Dear Supporter,

The relentless drive to drill, drill, drill goes into ever more sensitive areas, such as the Yellowstone and Boulder river beds in Montana, the Wyoming Range and the Beartooth Front near Cody, Wyo. Also, a federal judge in Missoula made news by returning wolves to protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife

Even though the specter of catastrophic disease continues to rear its head, and even though Montana and Idaho are angry at the practice, the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming has authorized the artificial feeding of elk on two feed grounds for 20 more years. [Elk]

In mid-July, a federal court in Missoula, Mont., issued a preliminary injunction on the delisting of wolves, restoring Endangered Species Act protections to Northern Rockies populations and revealing flaws in state plans, particularly Wyoming's. [Wolves]

Waters

"We think it's insane," GYC director of aquatics conservation Scott Bosse told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle when asked about the state of Montana's offer to open up the fishing-rich Yellowstone and Boulder rivers for oil and gas development. [Yellowstone River]

Lands

In June, the U.S Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management decided to allow the Smoky Canyon Mine to expand and continue poisoning pristine waters along the Idaho/Wyoming border south of Yellowstone; GYC intends to appeal. [Phosphate Mining]

Community & Events

The old saying, "A fed bear is a dead bear" rings true in many Greater Yellowstone communities. In an effort to help the community of Island Park, ID be a safer place for both bears and people, GYC has teamed up with a local citizens group, Island Park Advocates for Responsible Development (IPARD), and Defenders of Wildlife to get bear proof garbage bins into the hands of local residents. [Grizzly Bears]

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Meet members, have fun, and learn more about Greater Yellowstone. [Events]

WILDLIFE

Wolves While GYC was not a party to the litigation, the court's recent injunction points out some significant problems in the original delisting decision, including the lack of genetic connectivity between Greater Yellowstone's and central Idaho's wolves as well as Wyoming's management plan. GYC's wolf-conservation work is focused on improving these two critical issues in state management by working with people on the ground to manage wolf-livestock conflicts (a barrier to genetic exchange) and pushing state wildlife agencies to improve their plans and management strategies.

The best long-term solution for wolves is to have strong state plans that manage wolves as an integral part of our wildlife heritage, ultimately so federal protection isn't necessary. Fair, balanced management plans are based on science and take into account the interests of all those with a stake in wolf management-including wildlife enthusiasts, ranchers, hunters and conservationists-will best serve wolves and the public. [more]

Elk Feedgrounds- On the heels of GYC's decision to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior over the continued unhealthy practice of artificially feeding elk at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, the Bridger-Teton National Forest extended leases on two Wyoming Game and Fish feed grounds by 20 years. This decision elicited a harsh response from Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who has joined with cattlemen in blaming Wyoming's disease-plagued feed grounds for Montana losing its brucellosis-free status (cattle there were infected by elk). There was, however, a glimmer of hope: BTNF Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton did refuse to expand one feed ground, declined to start another and deferred on a third - in each case her explanation aligning with our comments. Nevertheless, with 23 feed grounds still active, the incidence of disease significantly higher there, and ranchers in Montana and Idaho rightfully upset, a border war could be brewing. [Elk]

WATERS

Yellowstone River- With gasoline prices pushing past $4 a gallon, there's more pressure than ever to open up new areas of Greater Yellowstone to oil and gas drilling. Thus far, Wyoming has borne the brunt of this massive energy push, especially in places the Upper Green River Valley. But just when you thought the drilling frenzy couldn't spiral any more out of control, the state of Montana recently announced it is offering oil and gas leases in the bed of the Yellowstone and Boulder rivers.

If these leases are sold, it would open the door for energy companies to drill for oil and gas along both rivers, which are valuable recreation resources. Once an energy company acquires a lease, it gains a vested property right, and it is nearly impossible to stop them from drilling.

Our own Scott Bosse urged Montanans to contact the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, resulting in hundreds of letters sent to Mary Sexton, the department's director. With intense public pressure to keep drilling out of such iconic rivers as these, it's difficult to imagine that the leases will ever be sold -- but it's crucial that we maintain vigilance.

LANDS

Beartooth Front- On another front - literally - the notorious Windsor Co. is bidding to start drilling on the Beartooth Front on the Wyoming-Montana border north of Cody. Given Windsor's miserable environmental record in the Clark area, this is an ominous possibility. GYC and its partners in the area are fighting to keep the Shoshone free of oil and gas platforms. Opening this first well could start the dominoes falling in an area that hasn't been touched for two decades, fracturing important wildlife winter range and contaminating area water. Our mantra: Wyoming has done enough, and the lands around Cody are too precious to scar just so people in Cleveland, Chicago and New York can heat their homes for a few pennies less.

GYC Sues to Stop Smoky Canyon Mine Expansion-
The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management released their Record of Decision on the proposed expansion of the Smoky Canyon Mine operated by the J.R. Simplot, Co. There were no surprises as both agencies defied their own scientists and overwhelming public concern to accede to all demands made by the phosphate industry. The only real surprise came as BLM administrators eliminated the public appeal process for their decision.

The decision by the federal agencies to approve all new mining proposed by the J.R. Simplot Co. will increase selenium pollution in area streams and groundwater and will violate federal laws. GYC is appealing the Forest Service decision and preparing appropriate legal measures in conjunction with our partners.

GYC is also working with folks on the ground in SE Idaho to help them learn more about the threats posed by irresponsible mining- threats that phosphate mining companies have been hiding from residents for decades. Take a look at our most recent billboard in Pocatello, ID. [more]

COMMUNITIES & EVENTS

Image: Unbearable Bins, Inc.

So far, the project has been a great success. All 24 containers were purchased within 5 days of the Living with Wildlife workshop. Those who attended the workshop and others from around Island Park were excited to make Island Park safer for both bears and humans. Over the coming year, GYC plans to make a second order of residential bins and to partner with the US Forest Service to help Island Park businesses transition to more bear friendly practices.

Check out our new events page- with more activities in the Greater Yellowstone Area, better organized and easier to find.

Please come to our 25th Anniversary Celebration Reception in Jackson, Wyo. on Sept. 7th. We will premier a new film especially created in celebration of our 25th anniversary by Geoff Stephens, GYC board member, .

You can also browse through our new Photo Gallery- filled with professional-quality images from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.