CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon’s office is taking public comment on a proposed executive order aimed at protecting migration corridors that are used by mule deer and antelope.
Wyoming is home to the world’s longest intact mule deer and pronghorn antelope migration corridors, and they are essential to maintaining wildlife populations, according to Gordon’s draft order.
The proposal would designate three existing migration corridors, establish a process for designating others and call on government agencies to protect the annual movement of the animals and try to minimize disturbances to the corridors.
The order would not apply to privately owned land and existing rights and permits would be recognized.
The proposal incorporates recommendations made by a panel Gordon created last spring. The Migration Corridor Advisory Group met a half-dozen times on how to keep big-game herds healthy without hampering economic growth, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.
The population of the migratory animals is falling in the state, leading conservationists to call for more protections.
Gordon plans to release a final order early next year.