Rock Springs events top Gov Mead’s public schedule

The following is Gov. Matt Mead’s public schedule for the week of May 21-26. Unless otherwise noted, events on this schedule are open to the public and the media is welcome to attend.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

7:00-7:45AM - Governor attends the Boys and Girls Club’s Back-a-Kid breakfast, Little America, Cheyenne.

12:00-12:30PM – Governor signs the Memorial Day/Recognition of Korean War Veterans proclamation, Capitol Rotunda.

2:00-2:15PM – Governor and Auditor Cloud attend the event to promote financial literacy among Wyoming’s young people, Governor’s Formal Office.

2:30-2:50PM – Governor attends the Dad’s Making a Difference graduation ceremony, Capitol Rotunda.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

8:00-9:00AM - Governor arrives in Sweetwater County. Capitol for a Day events start, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport.

9:00-11:40AM - Governor participates in tours of Rock Springs as part of Capitol for a Day events, Rock Springs.

1:00-1:30PM - Governor attends the Workforce Training Center Groundbreaking at Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs.

1:30-2:25PM - Governor participates in tours of Green River as part of Capitol for a Day events, Green River.

2:25-3:30PM - Governor attends the Union Pacific Depot Open House, the dedication of a historic building and flag presentation, Union Pacific Depot, Green River.

3:30-4:20PM - Governor tours HydraFab Industries and meets with Green River Chamber Businesses, HydraFab, Green River.

6:00-7:00PM - Governor attends a public reception for all elected officials, Sweetwater County Events Complex, Rock Springs.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

10:00-11:30AM – Governor attends the Oath of Office Ceremony for Thomas Rumpke, District Courtroom, Gillette.

Gov Mead releases statewide energy plan

— May 13, 2013

(Press release:) Wyoming leads the nation in energy exports to the rest of the country and takes pride in its high standards for environmental stewardship. Today, Gov. Matt Mead unveiled his Energy Strategy: “Leading the Charge: Wyoming’s Action Plan for Energy, Environment and Economy.” According to Gov. Mead, Wyoming’s leadership role requires our state to continue to set the standard and, in the absence of a federal energy plan, Wyoming needs a strategy to address energy, the environment and the economy. The state’s strategy recognizes the interrelationship and importance of all three now and in the future.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead. (courtesy)

“We produce 10.5 quadrillion Btu’s of energy each year in Wyoming. These resources are vitally needed to fuel America’s economy. At the same time our treasures of nature are so important to all who live, work and find inspiration here,” Mead said. “We cannot sit back and hope for the best. We need a strategy to strike the balance between energy development and environmental stewardship.”

“Leading the Charge” is intended to be continually updated and establishes a framework to address issues in a forward looking way with the capability of adjusting to changing circumstances. Each of the strategy’s 47 initiatives are action items to be instigated this year. State agencies will carry out the initiatives and will make progress reports available to the public throughout the year.

“This strategy is the beginning of a continuum. It is meant to be regularly revised, updated and integrated into budgeting and planning,” Mead said. “This strategy was put together with the hard work of people from across the state and from diverse backgrounds, including industry, environmental groups and agriculture. I thank them all and look forward to working together on future initiatives.”

“Leading the Charge” is divided into four main themes:

• Economic Competitiveness, Expansion and Diversification
• Efficient, Effective Regulation Theme
• Natural Resource Conservation, Reclamation and Mitigation
• Education, Innovation and New Technologies

Each theme contains initiatives and each initiative requires concrete actions and results. Here are some examples:

Economic Competitiveness, Expansion and Diversification

— New and Expanded Marketing Opportunities for Wyoming Businesses and Industry.

Efficient, Effective Regulation

— Baseline Pre-Development Water Quality Testing.

Natural Resource Conservation, Reclamation and Mitigation

— Develop a Policy Framework for Off-Site Mitigation.

Education, Innovation and New Technologies

— Hybrid Energy Systems – combining inputs to produce a variety of outputs. This could be coal, natural gas and wind in a large energy campus to produce fuels, chemicals and power.

