AGP Executive Report

WYDOT Road Safety: WYDOT crews will grind and stripe pavement markings at night in Teton County starting Sunday, July 26, working 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for about a week on WYO 22, WYO 390 and US 89 Broadway near Grand Teton—drivers should expect slow-moving operations and avoid driving over wet paint. Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Trump administration is removing federal protections for endangered species’ habitats, with states warning they can’t replace the lost safeguards—critics say the change could open forests, wetlands and deserts to development and drilling. Drought Watch (Wyoming): The U.S. Drought Monitor shows eastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming degrading again due to dry conditions and excessive heat, with hotter, drier weather expanding drought on the Plains. Colorado River Deadline Looms: Federal officials say new Colorado River rules are coming next week as states remain deadlocked on how to share shrinking supplies. Local Water Planning: Lovell’s town council discussed the Don Davis subdivision’s water options, including possible connections and costs tied to the Northwest Rural Water District. Wildlife & Public Lands Voices: Letters to the editor urge Wyoming voters to show up in the Aug. 18 primary to protect public lands and wildlife.

Water & Drought: The Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at historic lows, with federal officials signaling new rules may come next week as basin states struggle to agree on how to share shrinking supplies—Arizona says it won’t accept “unreasonable” cuts. Public Health: Wyoming DEQ issued a harmful cyanobacteria bloom advisory for Lake DeSmet, warning people and animals to avoid contact and noting boiling/filtration won’t remove toxins. Wildlife Management: Wyoming Game and Fish relocated a grizzly in Sublette County after cattle depredation, releasing it near Yellowstone’s East Entrance as part of ongoing conflict-prevention efforts. Land & Recreation: WGFD is urging reversal of a Grand Targhee Resort expansion approval that would push into critical bighorn sheep habitat; the state says avoiding expansion is the only effective fix. Local Energy: Cheyenne is preparing to seek about $700,000 in impact funds if the Laramie Range Wind Project is approved by the state’s Industrial Siting Council. Weather Watch: Southeast Wyoming faces flood concerns with a flood warning and heavy-rain potential tied to storms.

Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Trump administration is removing federal protections from key endangered-species habitat, arguing states can manage safeguards themselves—while experts warn most states lack the laws and tools to prevent habitat loss. Colorado River Crunch: As Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit record lows, officials and advocates say the West is moving toward new water-sharing steps, but the next plan still won’t fully solve the crisis. Wildfire & Flood Risk in Wyoming: A fast-growing Fish Creek Fire near the Colorado line reached about 100 acres and triggered evacuations in Albany County. Monsoon Weather Watch: Wyoming is under flash-flood guidance as slow-moving storms could bring dangerous runoff, especially for campers near rivers and lakes. Outdoor Funding in Wyoming: The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund approved its first round of projects, including trail and fishing access upgrades across multiple counties. Yellowstone Safety: Yellowstone officials are warning visitors after viral footage showed tourists walking off-trail near Grand Prismatic Spring, risking serious danger. Mosquito Control Funding: Carbon County Weed and Pest says property tax relief could cut revenue and limit mosquito-control efforts.

Grizzly Bear Management: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho joined Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at a press conference signaling a push to return more grizzly management to states while keeping bears on the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife & Recreation: Wyoming Game and Fish urged anglers to avoid fishing the hot North Platte River stretch because high temperatures lower dissolved oxygen and stress trout. Severe Weather: A flood watch covers the Wapiti burn scar and parts of eastern Idaho near the Wyoming border, with another regional heavy-rain threat and possible flash flooding. Water Crisis: Colorado River talks continue as Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit record-low combined storage, with negotiators saying a federal plan could come soon. Local Land Use & Wildlife Habitat: Wyoming wildlife managers criticized Grand Targhee Resort’s expansion plan for moving into bighorn sheep habitat. Heat & Safety at Yellowstone: Visitors are warned after video showed people walking on Grand Prismatic Spring’s thermal mats despite the burn risk. Agriculture Under Drought: Colorado peach growers say near-zero snowpack and fast-melting headwaters have made irrigation and yields uncertain. Cattle Tech: Idaho ranchers are adopting GPS “invisible fences” to manage cattle without building physical barriers.

