Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 17

Monday, Dec. 10, 1979 Star-Tribune, Casper, Wyo. 17 Officials to decide ivhich public lan to lease for coal announced In June requires competitive bidding. In addition, officials say the number of leases offered will be coordinated with federal estimates of demand for coal, an apparent response to criticism that the pre-1971 procedures were abused by speculators and caused declining production from growing numbers of leases. One study said only 14 percent of all federal lea-js and .7 percent of state leases were In production in 1978.

State officials who have worked with the Colorado-Wyoming coal team are optimistic about Its possibilities of success. "Previously during lease offerings, state and local governments had to make their Intentions known and then the Department of Interior would mull it over," said Al Minier, a natural resources adviser in the Wyoming Planning month behind schedule, they still hope to hold the first lease sale In January 1981 "This one lease sale Is expected to increase current coal production by 416 million tons (in Colorado and Wyoming) over the next '30-year period," said Stan McKee of the Bureau of Land Management's Wyoming office. "That's going to average out to about 14 million tons of extra coal produced annually." The citizens' group study, drafted by the San Francisco-based Citizens or a Better criticized the pre-1971 Department of Interior leasing procedure as a "giveaway" of valuable mineral resources. James S. Cannon, research director for the group, said his study revealed the average amount paid for federal lease land was $17.79 per acre.

With such comments in mind, the policy The new policy created "teams" of federal and state officials to decide which tracts of land In a given coal-bearing region should be given top priority for leasing. Since November, one of the teams has been considering 16 tracts in the "Green Rlver-Hamm's Fork Region" of southern Wyoming and northwest Colorado. Ten of the tracts are In Colorado, five are In Wyoming. The government estimates the region contains about 321 million tons of coal; by comparison, federal studies have estimated Wyoming's strippable coal reserves at 23 billion tons. The team Is scheduled to meet Dec 13 in Denver to recommend which tracts should be developed, first.

Although federal officials say the process Is running about a 7 Attorney says jury was -I life'' I i GILLETTE (UPI) Former Campbell County Deputy Attorney Kirby Thomas says the grand jury investigation that forced his resignation last week was started because "someone was after our office." Thomas and deputy county attorneys Thomas Padget and Philip Bovee resigned Monday following an investigation of the county attorney's office by the grand jury, state Division of Criminal Investigation agents and a special prosecutor. They resigned in exchange fot a guarantee that they would not be prosecuted for alleged violations of the controlled substance law. Thomas said members of the Gillette Police Department were unhappy with plea arrangements and case filing cislons made by the county attorney's office. By E.T. McCLANAHAN CHEYENNE (UPI) A committee of Colorado, Wyoming and federal officials has taken the first steps toward Im-' plemenllng a new government coal leasing program to replace the haphazard one existing before leasing was halted in 1971.

of western coal reserves -hits been described In a 200-page study published by a California public Interest group as the' "single most important parameter In the nation's energy equation." The study said coal development 1 alone could decide the fate of President Carter's national energy plan. 1 In June, the Department of Interior "announced a new coal management plan that would allow with a few exceptions the opening of new mines on public land the first time since 1971. Clubhouse Sweetwater By PAUL KRZA Correspondent GREEN RIVER Rising demand for water for oU and gas drilling rigs and some resulting conflicts over water rights have prompted the need for increased monitoring of water sources in eastern Sweetwater County. The Sweetwater County Commissioners decided to hired a person part time to check "water hauls" to the rigs after district water commissioner John Telchert of Cokeville said he has had reports from area ranchers and competing water delivery companies of apparent water rights violations. Telchert said some of the water companies nave not secured necessary permits for pumping water.

"A lot of them just throw their hose In of Presidential race in foreground Coordinator's Office. "Now there's some basic information which everbody looks al. Everybody considers everything at once and the recommendation goes to the secretary (of Interior)." In Its meeting Dec. 13, the state-federal team will take into account such considerations as coal reserve estimates, environmental factors and analyses of the socio-economic Impact or possible mining operations. The panel then will select those tracts where the committee believes mining can occur with the least adverse impact while still meeting Department of Interior production targets.

