Lummis Introduces Bill to Protect State’s Mineral Royalty Share

WASHINGTON – Tuesday U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) introduced the State Mineral Revenue Protection Act, legislation that protects Wyoming from Washington’s efforts to use the state’s mineral revenue to pay its debts.  Under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) the federal government is required to pay states 50% of royalties back to the states.  The State Mineral Revenue Protection Act amends the MLA to grant states the option to collect their share of the mineral royalties, and grant those states full property interest in their share.  Such changes would bar the federal government from inappropriately withholding state’s funds under the pretext of administrative costs or the more recent example of sequestration. Read more: Lummis Introduces Bill to Protect State’s Mineral Royalty Share

Devils Tower Reopens After Wildland Fire

Park officials reopen Devils Tower for visitors.  “The entrance road and a portion of the Tower Trail is open, all other hiking trails are closed”, said Reed Robinson, Superintendent of Devils Tower National Monument.  “The visitor center will also be open from 9 am to 4 pm seven days a week.  Climbing routes on the Tower continue to be limited to the west face; all other routes are temporarily closed.  The Belle Fourche River Campground is temporarily closed to private camping.”

Read more: Devils Tower Reopens After Wildland Fire

Wildland Fire Closes Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower, Wyoming – A 300 acre prescribed burn ignited on Tuesday morning succumbed to high winds late Wednesday afternoon.  A small spot fire, observed midday in the SW corner of the Monument, was pushed up a steep hill side by high winds and quickly torched woody plants out side of the burn area.  Fire officials quickly converted the classification of prescribed burn to a wildland fire which allowed for additional firefighters to be ordered for containment of the fire. Read more: Wildland Fire Closes Devils Tower National Monument