04Issue Room
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JULY NOLS and others meet to discuss the pending lease sale of 175,000 acres in the Wyoming Range.
Lease Buyout
SEPTEMBER The U.S. Forest Service revises the proposed acreage to be leased from 175,000 to 44,700 acres.
By Jack Fisher, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability intern
Wyoming’s Hoback Basin Spared
JANUARY An outreach campaign ensues, consisting of public meetings, media outreach, and grassroots efforts. DECEMBER Oil and gas leasing of 44,700 controversial acres begins.
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AUGUGST Statewide support builds. Tragically, U.S. Senator Craig Thomas passes away days before he could introduce a bill on behalf of the stakeholders. The Hoback Basin near Jackson, Wyo. has been protected through the diligent efforts of many so it will continue to be available to many. Aaron Bannon
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OCTOBER 25 Senator John Barrasso, Thomas’ replacement, introduces the Wyoming Range Legacy Act.
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MARCH 30 President Obama signs the Wyoming Range Legacy Act into law, prohibiting future oil and gas leases from being issued.
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JANUARY The Trust For Public Land coordinates the purchase of all 58,000 acres of PXP’s leases in the Wyoming Range for $8.75 million.
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LOOKING FORWARD Permanent protection remains elusive for the southern section of the 44,700 acres. NOLS is working with stakeholders to ensure this classroom remains free of development.
Leader
A nother brick has been laid to shore up the foundation of conservation in the Wyoming Range. In a remarkable display of generosity and community cohesion, the Trust for Public Land announced in early January the completion of a deal to purchase the leases attached to 58,000 acres of land within the Bridger Teton National Forest in the northern reaches of the Wyoming Range. In just 90 days, more than 1,000 individuals donated the $8.75 million needed to purchase the leases from Houston-based Plains Exploration and Production (PXP). This buyout is Wyoming conservationists’ most significant victory in recent memory. It put a stop to PXP’s plans for the installation of 136 natural gas wells, and as a result guaranteed permanent protection for the headwaters of the Hoback River, critical wildlife migration routes, and prized hiking, climbing, fishing, and hunting opportunities. When President Barack Obama signed the Wyoming Range Legacy Act into law in 2009, he and Congress established a critical mandate for protection for the range—though the act did not prevent development on previously existing leases in the area. The recent buyout puts to rest development in the northern part of the range, but NOLS now must turn its attention to the leases further south, near the Horse Creek road head. Wilderness Quiz What is the Wyoming Range Legacy Act? How has this legislation affected recent environmental public policy? Answer on page 25.
Several courses, including Adventure courses for younger age groups and backcountry skiing and winter camping sections, use the Wyoming Range just to the south of the Hoback Basin. NOLS is collaborating with allies in the range’s conservation efforts. It is our hope that all existing leases in the Wyoming Range will be laid to rest and the entire area will remain free of development. The success in the Hoback Basin serves as an example of the sense of persistence and determination that is important to instill in the leaders of tomorrow. It is important, however, that we work with lawmakers and land management agencies to establish decisions that preserve our classrooms. Though there is public support for conservation, passing the hat to buy back our public lands is not a sustainable long-term solution. Congratulations to The Trust for Public Land for their remarkable achievement, to The Wilderness Society, the Wyoming Outdoor Council, and Citizens for the Wyoming Range who were critical to setting the stage for the deal, and thank you to all who continue to contribute to the lasting protection of the Wyoming Range. This newly preserved landscape serves as an ever-present example to future NOLS students of today’s struggle to maintain wild spaces.