Wyoming's Controversial Law on Environmental Data Collection

The Western Watersheds Project, an Idaho-based environmental group, is advocating for reduced cattle waste in streams to protect public waters. Grazing cattle can damage riverbanks and introduce harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella into waterways, affecting fish, drinking water, and crops.

Volunteers from the nonprofit routinely check rivers for contamination and report their findings to government agencies, which can restrict cattle grazing on public lands. However, ranchers in Wyoming have opposed these efforts, leading to a controversial law that criminalizes collecting environmental data for the government.

Why Wyoming Doesn’t Like Data Collection

Wyoming's new law makes it illegal to collect and share environmental data about rural land with the federal government. This includes photographs, plant samples, scientific measurements, and notes. Proponents of the law, like state senator Larry Hicks, argue that federal regulations stifle local industries and infringe on privacy.

Hicks compares data collection to the NSA's surveillance, suggesting that private property details, such as Native American relics or endangered species, should remain undisclosed. Environmental regulations, like the Clean Water Act, rely on citizens to report violations, primarily on public land. However, accidental trespassing can occur when citizen scientists unknowingly cross onto private property while accessing public lands.

In Wyoming, public and private land boundaries are often unmarked, complicating access. Some public lands are only reachable through private property, making it difficult for activists to collect data without trespassing.

Ranchers in Wyoming have sued Western Watersheds for trespassing, claiming that activists collected data on private property. However, most alleged trespassing incidents occurred on public land that is challenging to access without crossing private property.

The lawsuit is ongoing, with Justin Pidot, an assistant professor of law at the University of Denver, representing Western Watersheds.

Originally Posted By Washington Post