“I look forward to working with legislators, local officials and the public on executing this year’s initiatives, refining our process and making this an even more useful tool next year,” Governor Mead said. “Leading the Charge” is available online at www.energy.wyo.gov and Gov. Mead will provide updates to the public throughout the year.

Wyoming task force to take over federal lands will accept public comment

— May 9, 2013

Wyoming’s “Task Force on Transfer of Public Lands” will meet at 8:30 a.m. June 6 at the Technical Education Center at Gillette College.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear information related to the transfer of federal lands and a history of public lands within Wyoming. The Legislative Service Office will distribute an agenda for this meeting at a later date and the agenda will be available on the legislative Web site at: www.wyoleg.gov.   

Individuals who plan to provide written information to the Committee during the meeting should bring sufficient copies of the information for members of the Committee, Committee staff, and interested members of the audience. In addition, provide an electronic copy of the materials to Committee staff at the meeting.

All materials provided to the Committee in written form will be part of the official record of the Committee’s meeting and will be on file at the Legislative Service Office. Minutes of the meeting will be available on the legislative Web site at: www.wyoleg.gov.

Members of the Task Force on Transfer of Public Lands:

Senators: Eli Bebout, Larry Hicks

Representatives: David Miller, Kermit Brown

Parcels for August oil and gas lease sale up for public review

— May 9, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office has posted its proposed list of parcels for the quarterly competitive oil and gas lease sale scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at the Holiday Inn in Cheyenne, Wyo. Doors open at 7 a.m. with the auction beginning at 8 a.m.

The posted list, which identifies 134 proposed parcels totaling 79,329.35 acres, initiates a 30-day public protest period.

The parcels are located in Big Horn, Campbell, Converse, Crook, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Washakie and Weston counties in Wyoming and Sioux County in Nebraska.

Copies of the complete August 2013 competitive oil and gas lease sale notice will be available at the sale and may be purchased in advance for $5 from the State Office at 5353 Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne, or by writing: BLM, Attn: Copy Work, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, Wyo. 82003. Copies are also available for purchase from each BLM field office in Wyoming.

The complete August 2013 competitive oil and gas lease sale notice may be viewed and/or downloaded for free at: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/energy/Oil_and_Gas/Leasing.html. Also available at this website are the oil and gas leasing environmental assessments, including public comments, for the August 2013 oil and gas lease sale.

Feds open public scoping for new oil and gas drilling in Sweetwater County

— May 7, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office recently launched a 30-day public scoping period prior to preparing an environmental assessment on a proposal by Devon Energy Production Company, L.P. to develop up to 20 new oil or gas wells within the Horseshoe Basin Unit in Sweetwater County.

The project area encompasses 24,972 acres of primarily federal land, with a small amount of state, and privately owned land, approximately 55 miles southeast of Rock Springs. The Horseshoe Basin Unit was developed in 2005, and presently has two gas wells, roads, pipelines and a centralized production facility. The new project proposes drilling two wells per year utilizing horizontal or vertical drilling at depths ranging from 8,500 to 11,500 feet depending on the geologic formation. The project would also include access roads, pipelines, and power lines. Devon plans to minimize surface disturbance by co-locating new wells on existing well pads, or by establishing multi-well pads, when possible. The maximum surface disturbance is anticipated to be approximately 40 acres. The wells would be developed during the next 10 years, with the life of the project anticipated to be between 20 to 30 years.

Public comments are most useful when they are specific, cite additional relevant issues and/or determine the extent of those issues. Written substantive scoping comments should be received by June 4, and may be submitted via facsimile, email, mail, or hand-delivery during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to:

Brandon Teppo, Natural Resource Specialist
BLM Rock Springs Field Office
280 Highway 191 North
Rock Springs, WY  82901
Facsimile:  307-352-0329
Email:  BLM_WY_HorseshoeBasin@blm.gov
(please include “Horseshoe Basin Scoping Comment” in the subject line).

For more information on the project visit: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/rsfo/HorseshoeBasin.html.  For specific questions, please contact Brandon Teppo, at 307-352-0318.

