I received this today from The Wilderness Society. I would be interested if Steve Swan, who now lives in Jackson Hole area, would give us his perspective of this issue. Steve, are you still there? (Steve served on the Iowa ExCom for 3 years before moving a few months ago to Wyoming.) Jane Clark [log in to unmask] **************************** * WILD ALERT * Friday, February 9, 2001 **************************** For the past three years, the oil and gas industry has been fighting to open up nearly 370,000 acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, to oil and gas development. But the Forest Service has proposed setting aside that land because of its outstanding wildlife and recreation values. Now the Forest Service needs to hear from you. Take action today at http://www.wilderness.org/ccc/northrockies/bt.htm . WORLD FAMOUS HABITAT AT RISK The Bridger-Teton National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming, is world famous for its blue ribbon trout streams winding through lush valleys, complete with vast herds of elk. These lands are home to some of the rarest and most vulnerable animals in the lower 48 states, including grizzly bear, gray wolf, and Canada lynx. In a recent far-sighted move, the U.S. Forest Service has proposed putting one of the last unprotected wild places on the Bridger-Teton, covering 370,000 acres, off limits to oil and gas industrialization. The public overwhelmingly supports this proposal, known as the "No Lease" alternative in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Oil and Gas Development. In fact, 98% of the more than 2,500 comments received during the "scoping" phase of this process supported the "No Lease" alternative. BIG OIL MOVES IN For the last three years, the oil and gas industry has been fighting hard to open up those lands, larger than neighboring Grand Teton National Park, to oil and gas development. Drill rigs, accompanied by a maze of roads and power lines, already have fractured many of the last best places in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Now, emboldened by allies in the new Bush administration, Big Oil is working harder than ever to reverse this proposal. The oil and gas industry is putting immense pressure on Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) to actively oppose the proposal, a role he has chosen not to take in the past. WHAT'S AT STAKE? The wildlands that industry wants to industrialize include Moccasin Basin, just 35 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which contains key grizzly bear habitat and crucial big game winter range. Also included are the Hoback Basin, south of Jackson Hole, and the Union Pass and Upper Green River areas, adjacent to both the Gros Ventre and Bridger Wilderness areas. This territory includes several blue ribbon trout streams and four rivers eligible for National Wild and Scenic River designation. PROPOSAL DESERVES SUPPORT At the end of the last year, the Forest Service released the DEIS, listing several "alternatives," or management possibilities. A comment period runs through February 28th. This decision -- which you can help shape -- will set a precedent for the future management of our national forests: Will our public lands be managed mainly for industrial-scale resource extraction and production? Or are some places simply more important for wildlife, clean water and recreation? The Forest Service is trying to protect this last slice of wild country in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It needs and deserves your support. TAKE ACTION Only through an emphatic show of support from citizens nationwide for the Forest Service proposal will the "No Lease" proposal hold. Send your comments *by February 28* from http://www.wilderness.org/ccc/northrockies/bt.htm , or send them directly: - Tell the Forest Service you support the "No Lease" Alternative #4 in the draft EIS for Oil & Gas Development on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. - These wildlands are far too valuable as rich wildlife habitat, healthy fisheries, and recreation lands. They deserve to be protected for our children. Send your comments to: Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton, Bridger-Teton National Forest Attn: Oil & Gas DEIS, P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, WY 83001 EMAIL: [log in to unmask] FAX: (307) 739-5010 Also send a copy of your comments to Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas, who needs to hear that the American people want this spectacular place protected: Senator Craig Thomas U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510 EMAIL: [log in to unmask] FAX: (202) 224-1724 FOR MORE INFORMATION Bridger-Teton National Forest web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/oilandgas/oil&gas.htm SAMPLE LETTERS Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton, Bridger-Teton National Forest Attn: Oil & Gas DEIS, P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, WY 83001 Dear Supervisor Hamilton: I support the B-T's proposed "No Lease" alternative #4 in the draft EIS for Oil and Gas Development. These wildlands are far too valuable as rich wildlife habitat, healthy fisheries and recreation lands. Please continue your strong efforts to safeguard these lands for our children by issuing a "No Lease" final decision. Thank you for your work. ***************** Honorable Craig Thomas U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Thomas: I support the Bridger-Teton National Forest's proposed "No Lease" alternative #4 in the draft EIS for Oil and Gas Development. These wildlands are far too valuable as rich wildlife habitat, healthy fisheries and recreation lands. I urge you to support the B-T in its efforts to safeguard this land for future generations. Sincerely, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]