Latest Wyoming News Briefs

BLM-WIND STUDY

BLM narrowing down best Wyoming wind energy spots

(Information in the following story is from: Rawlins Daily Times, http://www.rawlinstimes.com)

RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management is working to narrow down the best suited spots for wind development in Wyoming.

A program analyst with the BLM office in Cheyenne, Mike Valle (Val-EE') spoke to the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative in Rawlins about the study on Monday. He said a wind study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is too broad and the BLM wants to more specifically identify the best areas.

The Rawlins Times (http://tinyurl.com/7l5z88t) reported that Valle said the BLM wants to avoid areas with endangered species and take into account how close areas are to existing power lines and the capacity of those lines.

The energy lab found that Albany, Platte, Carbon, Converse and Natrona counties were the best for wind development.

The BLM is a year into its study.

COLORADO RIVER REVIEW

Field researchers studying Colorado River

DENVER (AP) — Two field researchers are embarking on a four-month trip to study the Colorado River.

The trip is scheduled to start Tuesday in Wyoming's Wind River Range and will go all the way to the delta and the Sea of Cortez.

Will Stauffer-Norris and Zak Podmore plan to study the river basin and how its use, restoration and sustainability will affect future generations.

Their research will be included as part of this year's Colorado College State of the Rockies Project which aims to increase understanding of environmental issues affecting the Rocky Mountain region.

GOLDEN TROUT

Wyoming hatchery successful with golden trout

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) — The Story Fish Hatchery completed successful spawning operations this past summer for one of Wyoming's more unique species — the golden trout.

This was the third year of collecting golden trout eggs at the Story Hatchery in northern Wyoming.

The golden trout brood stock at Story is the only source of golden trout eggs in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's hatchery system.

Golden trout in Wyoming are generally located in high-country alpine lakes where natural reproduction is limited.

The Wyoming eggs are extremely valuable nationally as other mountain west states like to stock golden trout as well, but they also have a hard time finding a reliable source of eggs.

After Wyoming's needs are met, extra golden trout eggs are traded to other states for species not raised in Wyoming's hatchery system such as walleye, bass and catfish.

WOLF HUNT-APPEAL

Idaho and Montana state wolf hunts head to court

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates are due in federal court Tuesday seeking an injunction to stop gray wolf hunts already well under way in the Northern Rockies.

Federal biologists say the wolf population is healthy enough to support the hunts in Idaho and Montana. The two states want to drive down the predators' numbers to curb livestock attacks.

But wildlife advocates say too many wolves are being shot too quickly, threatening to unravel the species' decades-long recovery and killing animals closely followed by wolf watchers.

More than 150 wolves have been shot since hunting began in late August.

Tuesday's hearing is before a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, Calif.

The hunts were allowed after Congress last spring took the unprecedented step of stripping endangered species protections from more than 1,300 wolves.

POET LAUREATE

Gov. Mead names Frolander poet laureate

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead has appointed a new poet laureate for Wyoming.

Mead on Monday signed a proclamation naming Patricia Frolander, a rancher from the Black Hills area, as Wyoming's fifth poet laureate.

Mead said Monday that Frolander's book of poetry titled "Married into It," resonates with him because it speaks about Wyoming and its people.

The poet laureate position is an honorary title and Frolander won't be compensated. She may choose to submit writings on some occasions.

Mike Shay of the Wyoming Arts Council says Frolander will serve until May 31, 2013. Shay says Frolander follows Buffalo poet David Romtbedt in the poet laureate position.