Governor to speak at Holocaust Memorial

Governor Mead’s Public Schedule, May 6-12, 2013

Unless otherwise noted, events on this schedule are open to the public and the media is welcome to attend.  All times are Mountain Time. Any special requirements for attendance are noted with the event. 

Monday, May 6, 2013

11:30-11:45AM – Governor speaks with Marti Siepp on KPIN-Pinedale. www.pinedaleonline.com/kpin

3:30-3:45PM – Governor signs Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week proclamation. Governor’s Formal Office

3:45-4:00PM – Governor signs Building Safety Month proclamation. Governor’s Formal Office

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

7:00-8:00AM – Governor speaks with Dave Chaffin on KGAB-Cheyenne. www.kgab.com

10:30-10:45AM – Governor tapes an interview with Paul Wallem to air on KIML-Gillette. www.Basinsradio.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

9:30-9:45AM – Governor speaks at the Governor’s Holocaust Memorial. East High Auditorium

10:30-10:45AM – Governor meets students from Burlington School. Governor’s Formal Office

11:30AM-1:00PM – Governor speaks at the Wyoming Correctional Professionals’ luncheon. Wyoming Department of Corrections

3:45-4:00PM – Governor signs the Goodwill Industries International Week proclamation. Governor’s Formal Office

Thursday, May 9, 2013

12:00-5:00PM – Governor participates in the Two Fly Fishing Tournament. North Platte River

Friday, May 10, 2013

12:00-1:15PM – Governor signs the National Tourism Week proclamation and attends the Partner Luncheon. Old Faithful Lodge, Yellowstone National Park 

6:00-9:00PM – Governor attends the Hulett Old West Invitational Turkey Shoot dinner. Main Street, Hulett

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Governor participates in the Hulett Old West Invitational Turkey Shoot. Hulett

Veterans assistance in Natrona, Converse, and Niobrara counties

Veterans service officers from the Wyoming Veterans Commission will conduct community outreach services in Wyoming cities throughout May.

Dean Mahaffey and Alisa Cochrane  will be available to meet with veterans and their families to discuss state and federal veterans’ benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs claims, or VA healthcare. They can also help veterans and their families apply for benefits, file claims or request healthcare.

Their office is located in Casper, at the National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave., and they will also be available at the locations listed below. During periods of inclement weather, please check with the staff at the outreach locations to ensure the veterans service officer will be available.

Mahaffey and Cochrane are available to meet with veterans and their families from Natrona, Converse and Niobrara counties in addition to the scheduled outreach.  Please contact them at 307-265-7372 for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

Casper

May 8, 22, 29, at the VA Clinic, 4140 South Poplar St., from 1–4 p.m.

May 23, 30, at the Veterans Center, 1030 North Poplar St., from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.;

Glenrock

May 14, at the Senior Center, 615 West Deer St., from 10 a.m.–noon.

Douglas

May 14, at the Workforce Center, 311 North Russell Ave., from 1–3 p.m.

Lusk

May 16, at the Niobrara County Courthouse, 424 S. Elm St., from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Edgerton

May 21, at the Edgerton Town Hall, 311 S. 2nd St., from 1–3 p.m.;

Midwest

May 24, at the Community Clinic, 531 Peake St., from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

BLM decision on Powder River Basin coal tract under 30-day review

— May 1, 2013

The Record of Decision (ROD) for the Buckskin Mine Hay Creek II Coal Lease Application is now available from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office in Cheyenne and the Wyoming High Plains District Office in Casper.

On March 24, 2006, Kiewit Mining Group Inc, filed an application with BLM for a maintenance tract of federal coal adjacent to the Buckskin Mine in Campbell County, Wyo.  This tract, which was applied for as a lease by application (LBA) under the provisions of 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3425.1, is called the Hay Creek II Tract.

The BLM approves Alternative 2, which is the preferred alternative of the Final EIS for the Buckskin Mine Hay Creek II Coal Lease Application.  Under Alternative 2, the Hay Creek II Coal LBA area, as modified by the BLM, includes 1,253.27 acres, more or less, and contains 167,001,577 million tons of mineable coal, as estimated by the BLM.  The coal in the tract would potentially extend the life of the mine by as many as eight years at the anticipated production rate.

