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Pinedale BLM seeks comment on proposed Daniel Communication Tower (posted 2/7/10)
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office is seeking public input on a proposed 150-foot tall communication tower and associated electronic equipment buildings located near Daniel, Wyo.
The proposed communication site is approximately 1.2 miles west of Highway 189, and 0.2 miles south of the Cottonwood-Ryegrass Road (County Road 23-117), and would provide improved cell phone coverage by Verizon Wireless in the Sublette County.
The proposed 150-foot height meets the height and structural requirementsand places the antennas high enough to be able to transfer calls to other existing and future towers. The tower height also provides adequate vertical space to accommodate additional users; Union Telephone Company hasalready expressed interest in co-locating at this facility if it is approved and constructed.
Comments on the proposed communication site will be accepted though Feb.22, 2010. Please mail comments to: Bill Wadsworth, BLM Pinedale Field Office, PO Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; email to: Pinedale_WYMail@blm.gov; or drop off at the BLM Pinedale Field Office, 1625 West Pine St. in Pinedale. Please include "Daniel Communication Site" in the subject line.
The scoping notice can be viewed at:
www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/pfodocs/verizon_daniel_comm.html
3rd Annual Ag Photo Contest (posted 2/7/10)
Photographers may submit photos now
Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council’s Agribusiness Division is now accepting photos for its 3rd Annual Ag Photo Contest.
Amateurs and professionals alike may submit photos to the Agribusiness Division until Sept. 1, 2010.
Photos must be ag related and taken in Wyoming, and may be of crops; livestock and farm animals; ag recreation and activities; or scenic agriculture. Contestants may submit multiple photos to the contest.
Contest prizes include: $300 for the grand prize, $150 for 1st place adult, $75 for 2nd place adult, and $50 for 1st place youth.
"There were over 150 photos submitted for the 2009 contest from 20 different photographers," said Cindy Garretson-Weibel, Agribusiness director. "This was a dramatic increase from previous years. We were very pleased with the response and hope many more people participate this year."
To participate, photographers must return a signed application and release to the Agribusiness Division with each unmatted, unframed 8x10-inch original photograph, as well as a digital file (of at least 300 dpi in jpeg or tiff format) or a 35mm slide.
The application may be obtained online at http://wyomingbusiness.org/ag/agribusiness.aspx or by contacting Terri Barr at terri.barr@wybusiness.org or 307-777-2807.
All photos become property of the Agribusiness Division and may be used in marketing materials, publications and the AgriCulture Calendar.
For a free copy of the 2010 AgriCulture calendar featuring last year’s winning photos and submissions, contact Barr.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
Gov. Freudenthal calls for real action to restore Wyoming sovereignty (posted 2/7/10)
Gov. Dave Freudenthal is proposing to reign in expansive federal powers and is asking the Legislature to help.
"We need less talk and more action," Gov. Freudenthal said as he asked the Legislature to lead an effort to curtail federal power by amending the federal Constitution.
The proposed amendment will "put teeth" back into the 10th Amendment and restrict the expansion of federal power under the Interstate Commerce Clause, the Governor said.
Click on this link for the memorandum and proposed resolution that were sent to members of the Legislature on Thursday, January 28, 2010.
Bridger-Teton releases Draft Supplemental EIS on Wyoming Range Oil and Gas (posted 2/7/10)
The Bridger-Teton National Forest announces the release of the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas leasing of 44,720 acres of land in the Wyoming Range. Issues analyzed are those where there is significant new information or changed circumstances from previous environmental studies. The preferred alternative in this document is alternative one, the no leasing alternative.
The original leasing availability decision was made in the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan in 1990. In 2004 when industry expressed interest in this area, the Bridger-Teton reviewed the availability decision in a Supplemental Information Report. As a result, leases were offered in several sales in 2005 and 2006. Those sales were later appealed by interested publics to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) which remanded the sales to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for deficiencies in the environmental analysis. The specifics were focused on Canada lynx and air quality. At that point, 12 leases had been issued, and were consequently suspended. An additional 23 leases had not been issued and were classified as "pending". In March of 2009, the Wyoming Range was withdrawn from mineral leasing in the Public Lands Omnibus Act. In August of 2009, BLM rejected bids for the 23 leases. This decision has been appealed to Interior Board of Land Appeals.
