Dear editor,

I’ve been engaged in the Park County DSR because my biggest fear was Big Game Overlay regulation. It has come true.

On page 161 of the DSR, under Special Site Plan Standards iii, titled “Wildlife habitats: Developments that will disturb more than two (2) acres of crucial big game habitat, as identified on the latest edition of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Big Game Seasonal Range Overlays…”

On Oct. 3, 2023, at a public hearing concerning the Land Use Plan, I made the comment I was afraid of Big Game Overlay regulation. I also said, “It seems like a way for Game and Fish to be able to back-door regulate.”

Then-commissioner Lee Livingston said, “the Big Game Overlay is for reference and education purposes only.” I asked who wanted it and he said Wyoming Game and Fish asked for it.

Calling the local Wyoming Game and Fish office yielded a biologist returning my call. I questioned why the Wyoming Game and Fish were trying to regulate through the county, not being a regulating entity. He confirmed they had no regulating authority.

I asked the biologist how the overlay came about. He said, “It’s based on mule deer data and collaboration with the University of Berkley.” I asked why they wanted it in the Park County Land Use Plan and he said, “The county commissioners asked for it.” He added Game and Fish asked to be involved.

Asking how it came about, he said, “Wyoming Game and Fish met with a couple of commissioners on three occasions (private meetings). Then two workshops, open to the public, were held including NGOs such as Nature Conservancy and East Yellowstone Collaborative.”

Conclusion: Park County Commissioners planned the overlay regulation from the beginning (lying) and granted regulatory power to another arm of government (probably illegal).

Respectfully,

Margaret Lohman

Cody