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