Little Mountain Action Alert

TAKE ACTION!

Help influence the way Little Mountain is managed for years to come by engaging in the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan

The Issue: Attend public meetings next week for BLM's Rock Springs Resource Management Plan.

Background: The Bureau of Land Management is preparing a Resource Management Plan for the Rock Springs Field Office and they are asking for public input. This plan will determine the basis for how the entire field office is managed for the next 10-20 years. The Little Mountain area is included in this plan, so this is the opportunity to influence how this great area is managed for future generations.

The following Public Meetings are a chance for you to learn more about the process and to express your concerns. All meetings are 4-7 pm.

Monday, February 28:
Best Western The Inn at Lander
260 Grandview Dr
Lander, WY

Tuesday, March 1:
White Mountain Library
2935 Sweetwater Dr
Rock Springs, WY

Wednesday, March 2:
Lyman Town Hall Courtroom
100 East Sage St
Lyman, WY

Thursday, March 3:
Farson Branch Library
30 Hwy 28 E
Farson, WY

For generations the Greater Little Mountain Area has served as a hunting, fishing and recreational paradise for Wyoming sportsmen. While relatively unknown to many, this area is truly one of the West's hidden gems. However, with more than 50% of the land leased for oil and gas development, the future of this great landscape is uncertain as it faces pressure from energy development.

For serious hunters drawing a deer or elk tag in the Little Mountain area is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt some of the best populations of trophy mule deer and elk in Wyoming. If chasing a native trout on small streams in remote country is your passion, this area holds excellent conservation populations of native Colorado River cutthroat trout. Overall, the region possesses large intact tracts of prime fish and wildlife habitat that translates into opportunity for hunters and anglers.

To view a map of the region the Plan covers, CLICK HERE.
To learn more about the RMP process from the BLM, CLICK HERE.
For more information, go to www.greaterlittlemountain.org.
Or check out our Facebook page Greater Little Mountain Coalition.

What Can You Do? Send in your comments! What can you tell the BLM?

• Seek balanced solutions that ensure the area's great hunting and fishing is conserved for future generations.
• Make protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat the highest priority when determining how to manage the Little Mountain area.
• You support responsible energy development, but that means protections must be put in place to protect fish, wildlife and their habitat. This includes maintaining tracts of land for multiple use rather than industrial use.

Submit written comments to:
Vera-Lynn Harrison
Attn: Rock Springs RMP Revision
280 Hwy 191 North
Rock Springs, WY 82901

You can also submit electronically to: RockSpringsRMP_WY@blm.gov. Comments MUST be received by April 4, 2011.

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Legislative Update #7

Legislative Update #7

25 February 2011

Our two biggest priorities this session are still in play. We may end up with a very successful legislative session yet. Here's where we stand:

HB0088 - Guides and outfitters - This bill passed both houses and is awaiting consideration in a conference committee. We worked with WYOGA on it, and support it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0088.pdf

SF0062 - Large projects - This bill has passed both houses and is awaiting the Governor's signature. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0062.pdf

SF0085 - Game and fish violations - penalties - This bill passed third reading in the House yesterday, but the Senate failed to concur with House amendments. This bill is now dead. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0085.pdf

SF0091 - Wildlife/livestock disease research disease partnership-funding - This bill has passed second reading in the House. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0091.pdf

SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap - This bill passed second reading in the House this morning. It seems to have a considerable amount of support. This was our highest priority this session. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SJ0001.pdf

The Joint Travel Committee met yesterday to prioritize interim topics. The highest wildlife priorities are:
-The aquatic invasive species program - making sure the size, scope and future of the program are consistent with legislative intent;
-Monitoring of threatened and endangered species issues;
-Statutes within Title 23 that may be repealed or replaced by Commission regulation, including the use of baiting in some situations, changes in the definition of legal weapons, etc. and;
-Grizzly DNA study to estimate bear numbers.