Water & Industry Accountability: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities released a detailed timeline and FAQs after Cupriavidus gilardii contamination traced to the Meta data center contractor, including a $10,000 fine, suspension of reclaimed water irrigation, and a new ban on certain data-center wastewater discharges. Wildlife & Habitat: Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce said she’s “thoroughly disappointed” with the Forest Service’s late-May approval of Grand Targhee Resort expansion into Teton bighorn sheep habitat, arguing the only real fix is stopping development. Drought & Wildfire Pressure: A new look at Wyoming’s drought response highlights how shrinking water supplies and hotter, drier conditions are intensifying wildfire risk and raising questions about how the state manages water and agriculture. Conservation Innovation: Grand Teton National Park deployed robot greater sage-grouse to lure birds away from nearby airport impacts and boost a critically low local population. Weather Watch: Southeast Wyoming is bracing for more rain and thunderstorms, with daily excessive-rainfall risk possible in the heaviest periods. Public Health & Air Quality: Western heat and wildfire smoke are worsening air quality, with ozone and PM pollution combining to raise health concerns. Policy & Climate: Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced measures targeting California vehicle emissions rules, as the Trump administration continues rolling back parts of the Endangered Species Act. Energy & Infrastructure: Wyoming and Idaho were named in a federal nuclear-energy corridor tech hub grant, while broader debates continue over data centers’ power demand and the transmission lines they require.

Water & Public Health: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities released a detailed timeline, FAQ, and records on the Cupriavidus gilardii wastewater contamination traced to a contractor tied to the Meta data center, including actions taken, a temporary halt to reclaimed water irrigation, and new rules barring certain data-center wastewater discharges. Wildlife Management: Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce said she’s “thoroughly disappointed” by the Forest Service’s approval of Grand Targhee Resort expansion into key bighorn sheep habitat, arguing the only real fix is to avoid the expansion. Endangered Species Act: The Trump administration moved to rescind ESA changes from the Biden era, including a “blanket rule” and revisions to critical habitat designations, drawing vows from environmental groups to fight back. Grizzly Bears: Federal officials are shifting grizzly bear management authority toward states via ESA 4(d) rule revisions for Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with supporters celebrating and critics warning habitat protections are being weakened. Climate & Health: A study found toxins from Florida blue-green algae blooms can become airborne, raising concerns about respiratory exposure beyond contaminated water. Weather: Southeast Wyoming is bracing for a midweek pattern shift with rain and thunderstorms, including a risk of excessive rainfall.

Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Trump administration is removing automatic protections for threatened plants and animals, shifting habitat safeguards to individualized plans and raising alarms that states can’t fully replace federal oversight. Colorado River Crisis: With Lake Powell and Lake Mead hitting record-low combined levels, experts warn the region is in “uncharted territory” as climate-driven declines and demand pressures collide. Wildlife Habitat in Flux: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cut critical habitat for Canada lynx by 32%, including removing the Greater Yellowstone Area from the map. Wyoming Water & Drought Context: Heat and dry conditions continue to stress the West; in nearby drought reporting, hydrologists say some reservoir worries may be exaggerated, but the overall trend is drier than wet. Air Quality/Heat Watch: A Monday heat advisory covers parts of Wyoming and the region, with smoke haze possible and health risks rising as temperatures climb. Local Governance/Data Centers: Pasco County approved a yearlong moratorium on new data centers, with residents citing water and pollution concerns tied to major AI facilities. Wyoming Weather: Cheyenne County is near 100 degrees to start the week, with a midweek front bringing storm chances. Research & Climate Science: A UW-linked King Air research effort is flying over the Salt Lake Valley to map ozone drivers during extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Outdoor Recreation Funding: Wyoming lawmakers highlighted funding shortfalls for parks and public lands at an expo in Casper, pointing to staffing and maintenance gaps.

Drought Watch: Western South Dakota’s Black Hills are sliding into severe-to-extreme drought, with USGS and the National Weather Service warning that the region is entering a more dry-than-wet stretch and correcting fears that Pactola Reservoir is at its absolute lowest. Wildlife & Federal Policy: The Interior Department canceled a rule that would have given threatened species automatic protections under the Endangered Species Act, shifting more species to slower, individualized protection plans. Grizzly Management Fight: A separate federal move would return more grizzly bear management authority to states, sparking debate over hunting and whether protections could weaken. Wyoming Recreation Funding: Wyoming lawmakers at an Outdoors Expo in Casper pushed for steadier public-lands and state-park funding, citing staffing and maintenance shortfalls as budgets tighten. Heat & Air Quality: Heat advisories are up across much of the West, including Wyoming, while wildfire smoke is driving air-quality health alerts in other regions. Local Nature Spotlight: A Wyoming trail-camera report highlights Yellowstone’s Mollie’s Pack wolves showing up in Sunlight Basin, underscoring how fast wildlife stories can travel beyond the park.

Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Interior Department canceled a rule that would have given threatened species automatic protections, replacing it with individualized plans and adding economic-impact analysis for “critical habitat,” drawing sharp criticism that it will make wildlife recovery harder. Grizzly Bear Management Shift: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and governors from Idaho, Montana and Wyoming backed a revised plan to return grizzly management to states while keeping bears listed, and the Fish and Wildlife Service reopened public comment on the 4(d) rule. Wyoming Wildlife Research: University of Wyoming researchers tested wild raccoons with multi-lock puzzle boxes in Laramie-area backyards and found the animals solved them in very different ways, showing flexible problem-solving. Yellowstone Wolves: A Yellowstone wolf pack known as Mollie’s Pack was confirmed leaving the park, raising concerns about what it means for the ecosystem’s future. Wyoming Outdoors: A Devils Tower trail guide highlights how the hike experience can be approachable even if climbing the tower is technical. Data Centers Debate in Wyoming: Opponents gathered at the Wyoming Capitol to call data centers a “digital prison” and to argue they threaten land use, water and power. Air Quality Watch: Wildfire smoke prompted air-quality health advisories in New York for fine particulate matter, with “unhealthy for sensitive groups” expected Sunday. Heat & Storms: Forecasts across the region point to hot, dry conditions with only limited storm chances, while wildfire haze could linger.

Wyoming Air & Health: New national air-quality rankings put Wyoming at the top for cleaner particle pollution, with Casper and Cheyenne among the best-performing cities—an encouraging reminder for residents who worry about smoke and heat. Endangered Species Act: The U.S. Interior Department canceled a rule that would have given threatened species automatic protections, shifting more species to individualized plans and drawing sharp criticism from conservation groups. Grizzly Bear Management: Federal officials are moving to return grizzly management authority to states under a revised proposal, reopening public comment and reigniting debate over hunting and oversight. Teton Pass Safety: Another near-miss on Teton Pass highlights the risks of towing and brake limits on steep grades, with Wyoming Highway Patrol urging engine braking and safer routing. Local Wildlife & Community: Zoo Idaho named its new cougar kitten Roxanne after a public vote, and Wyoming Game and Fish continues expanding public-facing wildlife efforts. Weather Watch: Across the region, forecasts point to hot conditions and ongoing wildfire smoke concerns, with air advisories issued elsewhere for fine-particle pollution.

Heat & public safety: A supercharged El Niño is pushing another round of dangerous heat, with a heat dome spreading from the Northern Plains into the Midwest and Northeast and record highs possible. Wyoming heat impacts: Wyoming’s recent heat wave broke numerous daily records, including triple-digit readings in places like Worland and Sheridan, before warnings eased in western areas. Wildlife & federal protections: The U.S. Interior Department canceled a rule that provided automatic Endangered Species Act protections for threatened species, a move critics say could speed extinctions; separate federal action finalizes downlisting the razorback sucker from endangered to threatened. Grizzly management shift: Interior and governors announced a plan to return grizzly bear management to states via a revised rule, while the Fish and Wildlife Service reopens public comment. Local wildlife conflict: Wyoming Game and Fish urged reversal of a Grand Targhee expansion approval that could affect Teton Range bighorn sheep habitat. Cheyenne & community: Cheyenne Frontier Days opened with a new Morning Star American Indian Village, and the city’s GOP-hosted debate coverage highlighted a more adversarial tone among candidates. Transportation reminder: Another near-miss on Teton Pass involving an RV towing a trailer underscores the need to understand brake limits on mountain grades.

Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Interior Department canceled a rule that would have given threatened-with-extinction species automatic protections, shifting to individualized plans and drawing sharp criticism that it could slow wildlife recovery. Grizzly Bear Management Shake-Up: A separate federal proposal aims to give states more flexibility for grizzlies in areas meeting recovery benchmarks, but Wyoming wildlife officials say the approach is confusing and could undermine protections. Teton Pass Safety Reminder: An RV towing a trailer reportedly lost braking power while descending Teton Pass, swerving into oncoming traffic; Wyoming Highway Patrol urged drivers to match brakes to vehicle weight and use engine braking on grades. Heat and Drought Impacts: Wyoming saw a heat wave with multiple record highs, and Elk Mountain is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water as wells are drawn down faster than they recharge. Wildlife in the Spotlight: Zoo Idaho named a rescued cougar kitten “Roxanne,” while Idaho euthanized a food-conditioned black bear after it broke into a home. Local Land Use Fight: Wyoming Game and Fish is “thoroughly disappointed” by a Grand Targhee expansion approval that would push development into bighorn sheep habitat. Air Quality Watch: Smoke from Canadian wildfires prompted updated air quality health advisories in other states, underscoring how wildfire seasons can spread impacts.

