Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND – After a 2016 study by the Bighorn Mountain Coalition, county commissioners from Washakie, Johnson, Sheridan and Big Horn counties are seeking two to four members each for a working group to determine best use based on recommendations for camping in the Bighorns.

Made up of commissioners from the responding counties, the coalition polled 590 online users and 140 meeting attendees with a survey to take suggestions for improvement in camping in the Bighorn National Forest. The subsequent 65-page report offered a variety of options.

Respondents to the survey expressed an especial desire to have more communication with agencies regarding public land use, such as information on road closures and changes in regulations. Sixteen percent of those polled requested even more regulations be applied to the camping areas.

A majority of the

respondents favored dispersed camping areas over designated or developed campgrounds, while many agreed that restricting camping to designated areas would cause overcrowding.

Other areas of interest included rules for recreational vehicles, stay limits, dumping of wastewater and use of ATVs in camping areas.

Commissioners received a letter from Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson on Dec. 5, requesting the formation of the working group to come to consensus on further changes, based on the survey results.

As outlined in the letter, the working group would form no later than February, and would meet through the spring of 2019 to propose solutions to be adopted by the Forest Service.

Washakie County residents interested in volunteering for the group are encouraged to contact the Washakie County Commission at P.O. Box 260, Worland, WY 82401, by Jan. 4.