Senate file 88 advances after trust outlines $29 million in 2024 projects, proposes targeted invasive-species spending

Lawmakers moved Senate File 88 out of the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee after hearing a presentation on large-project grants administered by the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resource Trust.

The trust presented its 2024 activity and this year's large-project slate, saying it awarded $29,000,000 in grants across 77 projects last year, the largest total since 2012. "We had 77 projects in 2024, which was the most we've had, since 2012," said Bob Budd, director of the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resource Trust. Budd said $9,600,000 of last year's funding was dedicated to invasive annual-grass control and $6,200,000 to migration and crossing projects; both lines have since been fully allocated.

The committee heard detailed descriptions of the large projects the trust recommends for this funding cycle, including:

- Thunder Basin Habitat Project: a landscape-scale effort covering roughly 50,000 acres (not all treated) including fence modifications, gully restoration with Z-dyke structures, invasive-conifer removal and annual-grass treatments; total project cost $2,100,000 with a $620,000 trust request. Budd and reviewer JD Williams recommended full funding.

- Baggs Valley Headwaters (Phase 4): approximately 6,000 acres within a larger landscape, aimed at shrubland restoration to support mule deer and other species; described as a continuation of prior phases.

- Cameron 189 migration project: a $31,000,000-plus project (competitive grant) to construct several underpasses and one overpass with associated wildlife-safe fencing; state match expected at 20 percent per the presenter. Budd said the work follows prior underpass projects that reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions drastically.

- Wind River Front cheatgrass project: a roughly $3,500,000 landscape project focused on invasive annual-grass treatment, with a requested trust contribution of $883,000 and reported leverage of about 3-to-1; sponsors include Fremont County Weed and Pest and tribal partners.

- Seminole/Shirley Basin Habitat (phase): erosion control, invasive conifer removal and invasive-grass treatment, partly funded by BLM mitigation funds from the Gateway West transmission project and coordinated with the Medicine Bow Conservation District.

- Northeast Wyoming Invasive Grasses Working Group: a cooperative effort among Campbell, Crook, Johnson and Sheridan counties to prioritize and treat Medusahead, Ventenata and cheatgrass; to be administered by Sheridan County Weed & Pest with University of Wyoming Extension mapping and ranking.

- Upper Green fence modification (phase two): targeted fence modifications (not full replacement) to reopen high-fidelity migration corridors primarily for mule deer and some antelope; previous phase funded at $250,000.

- Wapiti Habitat (Park County, North Fork): bank stabilization and fish-passage work that also supports irrigation efficiency and riparian habitat restoration.

- Natrona Core cheatgrass: treatment and monitoring in a sage-grouse core area; further seeding or rangeland restoration could follow if needed.

Committee members questioned timelines, ownership mix and contracting practices. Budd said most contracts are written for three years but often completed in two; he expected the Thunder Basin initial phase would be a two-year contract. On land ownership, Budd said project sponsors and partners vary and the trust seeks to coordinate treatments across private, state and federal land so "everybody has skin in the game." He noted Willow Bish and the Thunder Basin Prairie Ecosystem Association as local coordinators on Thunder Basin work.

Members also pressed the director on coordination for invasive-grass treatments. Budd said the trust works closely "almost on a daily basis" with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council, and that the trust negotiated pre-order discounts with the chemical manufacturer Rejuvra and anticipates a small rebate back to the trust.

Holly Kennedy, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, and Richard Garrett of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition testified in support, describing conservation districts and nonprofit partners as on-the-ground implementers that leverage trust funds.

The committee considered and approved a technical amendment to replace the listed recipient for one project from "Wyoming Game and Fish Commission" to "Sublette County Conservation District." A motion to move the bill passed in committee; recorded roll-call affirmations in the transcript included "Aye" from Senator Hicks, Senator Schueller, Senator Jones and Chairman Landon. The bill sponsor or select-committee chair was identified in discussion as the likely floor carrier.

Budd supplied two handouts: a list of the 77 projects funded in 2024 with status updates and a cumulative project spreadsheet back to 2006. He told the committee the trust operates with two staff and a volunteer nine-member board that conducts in-the-field reviews.

The committee did not adopt changes to project funding levels in public testimony; discussion focused on project descriptions, timelines, partnerships and a pending supplemental appropriation for invasive-species work that Budd said remains in the budget process.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend (replace Wyoming Game and Fish Commission with Sublette County Conservation District) — amendment adopted by the committee (voice/roll-call as recorded). - Motion to move Senate File 88 (large-project funding bill) — moved out of committee; transcript records several senators voting "Aye."