Wyoming News Briefs

Wyoming sues Biden administration over new methane rule

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming has joined the states of North Dakota, Montana and Texas in suing the U.S. Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management over a new rule that undermines existing state regulatory programs and harms Wyoming oil and natural gas producers, according to a news release from Gov. Mark Gordon’s office.

The suit was filed this week in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota. The rule — commonly known as the “methane waste prevention rule” and released last month — is an attempt by the Department of Interior to re-introduce a similar rule adopted by the Obama administration in 2016. That rule was previously blocked by a Wyoming federal court.

The new rule requires oil and gas companies to pay royalties on flared gas, driving up costs for producers and resulting in increased costs to consumers, the governor said.

“This rule is yet another example of the Biden administration attempting to use rulemaking to undermine state authority and suffocate the oil and gas industry,” Gordon said in the release. “We will continue to defend Wyoming’s interests in court whenever they are under attack by the federal government.”

Grizzly spotted near Cody

CODY (WNE) — The Saturday report of a grizzly sighted north of town prompted Wyoming Game and Fish to post warning signs at the Outlaw Trails. 

The bear was seen wandering off Wyoming Highway 120, north of the Cody Shooting Complex and east of the road in the Cottonwood Creek drainage, said Luke Ellsbury, G&F large carnivore biologist in Cody. The sighting was reported by a member of the public. 

When Ellsbury visited the location, he saw tracks of “what appears to be an adult,” he said Monday. 

He added that grizzlies have started frequenting the Cody area in the spring and fall. 

“It’s become an annual thing over the last five to six years,” Ellsbury noted, “but we don’t seem to find them hanging around. They’ve been pretty good about staying out of trouble. There’s been no damage.” 

G&F posted the warning signs at Outlaw because “we know bears have been there before and wanted to let folks know there might be bears around,” he said. “Be bear aware and carry bear spray. There’s a chance of encountering a bear in the area.” 

In the past, grizzlies have been seen on Sunset Rim and at the Park County Landfill. As a result of the latter incident, there’s an electric fence around the facility, Ellsbury said. 

One was hazed out of a Russian olive grove on Sulfur Creek near its confluence with the Shoshone River last year. Another was trapped near the Powell Highway recently.

BLM proposes sale of public lands in Sweetwater County

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — In a move aimed at streamlining operations and optimizing resources, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has revealed plans for the sale of 307.5 acres of public lands in Sweetwater County.

PacifiCorp, the intended buyer, seeks to bolster efficiency at the adjacent Jim Bridger power plant through this strategic acquisition.

“The property we are purchasing is adjacent to our waste water evaporation pond so owning this property will help to facilitate maintenance better,” said Dave Eskelsen, Pacifi-Corp’s spokesperson.

The strategic location of the property plays a crucial role in PacifiCorp’s operations. 

Eskelsen emphasized that owning the land will simplify processes when the Jim Bridger power plant reaches the end of its operational life in 2036.

“Having ownership of this land will make for smoother decommissioning procedures,” he added.

According to a press release issued by the Bureau of Land Management, the land sale is poised to bolster efficiencies at the power plant, aiding in PacifiCorp’s adherence to environmental regulations. The appraised fair market value for the parcel earmarked for sale is estimated at $115,000.

The land in question is considered disposable land under the current Sweetwater County Resource Management Plan, which designates property owned by the BLM that can be sold.

Brad Purdy, Deputy State Director of Communications for BLM, highlighted that PacifiCorp had been granted a right-of-way years ago on this property and had already been acquiring small sections when possible.

“This sale just made sense for PacifiCorp because they had already been acquiring smaller pieces and now they have what they need,” Purdy said.

Man injured, arrested, after harassing bison

JACKSON (WNE) — In the first report of a visitor being injured by a bison this year, a 40-year-old Idaho Falls man allegedly approached a bison while under the influence of alcohol and sustained injuries. He is facing four misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident.

Clarence Yoder, 40, was charged April 22 in federal court after rangers responded to the area of Seven Mile Bridge, seven miles east of the park’s West Entrance, for a report of an individual who harassed a herd of bison and kicked a bison in the leg. Yoder sustained minor injuries.

According to a Monday press release sent by Yellowstone National Park, rangers located Yoder’s vehicle near the West Entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yoder was charged with four violations: feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentional disturbing of wildlife, presence in a park area when under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, disorderly conduct and violating closures and use limits.

Another Idaho Falls resident, identified as the driver of the vehicle Yoder traveled in, also is facing criminal charges. McKenna Bass, 37, also was arrested and cited for driving under the influence, interference after failing to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife.

Both Yoder and Bass have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Each violation can result in fines up to $5000 and six months in jail. The incident remains under investigation, the press release stated.

Yoder and Bass were released from Gallatin County Detention Center April 22 after each posted $3500 in bond. Yoder’s next appearance in federal court is May 23 and Bass is scheduled to appear July 2. Both are banned from entering Yellowstone National Park while the case is pending.

Kirk Young named as new president for Western Wyoming Community College

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) -- The Western Wyoming Community College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of the college’s next president, Dr. Kirk Young during the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, April 25. He will begin on July 1, 2024 and succeed Dr. Kim Dale, who announced her departure from the college last year.