The competitive coal lease sale will be announced in the Federal Register at a later date.

The EIS disclosed to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of issuing a federal coal lease in in the Wyoming portion of the Powder River Basin.

This decision is subject to appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) as provided in 43 CFR 4 within 30 days from the date of publication of the notice of availability in the Federal Register.  The ROD contains instructions for filing an appeal with the IBLA.

Copies of the ROD are available for public inspection online. For more information contact Teresa Johnson or Al Elser at (307) 261-7600.

Task force on energy conversion meets in May

— posted May 1, 2013

Members of the University of Wyoming Energy Resources Council (ERC) and the Advanced Conversion Technologies Task Force (ACTTF) will meet at 8 a.m. Friday, May 17, in the BP Collaboration Center of the Energy Innovation Center at 1020 Lewis St. on the UW campus in Laramie.

On the agenda is a report by the Carbon Management Institute on Well No. 1 of the WYCUSP project near Rock Springs. Board members also will hear updates on the Energy Innovation Center and plans for an open house.

Following the ERC meeting, the council will reconvene as the ACTTF to hear status updates on projects and the budget, and review the status of a glass manufacturing study.

The ERC, made up of representatives from industry, state government and academia, was established by the 2006 Wyoming State Legislature. It provides direction to UW’s School of Energy Resources on priorities for research and outreach. The ACTTF consists of the voting members of the ERC; the ACTTF awards funds for advanced conversion research.

The School of Energy Resources provides undergraduate and graduate education; conducts research on existing and emerging energy resources; and disseminates scientific, engineering and economic information to support Wyoming’s near- and long-term energy future.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact the School of Energy Resources at (307) 766-6851. Information about the School of Energy Resources is available online at www.uwyo.edu/ser.

WWA to host 18 free summer outings across the state

The Wyoming Wilderness Association (WWA) is offering 18 outings into wild and unique places throughout Wyoming this summer.  Many of the outings will tour areas that need protection from development, providing a great opportunity for solitude, quiet, and wilderness experience and giving the participants an opportunity to use first-hand experiences to make informed decisions about protecting wild places.

WWA asks that those interested do not sign up for outings if unsure of attendance. For more information, visit http://www.wildwyo.org/Outings.php, call WWA at 307-672-2751 or email carolyn@wildwyo.org.

1. Saturday, May 18
BLM, Bighorn Basin, Dry Medicine Lodge Canyon Wilderness Study Area (moderately difficult) 

2.Saturday, June 1, 9:00am, 6-mile roundtrip hike in Rock Creek recommended wilderness. (difficult)
Casper: Sunday, June 2, 4:00-6:00pm, presentation at Mountain Sports, 543 So. Center St.
Lander: Monday, June 3, 5:00-7:00pm, presentation at Main St. Books,  300 Main St.
Cody: Tuesday, June 4, 5:00-7:00pm, presentation at Sunlight Sports, 1131 Sheridan Ave.

3. Wednesday, June 5, 8:00am, 5-mile roundtrip hike into the Trout Creek roadless area. (difficult)
Jackson: Friday, June 7, 7:00-9:00pm, presentation at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse

4. Saturday, June 8, 8:00 am, 6-mile roundtrip hike on Cabin Creek Trail in the Palisades Wilderness Area. (difficult)

5. Saturday—Sunday, June 1-2
Dubois Badlands Stewardship Day (moderate)

6. Wednesday, June 19
Bridger-Teton NF, Palisades WSA, Wolverines and Climate Change (difficult)

7. Saturday, June 22
Bighorn NF, Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness, Gilead Fire Regeneration and Flower Hike (difficult)

8. Saturday June 22
Shoshone NF, Wood River Horseback Ride (difficult, intended for backcountry/experienced horse and riders only)

9. Saturday-Sunday, June 29-30
Bighorn NF, Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness, Wildflower Painter’s Weekend (easy)

