it to Tip Top Search and Rescue (www.tiptopsar.com).
Mailing Address:
Tip Top Search and Rescue
PO Box 400
Pinedale, WY 82941
(Also ok to send care of the Sublette County Sheriff's Office address we had posted earlier.)
We were notified Sunday evening by Bardy Bardin that it was confirmed Sunday the identity of the body found by Big Sandy was Garrett.
Related Links:
Search for Garrett Bardin
GOP to meet on county attorney vacancy (posted 7/4/08)
Letters of interest are encouraged
Sublette County Republican Party
Sublette County Republican Party Chair Cat Urbigkit has received official notification July 4, 2008 that a vacancy exists in the position of Sublette County Attorney. Although state statute provides for a meeting of the county GOP central committee to be called within 15 days of this notification, Sublette County GOP bylaws call for the meeting to be held within 10 days to select the names of three persons qualified to fill the vacancy. Those three names will then be forwarded to the Sublette County Commission. According to state law, within five days of receiving the three names, the board of county commissioners shall fill the vacancy by appointing one of the three persons chosen by the central committee.
The Sublette County Republican Party Central Committee will meet in the commission meeting room of the Sublette County Courthouse in Pinedale at 5:30 p.m., July 14, 2008 for the purpose of selecting three names to submit to the Sublette County Commission to fill the vacancy in the office of the Sublette County Attorney. The term of the appointment is 30 months (until a successor is elected in the 2010 General Election). To qualify for consideration, the candidate must be a member of the Wyoming Bar Association. This position is full-time with a current annual salary of $85,000.
Anyone interested in being considered for the county attorney’s position is encouraged to submit a letter of interest to Sublette County Republican Party Chair Cat Urbigkit at catu2@mac.com by noon, July 14, 2008. Candidates are encouraged to attend the central committee meeting to present a three-minute address to the voting delegates. For further information, contact Cat Urbigkit at 307-276-5393.
Rainbow Gathering: Forest Service Incident Management Team Encounters Interference During Investigation (posted 7/4/08)
Incident on July 3rd at Rainbow Camp
Forest Service media release
Friday, July 4, 10:51 AM, Media Release from the Rita Vollmer, Intermountain Region Regional Office Public Affairs Specialist for the Forest Service, Office: (801) 625-5153, Cell: (801) 791-2390. Forest Service media release of July 3, 2008 incident at Rainbow Gathering at Dutch Joe/Big Sandy in Wyoming.
__________________________________________________
Rock Springs, Wyoming (July 4, 2008) — Forest Service officers were patrolling the main meadow area of the National Rainbow Family Gathering yesterday evening. The officers made contact with a subject that would not cooperate and fled. The subject was apprehended; once detained other Rainbow participants began to interfere with the situation.
Officers began to leave the Gathering site with the subject and were circled by more Rainbow participants that began to physically interfere. Another participant was detained for physical interference.
Ten officers were escorting the detained subjects when about 400 Rainbows surrounded the squad trying to leave. More officers were requested to assist in the main meadow area. The mob began to advance, throwing sticks and rocks at the officers. Crowd control tactics were used to keep moving through the group of Rainbows.
"This lawless behavior is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it," Forest Service Director of Law Enforcement, John Twiss, said. "The safety of our employees, public and Rainbow participants is our number one priority and we will continue to protect everyone on the National Forest."
A total of five arrests were made in relation to this incident. One officer suffered minor injuries and was cleared by the local hospital. A government vehicle also incurred damage during the incident.
Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Highway Patrol and Sublette County, Fremont County, and Sweetwater County Sheriff Offices all responded to the Forest Service officers during the incident.
"The Forest Service Incident Management Team appreciates all of the help and assistance from the agencies coordinating with us during this incident," Incident Commander, Gene Smithson said. "It is important that we continue to work together."
Approximately 7,000 Rainbow participants have congregated in the Big Sandy area.
Related Links:
"We The People Radio Network" – radio program audio broadcast file 1 (One hour audio file with first-hand interviews with Rainbows at the scene at the time of the July 3, 2008 incident) mp3 audio file
"We The People Radio Network" – radio program audio broadcast file 2 (Second one hour audio file with first-hand interviews with Rainbows at the scene at the time of the July 3, 2008 incident) mp3 audio file
Rainbow Gathering updates Pinedale Online!
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Mary Collier - Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race (posted 7/3/08)
Mary Collier is riding in the Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race this year, a 2711-mile trek from Banff, Canada, to the New Mexico at the Mexican border. She stopped in at Rock Rabbit in Pinedale on Wednesday to get some ice cream with $10 that her friend, Mike Dion, left there for her. Dion is filming a documentary of the race and the Continental Divide Mountain Bike Trail route that it follows.
Seventeen racers started the trek on June 13th. The racers have dealt with mud, snow, bears, tunnel cave-ins, constant mechanical issues and more. There is no entry fee or prizes in the race. Racers who volunteer to carry a SPOT Messenger are tracked real-time on a Google Maps leaderboard.
For more info on the race, see www.tourdivide.org.
Ralph Boynton resigns as Sublette County Attorney (posted 7/3/08)
Effective July 3, 2008
Media release from the Sublette County Board of Commissioners:
________________________________________________
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Sublette County, Wyoming
P.O. Box 250
PINEDALE, WY 82941
July 3, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Please be advised, Sublette County Attorney Ralph Boynton tendered his resignation to the Board of County Commissioners effective July 3, 2008.
The Board has accepted his resignation and declared a vacancy. Meredith Peterson has been appointed to act as Interim Head of the County Attorney’s Office, and this appointment is effective immediately.
Cat Urbigkit, Chairman of the Sublette County Republican Party will be notified to begin the process of filling the vacancy created by the resignation.
________________________________________________
Story update July 3, 2008, 7:30 PM:
Under an agreement signed by Boynton and all three Sublette County Commissioners on July 1st, Boynton tendered his resignation "for personal and professional reasons."
The document stated that his resignation was in the best interest of the County Attorney to resign and for the Sublette County Commissioners to effectuate the resignation.
The document states, "The Commissioners agree to pay the County Attorney the balance of his wages due through the end of 2008, as wages, plus the full retirement contribution normally paid by Sublette County on his behalf, immediately and in a lump sum. The amount of wages is $42,500.00 in salary, plus $4,781.25 in recognition of said retirement contribution. The wages will be reduced by $2,931.44 Social Security, $685.58 Medicare, and $8,064.17 Federal withholding tax. The balance equals $35,600.06."
"The parties hereto will cooperate in both assisting the County Attorney in moving out of the Sublette County Attorney’s Office, and in transitioning active cases to existing office personnel."
In addition, the Agreement states, "The Commissioners and the County Attorney hereby release each other from any causes of actions or claims they may presently have against each other."
Pinedale Online contacted Bill Cramer, Chairman of the Board of Sublette County Commissioners, regarding the abrupt resignation and whether or not the action would impact any of the legal work Boynton has done on cases on behalf of Sublette County. Cramer’s response was "No comment."
See the links below for PDF copies of the media release from the Sublette County Commissioners and the Agreement.
Related Links:
Boynten Resignation Media Release from the Sublette County Commissioners (1 page, 13K PDF) July 3, 2008
Resignation Agreement between Ralph Boynton and the Sublette County Commissioners (1 page, 310K PDF) July 1, 2008
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