For years the Wyoming community has been fighting proposed oil and gas development in the Wyoming Range, about 30 miles south of Jackson. In 2011, Plains Exploration & Production (PXP), a Houston-based company, announced plans to develop the Noble Basin of the Hoback with a project that would scar the landscape with 136 natural gas wells. If this project were approved, it would be the first drilling project along the headwaters of a wild & scenic river, and for that reason American Rivers has listed the Hoback on its Most Endangered Rivers list for several years.
In October, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Wyoming Governor Matt Mead announced the good news that a deal has been struck with PXP to purchase and permanently retire their 58,000 acres of oil and gas leases in the Hoback. But the effort is under a tough deadline. We only have until the end of the year to come up with $8.75 million. So far, the effort has raised almost $5.6 million towards this goal, and everyone involved is working hard to meet the deadline.
Orvis has donated $5,000, and support has poured in from across the country via the TPL’s “Save an Acre for $150” online campaign. There are just 41 days left to raise the remainder.
Click here to learn more about the Hoback and how you can help!
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