JACKSON, Wyo. — Gov. Mark Gordon has announced that he will move forward with work on the Sublette antelope migration corridor, after the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission recommended to officially designate the pathway.
A Thursday press release from the governor’s office states that Gordon’s actions are in accordance with Executive Order 2020-1: Wyoming Mule Deer and Antelope Migration Corridor Protection. In March, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission identified the corridor, and in September, voted to to advance it for designation by the governor. According to WyoFile, Gordon has chosen to protect only eight of the 10 segments proposed by Wyoming Game and Fish.
“My determination is that work on the Sublette antelope migration corridor will proceed, with focus on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) recommendation of the eight segments within the identified corridor for designation consideration, including North, Bondurant, Foothills, East of WY -191, Central, Southwest, Fontenelle, and Calpet,” Gordon said via press release. “This decision is underscored by the best available scientific information on the value, conservation risks and opportunities detailed along these routes.”
The next step will include governor appointments for a local working group that will analyze and evaluate the corridor. The executive order mandates that the working group include an appointed representative from each county affected: Teton, Sublette, Lincoln and Sweetwater.
The working group will be tasked with reviewing WGFD’s risk assessment, corridor components, impacts to socio-economic conditions of the region, conservation opportunities, highway projects and other factors. The group will then make a final recommendation to Gordon, who will either designate the corridor, return the recommendation to WGFD for refinement, or reject the proposal.
The application has opened for prospective representatives from the following groups: agriculture (two); industrial users – oil, gas, mining and renewable (two); wildlife, conservation and hunting (two); and motorized recreation (one). Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 31. Contact deputy director of policy Sara DiReienzo with questions or to learn more about the working group.
“The Migration Corridor Conservation Strategy established by the Executive Order creates a state-led approach to support conservation for mule deer and pronghorn migration while preserving multiple-use opportunities for the State of Wyoming,” Gordon said. “I look forward to the next steps as the corridor is reviewed and elevated by a diverse local working group.”
