Poll Finds Multi-Use
Of Land Is Workable

CASPER, Wyo. —(AP)— Recreation, wildlife and commodity uses of public lands can co-exist in Wyoming, according to results of a poll commissioned by the Wyoming Heritage Foundation.

The random poll of 403 Wyoming residents conducted by Morey and Associates of Jackson showed that a majority of respondents believe public lands can be maintained successfully with a variety of allowed uses.

Eighty percent of respondents said oil and gas development could exist on the same lands used for recreation and wildlife uses, and 79 percent said logging activities could occur without taking away from other land uses.

Slightly fewer respondents, or 74 percent, said mining activity could co-exist on public lands with recreation and wildlife uses, while 82 percent felt development of resorts, ski areas and snowmobile trails could co-exist with other uses.

Eight-two percent of respondents said grazing is compatible with other uses of public lands.

The poll has a maximum margin of error of 4.9 percentage points per question.

On a related question, 14.5 percent of respondents said if they had a chance to talk with the governor about problems facing the state, they would discuss the environment or natural resources.

At the same time, 30 percent of those responding said the oil and gas industries would provide Wyoming the most opportunity for growth and employment and 28 percent cited the coal industry as the best opportunity for growth.

Sixty percent of respondents said the amount of land in Wyoming designated as wilderness areas was just right while 16 percent said too much land has been set aside as wilderness.

Meanwhile, 21 percent said if additional taxes must be imposed to raise money for education, lawmakers should target the energy and minerals industry, while 20 percent said higher sales taxes would provide the best source of new revenue.