Washakie County Conservation District

The Washakie County Conservation District shall continue to promote and encourage the motive and means for the optimum production and conservation of resources to enhance economic opportunity and the quality of life. The Washakie County Conservation District shall strive to promote a clean and healthy environment.

Wyoming Department of Agriculture

The Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) offers the following statements in regard to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bighorn Basin Resource Management Plan revision:

The WDA supports no net loss of Animal Unit Months (AUMs). A net loss of AUMs may negatively impact livestock producers and Wyoming agriculture. We do not support the permanent closure of any area to livestock grazing, including the Alternative B proposal to close crucial winter range for elk and bighorn sheep and key areas for greater sage-grouse, or the proposal to prohibit new domestic sheep grazing on pronghorn crucial winter range. Instead, the WDA believes that the BLM should work with livestock grazing permittees to incorporate specific livestock management plans to address conflicts. The WDA supports the Alternative D proposal to allow livestock grazing in areas closed to grazing (e.g., the Bighorn River tracts) as a tool to maintain or improve resource conditions.

The WDA supports the BLM’s decision to conduct all wild horse activities to remain compliant with the Wyoming Consent Decree (August 2003), including striving to maintain Appropriate Management Levels.

The WDA also supports BLM proposals to follow current best management practices and recommendations made by the Wyoming State Brucellosis Coordination Team. This helps reduce the spread of brucellosis and maintain viable livestock operations.

These positions are a reflection of the WDA mission: dedication to the promotion and enhancement of Wyoming’s agriculture, natural resources and contribution to Wyoming quality of life.