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Legislative Update #6

Legislative Update #6

22 February 2011

Just a short update this time. We really don't have that many things still in the system. Here we go:

HB0088 - Guides and outfitters - This bill passed the Senate today, with a third reading amendment. It will go to conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions. We are working with WYOGA in support of this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0088.pdf

SF0062 - Large projects - Passed second reading in the House today. We strongly support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0062.pdf

SF0071 - Education - hunter safety courses - The Senate failed to concur on House amendments on Friday. This bill is now dead. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0071.pdf

SF0085 - Game and fish violations - penalties - This is our second highest legislative priority this session. It has passed Committee of the Whole in the House today and will be up for second reading tomorrow. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0085.pdf

SF0091 - Wildlife/livestock disease research disease partnership-funding - This bill has passed the Senate and is on General File in the House. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0091.pdf

SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap - This bill is currently on General File in the House. We'll be continuing to support it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SJ0001.pdf

The Joint Travel Committee met today to discuss interim topics. Some of interest include;
-The aquatic invasive species program - making sure the size, scope and future of the program are consistent with legislative intent;
-Statutes within Title 23 that may be repealed or replaced by Commission regulation, including the use of baiting in some situations, changes in the definition of legal weapons, etc.;
-Grizzly DNA study to estimate bear numbers.

Late this afternoon, Governor Mead has announced his appointments to the Game and Fish Commission. They are:

Mickey Asbell
P.O. Box 911
Riverton, WY 82501 Phone Number: (307) 856-7918
Affiliation: Republican Succeeds: Ronald Galles
Term: 3/1/2011-3/1/2017 Represents: District 7

Carrie Little
P.O. Box 166
Leiter, WY 82837
Affiliation: Republican Succeeds: Clifford Kirk
Term: 3/1/2011-3/1/2017 Represents: District 4

Charles Price
P.O. Box 375
Daniel, WY 83115 Phone Number: (307) 367-2342
Affiliation: Republican Succeeds: Clark Allen
Term: 3/1/2011-3/1/2017 Represents: District 3

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Legislative Update #5

Legislative Update #5

17 February 2011

The days go by pretty quickly during the session. I need to let you know about the status of stuff that's still alive. I'm going to drop out any mention of stuff that didn't make earlier deadlines or that died in some other manner. All the bills we will talk about today are alive and well. Here we go:

HB0076 - Game and fish-turkey pioneer license - It has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0076.pdf

HB0088 - Guides and outfitters - Passed the House, passed Senate Judiciary, and is on General File in the Senate. We are working with WYOGA in support of this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0088.pdf

HB0100 - Game and fish-land acquisition - Passed the House, passed Senate Travel, on General File in the Senate. We're neutral on this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0100.pdf

HB0133 - Special limited fishing permits - It has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported the bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0133.pdf

SF0039 - Aquatic invasive species - reciprocity - Has passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0039.pdf

SF0048 - Wildlife and natural resources trust account board - Has passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0048.pdf

SF0062 - Large projects - Has passed the Senate, on General File in the House. We strongly support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0062.pdf

SF0063 - Game and fish-donation of hunting licenses - Has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0063.pdf

SF0071 - Education - hunter safety courses - Passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0071.pdf

SF0085 - Game and fish violations - penalties - This is our second highest legislative priority this session. It has passed the Senate, and is on General File in the House. We are working very closely with the Wyoming Game Wardens Association to make sure it has support on the floor. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0085.pdf

SF0091 - Wildlife/livestock disease research disease partnership-funding - This bill has passed the Senate and is on General File in the House. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0091.pdf

SF0105 - State control of certain land - It has passed the Senate, been received by the House and assigned to the House Minerals Committee. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0105.pdf

SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap - This is currently our highest legislative priority. We have enlisted the support of BoW, WYOGA, AFL-CIO, WY-SFW, TU, and the WY Game Wardens Assn. It has passed the Senate, and came out of House Travel with a "do pass" yesterday on a 8-1 vote. It is now on General File in the House. I've spent the last couple of days lining up support for it on the House floor and been fairly successful. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SJ0001.pdf

We have been successful in lining up some good candidates for Game and Fish Commission vacancies. Some of those candidates are in discussions with the governor's office. Confirmation in the Senate will be coming up in 10 days or so.

Most of the deadlines are a ways off now. The legislature will be in recess on President's Day, and I will take that day off along with them.

A few words about our first legislative breakfast on 2/11: It started off slow, but turned out great. Courtney, JoAnn and I were there, along with Rich, Bri and Keith. We had it in the Herschler Building atrium, which is a nice venue. The problem was that it was out of the way. After 45 minutes or so, and chatting up maybe a dozen legislators and a few lobbyists, we moved to a different location. that worked out great. We were pretty much in continuous contact with a stream of folks throughout the morning. My estimate for the bottom line: maybe $250. We more than paid for it in banquet tickets sold. I would definitely do it again.