In discussing Youngs’s appointment, Jim Jessen, board president, shared that the board could not be more pleased to find a dynamic leader to continue Western’s evolution and ongoing impact on the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Young to the Western community. We have every confidence in his knowledge of community colleges and skill in leadership to guide us to the next chapter,” said Jessen.

Dr. Young’s appointment comes after a comprehensive national search that involved campus and external community participation.

Dr. Young said, “I express my sincere thanks to the board of trustees as well as the community at Western for this tremendous opportunity. I dedicate all I have to this position. I look forward to getting to know the entire community and working with you to build upon a legacy that has been forged throughout decades of determination and hard work. To the students of Western Wyoming Community College, I eagerly anticipate the chance to be a part of the team dedicated to helping you accomplish your educational and professional goals.”

The presidential search process consisted of a 20-member search committee led by Jessen and consultants, the Pauly Group, a national search firm with over 30 years of experience in academic and executive leadership placement. The committee was comprised of community leaders and employees representative of the campus communities.

During the meeting, the board approved the financial contract for Young. Contract terms include the base salary of $205,000 a year, $105,000 monthly allowance in housing, and $800 a month in vehicle allowance. Also included in the contract is a $16,500 relocation allowance.

Camping complaint in Bighorns nets felony

POWELL (WNE) -- What started as a complaint about illegal camping in the Bighorn Mountains last year recently resulted in a felony conviction.

On July 22, the Bighorn National Forest fielded a report about a group camping in a day use area near Sibley Lake, in Sheridan County. When U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Jeremy Mack responded, he reportedly found several people “behind a ‘No Camping Here’ sign.” One was 31-year-old Nathan T. Gossens of Billings.

Charging documents say Gossens had a Ruger EC9s 9mm pistol holstered on his hip. That proved to be a problem when Mack learned that the Montanan was a felon, as Gossens was convicted of felony burglary in 2012.

Gossens was arrested at the scene on an apparently years-old warrant issued by the Big Horn County District Court, related to an alleged probation violation, but new trouble followed in August: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming filed a new felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Gossens served three days in jail before being released on bond. He pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced April 8.

U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson ordered Gossens to serve three years of supervised release, starting with six months of home detention. Gossens must also pay a $100 assessment and forfeit both his Ruger and some ammunition to the government.

While he generally must stay at home until the fall, exceptions are included for things like work, religious services and medical appointments.

Griz 399 emerges, may have gone south

JACKSON (WNE) — Nobody knows for sure where a bear thought to be Grizzly 399 has roamed after she and her cub emerged from hibernation Sunday.

Still, after Buckrail.com posted a video of two grizzlies moving through The Aspens on Monday morning, speculation has run wild. Officials and homeowners associations also have encouraged residents to lock up their garbage, beehives, compost and livestock feed — human foods that 399 and other grizzlies have gotten into in years past.

Grizzly 399 has been hazed for getting comfortable with human food, and other, less famous grizzlies, have been relocated or killed for making a habit of dining on human food. Bears that get used to human foods can aggressively pursue them in the future, posing a danger to people they encounter.

After the two grizzlies showed up in suburban Teton County, The Aspens’ HOA wasted no time imploring residents to be “bear aware.”

Hoping to avoid a scrum of humans chasing after grizzlies, officials won’t divulge 399’s location — or whether she’s ventured south. Asked whether 399 had left the park, and whether she had caused any trouble, Game and Fish neither confirmed nor denied her location.

“We are monitoring all bear activity as always,” large carnivore supervisor Dan Thompson said in a text message, adding that no conflicts had been reported in the area of the video. There is, however, lots of bear activity in the valley.

Wildlife watchers and Grand Teton National Park officials also aren’t sure of 399’s whereabouts.

With her one yearling cub, the famous grizzly matriarch emerged Sunday night near Jackson Lake Lodge, then disappeared.

Even the most ardent bear watchers aren’t positive which bears were caught on camera in the video published Monday.

“I’m still not quite convinced it’s her,” said wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen. “It’s strange that nobody else has seen her down there.”

Gordon takes part in ‘Disagree Better’ initiative

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced they have come together to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Disagree Better Initiative.

The two governors, who have collaborated on policy initiatives as chairman and vice chair of the Western Governors Association, recently sat down to share a message of working together to get the job done.

“Wyoming and New Mexico are both Western states with similar economies, but our politics can be very different,” Gordon said. “While we may disagree on a number of issues, Governor Lujan Grisham and I have been able to find common ground in places by showing respect for one another when we approach an issue from different perspectives.”

“At a time of deep partisan division in our nation, Gov. Gordon and I would like to remind our fellow Americans that the best way to resolve our differences and find common ground is by communicating respectfully with one another,” Grisham said.

Disagree Better is a year-long NGA initiative to help Americans learn the skills of healthy conflict. The effort aims to change the political behavior of both voters and elected officials can be more successful politically than negative campaigning, and is the pathway to restoring trust in our political institutions. Learn more at nga.org/disagree-better.