Wyoming Public Lands bill clears Senate committee

BUFFALO — Federal legislation that would, among other land management directives, release three wilderness study areas in Johnson County from longtime protections, is one step closer to becoming law.

Long championed by Wyoming’s congressional delegation and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association, the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative was introduced in 2015 to finalize the designation of several Wilderness Study Areas throughout the state. The bill passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee by voice vote during a business meeting on Dec. 14.

The bill has been given time...