Governor requests support for JMH program

Green River Star
Kathy Gilbert, Editor
September 27, 2006

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has asked Wyoming's congressional delegation to sponsor legislation supporting a lease buy-back program in the Jack Morrow Hills. In the letter, the governor pointed out many concerns about the plans for drilling in the controversial area of the Red Desert.

He said that while the Bureau of Land Management's coordinated activity plan provides some protection for sensitive areas, it is left open for full gas and oil development on existing leases.

During the scoping period for the JMH plan, the BLM said lease buy-backs could be an option, but the agency does not have the authority to use that option. Only the U.S. Congress can initiate the action.

Sen. Craig Thomas responded to Freudenthal's letter earlier this month with what amounts to a no.

"The plan needs to be given time to work. The process that is currently in place is a good one and has successfully achieved the goal of multiple-use on Wyoming's public lands," Thomas wrote.

Thomas said there may also be a possibility of a National Conservation Area designation at some point in the future, however at the time being it seems appropriate to give the public time to evaluate the plan before any changes.

Mac Blewer, a Wyoming Outdoor Council boardmember, said he believes Thomas has been supportive of conservation in the Red Desert.

"I think if people in Wyoming want the lease buy-back program badly enough and let Sen. Thomas know how they feel, he will be responsive and supportive, as he has in the past," Blewer said.