Fundraising for Wyoming Gas Buyout Going Slow

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — An effort to buy oil and gas leases in western Wyoming to protect the land from development is raising funds at about half the speed needed to complete the $8.75 million deal.

Since the historic agreement to buy 58,000 acres of oil and gas leases south of Jackson was announced in October, Trust for Public Land has raised $1.28 million of the $4.25 million it needs. That gives the trust less than six weeks to raise about $3 million.

The Associated Press reports the money is due Jan. 1.

Conservation groups sought an agreement with Plains Exploration and Production Co., fearing the industrial gas operation in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Sublette County would disrupt migration routes and wildlife habitat.