10. Saturday, June 29
BLM, Sweetwater Canyon Women’s Fishing Outing (moderate) 

11. Sunday, July 7
Bridger-Teton NF, Gros Ventre Wilderness, Climate Change and Cougar Biology Family Hike(moderately difficult)

12. Saturday, July 27—Wednesday, July 31
Shoshone NF, Trout Creek Fence Removal Project, Phase Two (hard work & difficult)

13. Saturday, July 27
Bighorn NF, Rock Creek Ranch-to-Ranch Picnic Outing (difficult)

14. Saturday, August 3
Shoshone NF, North Fork, Grizzly Bear Ecology Tour (difficult)

15. Saturday, August 10
Bighorn NF, Devil Canyon Roadless Area (difficult)

16. Saturday, August 17
Bighorn NF, Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness Family Hike (easy)

17. Saturday, September 7
Shoshone NF, DuNoir via Bonneville Pass, Picnic on the Pass (moderate)

18. Date TBD
BLM, Oregon Buttes, Red Desert Yoga Hike

Gov Mead wants White House to scrap climate consideration for coal exports

By Dustin Bleizeffer
— April 26, 2013

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead came out swinging at Pacific Northwest governors this week for asking that an environmental review of the Gateway Pacific Terminal include considerations for potential CO2 emissions related to the project and the contributions to global warming. The primary purpose for the Gateway Pacific Terminal is to export Powder River Basin coal to Asian markets. It is one of several proposed new coal terminals in the northwest.

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead. (Dustin Bleizeffer/WyoFile — click to enlarge)

Gov. Mead said in a press release Friday afternoon, “I do not support the novel use of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) as a political opinion piece on global warming.”

Mead was referring to arguments made by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in a March 2013 letter to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). In his own letter to the CEQ this week, Gov. Mead asks the council to scrap draft guidance regarding consideration of climate change in the NEPA analysis of the project.

“I note that Governor Kitzhaber’s and Governor Inslee’s letter does not mention northwest commodities – like lumber – for climate change analysis under NEPA; rather, their letter targets one commodity – coal – and the producers, transporters, and workers who deal with it. This undermines the fundamental fairness of the process and potentially sets U.S. regions, states and resources at odds with each other,” Gov. Mead writes.

“I am respectful of the opinions of these fellow Governors, but I disagree with them on the potential misuse of the National Environmental Policy Act with respect to coal leasing and exports,” Gov. Mead said in a press statement. “Coal will provide electricity across the globe in the coming years and I believe these export facilities will power economic growth here in America. I support a thorough site-specific environmental and economic analysis of these projects. I support addressing all of the concerns and questions raised by the citizens of Oregon and Washington. However, I do not support the novel use of NEPA as a political opinion piece on global climate change.”

Gov. Mead also expressed disapproval of Gov. Kitzhaber’s and Gov. Inslee’s call for a review of pricing for federal coal leases. Mead insists that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 2011 demonstrated that its practice ensures fair market values are received for leases. In his letter to the CEQ, Mead writes, “With all due respect, the CEQ should neither be determining policies for pricing federal coal leases nor establishing new policies for the issuing of coal leases based on a global climate change analysis.”

Mead said in a press statement, “Coal is the fastest growing fuel source in the world and 40 percent of the electricity in this country comes from coal. I welcome an environmental analysis that is legally consistent, based in science and also provides a fair opportunity for American coal to compete with coal around the globe.”

— Dustin Bleizeffer is WyoFile editor-in-chief. Contact him at 307-577-6069 or dustin@wyofile.com. Follow Dustin on Twitter @DBleizeffer

REPUBLISH THIS STORY: For details on how you can republish this story or other WyoFile content for free, click here.

If you enjoyed this story and would like to see more quality Wyoming journalism, please consider supporting WyoFile: a non-partisan, non-profit news organization dedicated to in-depth reporting on Wyoming’s people, places and policy.

Workers Memorial Day event in Casper

— April 25, 2013 

Family members of people killed on the job in Wyoming will commemorate their lost loved ones at Wyoming’s 2013 Workers Memorial Day April 29 in Casper.