Nearby extensive existing (9794 wells) and rapidly growing proposed (22,292 wells) oil and gas development primarily on BLM land is considered within this analysis. Additionally, environmental studies of a proposed Master Development Plan from Plains Exploration (136 wells on 14,000 acres of adjacent National Forest System lands) are underway and considered. Three action alternatives as well as the no leasing alternative are analyzed. The Forest Service has heard from the public that the recreation, scenery, and sense of place are highly valued in the Wyoming Range. New information, unavailable at the time of previous decisions, has led Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton of the Bridger-Teton National Forest to identify no leasing as the preferred alternative in the Draft document. "The no leasing alternative avoids impacts to the Canada lynx and precludes contributing to cumulative impacts to air quality and mule deer," said Hamilton. Additionally the alternative avoids direct and indirect impacts to recreation and scenery.
The public will have 45-days to comment on the draft Supplemental EIS. After the conclusion of the comment period, Forest Supervisor Hamilton will make a decision about oil and gas leasing for the area. The final Supplemental EIS is expected to be published in May of 2010. Written comments must be submitted to: Bridger-Teton National Forest, Attention Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton at PO Box 1888 Jackson, WY 83001. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are 8:00 – 4:30 Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Oral comments must be provided at the Responsible Official’s office during normal business hours via telephone 307-739-5500 or in person. Electronic comments must be submitted in rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc) to comments-intermtn-bridger-teton@fs.fed.us . A copy of the Draft Supplemental EIS is available on the Bridger-Teton website at http://wwww.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_projects?forest=110403. Comments must meet the information requirements of 36 CFR 215.6. Only those who submit timely comments will be eligible to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215.
Rocky Mountain Power requests $16.3 million rate decrease for Wyoming customers (posted 2/7/10)
Rocky Mountain Power
On Jan. 28, 2010, Rocky Mountain Power requested a decrease in rates for its Wyoming customers of approximately $16.3 million, through the company’s annual power cost adjustment process. Rate changes must first be approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission and will vary by customer class. If approved, price reductions are expected to take effect April 1, 2010.
"Because the company experienced lower costs for fuel, purchased power and other power expenses during the 12-month period ending Nov. 30, 2009, compared to the previous year, we’re able to pass these savings on to our customers," said Richard Walje, president of Rocky Mountain Power. "Our employees work hard to provide safe and reliable electric service to our more than 132,000 Wyoming customers, and we value the positive relationships with customers and communities we’ve enjoyed throughout our nearly 100-year history in the state."
If the company’s request is approved, Rocky Mountain Power’s Wyoming rates will decrease by an overall average of approximately 3.1 percent. The rate reduction will apply to customer classes differently based on the power costs required to serve residential, commercial or industrial customers.
The company is required to file annual power cost adjustment requests with the Wyoming Public Service Commission by Feb. 1 of each year, in order to more closely match its actual power costs with the amount recovered in customer rates. The adjustment mechanism is designed to include a cost and risk sharing formula to protect both customers and the company against potential price spikes related to power costs.
This proposed rate decrease relates only to power costs and is separate from Rocky Mountain Power’s pending general rate case in Wyoming, which is currently under review. "If approved, this decrease will help offset the effect of price increases proposed by the company in the pending general rate case, which are driven largely by the expense of new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure required to serve Wyoming customers," said Walje.
About Rocky Mountain Power
Based in Salt Lake City, Rocky Mountain Power is one of the lowest-cost electric utilities in the United States, providing safe and reliable service to more than 982,000 customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. As part of PacifiCorp, the company has more than 13,000 megawatts of generation from coal, hydro, natural gas-fueled combustion turbines and renewable wind and geothermal power. For more information, visit www.rockymountainpower.net.
Map of Yellowstone National Park showing recent swarm earthquakes in red, previous swarms from 1995-2009 in green, and volcanic vents with yellow stars. Caldera boundaries are shown in orange. Mallard Lake Resurgent dome, to the southwest, and Sourcreek Resurgent dome, to the northeast, are shown with yellow lines. The histogram at the top right shows the number of earthquakes per day from January 15 to February 5. Image by Jamie Farrell and Robert B. Smith (University of Utah), data from the University of Utah Seismograph Stations.
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Update on Yellowstone earthquakes (posted 2/6/10)
Update as of February 6, 2010
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
The current swarm at Yellowstone National Park has slowed considerably. Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (VCO) scientists continue to analyze the earthquakes and official updates to the earthquake count will resume on February 8th.
