Mike Enzi: “This time I was able to concentrate a little bit of time in the area just outside Yellowstone Park, on the east side of…”

“This time I was able to concentrate a little bit of time in the area just outside Yellowstone Park, on the east side of Yellowstone Park between Cody and the park. I was there last year. There was a fire inside Yellowstone Park. I wanted to see how the new fire plan was working. I got a very extensive and excellent tour. It was educational, but it pointed out some problems that need to be taken care of in the West. Of course, those problems wouldn't be quite as extensive except for the drought we are having. This is the third year of the drought in Wyoming. One of our lakes in the northern part of the State that drains up into Montana is dropping almost 2 feet a week. It is down 125 feet from its normal level. Most lakes in the Nation would be dry if they were down 125 feet. This one still has some water, but it doesn't have boating anymore. That not only affects recreation in the area; it affects the communities in the area because they do not get the revenues they would normally get from tourism and visitors. Ranchers are having to sell off their herds. They don't have any grazing because of the drought. This is the third year they have had to diminish their herds.”