Advocates for job safety in Wyoming will discuss what can be done to make sure Wyoming workers get home in one piece at the end of the work day. State officials will discuss the headway made in the past two years to improve Wyoming’s safety record. For most of the past decade, Wyoming’s job fatality rate has been the worst or second worst in the nation.

— Where: Casper Ramada Plaza Riverside – Willow Room, 300 F Street

— When: 8 a.m. Monday April 29

Hosts: Equality State Policy Center; Wyoming State AFL-CIO; Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association; Spence Association for Employee Rights.

Feds seek public comment for proposed oil and gas lease sale

— April 24, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District is seeking public input on the environmental assessment for the November 2013 Notice of Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale parcel offering.

Thirty-nine entire or partial parcels will be offered within the district, which spans portions of south-central and western Wyoming

Forty-four lease parcels were originally nominated and proposed for inclusion in the sale. But two entire and four partial parcels, totaling 7,045.68 acres, are deferred for Greater Sage-Grouse core habitat and manageability using the Fluid Mineral Leasing Screen in BLM guidance (WY-2012-019).

The BLM Wyoming State Director has temporarily deferred three entire and one partial parcel totaling 1,647.17 acres for Greater Sage-Grouse conservation. These temporary deferrals are pending completion of the Greater Sage-Grouse resource management plan amendment process in the Rock Springs, Kemmerer, Pinedale and Rawlins field offices.

The EA addresses the impacts of offering the remaining 39 entire and partial parcels determined to be available for oil and gas leasing. It is available online at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/energy/Oil_and_Gas/Leasing.html.

Public comments are an important component of the National Environmental Policy Act process. The public is encouraged to identify and submit issues, concerns, ideas or mitigation opportunities not currently addressed in the EA to help ensure the best possible analysis and plan.

Mail or deliver written comments to the BLM HDD, Attn: Tom Foertsch, 280 Highway 191 N., Rock Springs, WY 82901; fax to 307-352-0329; or email to BLM_WY_HDD_November_Parcels@blm.gov with “November 2013 Lease Parcels” in the subject line. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 22.

For more information, contact Tom Foertsch at 307-352-0249.

UW launches Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies

— April 19, 2013

The Arab oil embargo in the 1970s changed the course of energy policy throughout the world, and still has its stamp on American energy policies today. Robert R. Nordhaus will speak on “Energy Policy Revisited: 40 Years after the Arab Oil Embargo.” For over 40 years, Mr. Nordhaus has been one of the nation’s leading experts on energy law and policy. Since the 1970s and the development of the United States’ modern energy programs, Mr. Nordhaus has been at the forefront of policy design and implementation.

The event is worth 1 hour of CLE credit with the Wyoming State Bar Association.

Please register for the event here.

UWTV’s award-winning “Wyoming Signatures” program regularly features artists, politicians and other local guests to discuss issues that face the state of Wyoming and its people. Host Mary Jung recently sat down with WyoFile editor-in-chief Dustin Bleizeffer to talk about Wyoming’s growing nonprofit online news organization.

Groups appeal fracking chemical case to Wyoming Supreme Court

— April 17, 2013

After losing their initial legal challenge to force Wyoming’s top oil and gas regulatory agency to disclose all fracking chemicals (including those considered under the state’s trade secret law) a consortium of public interest and watchdog groups have appealed to the Wyoming Supreme Court to take up the matter.

Represented by the public interest environmental law firm Earthjustice, the Powder River Basin Resource Council, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Earthworks and the Center for Effective Government filed the appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court today, according to a press release.

The groups argue that the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission should be required to reveal the identities of the chemicals that are pumped underground during fracking because Wyoming citizens and landowners have a right to know what chemicals are transported across, stored on, and disposed of on and below their properties. Public disclosure is required by the Wyoming Public Records Act and the Commission’s fracking chemical disclosure rule, the groups say, and it would help protect the people of Wyoming by allowing them to know what chemicals to test for in baseline water tests prior to fracking. However, since disclosure of chemical identities was first required in 2010, the Commission has granted trade secret protection to hundreds of chemicals used in fracking.