There were 7 earthquakes recorded by the University of Utah Seismograph Station (UUSS) automatic earthquake system on Friday, February 5th. All were beneath magnitude 2.0. As of February 5, 2010 9:00 AM MST there have been 1,771 earthquakes located.
The swarm began January 17, 2010 around 1:00 PM MST about 10 miles northwest of the Old Faithful area on the northwestern edge of the Yellowstone Caldera. Swarms have occurred in this area several times over the past two decades. This swarm has been longer (in time) and with more earthquakes than last year's swarm beneath Yellowstone Lake (December '08/January '09). The total seismic energy released is still somewhat less. The largest recorded swarm at Yellowstone remains the Fall 1985 swarm, which was located in a similar location, in the NW corner of the Yellowstone Caldera.
The current swarm has included 14 events with a magnitude larger than 3, 136 events of magnitude 2.0 to 2.9, 1,098 events with a magnitude of 1.0 to 1.9, and 530 events of magnitude 0.0 to 0.9. The largest events so far have been a pair of earthquakes of magnitude 3.7 and 3.8 that occurred after 11 PM MST on January 20, 2010. Both events were felt throughout the park and in surrounding communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
See the University of Utah Seismograph Stations for the most recent earthquake data. Analysts are now working through all the automatic earthquake locations, and are refining hypocenter locations, depths and magnitudes for inclusion in the earthquake catalog. As the events are refined, they are listed on the UUSS website and loaded into the ANSS catalog . Seismograph recordings are also available online by clicking on the station of interest on the Yellowstone seismograph network station map.
Seismologists continue to review the earthquakes
Earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 2.5 are automatically located and then automatically plotted on the University of Utah Map of Recent Earthquakes. The smaller events must be analyzed by a seismic analyst to determine what are correct earthquakes from that area. Because the smaller events need to be individually located, they are added to the map later than those that are automatically located.
The delay in reporting the smaller earthquakes is usually not very noticeable, except when there are large numbers of very small earthquakes. There are currently seven members of the University of Utah Seismic Stations group who are working 24/7 to analyze the earthquakes. The smaller earthquakes can be viewed on the University of Utah Yellowstone seismic network helicorders. Please keep in mind that all of the earthquakes will be analyzed, but it will take time to get to the smaller ones.
Many of the larger (> M 2.5) earthquakes have been felt in the Park and in the surrounding area. If you feel earthquakes during the swarm, please fill out a form on the USGS "Did You Feel It?" web site: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/. Information collected from the form is used for scientific research. Maps are generated by the form information for each felt earthquake. For more information about what others have felt, see the shake map created by responses after the largest earthquake in the current swarm,a M3.8 on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 23:16.
Monitoring the Yellowstone Volcano
YVO staff from the USGS, University of Utah, and Yellowstone National Park continue to carefully review all data streams that are recorded in real-time. At this time, there is no reason to believe that magma has risen to a shallow level within the crust or that a volcanic eruption is likely. The current swarm earthquakes are likely the result of slip on pre-existing faults rather than underground movement of magma. The USGS Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code for Yellowstone remains at Normal and Green.
At this time, no one has noted any anomalous changes in surface discharges (hot springs, gas output, etc.). Keep in mind that it is winter and much of the park is covered in snow. The Old Faithful webcam provides views of that area along with weather information.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a partnership of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Yellowstone National Park, and University of Utah to strengthen the long-term monitoring of volcanic and earthquake unrest in the Yellowstone National Park region. Yellowstone is the site of the largest and most diverse collection of natural thermal features in the world and the first National Park. YVO is one of the five USGS Volcano Observatories that monitor volcanoes within the United States for science and public safety.
Swarms are common at Yellowstone
The current number of earthquakes per day is well above average at Yellowstone. Nevertheless, swarms are common at Yellowstone, with 100s to 1000s of events, some of which can reach magnitudes greater than 4.0. For example, during the December 2008 - January 2009 Yellowstone Lake swarm, there were about 900 earthquakes. The largest earthquake was a magnitude 3.9. The 1985 swarm, also on the northwest rim of the caldera but several miles from the current swarm, lasted for three months. During the 1985 swarm there were over 3000 total events recorded, with magnitudes ranging up to M4.9.
