In june 2023, the eastern shoshone and northern arapaho tribal nations converted thepurpose of range unit 24, comprising 16,400 acres on the wind river reservation, from cattlegrazing to buffalo…

In june 2023, the eastern shoshone and northern arapaho tribal nations converted thepurpose of range unit 24, comprising 16,400 acres on the wind river reservation, from cattlegrazing to buffalo restoration. This range unit is contiguous with both existing buffalo pasturesbeing managed by the wind river tribal buffalo initiative (wrtbi). Wrtbi has facilitated thegrowth of two tribal herds, with 110 in the eastern shoshone herd and 90 for the northarapaho. This project will greatly expand the restoration of buffalo and revitalization ofindigenous culture on wind river by increasing available buffalo habitat from 2,000 to NEARLY20,000 acres. The proposed project, led by wrtbi, has two components. The first goal is to fence theallotment. Fencing requires 26 miles of 60 tall 5-wire fence with smooth top and smooth bottomwires and a ratio of 5 steel to every 1 wooden post. Bottom wire will be 18 above ground-level, allowing for under-wire passage by both mule deer and pronghorn. At every half mile incrementin the fence, wildlife crossing structures will be implemented into the project. These are createdwith recycled metal pipe built into a double h brace that will be shorter than the adjacent 60WILD-life friendly fence. The second component is installation of fencing around the 640 acre property that surrounds A2 mile upper section of the crow creek. This area of riparian and rangeland ecosystems hasbeen negatively impacted by feral horses and rogue cattle from the adjacent range unit. Theimplementation of additional wildlife-friendly fencing will allow for the recovery of the habitats onthe property by preventing any further damage. The fencing installed on this property wouldfollow the same specifications as fencing on range unit 24. This project is the first step torestoring the pre-colonial vitality of this area and towards eventually restoring buffalo, sagegrouse, and other species of concern to the tribes on wind river reservation. The active project on range unit 24 will end in fall of 2024 and this funding will cover 7% of the estimated cost of the entire project. Acquired non-federal funding will coverthe estimated remaining 93% of obligated costs of the project.