Lease Finalized for State Shooting Complex Despite Absence of Environmental Review
A 3-square-mile state-owned property in the Absaroka Range foothills has been leased for development without mandatory environmental review or wildlife protection measures.
The site, encompassing 1,956 acres in Park County, Wyoming, overlaps with critical year-round habitat for mule deer, a species highly sensitive to habitat disturbance.
State Shooting Complex Project Moves Forward
The Wyoming State Shooting Complex, a public-private initiative backed by 2023 legislation, will proceed on this land despite significant wildlife concerns.
In July 2024, a 12-member legislative task force approved placing infrastructure including an event center and long-range shooting targets on the property.
Pre-Approval Wildlife Concerns Raised
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department submitted a memorandum advising against locating the complex at this site due to conflicts with mule deer habitats and other wildlife areas.
Such warnings highlight the potential for habitat fragmentation and disturbances that affect mule deer survival and behavior, particularly in crucial winter and migration corridors.
Wildlife Expert Commentary
Mule deer rely on relatively undisturbed habitat for foraging, bedding, and migration. Development in these foothills risks disrupting seasonal movement patterns and increasing stress on populations.
Absaroka Range habitats provide essential cover and forage during harsh winters, and disturbances here may force deer into less suitable areas, impacting local population resilience.
- Mule deer typically migrate between summer and winter ranges to optimize resource use.
- Human activity in these migratory corridors can lead to increased energy expenditure and reduced fitness.
- Effective wildlife management often involves mitigating habitat loss through environmental reviews and conservation stipulations.
Implications for Conservation and Land Use Policy
The absence of formal environmental assessment and the lack of mandated wildlife protections sets a concerning precedent for balancing development and ecological stewardship in Wyoming.
Continued monitoring and adaptive management will be essential to minimize negative impacts on mule deer and other wildlife dependent on this ecosystem.
Advocates emphasize the need for integrating robust wildlife considerations into future land use decisions to sustain Wyoming’s biodiversity and hunting heritage.
Additional reporting and sources from: State Shooting Complex lease finalized without formal environmental review, wildlife stipulations | Local News | codyenterprise.com
