NIOBRARA – The Niobrara County commissioners heard from visitors voicing their concerns about the upcoming Sidewinder project during their meeting held on June 3.

Mark Groh presented the commissioners with a Wyoming Republican Party resolution, which was adopted on May 2. Simply put, the resolution lays out the oppositional platform of the party concerning the Sidewinder and Pronghorn Hydrogen Projects. The Wyoming Republican Party contends that such projects would have a deleterious impact on the surrounding community while simultaneously yielding meager energy outputs. The Wyoming Republican Party is also not in support of industrial wind farms on private property.

Local ranchers Dan Henry Hanson and Jordan Reed were on hand to counter the Wyoming Republican Party platform with a statement concerning private property rights. The ranchers contended that it is not for the Wyoming Republican Party or anyone else to dictate what a private landowner does with their property.

In a statement received by the Herald, Paul Martin of Focus Clean Energy said the following, “The Sidewinder H2 project team continues to attend meetings and visit with members of the community to listen and answer questions while we are in the early stages of development for the project. We encourage those with interest in the project to continue reaching out to us.”
 
Commenting on the ongoing leasing process, Martin said, “As county leadership makes updates to its planning and zoning regulations, the Sidewinder team has been working to lease land with private landowners in addition to the lands approved for lease with the State of Wyoming. We look forward to participating in the county permitting process once we reach that stage. We do not have any significant project updates at this time but will be hosting another community open house in the coming months and look forward to sharing updates during that meeting.”

Martin also touched upon the pressing water concerns that have been continually voiced by residents.
 

“We are committed to pursuing this project responsibly and in accordance with Wyoming's strict regulations that protect water and other sensitive natural resources,” Martin said. “Any transfer and use of water rights to our project will need prior approval by the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office. Before the project can proceed, the state’s Industrial Siting Division must determine that the project’s water use will not be detrimental to current users. We look forward to our continued partnership with the community to present a project that respects private property rights and creates new opportunities for economic development, tax revenue and good paying jobs in Niobrara County.”

County Attorney Anne Wasserburger presented a draft of a letter to the proprietor of the Pronghorn Bar in Lance Creek. The Wyoming State Liquor Division had recommended that the county write a letter seeking clarification about the status of the Pronghorn Bar. In recent weeks, the state had questioned whether the bar was functional and was seeking clarification through the county. At the present time, Niobrara County (nonmunicipal) has two liquor licenses. Allocation of liquor licenses is based upon population and because of the lower population, the County could lose one of the liquor licenses if the Pronghorn Bar is deemed non-functional. 

In the letter to Rex Groves, holder of the liquor license for Pronghorn Bar, the commissioners wanted to ensure clarification was prompted by the Wyoming Liquor Division and not by Niobrara County. 

Kellie Chichester the Community Vitality and Health Educator announced the hiring of Lauren Faurie as the new University Extension Educator and 4-H/Youth Development. Chichester said Faurie has been attending additional training and Chichester is on hand to help Faurie in her new role.

Niobrara County Sheriff Randy Starkey reported his department has been busy with traffic and livestock compliance checks. According to Starkey, the door in the intake room leading into the booking area of the Sheriff’s office took a “beating.” However, the door did its job and kept everyone safe. Starkey said it is still useable. However, they may need to replace the door.

Freeman reported WYDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation) Compliance Division had sent out an email to all of the county clerks throughout Wyoming concerning the authenticity of 2024 vehicle titles of Colorado and Arizona, GMC and Hyundai vehicles. If a title cannot be authenticated, law enforcement will be notified.

Leslie Stewart shared the results of a report regarding the Old Jail’s building, which included the costs of clean up. This will include the cleaning of asbestos and lead paint. Restoration of the old jail could cost in the upward of $1.5 million. Potential plans for the old jail could include the main floor, which would be part of the Stagecoach museum. The upper floor would be used as a meeting room. Stewart told the commissioners there are grants available and there is a recommendation to conduct fundraising on a community level too. Stewart said there were limited options as to what could be done for the old jail. Stuart would like to have another open house for the old jail during Alumni weekend. The commissioners agreed that a second open house would be beneficial.

Drew Dietrich, regional director of the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), spoke about meeting with the community and community leaders to discuss how WBC can address the needs of the community. Dietrich said he and his team have been speaking with members of the community and business owners to gather data pertaining to Niobrara County’s economic growth.

The next Niobrara County Commissioners meeting will be held on June 17 at 9 a.m. at the Niobrara County Courthouse.