|
Conservationists and Religious Leaders Seek to Protect Crown Jewel Wilderness Additional Contact: Warren Murphy, Wyoming Association of Churches, (307) 272-9362
LARAMIE, Wyo. – The BLM today announced that it would re-open the Rawlins Visual Resource plan amendment for public comments to address the management of Lands with Wilderness Characteristics, triggering a call from conservationists and religious leaders to protect crown jewel wilderness lands once and for all. “Over the past several years, oil and gas leases have expired without any drilling activity, freeing up wilderness-quality landscapes in the Adobe Town area and elsewhere in the Red Desert from the threat of industrialization,” said Erik Molvar of WildEarth Guardians. “Now the BLM has the opportunity to close these lands to future oil and gas leasing, protecting a priceless and irreplaceable wilderness legacy, including some of the most awe-inspiring vistas in the Red Desert.” “Over the years, a broad spectrum of Wyoming residents, from local governments to sportsmen to religious leaders, have called for withdrawing Adobe Town from future oil and gas leasing to protect this wilderness crown jewel and its wildlife habitats and recreation opportunities,” added Rev. Warren Murphy of the Wyoming Association of Churches. “The Wyoming Association of Churches considers the protection of key Red Desert landscapes a sacred responsibility, and urges all those who love the desert to submit comments about wilderness preservation.” The comment period will be open through May 2nd, and only comments directly addressing lands with wilderness characteristics will be accepted by the BLM. For more information on the Visual Resource Management Plan, visit http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/rawlins/VRM.html, with information on Lands with Wilderness Characteristics at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rawlins/LWCI.html. The Rawlins Visual Resource Management plan amendment, which has been undergoing an environmental review over the past several years, covers most of the eastern half of the Red Desert. Also included are federal lands in the Shirley Basin and along the fringes of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Other Lands with Wilderness Characteristics identified by the BLM in the planning area include lands along the western foothills of the Ferris Mountains, at the northern edge of the Red Desert. In comments on the Rawlins Visual Resource Management plan amendment, WildEarth Guardians had pointed out that the BLM has an obligation to address wilderness protections according to its own policies. “We are pleased that the BLM is going to take a hard look at protecting potential wilderness in the Red Desert,” concluded Molvar. “These protections are long-overdue.” |
|
info@wildearthguardians.org | © WildEarth Guardians | Historical Archives | Privacy Policy