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Sheridan County forwards letter opposing proposed Medicine Wheel buffer to Forest Service
Summary
The board approved a staff‑drafted letter to Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Johnson opposing a proposed 2.5‑mile protected buffer around the Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain, citing impacts to public roads and tourism; the comment period closes March 30.
Commissioner Arzi (S5) presented two draft letters responding to a Bighorn National Forest proposal to establish a 2.5‑mile buffer around the Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain and urged the board to submit formal comments before the March 30 deadline. S5 said mapping of the proposal was not yet available but warned the buffer would affect public roads and the scenic Highway 14A corridor used by tourists.
S5 moved to forward the second, more detailed letter to Supervisor Johnson; S3 seconded the motion. After brief discussion about tribal consultation language and economic impacts, the board approved the motion by voice vote. As S5 put it, “I think it’s an important issue, and I think it’s kind of like one of those that if we don’t speak up about it… silence is not gonna do us any good about this.” The board directed staff to transmit the letter promptly so the county’s comments are received before the comment period closes.
The record shows staff drafted the letters quickly to meet the deadline; commissioners asked staff to consider tribal‑consultation wording and the economic impacts of access limits on tourism and public roads. The motion to forward Letter 2 to Supervisor Johnson carried on a voice vote.
