Lawmakers discuss compensatory mitigation for industrial siting after game & fish urges off‑site options

Senators and representatives at the June 5 Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources interim meeting discussed whether industrial siting should include a statutory mechanism to fund compensatory mitigation when impacts to wildlife cannot be avoided on‑site. "If you can't mitigate this on‑site, then we go off‑site and mitigate this," Senator Brian Hicks said, describing a proposal to allow the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to request compensatory mitigation funding through the industrial siting council for large projects.

The nut graf: The industrial siting council permit process is adjudicative and fact‑driven; DEQ Industrial Siting Administrator Jenny Stabin summarized the five steps (pre‑application engagement, application submittal, comment and condition requests from state agencies, a contested‑case hearing before the council, and long‑term monitoring/bonding). She noted the council must find that a proposed facility complies with applicable law, does not pose a threat of serious environmental or socioeconomic…