Reporter’s Notes

Rockies Express

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is accepting public comment on the draft environmental impact statement for the Rockies Western Phase Project.

As currently proposed, the Rockies Western Phase Project would consist of the construction and operation of approximately 796 miles of natural gas pipeline and a total of 237,320 horsepower of new compression. Following completion of the proposed facilities, the project would transport up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The purpose of the Rockies Western Phase Project is to provide natural gas transportation service from supply basins in the Rocky Mountains to demand-intensive markets in the Midwest. A portion of this natural gas supply could eventually be delivered to the eastern United States via existing or planned natural gas pipeline systems. While the Cheyenne Hub is an established receipt point for natural gas producers in the Rocky Mountain region, transportation capacity from this location to eastern markets is currently insufficient to meet expanding market demand.

Lynx

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 1,841 square miles as critical habitat for the federally threatened Canada lynx. Areas designated include 317 square miles in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota; 1,389 square miles in Glacier National Park, Montana; and 135 square miles in North Cascades National Park, Washington. Critical habitat is a term defined in the Endangered Species Act. It identifies geographic areas containing features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations or protection.

FWS originally proposed approximately 18,031 square miles of land in portions of northern Maine, northeastern Minnesota, the northern Rocky Mountains and north-central Washington. Based on extensive peer review, public comment and biological information received during the public comment period, FWS reevaluated the proposed critical habitat and excluded lands with existing lynx management plans or pending Habitat Conservation Plans, lands managed for commercial forestry, small landowners and lands not managed for commercial forestry, and tribally owned lands.

Contractor course

EnCana (USA), Shell and Ultra are sponsoring a contractor orientation course through Western Wyoming Community College. This course is an orientation to the various operator/producer safety policies and procedures which many oil and gas operators/producers require in order to work on a wellsite. Using the contractor expectation and orientation handbook, students will learn the occupational and safety requirements for specific operator/producers, worksite policies and procedures, hazardous situations, incidence reporting and emergency response plans.

At the end of class, a comprehension test will be given. A photo ID card, valid for one year, will be issued at the completion of the class.

The course in Pinedale starts every third Wednesday of the month. Call Donna Lozier at 307-367-6873 for more information.

Wreath Auction

Individuals, organizations and businesses are invited to create and submit a wreath or chocolate donation for the 13th annual Wreath and Chocolate Auction Fundraiser to be held Friday, Dec. 1, at the Museum of the Mountain Man.

Decorate a wreath in any style to express yourself, represent your business or celebrate the holiday season. Use your imagination for a unique design! Wreaths will be sold at live auction. There is a champions’ category for the most creative and elegant wreaths.

Finished wreaths should be delivered to the museum or Rendezvous Pointe before Dec. 1.

All proceeds benefit the 2007 museum programs and exhibits. For more informationm contact the museum at 307-367-4101 or museummtman@wyoming.com

Christmas Parade of Lights

The chamber would like to invite you to enter the Mountain Man Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. All floats will be judged and first-, second- and third-place gift certificate prizes will be awarded in three categories: non-profit/organization floats small business floats, and corporate floats. Rocky Mountain Power is sponsoring the prizes. Floats must be lighted and cannot include a live Santa. There will be only one live Santa and he will be appearing on the final float at the parade’s end.

Call the chamber to enter your float.

Christmas Tour of Homes

The chamber would like to thank Pinedale Properties for sponsoring this year’s Tour of Homes! The chamber and the Sage and Snow Garden Club are coordinating their two home events, the Christmas Tour of Homes and the Holiday Decorating Contest, so that the winners of the Sage and Snow Garden Club’s contest will be added to the Chamber’s Tour of Homes.

This Christmas, the Sage and Snow Garden Club has chosen two themes in the holiday homes category. Holiday wreaths will be presented to those gardens which reflect the “Magic of Christmas” for the children, as well as the “Message of Christmas” for moms and dads.

There will be winners chosen in four areas in the county: Bargerville/Boulder, Pinedale, Cora/Daniel and Big Piney/Marbleton. Garden club members will be on the look-out for winners from Thanksgiving to Dec. 1. Judging will take place over the weekend of Dec. 2 and 3.

Home owners and children are also invited to call into the Holiday Homes Hotline at 307-360-6267 to let the club know when your garden is ready for judging, or if you see a holiday home that is worthy of mention.

If you would like to include your home in the Chamber’s Tour of Homes, please call us at 307-367-2242.

For information about the other events during the Mountain Man Christmas Weekend, call the chamber!