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Governor Mead appoints new leader of Game and Fish Department

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR MATT MEAD

State Capitol

Cheyenne, WY 82002

Ph. (307) 777-7437

February 17, 2011

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE******

Contact:

Renny MacKay

Communications Director

renny.mackay@wyo.gov

Governor Mead appoints new Leader of Game and Fish Department

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Matt Mead is appointing Scott Talbott as the next Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Scott has valuable experience as he has done most everything at the Game and Fish Department,” Governor Mead said. “He is dedicated to our wildlife and is well equipped to work with those who represent diverse interests. Scott will help ensure we will always have world class wildlife as well as vibrant energy, agriculture and tourism industries.”

Talbott has worked with the Game and Fish Department for 26 years, starting as a Damage Control Warden. Most recently Talbott was based in Casper as the Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Division.

"Wildlife is important to our quality of life and a treasured cultural resource for the residents of Wyoming,” Talbott said. “It is our duty to ensure wildlife, wildlife habitat and open spaces are available for the enjoyment of this generation and those to come.”

Talbott also said that he recognizes there are many challenges ahead and communicating with all affected interests will be a focus of his. Talbott said, "I am fully committed to interacting with all of the citizens of Wyoming to address the many challenges facing our wildlife resources."

This appointment is effective immediately.

-end-

Renny MacKay

Office of Governor Matt Mead

Communications Director

Office: (307) 777-7437

Cell: (307) 274-5870

governor.wy.gov

Legislative Update #4

Legislative Update #4

4 February 2011

OK, let's get caught up here. I've been wanting to get you updated info on some of the bills you've seen for some time. There are also some bills you haven't seen, but need to know about. Here's the latest status report on the ones that are in the pipeline:

HB0076 - Game and fish-turkey pioneer license - Passed the House, was heard and passed Tuesday morning in Senate Travel on a 4-0-1 vote. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0076.pdf

HB0088 - Guides and outfitters - Passed the House, received for introduction in the Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0088.pdf

HB0100 - Game and fish-land acquisition - Passed the House, was heard and passed Tuesday on a 3-1-1 vote in Senate Travel. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0100.pdf

HB0101 - Vicious animals - interference with game wardens - Passed the House, heard and passed 3-2 today in Senate Travel. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0101.pdf

HB0133 - Special limited fishing permits - Passed the House, was heard and passed 3-2 today in Senate Travel. We support the bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0133.pdf

HB0171 - Corner crossings at intersecting public and private lands - Sponsored by Rep. Steve Harshman from Casper, this bill sought to legalize "corner jumping" under certain conditions. Well intentioned but problematic, it had almost no chance. We testified in support of the intent of the bill. It went down yesterday at noon in House Agriculture in a 0-9 vote. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0171.pdf

HB0222 - Recreational consideration in public land exchanges - Also sponsored by Rep. Harshman, this bill came out of the Muddy Mountain controversy this summer. We had no position on this bill. It also went down on a 3-6 vote in House Ag yesterday. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0222.pdf

HB0236 - Complimentary hunting licenses - persons with disabilities - This bill changes one small section in the statute that allows WGFD to issue these licenses, making them complimentary. It allows for WGFD to recoup their costs through their recoupment bill. It has been introduced and referred to House Travel. We should be supportive of this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0236.pdf

HB0258 - Game and fish - pioneer licenses - This bill would modify the existing statutes for pioneer and heritage licenses to do away with the requirement for continuous residence and the phrase "immediately preceding application for the license". It has been introduced and referred to House Travel. We should have no position on this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0258.pdf

SF0039 - Aquatic invasive species - reciprocity - Has passed the Senate, and been introduced in the House with a referral to House Travel. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0039.pdf

SF0048 - Wildlife and natural resources trust account board - Has passed the Senate on a 30-0 vote and been received by the House. Referred to House Travel. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0048.pdf

SF0062 - Large projects - Has passed the Senate and been received by the House. Referred to House Travel. We strongly support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0062.pdf

SF0063 - Game and fish-donation of hunting licenses - Has passed the Senate, been received by the House. Referred to House Travel. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0063.pdf

SF0071 - Education - hunter safety courses - After a number of second reading amendments - all pretty much friendly - this bill passed third reading in the Senate Monday on a 21-9 vote, received for introduction in the House. It has been referred to House Education. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0071.pdf