Daily summaries are available at:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2010/10swarm.php
Underpasses working well for migrating deer (posted 2/6/10)
Wyoming Game & Fish
Cameras installed at eight highway underpasses in southwest Wyoming continue to reveal how successful the underpasses are, as thousands of animals use them to migrate across state highways. The highway underpasses were installed to reduce the number of motorist collisions with migrating wildlife and reduce the number of wildlife mortalities, especially mule deer. Between 2000 and 2008, seven highway underpasses were constructed in Nugget Canyon on U.S. highway 30, between Kemmerer and Cokeville. The eighth underpass was completed in September 2009 on Highway 789 north of Baggs.
Green River wildlife management coordinator Mark Zornes says both the Nugget Canyon and Baggs highway underpasses continue to function very well.
"The Nugget Canyon project continues to function exceptionally well" Zornes said. "Between Oct. 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2009, a total of 6,154 deer moved south through the underpasses and 432 moved from south to north. Other wildlife, including elk and moose, are also using the underpasses. The underpass at mile post 30.5 continues to lead the pack, with nearly 50 percent of the crossings. However, this is the oldest underpass, completed in 2000."
According to Zornes, 3,279 deer passed through the Baggs underpass which was completed in September, 2009; 2,818 of those deer moved westward to winter range. "This underpass nearly equaled theuse of the most heavily used underpass in Nugget Canyon which is 10 years old," Zornes said. "The vast majority of deer have completed their migration to winter range and vehicle mortalities are down significantly from the previously year."
These projects are a success although more structures are needed. Additional sites have been selected for installation of underpasses in future years.
Installation of the highway underpasses is a joint project between the Wyoming Department of Transportation, (WYDOT) Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative, the Wyoming Natural Resources Trust Fund, Little Snake River Conservation District, private landowners and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
"These highway underpass projects are a welcome sight to those folks interested in reducing habitat fragmentation," said Zornes. "There are many people and entities to thank for the success of the underpasses. However, we would be remiss if we did not specifically thank WYDOT Wildlife Specialist Thomas Hart and WYDOT highway crews and engineering personnel in both the District 1 and District 3 Offices."
Snocross in Bondurant March 6-7 (posted 2/6/10)
Xtreme Mountain Racing will be holding a Snowcross Race at the Heart to Heart Ranch in Bondurant on March 6 & 7. For more information see Xtreme Mountain Racing or call Clark Dyess at 307-231-1974.
Streeper wins 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (posted 2/6/10)
IPSSSDR
Jackson, Wyoming-February 6, 2010- Blayne "Bud" Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, won the 8-day International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with an overall time of 22:35:35. Streeper, a familiar name in mushing, won 10 races in 2009, including the Canadian Open, Exxon Open, Willow Open, Anchorage, and the Fur Rondy World Championship. He also won first place in his first IPSSSDR in 2004.
Lina Gladh, also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, was second overall with a time of 22:59:03. Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., was third with 23:47:49. Winning mushers will be honored and prizes awarded in a private event in Park City, Utah, site of the final 8-mile stage, this evening; the public can view photos on the IPSSSDR website photo gallery at www.wyomingstagestop.org.
With its unique dog-friendly "stage stop" racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night, allowing the host towns to show their hospitality. Festivities for mushers and spectators alike include pancake feeds, dog parades, banquets, carnivals, and snowshoe softball.
The Pedigree(R) brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society.
The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, the largest dog sled race in the lower 48 states, was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
Wolf arguments heard in Cheyenne (posted 2/6/10)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
A federal judge in Cheyenne heard oral arguments in the State of Wyoming's lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to delist wolves.
For more, click on the links below.
Related Links:
Casper Star-Tribune - Read the article here.
Associated Press - Read the article here.
Wolf Watch - By Cat Urbigkit
While pulling out of the Obo’s parking lot Sunday afternoon, the driver of this truck pierced a hole in the diesel gas tank, releasing more than 55 gallons of gas, most of which was caught before hitting the snow. Photo by Casey Dean, Pinedale Roundup.
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Pinedale Roundup stories – Feb. 5, 2010 (posted 2/5/10)
After filling up, truck empties tank on ground
Unsolved murder to be revisited
Willoughby found guilty of Ehlers' murder
Obituary - Jack C. Weinard
Classifieds
Sublette Examiner stories – Feb. 2, 2010 (posted 2/2/10)
Let the games begin
Murder verdict: ‘Guilty as charged’
Industrial park gets new rig
Superintendent search underway
Streeper wins Pinedale Stage of IPSSSDR (posted 2/1/10)
International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
IPSSSDR
Jackson, Wyoming - February 1, 2010 - Blayne "Bud" Streeper, age 27, from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, posted the fastest time on Day Three of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 3:09:58. Streeper, winner of the 2004 IPSSSDR and yesterday's Day Two stage, ran 10 dogs and averaged 13.6 MPH on the sunny trail outside Cora, Wyo.
