Bureau of Land Management starts fence conversion

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is investing nearly $60,000 to replace fence at the historic JO Ranch in Carbon County. The JO Ranch fence project will replace 3.15 miles of existing grazing allotment boundary fence to a four-wire, wildlife-friendly design. 

Currently, the identified 3.15 miles of fence for replacement is in very poor condition and restricts wildlife movements. It does not meet the BLM standards for a wildlife-friendly fence design as it is a combination of old woven wire and multi-strand barbed wire which impedes wildlife movement. 

The fence is in both mule deer and elk crucial winter range as well as pronghorn habitat. 

Multiple benefits are gained from converting any fence on the landscape which restricts wildlife movements. This beneficial improvement will allow wildlife to move more freely across the landscape with their young, going from summer, transitional and wintering habitats. 

This project also provides the opportunity to bring together livestock permittees and wildlife non-governmental groups who want to do good things for big game species.

For more information, e-mail blm_wy_912@blm.gov or call 307-775-6328.