Group lists Hoback among 'most endangered' rivers

Group lists Hoback among ‘most endangered’ rivers

The Hoback River in northwest Wyoming is one of the most endangered rivers in America due to proposed natural gas development, according to American Rivers. The group issued its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers on Tuesday.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that are facing a critical tipping point,” Scott Bosse of American Rivers said in a prepared statement. “We all need healthy rivers for our drinking water, health, economy, and quality of life. We hope citizens will join us to ensure a clean, healthy Hoback River for generations to come.”

Plains Exploration & Production Co. plans to drill 136 natural gas wells from 17 pads near the headwaters of the Hoback in the Bridger Teton National Forest. The project has been under analysis for several years as state and federal agencies weigh the potential impacts of the project, which includes critical wildlife habitat and migration corridors.

— Click here to read a WyoFile feature on wildlife and natural gas development in the region.