In Wyoming, nearly all new and ongoing oil and gas production involves fracking. Transport, use and disposal of fracking chemicals could potentially affect ground and surface water, which is — or could be — used for drinking water, livestock, irrigation or other important uses.

“As a landowner living near hydraulically fracked oil wells, I have the right to know what’s going down the well,” said Marilyn Ham, a Cheyenne area landowner and member of the Powder River Basin Resource Council. “We don’t want to know the fracking formula recipe, but landowners like me have a right to know the ingredients — in this case the specific chemicals that are being transported, stored, and injected underground during fracking.”

Under regulations approved in 2010, Wyoming became the first state in the nation to require well operators to disclose the identities of chemicals that are mixed with water and sand and injected into the ground to break up rock during fracking.

But since the regulations were adopted, the Commission has approved more than 50 secrecy requests, shielding identifying information for more than 190 different chemicals that are being used by Halliburton and other oil and gas service companies in fracking. A centerpiece of the groups’ appeal is the lax level of review the Commission exercises when granting trade secrets exemptions to the oil and gas industry.

“Wyoming’s groundbreaking fracking chemical disclosure rule amounts to very little if companies can shield information as ‘trade secrets’ nearly at will,” said Earthjustice attorney Laura Beaton. “We are asking the Wyoming Supreme Court to enforce the broad public disclosure mandate of the Public Records Act and the fracking chemical disclosure rule.”

The groups argue that when it comes to fracking chemicals and the potential harm to landowners and residents, the interests of public health and the public good far outweigh the interests of protecting companies’ so-called trade secrets.

BLM seeks public comment on Coal Creek improvement project

— April 12, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kemmerer Field Office (KFO) is seeking public comment on a proposed sediment reduction and stream stabilization project along a four-mile segment of Coal Creek and Coal Creek Road (BLM Road 4216), approximately 26 miles north of Cokeville, Wyo.

More information, including a map of the project area and details on the proposed action, existing conditions and preliminary issues, is available at the KFO, 312 Highway 189 N., Kemmerer, Wyo., and online at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/kfo/coalcreek.html.

An environmental assessment (EA) will analyze the proposed action and alternatives with an estimated completion date of October 2013. The BLM is seeking constructive public comments to help identify potential issues, concerns, ideas, alternatives or mitigation opportunities to be addressed in the EA. Comments are most helpful if they are substantive, specific, cite additional relevant issues, or determine the extent of those issues.

Mail or deliver written comments to BLM KFO, Attn: Scott M. Whitesides, 312 Highway 189 N., Kemmerer, WY 83101 or email to swhitesides@blm.gov by Friday, May 10.

The BLM will accept public feedback throughout the planning process and outside established public involvement timeframes; however, these comments may be considered secondary to comments received in a timely manner and may only be assessed to determine if they identify concerns that would substantially alter the assumptions, proposal, design, or analysis presented in the EA.

For additional information, please contact Scott Whitesides at 307-828-4518 or swhitesides@blm.gov.

Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours.  The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

Forest Service seeks public comments on vegetation management projects

— April 12, 2013

The Shoshone National Forest is seeking public comment on a predecisional Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Greater Greybull Vegetation Management Project. A 30-day public comment period begins on April 15, 2013.

The Shoshone National Forest is proposing vegetation management activities on approximately 9,379 acres to:

• Improve forest health.
• Reduce hazardous fuels.
• Create defensible space near valued entities at risk.
• Improve wildlife habitat.

The project objectives would be accomplished through mechanical treatments, prescribed burning, wildlife improvement treatments, planting or a combination thereof. Commercial and non-commercial timber sales may make up a portion of the mechanical treatments.

This 30-day comment period allows the public to respond to analyses contained within the predecisional EA prior to a final decision being released. The predecisional EA is available for review at the Wapiti Ranger District, Cody, Wyo., or online at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=37655

Requests for a hard copy of the document, information requests, or comments on the proposed project can be sent by regular mail to Amy Haas, Wapiti Ranger District, 203A Yellowstone Ave., Cody, Wyo. 82414, by email to comments-rocky-mountain-shoshone-greybull@fs.fed.us, by fax to 307.527.7158, or by telephone to 307.578.5237. Comments must be received no later than May 15, 2013.

