Wyoming Public Lands Initiative - Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area

The Wyoming Public Lands Initiative (WPLI) is a collaborative, county supported process intended to result in one, multi-county legislative lands package that is broadly supported by public lands stakeholders in Wyoming, and advanced to the Congressional delegation for introduction in Congress. The ultimate goal is a new federal law that governs the designation and management of Wyoming’s 42 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and three U.S. Forest Service (USFS)Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) in Wyoming; and, where opportunities exist, addresses other public land management issues affecting the broader landscape.

Fortification Creek WSA Recommendations & Public Hearing Notice

The Fortification Creek Committee voted unanimously to recommend a hard release from the wilderness study designation with a permanent Congressional Designation as the Fortification Creek Management Area. The Fortification Creek Management Area would be administered with the following guidelines:

No new surface disturbance unless needed for fire suppression;
No new permanent roads;
Maintain existing characteristics;
Existing uses continued such as grazing, hunting and recreation;
No motorized vehicles allowed other than reasonable fire suppression, weed and pest control, wildlife/stock water or emergency needs.

The outlined recommendations will undergo a 45 day public comment period in addition to the two public meetings held in Buffalo and Gillette. The deadline to submit comments regarding the Fortification Creek WSA recommendations is January 20, 2018.

Please provide feedback that is as detailed as possible. Comments should be directed to the following address:

WPLI Fortification Creek
C/O Campbell County Commissioners
500 South Gillette Avenue
Suite 1100
Gillette, WY 82716
Email: ijm01@ccgov.net
Phone: (307) 682-7283

Committee Members

Name	County Represented	Sector Represented
Dave Clarendon	Sheridan	Conservation
James Hansen	Sheridan	Energy
Barry Hayden	Campbell	AG/Ranching
Debra Hepp	Campbell	Conservation
Levi Jensen	Campbell	Recreation
Karlon Knudson	Johnson	AG/Ranching
Wallace Leastman	Campbell	General Public
Carrie Little	Johnson & Sheridan	AG/Ranching
Bryna Long	Johnson	General Public
Jeremy Murphy	Campbell	Sportsman
Kelly Patten	Campbell	Sportsman
John Tinnell	Campbell	Energy

Meeting Dates and Locations

Public Hearing
February 7, 2018
5 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Chambers
500 S. Gillette Avenue
Gillette, WY 82716

Additional Resources

Buffalo Resource Management Plan
BLM Fortification Creek Resource Management Plan Amendment
Designated Wilderness & Wilderness Study Areas in Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
WCCA Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Website
Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Principals and Guidelines
WPLI Advisory Committee Toolbox
WPLI Additional Resources

Maps

Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area
Fortification Creek WSA with Surrounding Landowners

**Resources courtesy of Wyoming County Commissioners Association - Wyoming Public Lands Initiative & Bureau of Land Management Buffalo Field Office