Forest Service reverses course on Bridger-Teton leases
The Forest Service is reversing a controversial decision to cancel valid oil and natural gas drilling leases on 44,720 acres of Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest that are prized by outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists. Bridger-Teton Supervisor Jacque Buchanan announced last week that she had rescinded a Jan. 25 record of decision (ROD) canceling 23 drilling leases because the agency failed to, among other things, include key details about the kinds of impacts the oil and gas drilling would have in the Wyoming Range area. The Forest Service will now go back and conduct additional analysis to inform a follow-up decision on the withdrawals.