wyoming public lands initiative in carbon county · connie wilbert non-motorized recreation. wsas...

Wyoming Public Lands Initiative in Carbon CountyTHE CARBON COUNTY WPLI ADVISORY COMMITTEE WANTS YOUR INPUT

Wilderness Study Area:A special designation that applies to lands managed to protect wilderness characteristics until Congress designates the WSA as wilderness or directs the agency to manage the area for other multiple uses.

WPLI GoalDevelop a locally led, Wyoming-specific legislative lands package to address wilderness designation, release, or other management for WSAs in Wyoming.

Wilderness?

Released to agency plan?

Other Management

Designation?

WPLI ProcessCounty Commissions convene advisorycommittees.

Must represent a diversity of interests

Seek, to the maximum extent practicable, consensus-based solutions

o Ag/ranching

o Hunting/fishing

o Energy

o Motorized recreation

o Non-motorized recreation

o Environmental Conservation

o Conservation Districts

o General Public

Carbon

Fremont

Fortification Creek

Johnson

Park

Sublette

Teton

Washakie

WPLI Committees

The Advisory Committee may consider other [geographical] areas of interest within the county for potential inclusion in its recommendation

Many management and designation tools are available and can be employed

WPLI Process

Carbon County WPLI Advisory CommitteeJohn Espy, Co-chair County Commissioner

Dave Throgmorton, Co-Chair Energy

Glen Alameda Agriculture/Ranching

Leanne Correll General Public

Shaleas Harrison General Public

John Johnson County Commissioner

Joan McGraw Motorized Recreation

Joseph Parsons Conservation District

Pat Rollison Sportsmen

Jeff Streeter Conservation

Connie Wilbert Non-Motorized Recreation

WSAs in Carbon CountyFerris Mountains

Bennett Mountain

Encampment River Canyon

Prospect Mountain

Bennett Mtn.

Encampment River Canyon

Prospect Mtn.

Ferris Mtns.

Ferris Mountains WSA22,245 acres

• Outstanding opportunities for hunting, hiking, camping and backpacking

• Historic grazing use

• Steep and rugged with no marked trails

• Habitat for elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer

• Outstanding scenic views

Bennett Mountain WSA6,003 acres

• High plateau with numerous draws and rocky outcrops

• Historic grazing uses

• Outstanding opportunities for hunting, hiking, trapping, camping

• Vegetation is primarily grasses, sagebrush with pockets of pine, aspen, & willows

Encampment River Canyon WSA

4,547 acres

• Access to Encampment River and Miner Creek

• Historic grazing uses

• Recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding

• Separated from Encampment River Wilderness by other public lands

Prospect Mountain WSA1, 145 acres• Abuts the Platte River Wilderness• Recreational activities include hunting,

fishing, hiking, and camping• Historic grazing uses• 70% forested with lodgepole pine & aspen• Prospect Creek Road borders the northern

boundary

Carbon WPLI ProgressGathered data and toured WSAs

Reviewed options for management and designation of the four WSAs

Have begun developing proposals for recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners

Final recommendations should be advanced to the Board of County Commissioners by Spring/Summer 2018

Designation Options Considered for Each WSARelease WSA to multiple use management under the existing Resource Management Plan

Designate as Wilderness Area

Designate as other special management area such as◦ National Conservation Area

◦ Cooperative Management and Protection Area

◦ Outstanding Natural Area

◦ Wild and Scenic River

◦ Etc.

Maintain the WSA as is

Management Options Being ConsideredRecreation◦ Maintain and/or enhance hunting/fishing recreational uses

◦ Maintain hunting and fishing access

◦ Maintain continued opportunity for quiet recreation opportunities (hunting, hiking, etc.)

Grazing and Livestock Management◦ Allow for existing range improvements and maintenance (i.e. water

development, fences)

◦ Allow for new range improvements, allow for maintenance of existing infrastructure

◦ Maintain existing agricultural uses and Best Management Practices

◦ Protect existing water rights

Management Options Being ConsideredMotorized/Mechanized Uses and Non-motorized◦ Prohibit mechanized and motorized uses

◦ Prohibit motorized uses, but allow mechanized uses

◦ Allow for mechanized and motorized recreation

Forest Ecology◦ Allow for commercial forest products removal

◦ Allow only natural ecological processes to occur

Wildlife◦ Maintain and/or enhance existing wildlife habitat

Questions? Comments?Do you have questions for the WPLI Advisory Committee?

What advice to you have for the WPLI Advisory Committee?