BTNF Withdraws 44,720-acre protections

Citing a desire to better study the issue and under increasing pressure from industry and pro-energy elected officials, Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) Supervisor Jacque Buchanan withdrew the Record of Decision she previously issued in January that would have prevented development on 44,720 acres of the Wyoming Range in Sublette County.

The decision potentially opens the door for drilling on about 70 square miles of the Wyoming Range. In a release announcing her decision to revisit the issue, Buchanan said more study was needed before a final decision could be made.