Grizzly Bear Rule Shift: The Interior Department is proposing to move grizzly bear management authority to Western states under a tiered Endangered Species Act framework, drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups even as Wyoming, Montana and Idaho leaders call it a stewardship win. Wildlife Conflict Tech: Wyoming Game and Fish is testing geofencing on the Beartooth Highway to push bear-safety texts when sightings and conflicts rise, aiming to reduce habituation and food-reward behavior. Local Habitat Upgrade: Cheyenne’s Kiwanis Community Park is getting new wetlands, trails, bird blinds and education signs to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Bear Safety at Camp: Campers near Muddy Mountain reported bear-related incidents after a brief Rim Campground closure, with Game and Fish reminding visitors to keep food secured. Mountain Lion in Town: A 2-year-old male mountain lion was safely removed from Casper’s Paradise Valley area and relocated after local reports. Heat and Storm Watch: Forecasts across Wyoming flag continued extreme heat with pop-up showers and a flash-flood risk in parts of northwestern Wyoming and central/western Montana. Pipeline Permit Fight: In North Dakota, a lawsuit challenges a pipeline permit approval process, arguing the regulator can’t treat public safety as part of its decision-making. Water Stress Beyond Wyoming: Southern California agreed to leave up to 200,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water in Lake Mead this year to protect hydropower and the grid as the reservoir shrinks. Road Emissions Reminder: New research says speeding wastes fuel and money while saving less than a minute of commute time—bad news for both budgets and air quality. Wyoming Data Center Debate: A new commentary argues Wyoming’s data-center push could bring economic gains but also pollution and climate costs, urging careful policy choices.

Extreme Heat & Storm Risk: Wyoming saw record-breaking heat Sunday, with Buffalo hitting 105°F and Sheridan 109°F, as a “heat bubble” trapped warmth and raised overnight temperatures; forecasters also kept an eye on thunderstorms and flood alerts in parts of the region. Wildlife Conflict Management: Wyoming Game and Fish is testing geofencing on the Beartooth Highway to push bear-safety texts when grizzly activity spikes, while a proposed federal rule would give states more flexibility in grizzly management. CWD Update: The National Elk Refuge confirmed a second chronic wasting disease case in an elk, following a mild winter that left animals more spread out. Road & Infrastructure Impacts: WYDOT reported emergency repairs that forced an I-80 closure and also noted a US89 crash closing all lanes near Jackson before reopening later. Energy/Water Stress: Colorado officials announced a state-run conservation program to pay voluntary cuts in 2027-28, as the Colorado River crisis continues to strain water and power systems. Local Environment & Community: Laramie County Library System debuted a Western-themed “book bike” for mobile outreach, and WGFD completed maintenance on 130 beaver dam analogs along the North Platte to help slow erosion and improve habitat.

Wildfire & Smoke: Colorado’s Elk Fire near Lake City surged from about 500 acres to nearly 2,000 in under 48 hours, prompting new closures in Hinsdale County and keeping evacuation orders in effect for specific zones. Heat & Storms: Wyoming is still dealing with hot conditions and a chance of pop-up showers or weak thunderstorms, with some areas seeing stronger wind gusts. Drought Watch: Western Oklahoma remains in drought despite some recent rain, with moderate to extreme drought still affecting a large share of the state. Grizzly Bear Policy: The Interior Department is proposing to shift grizzly bear management flexibility to western states, a move that’s already sparking debate over hunting, recovery, and federal protections. Data Centers & Water: Cheyenne’s BOPU says Meta’s construction-related wastewater discharge introduced a rare bacteria, and Meta has appealed the violation notice—raising fresh questions about environmental safeguards. Community Health & Outdoors: UW Extension and the Wyoming Department of Health are rolling out a free “Ready, Set, Thrive” wellness program that encourages families to get outside while tracking preventive health steps. Wyoming Wildlife & Learning: A new look at Wyoming’s unusual badlands landscape highlights lesser-known places, while local events include a fossil legacy talk and other community activities.

Grizzly Bear Rule Shift: The Interior Department is proposing to give states and tribes more day-to-day control over threatened grizzly bears in the lower 48, while keeping ESA protections in place; Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and other Western governors praised the move as “returning management to the states,” but environmental groups warn it could increase bear deaths and conflicts. Water & Data Centers: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities says a rare bacterium found in the city’s wastewater was linked to a contractor tied to Meta’s data center construction; Meta has appealed the violation notice, disputing the testing details and asking for more information. Heat & Storms: After a record-setting heat wave across parts of Wyoming, monsoonal moisture is moving in, bringing a better chance of thunderstorms and locally heavy rain. Wildlife Disease Watch: The National Elk Refuge reported a second chronic wasting disease case detected in April, updating its monitoring and response plan for elk and other cervids. Road Safety: WYDOT closed I-80 near Patrick Draw for emergency patching after heat-damaged pavement deteriorated quickly. Community Health: Healthy Wyoming’s Cost of Care roadshow continued in Cheyenne, pushing stories from residents and highlighting Medicaid expansion as a key affordability gap.