Briefly, the timetable for the January 'ease offering is as follows: ranking and selection of tracts by January 1980, draft regional environmental Impact statement Issued byvpcJl. final, environmental "Someone was after our office," he said. "They got what they wanted." Thomas had thought his relationship with the police department was good, he said, "But It apparently wasn't," he said. The 27-year-old attorney said the grand jury could have issued indictments against himself and the two others, "but as far as having a trial-sufficient case, it just wasn't there." He said the cost of pursuing cases against the three probably influenced the decision of the grand jury and special prosecutor Harlen Rasmussen to agree to the no-indlctment deal. Asked about assertions that the three resigned to avoid prosecution on drug possession charges, Thomas said he resigned to save himself time and trouble.

"I have a lot of things to do othpr than su table at the entrance to the meeting room, and a large Carter campaign poster was fastened to the wall Inside. 5: 1 Roncallo said he does not intend to be as active in the presidential nomination -campaign as he was when the late John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy ran for that office. But he said, nevertheless, he will do what he can "for my friend, Ted Kennedy." He said Kennedy will be visiting Wyoming again soon. Sen.

Rodger McDaniel, D-Laramie, is heading Kennedy's Wyoming campaign. Roncalio and Mrs. Marritt Barton of Moorcroft are honorary co-chairmen. Making pitches for Carter were Cheyenne lawyer Bernard Phelan and Casper lawyer Bill Downs. Insulation will not only save you money on energy bills, but is tax deductible, Ms.

McCrary said. However, exterior siding of any kind is not. Ms. McCrary also recommended the installation of a timed thermostat to increase energy conservation. A timed thermostat in her home saved from $10 to $15i month on gas bills last year, she said.

A timed thermostat can be programmed to keen the heat up while you are home and -s V' KAYE McCRARY The inside of the newly-rebuilt golf clubhouse at the Paul J. Wataha Recreational Complex was unveiled for public view for the first time recently. The $800,000 building was burned down shortly after its completion last year. Arson was pinpointed as the cause of the. blaze, but no one was arrested.

The clubhouse includes a restaurant, bar and snack area, which will not open until the city finds a concessionaire for the" facility, statement Issued by July or August, lease offering January 1981. The final decision on which tracts to offer for leasing will be made by Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus. "Whether or not a specific tract is leased will depend on a determination by the coal team on whether the coal should be leased at Mlnior said. "Let's say that Rawlins (Wyo.) said It's not prepared to handle an increase in coal mining In the area, then they could say lUet's not lease "that rigii' now.y "I think 'his is a lot better than the old system," said. "They're trying to put together a system that will last for the next 20-30 years and the Interior Department is trying to make it work.

They have to make it work for political reasons as well as anything else." 'after? office spend the next two years of my lire in couri as a defendant," he said. He also said an indictment, even without conviction, would damage his reputation and career. "I did it (resigned) because if I said no and stayed, my job performance would have been affected," Thomas said. Asked whether he violated the controlled substances law, Thomas said he may have been in places "where there were violations" of controlled substance laws. "If that makes me guilty of a crime, i guess I am," he said.

"But nobody ever gave me the power to arrest people. It wasn't my Job to arrest people." Thomas said the grand jury did not ask him to testify during its investigation. "They didn't want to hear my side," he said." Two Democrats also selected Casper as the city for their May 10, 1980 state convention and set March 1 at 10 a.m. as the date and time for the county conventions. Both Mrs! Hitchcock, whose husband was a long-time state senator, and Orrison gave top priority to legislative races in 1980 to attempt to reverse the lop-sided major'itles Republicans hold in both the House and Senate.

Mrs. Hitchcock ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature last "I've been saying all weekend I don't like to run for office," Mrs. Hitchcock said after the meeting. Asked why she ran for state chairman in that case, she answered, "We needed a working chairman. shut it off while you are away.

