Wilderness Society predicts "in-fill" of the giant Jonah gas field will degrade formerly pristine air beyond EPA Standards
The Jonah gas field is huge. It sits in the Green River Basin between the two splendid mountains ranges, the Wind Rivers and the Wyoming Range. It also damages winter range in the Basin.
This area had pristine air just several years back, but the “in-fill,” i.e., filling in of Jonah, may push the air quality below the EPA’s standard for particulates (grit in the air). This would be illegal, not just in Wyoming, but anywhere in the country where the air has always been cleaner than the minimum standards.
If it becomes a “non-attainment” area, Sublette County, WY would also have to forgo other types of development if they release any emissions at all.

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
2 Responses to Wilderness Society predicts "in-fill" of the giant Jonah gas field will degrade formerly pristine air beyond EPA Standards
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Recent Posts
- Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands January 18, 2021
- An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit January 5, 2021
- Ochoco Forest Deceptions For Logging January 3, 2021
- Scientists Critique BLM Tri-State Fuel Breaks Proposal December 29, 2020
- Critique of “Fire Suppression” Mythology December 24, 2020
Recent Comments
- Ida Lupine on Mexican wolf killings expose a dark underbelly of western culture
- Beeline on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Rich on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on Does Cattle Grazing Preclude Large Blazes?
- Maggie Frazier on Does Cattle Grazing Preclude Large Blazes?
- Maggie Frazier on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Wolverine ESA Listing Effort Demonstrates Political Influence
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Greta Anderson on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
My question is why do people have to be put at risk, while EPS gathers data for three years. By the time this issue winds its way through the courts, people could well have died from the particulate poisoning. I would think the county health department should have a say in public health and be able to curtail this sort of activity until techology catches up and there is no public health risk. The risk is being forecast. Shouldn’t the BLM be prudent and stop this project, or is it going to be left up to the courts?
Amazing that the concept of “zero” pollution remains off the radar screen. Instead, the EPA sets standards for “minimum” levels of pollution. The degradation of the public commons – the atmosphere – continues.