Sunday, October 7, 2012
Volume 6 Issue 7 Proud Member of the Associated Press
Cow Elk Dies of Paralytic Lichen Toxicosis - Not Yet Known if Harmful To Humans A cow elk died of lichen toxicosis north of Wamsutter in elk Hunt Area 100. The 15 + yearold elk was found by Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials in late September. The cow was lying down, alert, but unable to stand. Officials delivered her to the Wyoming State Wildlife Veterinary Lab where her death was confirmed. “She exhibited all the clinical signs of lichen toxicosis: paralysis, a rumen full of lichen, redcolored urine, and damage to her muscle cells.” says Wildlife Veterinarian Cynthia Tate. The toxic lichen, tumbleweed shield, was abundant where the cow was found laying, and it is common in sagebrush habitats across the West. The tumbleweed lichen causes long term and lasting muscle paralysis in affected elk. They appear alert but cannot stand. The presence of the lichen will not in itself cause elk to die; rather they likely succumb to predation or starvation. The department would ask hunters to report any elk that appear to be sick and unable to stand. Please use caution and do not approach these elk. The department also advises hunters not to harvest these elk as “We still don’t know what is in the lichen that causes paralysis of elk. We simply do not know if they are safe for human consumption and I would caution anyone consuming any elk that exhibits weakened or suspicious behavior” says Sinclair Wildlife Biologist Greg Hiatt. Wyoming has seen large deaths from lichen toxicosis in the recent past. During the winters of 2004 and 2008 combined, over 500 elk died from lichen toxicosis in the Red Rim area. Daryl Lutz, Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor, remembers these die-offs and says “These events were during the winter months, and the death of this cow is earlier in the season than we have seen before. Although we are not necessarily expecting dieoffs of elk from lichen toxicosis this year, we want to inform hunters in the field to be aware, and are asking for their assistance.” If you observe any elk with abnormal behavior including paralysis or have any questions, please call Rawlins Game Warden, Brady Frude at 307-3280313, Sinclair Biologist, Greg Hiatt at 307-324-2116, or the Lander Regional Office at 307332-2688.
Possible Leads in Identities of Horse Hair Thieves Amanda Smith (TBC)
back.
Converse County and Natrona Counties have been affected by dozens of reports from horse owners stating that the hair on their horses tails and manes had been cut off, almost always in the middle of the night, and in some cases during the day when horses owners are not home.
The thieves are trespassing properties, usually during the night, and cutting the hair from the tails of horses and in some cases, cutting their manes off.
Natrona County Sheriff's Office believe that at least two male subjects are involved in the the theft of horse hair from over sixty three horses in Natrona. It is believed that at least two male subjects are within the vehicle when the thefts occur. Reportedly two Hispanic males have been reported as occupants of one or more of the following vehicles that have been seen in the vicinity of the thefts; a White Econoline van, a 1997-2000 silver or primer in color extended cab Chevy truck, a 1980 model passenger that reports have stated "looks beat up" and a black flatbed truck with a welder in the
Converse County is also experiencing a rash of horse hair theft, with dozens of horses affected in the Glenrock area, the Town of Rolling Hills, and in Doug- Photo Bird Reporter Tammy Taylor: A horse in las. Rolling Hills owned by Cindy Hiser had half of his tail removed in August.
Both Sheriff's Offices are requesting that if you have any information concerning the thefts, to please contact your appropriate Sheriff's office. In Natrona you can call 307235-9282 and in Converse you can call 307-358-4700.
ing the investigations into the horse hair thefts, and urge everyone to report any suspicious vehicles, persons or activities to the Sheriff Department in your County.