For example, In the McCrary home the thermostat keeps the home at 55 degrees when the family is away during the day and is programmed to switch on at 2:30 p.m. an hour before the children arrive home from school, she said. A number of people are installing fireplaces and woodburning stoves in order tn conserve pnprffv hut are unaware nf their possible dangers, according to Casper fire inspector Rich Carpenter, who answered questions at the energy show. Problems most often occur when these devices are installed improperly, he said. "We have no problems with the equip- ment, but we have problems with installation," he said If they are installed according to the manufacturers' recommendations there should be few problems, he said.

Creosote build-up In chimneys creates another fire Carpenter said. Chimneys should be cleaned annually to prevent creosote build-up. Creosote, a carbon residue which forms on the walls of a chimney after repeated use can catch fire if left uncleaned for two to three years. In October alone, at least seven creosote fires were reported to the fire department and caused over $31,000 of damage, Carpenter said. If one occurs in your home, it is best to call the fire department as the blazes are difficult to extinguish, he said.

cides with activities in cneyemie celebrating the 110th anniversary of the signing of the bill giving women the right to vote In what was then the Wyoming Territory, will also discuss domestic violence. The commission also Is helping to sponsor an Equality Banquet at Cheyenne's Little America Monday night, which will feature as speaker 'Janet Guthrie, the first woman ever to compete In the Indianapolis 500 auto race. Continued from page 1 lasted nearly tour hours. "If we wanted everything set and dried, we'd be Republicans," said outgoing State Party Chairman. Harry Leimback of Casper.

X- Roncalib praised Leimback for taking over the chairman post 18 months ago when the party was "in crisis" for leadership. He was referring to the resignation of former Democratic state party chairman Don Anselmi of Rock Springs. A total of 50 voting members and proxy holders attended the a turnout party leaders said was the best in years and reflected interest in the Kennedy-Carter campaigns. Green and white Carter buttons, and brochures and bumper stickers littered a keeps eye on water use Energy show includes insulaton tips if- Photo by Paul Krza "shut a lot of rigs down" which were using water without a permit. When that happens, Teichert said, drilling companies "move awful fast and have a guy flying to Cheyenne for a permiL" He esitlmated that a typical drilling rig requires 2,0003,000 gallons of water a day.

Much of the water used in the eastern part of the county comes from Bitter Creek which drains most of the area. Teichert said a number of water rights are held by ranchers on the creek and smaller streams and if their water is pumped it must first be purchased. The commissioners hired a retired range rider on a part-time "on call" basis to respond to calls on water rights and to monitor the water haulers. brief Deputies said entry into the building was gained by removal of steel bars from a window, and a screen. The window was then forced open.

The burglary was discovered Thursday by Korrel, who said he was at home during that time of the theft, but didn't hear any noise at the storage building located in front of his home. He said the high wind probably blocked any sounds. Taken were furs from six bobcats, 50 coyotes, 100 foxes and between 20 and 30 racoons. Stamps available CHEYENNE (AP) More elderly and disabled Wyoming people will qualify for food stamps after 1, says the administrator of the state Division of Public Assistance and Social Services. Jenny Wight recently said new rules announced by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture relaxed restrictions on medical and shelter allowances, and provide allowances for households with persons more than 60 years old or who receive Supplemental Security Income or disability benefits from Social Security. He said eligible households may deduct medical costs tor people 60 or more that exceed $35 per month, if they aren't paid by another agency. He said another change allows households to receive credit for the full amount of shelter costs that exceed half their Income. i TJ II Mi ml 'J yoming news in the creek, and it's hard to keep up with them," he said. In some instances, ranchers' have complained of firms without permits taking water from drainages where the ranchers hold water rights or draining stockponds.

