August 12, 2024
During the last two weeks of August, the Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative will host four public open house meetings to discuss the proposed winter parking pilot project near Highway 130 in southeast Wyoming.
Southeast Wyoming Recreation Collaborative (SWORC) is a grassroots initiative facilitated by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation that brings together local community members, stakeholders, federal and state agencies, and other non-governmental organizations to support sustainable outdoor recreation growth and enhancements in Albany and Carbon counties.
The public open house meetings are part of the SWORC’s initiative to improve and bring awareness to winter recreation along Highway 130 and to collect stakeholder input which will help inform Medicine Bow National Forest on the proposed pilot project.
Developed by the Wyoming State Trails Program in coordination with the Snowy Range Snowmobile Club, the proposed pilot project aims to address ongoing winter parking issues and to improve user experience for both motorized and non-motorized recreationalists near Highway 130.
The proposed pilot project includes snow removal, a new parking area, and grooming on a section of Ehlin Road/FS-338 off of Highway 130. Snow removal will occur on Ehlin Road/FS-338 to a new parking area, locally known as the old RV dump site or Lagoon, providing parking for approximately 50 truck/trailer combinations. A section of Ehlin Road/FS-338 will also be groomed to link to the “T” Trail for winter motorized travel, while still allowing for winter non-motorized use in the area. This project would include signage to help with education and safety.
Before the proposed pilot project can proceed, public input, assessments conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, and removal of debris and brush from the site are required.
SWORC’s Winter Recreation Committee invites the public to come learn about this proposed project and to provide feedback. Representatives from Medicine Bow National Forest, Snowy Range Snowmobile Club, Wyoming Department of Transportation, and Wyoming State Trails Program will be in attendance. Meeting dates, times and locations can be found below:
● Wednesday, August 21st, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., at The Trading Post, 2753 WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055 (ADA Accessible)
● Monday, August 26th, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Laramie Fire Dept Station #3, 2374 W Jefferson St, Laramie, WY 82070 (ADA Accessible)
● Wednesday, August 28th, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Laramie Fire Dept Station #3, 2374 W Jefferson St, Laramie, WY 82070 (ADA Accessible)
● Thursday, August 29th, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Snowy Range Ski Area Lodge, 3254 WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055 (Not ADA Accessible)
The Winter Recreation Committee also encourages members of the public to complete this 5 minute survey to provide additional information and feedback that will be of value to the project. The survey can be viewed at bit.ly/hwy130survey.
Established by recommendation of the 2017 Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Task Force, the Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials.
Learn more about Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives across the state by visiting wyorec.info/collaboratives.