Forest Service Statement on Wyoming Range Good News for NOLS

January 28, 2010

News Release – January 28, 2010 – National Outdoor Leadership School

LANDER, WY – The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and other area businesses are hopeful that the Bridger-Teton National Forest has signaled its intention to not lease 44,720 acres of the Wyoming Range for oil and gas development, which have remained in legislative limbo for four years. Selecting “no action” as the preferred alternative in the “Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Study – Oil and Gas Leasing in the Wyoming Range” (DSEIS), released today, indicates that the Forest Service does not find additional oil and gas development to be suitable in the forest land west of Pinedale. NOLS Students in the Wyoming Range“I’m pleased that the Forest Service has responded to the public desire in the Wyoming Range,” said Gary Cukjati, NOLS Rocky Mountain Director. “This also means a quality classroom, essential to our business, will hopefully remain intact.”

The 44,720 acres that are the focus of this DSEIS were originally leased in 2005 and 2006. Opposition to these leases galvanized the public into pushing for passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, signed by the President in March, which provided lasting protection for the entire mountain range. Numerous businesses and organizations, including NOLS, successfully protested and appealed the original lease sales, halting the process and mandating the current environmental review.

Dozens of businesses have registered their support for the effort to protect the Wyoming Range because the long-term viability of their operations depends on the integrity of these mountains. Outfitters depend on a steady stream of trophy bucks and bulls. Hotels in the area rely on abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and a natural setting. NOLS’ bottom line depends on the availability of unfragmented wild landscapes to teach students technical backcountry travel and leadership skills.

For the Complete News Release, Contact Aaron Bannon at [email protected].

Photo courtesy Duane Mortenson

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Aaron Bannon

Aaron is the former environmental stewardship and sustainability director for NOLS.