The Sweetwater County Commissioners will send a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in Washington D.C., opposing the Little Mountain juniper tree removal.
During the Commissioners Dec. 16 meeting, the Commissioners voted 4-1 to send an opposition letter to Zinke. Commissioners Reid West, Don Van Matre, John Kolb and Wally Johnson voted in favor of the letter, while Commissioner Randy Wendling voted against it.
In December, they sent a letter to the BLM letting the federal agency know the Commissioners felt about the money being spent to remove the juniper trees on the west side of Little Mountain would be better spent on removing the dead and dying trees on the top of Little Mountain. The letter also stated they wanted the BLM to stop the removal of the trees and focus its efforts on proper fire management on Pine and Little mountains.
On Dec. 27, the Commissioners received a letter from Mary Jo Rugwell, BLM Wyoming director. Rugwell’s letter defended the BLM’s actions stating the removal of the trees on the west side of Little Mountain will help the sage grouse population. This response left the Commissioners trying to decide what to do next.
At the Jan. 16 meeting, the Commissioners discussed what course of action they should take.
Prior to the vote, Wendling said the reason he couldn’t support the letter of opposition was because he had done his own research and most of it supported what the BLM claimed. He said there are even organizations within Sweetwater County, including the Muley Fanatics Foundation, that have shown support for the program.
He said that his research showed tree removal does help foster a better habitat for sage grouse because of the shrubs and grass that grow where the trees once were.
“What’s good for the bird it good for the herd,” Wendling said.
Commissioner John Kolb said the letter they sent to Rugwell went nowhere.
“I want them to explain what’s going on,” he said.
That’s why he’s in support of the letter.
Commissioner Wally Johnson said the issue is if they should be thinning the junipers on the west side of Little Mountain.
He disagrees with Wendling saying the trees add cover for the deer and the elk.
“They are not wanting to listen to us,” Van Matre said.
He said they should be willing to take some time and come and visit with the Commissioners about the issue. He said it’s important to move forward and act like a group when it does.
West said they are all entitled to their opinions, but they are talking about an ecosystem.
He said if they send a letter from all the Commissioners without Wendling’s signature on it, the letter won’t be as powerful.
After more discussion, the board decided to send a letter with just chairman Reid West’s signature on behalf of the Commissioners. The letter will be drafted and reviewed by the Commissioners prior to it being sent.
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