Two years ago, the permits to pump water were "issued at random," but Telchert said the 1977 drought prompted state officials to quit issuing permits unless a specific water supply was available. Telchert, whose supervisory area includes southwest Wyoming, said because the vast areas in eastern Sweetwater County along with increased drilling, it is difficult for him to effectively monitor water hauls there. But he added that he has In the past Conference set CASPER A conference on mental health and aging will be held Dec. 10-11 In Jackson. The conference is co-sponsored by the Western Wyoming Mental Health Association (WWMHA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH Various health professionals Including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers are expected to attend the conference which will be held at the WWMHA office, 115 W.

Snow King Avenue, Jackson. Continuing education credits are available for the conference. There Is no registration fee. Program costs have been covered by a NIMH grant and by the WWMHA. Participants are required to attend all sessions.

Tests will be glvei at the beginning and end of the two-day session. To register or to receive more information contact Dr. Jeffrey S. Gerson, WWMHA Executive Director, P.O. Box .1868, Jackson, 83001.

The telephone number Is 733-2051. No theft suspects RIVERTON The Fremont County Sheriff's Department has no suspects in the burglary of about $14,500 worth of fur pelts stolen sometime Wednesday night. The furs were stored in a storage building owned by Jake Korrel north of Rlverton. CASPER The first annual Casper Energy and Home Show wound up its three-day run Sunday with tips on energy conservation and fire prevention. The show, held at the Industrial building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, featured 35-40 exhibition booths of energy and home products and hourly energy seminars.

Kaye McCrary from the Wyoming Energy Extension Service told a handful of spectators that the purpose of that organization was to provide educational information "so you're not always listening to salesmen." Because "there is no end In sight" to the rising spiral of energy costs, Ms. McCrary said, it makes sense to check your home for energy inefficiencies. Begin in the attic and check to see that it is adequately Insulated. You can cut your energy bills by 30 percent in this way, Ms. McCrary said.

New homes should be checked as well as old, as she said she had seen brand new homes with no attic Insulation. Don't forget the attic door, basement walls and crawl spaces when Insulating as that will also prevent heat loss. To find out what kind of insulation exists In the walls of your nome.turn off the electricity and remove the plate from an electtcal plug outlet on an exterior wall. The Insulation can be seen between the plug and the wall. Commission CHEYENNE (AP) A current challenge of the state's sexual assault law and the increasing incidents of domestic violence will be topics of concern "at the quarterly meeting of the Wyoming Commission for Women, starting today Cheyenne.

June Boyle, chairwoman, said the commission "was very active in the enactment of the sexual assault law now on the books. "We will be discussing the challenge to that statute and making a decision ff Park to open "YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK IAP) Yellowstone National Park will open for Its winter season Dec. 17, according to Park Superintendent John A. Townsley, I Townsley said snowmobiles may enter the park through the South, West and East entrances and may be used on roads groomed for snowmoblling. road from the North entrance at Gardiner, Mont, through the Northwest entrance at Cooke City, will be kept plowed for wheeled vehicles, but is subject to temporary closure or chain law restrictions, he said in a news release.

1' Lodging In the park Is available at the gnowlodge In the Old Faithful area, Townsley said, adding other lodging Is available nearby communities, Two park Visitor Centers will be maintained during the winter the Old Faithful Visitor Center and the Mammoth Visitor Center. Warming huts also will be 1 Maintained at Canyon and West Thumb flnd an information shelter will be open at Madison. The park's visitor facilities are being run for the first winter by TWA, Services, which took over from Yellowstone Park Co. In November, he said. I Fuel, food and Information also can be bad at Old Faithful and Canyon.

But Townsley warned that anyone planning to visit the park should be prepared for extremely cold temperatures Juid sudden snow storms. to discuss rape, violence whether or not to file a brief in defense of it," she said Sunday. A Green River lawyer, Ford Bussart, has challenged the constitutionality of the state statute in defense of a client, who was charged with sexual assault. The challenge now is pending before Sweetwater County District Judge Kenneth G.Hamm. "Our concern Is that Wyoming has a good and workable sexual assault law," the state senator from Laramie said.

The commission's meeting, which coin-.