As the nation’s first national forest, the Shoshone National Forest has 2.4 million acres of diverse terrain and a mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the forest to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Group aims to increase women’s leadership in Wyoming

Nearly 300 women were elected to city, county, and state positions in last November’s elections, and at least 12 participants of past Leap into Leadership events were among them, according to the Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF). Leap into Leadership events have been co-hosted by the WYWF and the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus (WWLC) annually since 2008, with the aims increasing women’s leadership at all levels.

According to Wyoming House Rep. Rosie Berger, (R-Big Horn), “this is about having a diverse conversation where male and female constituents are both represented in the most effective manner.” Berger is the House Speaker Pro Tem, and Chair of the Corporations Committee, and founder of the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus.

Big Horn County and Fremont County voters elected the greatest number of women to office in Wyoming in 2012, and WYWF and WWLC say the hope to build on those successes by encouraging more women to take on professional and civic leadership positions.

On May 21 in Sheridan and May 22 in Riverton, Leap into Leadership workshops will give area women tools to take on larger leadership roles, including information about local boards and elected positions. Trainer Katie Groke Ellis will use a nationally proven curriculum developed by The White House Project that empowers participants to network, seek local women mentors and build a coalition. At lunch, women will hear from local area panelists that will share how they balance responsibilities with their leadership roles. The Sheridan panel will include Rep. Rosie Berger  (HD-51) and the Riverton panel will include Rep. Rita Campbell (HD-34).

“Becoming a leader at work or in her community can often improve a woman’s economic situation,” WYWF executive director Richelle Keinath said in a prepared statement. “Through Leap into Leadership, the Women’s Foundation works toward its mission of economic self-sufficiency for all Wyoming women.” More than half of the graduates of local Leap into Leadership workshops held the past two years in Cody, Evanston, Gillette and Laramie said they were contemplating a run for political office afterwards, and 100 percent said they would consider serving on a volunteer board in the future.

An early bird registration fee of $20 is available for those who register by May 3; all participants must be registered by May 14 and scholarships are available.  Visit www.wywf.org for event details and registration.

Event sponsors include George B. Storer Foundation; Ann Gardner, State Farm Insurance; BNSF Railway; Cablevision/Optimum; Devon Energy; Donna & Dave Kinskey; Kennon Products Inc.; Peak Consulting; Powder River Energy Corp.; Ptolemy Data Systems; Rocky Mountain Power; Rep. Rosie Berger; and the Wyoming Community Foundation.

Founded in 2006, the bipartisan Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus is a project of The Equipoise Fund; for more information, please visit www.wyowlc.org. The Wyoming Women’s Foundation invests in the economic self- sufficiency of women and the future of girls; for more information, please visit www.wywf.org.

Wyoming Army National Guard seeks public comment to natural resources management plan

Members of the public can review proposed projects for Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center and comment on them during an open house April 16, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at First State Bank, 250 W. Whalen, Guernsey, Wyoming.

Representatives from the Wyoming Army National Guard will be available to answer question regarding five different projects.

Those projects are: the construction and operation of a new regional training institute complex; an update to the camp’s master plan; updates to the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan; updates to the Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan; and preparation of a wildland fire management plan.

The Wyoming Army Guard will prepare environmental assessments for these projects as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

Comments are also requested regarding the Wyoming Army Guard’s plan to address adverse affects to the Camp Guernsey Historic Preservation District if the proposed changes to the master plan are enacted. The Wyoming Army Guard is preparing a memorandum of agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office addressing how the Guard will care for the historical value of the district under the revised master plan.

The Wyoming Army Guard is also drafting a programmatic agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office to address effects on cultural resources on the camp.

Members of the public who cannot attend, but would like to comment can send written comments by email to scott.a.benson25.nfg@mail.mil, or by mail to Scott Benson, NEPA Program Manager, WYARNG CFMO, 5410 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyo. 82009. Comments by phone can be made by calling 307-772-5219.