SF0080 - Game and fish - complimentary licenses - This bill was heard twice and postponed twice in Senate Travel. On the third time, it was indefinitely postponed when WGFD said they could do the same thing through Commission regulation. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0080.pdf

SF0083 - Game and fish - resident preference points - This bill made it to the Senate floor, but failed Committee of the Whole once it was there. We have taken no position on this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0083.pdf

SF0085 - Game and fish violations - penalties - This bill has passed the Senate, where it was significantly amended. We have made this one of our highest priorities and worked with the Wyoming Game Wardens Association to support it. Our fact sheet is attached. CLICK HERE! http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0085.pdf

SF0091 - Wildlife/livestock disease research disease partnership-funding - This bill passed the Senate and been received for introduction in the House. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0091.pdf

SF0105 - State control of certain land - This is a "sagebrush rebellion" bill, requiring the Office of State Lands and Investments to prepare a plan for the transfer and management of federal lands. It has been received by the Senate for introduction. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0105.pdf

SF0111 - Game animals damages - This bill was indefinitely postponed in the Senate Ag Committee, and is likely dead for this session. We opposed it. The topic may come up later as an interim study. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0111.pdf

SF0148 - Game fish - collection of social security numbers - This bill would have prohibited Game and Fish from collecting SSN from license buyers. They do so under the direction of the federal government and in cooperation with Department of Family Services to facilitate collection of back child support. It would hahve cost WGFD $13.5 million in federal funding and over 100 jobs. It would have cost DFS over twice that. We opposed the bill. It failed in Senate Travel on a vote of 1-4. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0148.pdf

SF0151 - Grizzly bear season - This was a "shot over the bow" bill, sponsored by folks understandably frustrated with our inability to get bears delisted and under state management. It would have mandated the WGF Commission to establish a grizzly bear season and issue 40 licenses. It failed in Senate Travel, on a 2-3 vote. We opposed it, prompting a sharp disagreement between your ED and the leader of another organization outside the meeting room. I am unrepentant. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0151.pdf

SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap - This is currently our highest legislative priority. We have enlisted the support of BoW, WYOGA, AFL-CIO, WY-SFW, TU, and the WY Game Wardens Assn. We have worked on a daily basis with the sponsor and WGFD to move this bill. Our fact sheet is attached. CLICK HERE! It has been amended several times, and will be heard for the third time in the Senate today. We need a 2/3 majority, and I am cautiously pessimistic. Should it fail, I will attempt to get it considered as an interim topic. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SJ0001.pdf

We have been successful in lining up some good candidates for Game and Fish Commission vacancies. Selection will take place this month, with confirmation by the Senate in the final days of the session.

On a related matter, there are some deadlines for this session that we should keep in mind. the deadline for submitting new bills has passed. Other deadlines include:

4 February - Last day for bills to be reported out of Committee in house of origin.

7 February - Last day for Committee of the Whole in house or origin.

8 February - Last day for second reading in house of origin.

9 February - Last day for third reading in the house of origin.

21 February - President's Day recess.

Reminder: We will be sponsoring a Legislative Breakfast on Friday, February 11. Board members and staff are invited to attend. To view the invitation, CLICK HERE!

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Right to Hunt Bill (SJ0001)

TAKE ACTION!

Senate Joint Resolution 1 - Right to hunt, fish and trap

The Issue: Protect your right to hunt, fish and trap! SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap will create a constitutional amendment to protect these rights. Given a 2/3 majority on this bill in both houses of the 2011 Wyoming State Legislature, this proposed amendment will appear on the general election ballot. At that time, the voters of Wyoming will have the opportunity to protect their wildlife heritage in perpetuity. The right of private property owners will be protected in the language of the bill. The authority of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is preserved. The ability of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to manage wildlife according to statute and regulation is retained.

Background: We, the members, staff and board of directors of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation strongly support SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap and urge its passage by the Wyoming State Legislature. This bill is also supported by Wyoming Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, Bowhunters of Wyoming, and Trout Unlimited.

What Can You Do? Contact your senator NOW! To email your senator, click here or go to http://legisweb.state.wy.us/LegislatorSummary/LegislatorList.aspx?strHouse=S&strStatus=N.

Sincerely,
Walt Gasson
Executive Director, Wyoming Wildlife Federation

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