Wyoming
Mountain West senators urge feds to protect wilderness rock climbing
More than a dozen U.S. senators are urging the National Park and Forest services to reconsider plans to restrict the use of fixed anchors for rock climbing.
“We are concerned the policy changes would unnecessarily burden our National Parks’ and Forests’ already strained budgets, limit access to these special places, and endanger climbers,” the senators recently wrote in a letter.
The group represents Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and four other states, and says they’re concerned that climbing access could be limited in places such as Utah’s Zion National Park or Wyoming’s Wind River Range.
Climbers have historically used fixed anchors — or metal bolts drilled into rock walls — to rappel down hundreds of feet.
But last fall, the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service proposed restricting them in wilderness areas and potentially removing many existing anchors.
While some conservationists support this, arguing anchors can damage rock faces, there was mass pushback from climbers, recreationists, and now, senators.
“The recreation economy is so significant in most Western states, especially, but also across the country,” said Erik Murdock, deputy director of the Access Fund, the climbing advocacy group that has been at the forefront of this fight.
He said removing anchors from some 50,000 wilderness climbing routes is untenable and just plain expensive. Plus, he said if fixed anchors go, so could other types of recreation, like backcountry skiing.
“It’s an example of how natural resource policy can go awry if bureaucrats are not considering the general public, stakeholder groups, local economies, long-standing traditions and uses of wilderness,” Murdock said.
The senators are calling for a new policy that continues to allow fixed anchors, which they called “fundamental safety tools” for climbers. They also called for a “timely briefing” on the status of the proposed policy to manage climbing.
The federal agencies have not released any major updates on their plans since receiving thousands of comments in opposition earlier this year.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Wyoming
BLM deletes contested, off-limits ‘Golden Triangle’ parcels from upcoming Wyoming oil and gas auction
The Wyoming Valley Mall is closed today — one of the busiest shopping days of the year — due to a power outage.
In a post on the mall’s Facebook page, officials said “crews are on site actively working on resolving this issue.”
The outage happened Tuesday night and mall officials announced the mall would close early.
Over the summer, the mall was closed for nearly two weeks due to an outage.
The mall is closed Christmas Day.
LARAMIE — Marcus Epps hasn’t experienced the best injury luck over the last couple of seasons. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury a season ago, Epps has missed time this year with injury, as well.
That being said, when the former University of Wyoming safety is available, he produces. Sunday, with a lot at stake, was no different.
Epps had a pair of tackles in the Eagles’ 29-18 win at Washington. The victory clinched the NFC North Division crown.
For the season, Epps has recorded 12 tackles in 11 games played for 10-5 Philadelphia. The Eagles travel to Buffalo in Week 17.
Below is a list of all the former Wyoming Cowboys and how they performed in Week 16:
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (quarterback)
Allen got a little dinged up in the Bills’ 23-20 win at Cleveland. He was 12-for-19 for 130 yards, while adding 17 yards on seven carries via the ground. Allen sustained a foot injury during the game, but X-rays, fortunately, came back negative. For the season, Allen is 296-for-425 for 3,406 yards with 25 scores and 10 interceptions. On the ground, he’s carried it 105 times totaling 552 yards with a dozen touchdowns for 11-4 Buffalo, which clinched a playoff spot. The Bills host Philadelphia in Week 17.
Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars (safety)
Wingard had a mild game in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win at Denver. He laid claim to one tackle. For the season, Wingard possesses 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight passes defended and one quarterback hit for 11-4 Jacksonville. The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in Week 17.
Frank Crum, Denver Broncos (offensive line)
Crum participated in the Broncos’ 34-20 loss to Jacksonville. He played 15 snaps, four on offense and 11 on special teams. For the season, Crum has played 114 snaps, 48 on offense and 71 on special teams for 12-3 Denver. The Broncos travel to Kansas City on Christmas.
Logan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (linebacker)
Wilson put forth his best game since joining the Cowboys mid-season. He registered five tackles in Dallas’ 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. For the season, Wilson has 62 tackles, four passes defended and one fumble recovery between his time in Cincinnati and now with the 6-8-1 Cowboys. Dallas travels to Washington in Week 17.
Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints (defensive end)
Granderson boasted a good game in the Saints’ 29-6 win over the New York Jets. He made three tackles. For the season, Granderson owns 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three passes defended and six quarterback hits for 5-10 New Orleans. The Saints travel to Tennessee in Week 17.
Chad Muma, New England Patriots (linebacker)
Muma, who was signed by New England from Indianapolis’ practice squad, played in the Patriots’ 28-24 win at Baltimore. He didn’t record a stat. For the season, Muma has made five tackles in six games played between the Colts and now the 12-3 Patriots. New England travels to the New York Jets in Week 17.
Treyton Welch, New Orleans Saints (tight end)
Welch has yet to be elevated from the practice squad.
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