Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Endorse SFWR Proposal for W

作者：王韵壹、李英、熊慧卿

　　LANDER, Wyo., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sportsmen for the Wyoming Range (SFWR), a broad-based coalition of sporting organizations from around Wyoming is pleased with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission's endorsement of a plan to protect the Wyoming Range from oil and gas drilling. In a letter addressed to Mark Rey, Undersecretary of Agriculture, the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission endorsed a legislative solution for the Wyoming Range that would prevent new leasing in the Wyoming Range and allow for buyouts and permanent retirement of existing leases in the Range. The Commission also called on Rey to cancel several leases that failed to complete proper environmental reviews.

"Having the support of the Game and Fish Commission is very significant. This endorsement provides increased momentum for a legislative solution to protect the Wyoming Range," said Tom Reed, Trout Unlimited and SFWR Spokesperson. "Senator Thomas and Governor Freudenthal, have expressed support for the Wyoming Range, and with the endorsement from the Fish and Game Commission we are hopeful this will bring together the common-sense solution we are all seeking."

Bill Williams, President of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, wrote in the letter:

"We fully support responsible oil and gas development in Wyoming, but we also believe there are certainly places in Wyoming where this kind of development does not mesh well with other interests and resources. With three subspecies of native cutthroat trout, outstanding moose, mule deer and elk herds, and virtually limitless recreational opportunities for our nation's hard-working people, the Wyoming Range is such a place.

"We respectfully urge you to support this nation's sportsmen and women by helping us conserve the Wyoming Range for this generation and for those that will follow.

"Finally, we ask that you request that BLM cancel all Wyoming Range lease parcels offered in four sales from December 2005 to August 2006. Obviously the agency should refund bonus payments and other appropriate costs incurred by the energy companies. We believe that all entities involved in the Wyoming Range need to step back and consider this important mountain range and its natural resource treasures more carefully."

In just a few months the number of sporting groups supporting SFWR has swelled to 24. Co-Spokesperson Duane Hyde, a retired Afton game warden who spent more than 30 years working the range stated, "Anyone who has ever spent time recreating in this mountain range knows the value in keeping it the way it is today. This is a sportsmen's paradise and I would hate to see it lost."

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SFWR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: American Fly Fishing Trade Association Bowhunters of Wyoming Federation of Fly Fishers Izaak Walton League of America Izaak Walton League, Travelle Chapter Mule Deer Foundation National Outdoor Leadership School Orion, The Hunters Institute Quality Deer Management Association Snowy Range Fly Casters Sublette County Outfitters and Guides Association Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Trout Unlimited Trout Unlimited -- Platte Valley Chapter The Wildlife Society Wildlife Management Institute Wyoming Backcountry Horsemen of America Wyoming Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Wyoming Biologists Association Wyoming Game Wardens Association Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Source: Sportsmen for the Wyoming Range
　　