Dear Friends,
This is to bring you up to date on our efforts to prevent industrialization of the Northern Laramie Range.
Unfortunately, the news isn't good. More than 7 months after nearly 600 of you petitioned the Converse County government to prevent the industrialization of the mountains, the Northern Laramie Range remains unprotected, and the first massive industrial-scale wind facility in the mountains is well-advanced in its planning.
At a meeting of the Converse County Commissioners on February 16, Wasatch Wind, Inc., reported on its plans to install anywhere from 50 to 200 40-story wind turbines, and the associated transmission lines, substations and roads, on the mountain plateau between Boxelder and Mormon Canyon Roads south of Glenrock. They plan to widen and straighten Mormon Canyon Road, even constructing new roads, in part, to avoid going across U.S. Government-owned land, which could require them to comply with federal requirements for environmental matters, siting and public input.
The Converse County Commissioners have done nothing but encourage industrial development in the Northern Laramie Range despite strong citizen opposition. They have rejected the recommendations of their own Planning & Zoning Commission and continue to ignore citizen support for action to protect the mountains, even though the first of these large-scale industrial facilities is fast coming upon us.
This is NOT about county-wide zoning. The Alliance has proposed a narrowly-drafted resolution to protect from large-scale industry the mountain part of the county most heavily used for hunting and recreation, and in which the land use is most varied. It would have no effect on the 80% of the county outside the mountains. The legal foundations for this under Wyoming law are solid as a rock: The County Commissioners have clear authority both to declare a moratorium to preserve the status quo and to adopt a targeted resolution of this kind, without adopting County-wide zoning.
At this point, it may seem that citizens have little hope that this particular group of elected County officials will act in the public interest and protect the important landscape, hunting and recreational values in the. Nor does it seem hopeful that this Board of County Commissioners will protect the private property rights of the neighbors in the area, whose land values and right to quiet enjoyment of their land will be destroyed by this development.
But it is not the time to give up. More than ever, if you value the quality of life in our area, you need to raise your voices. Contact the Converse County Commissioners to let them know:
1. You want the mountains protected, now, through immediate adoption of Alliance's proposed short-term moratorium and adoption of our proposal that large-scale industrial development be barred in the mountains, and
2. you're not going to be fooled by statements that this can't be done because it would require County-wide zoning.
The next meeting of the Converse County Commissioners is on March 2 and 3, 2010, beginning at 8 AM each day at the Converse County Courthouse. The County Clerk, Lucile Taylor, can provide the agenda (lucile.taylor@conversecounty.org). Meanwhile, here is the Commissioners' contact information:
County Commissioners' mailing address: 107 North 5th St., Suite 114, Douglas, WY 82633
Ed Werner (307) 358-4119
Mike Colling (307) 436-9212
Dave Edwards (307) 358-1169
Tony Lehner (307) 436-2208
Jim Willox (436) 358-2696
Fortunately, there still are other important opportunities to prevent this abusive development: Probably in April, the State Land Board will consider Wasatch's application for "special use" of state lands in the Boxelder/Mormon Canyon area. We intend to participate in that process. In addition, Wasatch will have to go before the state Industrial Siting Council with its proposed project. We will participate in that process, too.
With best regards,
The Northern Laramie Range Alliance Steering Group
To get in touch with us you can phone Sharon Rodeman at 307-258-1713, or e-mail to info@nlralliance.org.