Both departments are continu-
In August 2012, the Bureau of Land Management identified the agency preferred alternatives for the Gateway West Transmission Line Project. As lead federal agency under the National Environmental Policy Act , the BLM must identify the agency preferred alternatives that best fulfill the agency mission and responsibilities while giving consideration to environmental, economic, social and other factors that are analyzed in the draft environmental impact statement. The BLM is expected to release the final environmental impact statement by the end of 2012. This final statement will further analyze all agency preferred alternatives and proposed routes as updated in the February 2012 EIS. The BLM will accept public comments for 60 days following the release of the environmental impact statement. A Record of Decision, that will represent the agency’s decision on the transmission line route, is expected in the summer of 2013. In addition to the environmental review on the federal level, the
companies will need to obtain all the necessary local permits in Idaho and Wyoming. These permits include state certificates of public convenience and necessity along with local conditional use permits. The proposed Gateway West Transmission Line Project will cover approximately 1,100 miles from the Windstar substation near Glenrock, Wyoming to the new Hemingway substation near Melba, Idaho. The Gateway West Transmission Line will be a joint partnership between Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power. This transmission line will provide electricity for the growing needs of the customers of these two companies, also this line will increase the reliability of region’s electrical system. Now that the BLM has identified the agency preferred alternatives, Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power plan to move forward with state and local permitting efforts for the portion of the project between Windstar substation near Glenrock, Wyoming and the Populus substation near Downey, Idaho. This includes meeting with in-
dividual local governments prior to submitting formal permit applications to best understand the needs and requirements for specific areas. The agency preferred alternative route through Wyoming would head southwest out of Glenrock, crossover I-80 east of Rawlins by milepost 229, follow the I-80 corridor on the south side, cross back over I-80 between milepost 158 (Tipton) and milepost 156 (GL Road), continue west on the north side of the I-80 corridor where it will tie into the Jim Bridger and Anticline substations, continue northwest from there, traveling north of Kemmer to south of Cokeville and then cross into Idaho south of Highway 30. In the proposed project timeline, construction would start in 2016 with construction being completed by 2021. It is a very lengthy process to complete a transmission line of this magnitude; the process began with NEPA back in 2007. The Gateway West Transmission Line would be in full service by 2021.
Glenrock Hwy 95 Crash Claims One Life, Injures Another Rhonda Zeller- (TBC) On October 1, 2012 at approximately 3:45pm a head on collision occurred 2.5 miles north of Glenrock on WYO 95. Wyoming Highway Patrol Sergeant Stephen Townsend stated that Robert (Bobby) Day of Glenrock, died upon impact. According to Townsend, Day was northbound on WYO 95 when his 1991 Lincoln Town
Car left the roadway on the right side and made contact with the guardrail. Day then overcorrected his vehicle to the left going back into the northbound lane and then proceeding into the southbound lane where he collided with Shane Brow’s 2002 Ford F-350. Reportedly, Day was not wearing his seatbelt. Brow, was transported to Wyoming Medical Center and released later that evening.
Smoke from the Sheep Herder Fire on Casper Mountain billows out over East Second Street in Casper. Photo Credit: RMMI-Cordell Anthony, Casper Mtn.
Amanda Smith (TBC) Rhonda Zeller (TBC)
Gateway West Transmission Line Expects To Be In Full Service by 2021 Rhonda Zeller- (TBC)
Casper Mountain “Sheep Herder Hill” Fire Human Caused
The crash caused the temporary closure of WYO 95 for approximately two and a half hours until the crash scene could be cleared. Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers have started an investigation to determine what factors may have contributed to the cause of the crash.
The fire that started on Sheep Herder Hill around 4pm on September 9, 2012 has been listed as human caused. The fire, which burned for over a week and scorched almost 16,000 acres, caused hundreds
of evacuations and destroyed over 30 homes and outbuildings. Fire officials state that the fire originated on the west side of an ATV/ Snowmobile trail near Circle Drive. The investigation will remain open. The exact source of ignition is undetermined at this time.
Blm Approves Uranium Mining Plan In Southwest Wyo.
RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management has approved a suburban Denver company's plan for uranium mining in southwest Wyoming. The decision on Ur-Energy Inc.'s proposed Lost Creek mine could be appealed, but the company said Friday it plans to start construction this month. The approved plan involves insitu mining, in which an oxidizing solution is injected underground to dissolve the mineral,
and the solution is pumped to the surface through hundreds of wells. The plan approved by the BLM calls for the solution to be dried into solid yellowcake on site, reducing transportationrelated impacts on the air and wildlife. Ur-Energy plans to invest $30 million to $40 million in the project over the next six to nine months, with production forecast to begin next summer.
Former Casper Mayor Faces Child Porn Charges CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A former state lawmaker and mayor of Casper has been charged with two felony counts of possession of child pornography. Larry Clapp appeared in Natrona County Circuit Court on Thursday, one day after his arrest.
Judge Michael Huber set bail at $10,000 and ordered Clapp to surrender his passport. Clapp is currently a Casper attorney.