Reporters' Notes

Livestock reporting

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate each passed different bills to re-authorize the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act, which is scheduled to expire Sept. 30.

The House version re-authorized MPR for five years and changed some of the reporting requirements for live hogs. The Senate bill extends MPR one year, through Sept. 30, 2006, with no statutory changes.

The American Sheep Industry Association and 25 state sheep producer associations requested congressional support of a five-year re-authorization and approval prior to the end of September. It is expected that the agriculture committee leadership will now plan to seek agreement on one version.

"As happened last fall, the one-year extension concept seems to be difficult to do in a timely manner, which subjects the industry to the risk of no market reporting," according to Peter Orwick, executive director of ASI.

ASI greatly appreciates senators Craig Thomas of Wyoming and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico for supporting the position of the sheep industry by sending a letter on Sept. 16 to the Senate Agriculture Committee chair and ranking member urging approval of a five-year re-authorization.

Arena petition

Petitions are circulating in the Pinedale area advocating the construction of a public equestrian arena for the Pinedale area. Those interested in promoting such a building are encouraged to meet at the Pinedale Library on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

Kelo case

House District 22 Representative Monte Olsen said recently that he has asked the Legislative Service Office to draft a bill to deal with Kelo v. City of New London decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Kelo case involved the high court's 5-4 decision to allow the use of eminent domain for private development. Property rights advocates are now turning to their state legislatures for relief from the eminent domain threat.

"There were 14 other requests at the same time," Olsen said of his request. "Instead of having 15 different drafts, the 15 of us will review the draft bill and then decide who the prime sponsor will be."

Fremont Fire

The Bridger-Teton National Forest will be igniting prescribed burns throughout the forest this week, if weather conditions hold. The Forest lit the Fremont 2 burn near Fremont Ridge on the Pinedale District on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Additionally, the Bridger-Teton ignited the Diamond L burn on the Buffalo District near Upper Uhl and Enyon draws on Sept. 20 or 21. Neighbors of the Bridger-Teton might see smoke in the vicinity of these prescribed fires.

For more information on these or the upcoming burns the Bridger-Teton has planned, visit www.tetonfires.com, or call the fire information line at 307-739-5577.

Hams fire

A lighting storm ignited the Hams Ridge fire 14-miles north of the Viva Naughton Reservoir on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. A forest engine crew spotted the fire on Thursday, Sept.r12. Fire officials and resource specialists decided to use the Hams Ridge fire for resource benefit. As part of an effort to encourage a healthy ecosystem, forest officials review all natural caused fires located in approved areas for potential use as a tool to manage landscape resource benefits. This is called wildland fire use. Wildland fire use allows lightning caused fires burning in approved areas to play its natural role in the ecosystem and accomplish resource objectives.

The Hams Ridge fire is seven-acres in size and burning in spruce, fir and aspen trees. Forest officials are continuing to monitor the fire each day.