Rep. Harriet Hageman Bill Targets Wyoming Public Lands (5/31/2026)

Dear Casper,

Public lands are deeply valued in Wyoming. We love our wide-open spaces, and we understand there are few places on Earth as beautiful as this state. So, imagine my surprise, and that of my neighbors, friends, and colleagues, when we learned that Harriet Hageman, a fourth-generation Wyomingite, introduced a bill to rescind the Roadless Rule.

Hageman claims the Roadless Rule has been “devastating” to the West, but rescinding it would open some of our most pristine natural spaces to irreversible damage. Allowing increased industrial access into protected roadless areas would be a true tragedy for Wyoming and for future generations.

When experts weigh in on an issue, we should pay attention. Scientists and environmental researchers have been clear: most wildfires are caused by human activity. According to  “Wildland Fire Management Information (WFMI)” and U.S. Forest Service Research Data Archive, “Nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans.” Expanding access deeper into undeveloped areas increases the risk of catastrophic fires.

Severe wildfires can and do occur in roadless areas, but that reality does not erase the well-documented role human activity plays in wildfire ignition. It is also worth noting that Hageman is a lawyer, not a wildfire scientist.

Wyoming is home to countless hunters and anglers, many of whom have strongly opposed efforts to eliminate the “Roadless Rule.” Wyoming has the highest per-capita rate of paid hunting licenses in the country, and our state remains one of the premier fishing destinations in America. Hunters and anglers understand better than most that some places are worth keeping wild and off the beaten path.

If the goal is to capitalize on our public lands, we should remember that tourism is Wyoming’s second-largest industry. People travel here from all over the world because of our breathtaking landscapes, our world-class fishing, our wildlife, and our untouched public lands. Undermining those resources threatens not only our environment but also a critical part of our economy. Rescinding the “Roadless Rule” would amount to cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Our land and open spaces are priceless. Wyomingites already understand that the value of hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and simply experiencing wild places cannot be tallied in dollars. These lands belong not only to us, but also to the generations that come after us. Future generations deserve the opportunity to stand beneath Wyoming’s wide-open skies, to fish in clean streams and to experience the beauty of truly wild places.

If the “Roadless Rule” were to be rescinded, as Harriet Hageman is pushing for, we would never get our public lands back. However, if we — the hunters, anglers, hikers, campers, and lovers of wild spaces — are also voters, then we can use our power in August to send Harriet Hageman a clear message: Wyoming’s public lands are not for sale, and the Roadless Rule deserves to be protected today and for generations to come.

Writing in Solidarity for a Better Wyoming Future,

Betsy Erickson

Casper