Lina Gladh, also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, placed second again for Day Three with a time of 3:15:48; Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., came in third with a time of 3:17:41.
In overall times, Streeper leads with 6:04:20; Gladh is second with 6:15:05. Gans is third with 6:26:22.
On Tuesday, February 2, teams will race a 64-mile course in the Big Piney/ Marbleton Stage beginning at 9 a.m. Upcoming stages include Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, Lyman/Mountain View, and finally Park City, Utah, for the final stage and awards ceremony on Saturday, February 6.
With its unique dog-friendly "stage stop" racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night, allowing the host towns to show their hospitality. Festivities for mushers and spectators alike include pancake feeds, dog parades, banquets, carnivals, and snowshoe softball.
The Pedigree(R) brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society.
The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, the largest dog sled race in the lower 48 states, was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
Governor Freudenthal promotes wind project legislation (posted 2/6/10)
Governor Freudenthal media release
Problems associated with the massive development of Wyoming wind energy "are simply opportunities dressed in work clothes," according to Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
"With proper ground rules, wind energy can generate income for the agricultural community, help diversify Wyoming’s economy and tax base and perhaps become a significant source of employment," the Governor continued. Freudenthal has scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference today to discuss four proposals for the Legislature to consider:
(1) Strengthening the Wyoming Industrial Information and Siting Act to ensure adequate bonding or other financial assurances so that the facility will be operated properly from initial site construction, through operation, decommissioning and eventual reclamation.
(2) Providing minimum state standards and enhancing county permitting requirements for the proper siting of wind facilities, such as setbacks from homes, roads and towns.
(3) Imposing a $3.00 per megawatt hour excise tax on wind energy produced in Wyoming, with a provision to send 40 percent of the revenues to local governments, and 60 percent to the state General Fund. The tax would return an estimated total of $5.9 million per year to the six counties where wind projects are already in operation. Converse County would receive the largest share of that figure, an estimated $2.25 million in 2011. In the aggregate this is believed to equate to a 5 percent excise tax.
(4) Suspending the power of condemnation for one year where it might be used to gain access to private lands to construct wind energy collector lines (those lines that tie the wind farm to the electric grid) and asking the Legislature to study the issue before adopting a permanent solution.
Freudenthal praised the Wind Task Force created by the 2009 legislative session for its policy recommendations to improve the Wyoming Industrial Information and Siting Act and local government permitting requirements.
"During the last legislative session, we all knew it was time for a long, hard look at wind development in Wyoming," Freudenthal said.
"With representatives from across the spectrum, from local governments to the wind industry itself, we all got an education and, ultimately, a first cut at some meaningful changes that will hopefully lead to better planning and more involvement from local governments and private citizens on the front end of these projects," the Governor said. Proposals (1) and (2) are a direct result of the Wind Task Force Report.
"Wind energy developers should pay an excise tax based on the amount of power generated with a large share of the revenue returned to the county of origin. A production tax moves towards a level playing field for all Wyoming energy producers and helps diversify Wyoming’s tax base. While wind energy is one of the heroes of the former Vice President’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’ and it enjoys a most favored position in the federal tax code, we must remember that it remains a profit oriented business that should be treated the same as other energy producers," Freudenthal said.
The Governor is concerned with the broad powers of condemnation wind developers enjoy when building transmission lines from the wind farm to the electrical grid because the developers are, by their nature, merchant ventures.
"I doubt that most legislators or citizens understand the degree to which current state eminent domain law favors the merchant developer over the private property rights of the landowner. This tends to weaken the landowner’s position during negotiations. It also encourages building lines on private rather than public lands since condemnation cannot be used against federal or state land interests," Freudenthal said.
Citing a need to "take a breath" on the question of condemnation, Freudenthal noted his hope "that the right of condemnation for collector systems could be suspended for a year so the Legislature can define appropriate sideboards for the exercise of eminent domain by wind developers, particularly tied to the issue of landowner compensation."
"The increasingly heated discussions around wind projects and power lines are just the beginning. We must develop a set of fair rules that protect Wyoming people while providing certainty to wind developers. The wind energy development problems can be addressed by taking this opportunity to do right by Wyoming. And opportunity seldom knocks twice," Freudenthal said.
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