The northern edge of the LAMBERT RANCH, a small, family-owned homestead, snuggles up against the beautiful Bear Lodge Mountains in northeastern Wyoming.  Part of the Black Hill National Forest system, both eastern and western ecosystems come together here  This is also historically significant land to the Native American tribes who held ceremonies at SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN and INYAN KARA MOUNTAIN, and who camped and migrated here en route to ceremonies at MATO TIPI (Devils Tower). 

The southern edge of the ranch is bordered by Highway 14.  The Bear Lodge Mountains are being threatened by the potential development of an open pit Rare Earth mine.  And now, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is considering REALIGNING HIGHWAY 14 THROUGH THE HEART of the southern portion of this small family ranch. 

Moving Highway 14 from its existing alignment along the southern border of the ranch (it currently winds around the “toe” of Rupe Hill), would significantly CHANGE THE WATERSHED and DESTROY AN ECOSYTEM of native mixed-grass prairie, ephemeral wetlands, and Gambel Oak woodlands that support wildlife and provide seasonal forage for mother cows and calves, yearling heifers, and steers. 

NATIVE PLANTS INCLUDE needle-and-thread grasses, crested wheat, bluestem, golden aster, western flax, and Wyoming sagebrush.  BALD EAGLES, owls, Red-tailed and Swainson’s hawks, Sharp-tailed grouse and the occasional Kestrel are often seeing soaring and hunting over the land, or nesting and feeding among the oaks and in the prairie grasses.  Whitetail and mule deer, foxes and coyotes, the occasional pronghorn and mountain lion, can all be found either living in or migrating through this landscape. 

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is concerned about a Rupe Hill “slide” on Highway 14, causing maintenance issues and possibly a temporary closure or unsafe road conditions for travelers.  We also want Highway 14 to be a safe highway to travel. That is not the issue.  We believe WYDOT is basing their decision on inadequate data.

 According to the August 2, 2012 GEOLOGY REPORT:

·        Highway 14 was built approximately 80 years ago (1930s)

·        Movement was FIRST noticed in May 2011 (that means no movement has been noticed in the last 80 years)

·        Prior to May 2011 movement, “features at Rupe Hill were subdued…”

·        “The slide was very wet in the spring of 2011, the slope below the road was saturated…”

o   Please note: The last two years brought record moisture levels to Sundance area.

o   According to U.S. Drought Monitor, the region is still in an extreme/severe drought condition.

·        Hazard Maps do NOT indicate an activity level (i.e. active, dormant, ancient)

·        OTHER OPTIONS EXIST (besides realigning the highway on private land)

·        “The most promising option is lowering Rupe Hill and building a berm below the road…”

Please SIGN THIS PETITION, urging WYDOT to FULLY EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS and to WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE SUFFICENT DATA regarding the water table, wetlands, movement, etc.  Choosing to realign the highway will cause IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE to a beautiful landscape of native flora and fauna.

THANK YOU.  PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AND SHARE THIS PLEA WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

Page Lambert’s memoir about the Lambert Ranch, IN SEARCH OF KINSHIP: MODERN PIONEERING ON THE WESTERN LANDSCAPE, was a Rocky Mountain best-seller.  Excerpts from the memoir, published in regional and national magazines, also received a FELLOWSHIP from the WYOMING ARTS COUNCIL FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE.