Gov objects again to nearby oil leasing

Jackson Hole Daily
by Noah Brenner
June 2, 2006

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal has written a letter protesting a Forest Service decision to sell 13 oil and gas lease parcels in the Wyoming Range, just south of Jackson.

The federal agency has been under attack from conservationists, hunters, anglers and even a labor union for putting the parcels up for bid and development based on studies more than a decade old. Freudenthal has joined the protests.

"As you know, we have lodged continuing objections to the lease sales in the Bridger-Teton National Forest because of its importance to recreation and tourism opportunities for the people of Wyoming," he wrote BLM state director Bob Bennett. "The same sentiments apply to the June 6, 2006 lease sale of 13 parcels within the forest."

The thirteen forest parcels, which are located in the vicinity of North and South Cottonwood Creeks, cover almost 12,500 acres. Freudentahl asked the BLM to remove the parcels from the June 6 lease sale.

Freudenthal addressed his letter to Bennett because the BLM handles all mineral leasing on federal lands. The parcels are in Sublette County 35 miles southeast of Jackson.

The governor based his opposition on the popularity of the areas for outdoor recreation.

"I believe BLM should take note of the added number of people objecting to these lease sales," he wrote. "These concerned citizens come to the Bridger-Teton National Forest to escape life's pressures and to fish, hunt, camp, hike, ride horses, snowmobile and ski. These people are being wedged out of other areas and are finding the Bridger-Teton their only option - now that option is at risk."

Part of Freudenthal's argument against the leases hinged on declining numbers for the Sublette mule deer herd. Recent studies have shown that the populations for the Sublette herd and neighboring Wyoming Range mule deer herd are down significantly from their historical high and are well below the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's population targets.

"I am additionally concerned with the potential effect of oil and gas development on mule deer herds that may already be feeling the impact of oil and gas development on its winter range."

The statement is an about-face for the governor who has historically down played the significance of population estimates and often attributed any declines to drought.

"The studies have identified a declining trend but (not) the factors behind it," Freudenthal's press secretary Lara Azar said. "Oil and gas development on their winter range is probably one factor among many."

The Bridger-Teton announced a plan to lease more than 140,000 acres for energy development in the fall of 2004 drawing widespread protests. The 13 parcels are part of 44,600 acres the Bridger-Teton agreed to make available in a compromise between industry and environmentalists.

Freudenthal said the gas industry already has enough federal acres under lease in other parts of the Upper Green River Valley. Not only did he ask the BLM to pull the 13 leases from the sale, he also asked the Bridger-Teton to retract all of the 44,600 compromise acres.

"While I understand the Forest Service's requirement to achieve multiple use, I believe we have already done so," he wrote.