CHEYENNE — Sen. John Barrasso introduced legislation Thursday to restrict energy development in the Wyoming Range, drawing praise from residents who hunt, fish and outfit in the range.
The Wyoming Range Legacy Act of 2007 would protect more than 1.2 million acres of the range along Wyoming’s western border.
It would prohibit future oil and gas leasing, while allowing a process to buy back leases from current lease holders who are willing to sell.
“What we do today is join in the memory of our friend Craig Thomas to finish his work to keep and enhance the tourism, recreation, grazing, hunting and sportsmen economy of the Wyoming Range and forever preserve it as a key part of Wyoming’s natural heritage,” Barrasso, R-Wyo., said in a statement.
Thomas was planning to introduce legislation to limit oil and gas drilling in the range when he died in June.
Barrasso was appointed to temporarily fill the seat of Thomas.
Representatives of hunting, fishing and outfitting groups praised the proposed legislation.
“If those leases got drilled, it would trash some absolutely wonderful country,” said Walt Gasson, a member of the Wyoming Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
“Some places are just too important for outdoor recreation to drill,” said Gary Amerine, an outfitter from Merna.
