Antelope Corridor Recommendations by County Commissioner Lynn Bernard Raise Serious Property Rights Concerns in Sublette County Wyoming

Recent comments made by Lynn Bernard in recommendations submitted regarding the Antelope Migration Corridor to Mark Gordon deserve careful public attention because of the potential long-term impacts on private property rights in Sublette County.

The statements in question include:

1)      “The Game and Fish should recognize that the Corridor takes precedence over development and quits allowing homeowners/developers the latitude to infringe on the corridor.” and

2)      “Although we request the Rancher to voluntarily ‘work with’ the corridor, when they parcel off/develop the property it needs to adhere to the Corridor’s requirements.”

At first glance, these comments may appear to simply advocate for wildlife conservation. However, if implemented as policy or regulatory precedent, they could fundamentally alter how private property is used, developed, sold, inherited, or improved throughout Sublette County and potentially across Wyoming.

A Major Shift in Wyoming Property Rights

Wyoming has long been built upon the principle of strong private property rights. Ranchers, homeowners, energy operators, and small businesses have historically worked with state agencies through voluntary cooperation, not through mandates that place wildlife corridors above private ownership rights.

The statement that “the Corridor takes precedence over development” is particularly concerning because it suggests that unelected agencies or corridor designations could supersede the rights of landowners to use their own property.

If this philosophy becomes embedded in state policy, the consequences could include:

• Increased restrictions on building homes, barns, shops, roads, or business facilities.
• Reduced property values due to development limitations.
• Greater difficulty obtaining financing or insurance on affected lands.
• Expanded government influence over subdivision and land-use decisions.
• Reduced flexibility for ranch families trying to transfer land to future generations.
• Increased uncertainty for businesses and developers considering investment in Sublette County.

For many Wyoming residents, this represents more than a wildlife discussion. It represents a potential redefinition of who ultimately controls private land use.

Voluntary Cooperation vs. Regulatory Control

Wyoming ranchers have historically been among the strongest stewards of wildlife habitat. Much of the open land that supports migration corridors exists today precisely because ranching families preserved it for generations.

That is why many residents support voluntary conservation efforts, incentive-based programs, and collaborative solutions between landowners and agencies.

But there is a significant difference between voluntary cooperation and mandatory compliance.

The recommendation that ranchers “need to adhere to the Corridor’s requirements” once they develop or parcel land raises important questions:

• Who defines those requirements?
• How extensive could they become?
• Would they continue to expand over time?
• Could they eventually function as de facto zoning without local voter approval?
• What compensation would property owners receive for lost development rights?

These are not abstract concerns. Across the West, landowners have seen temporary guidance evolve into increasingly restrictive land-use standards over time.

The Broader Economic Impact

Sublette County’s economy depends on a balance of industries and private investment, including ranching, energy, tourism, construction, and small business development.

Policies that discourage development or create uncertainty around land use could have ripple effects throughout the county economy including: 1) Reduced tax revenue for schools and local government; 2) Fewer housing opportunities for working families; 3) Increased costs for infrastructure and development; 4) Reduced business investment; 5) Challenges for young families attempting to remain in agriculture.

Wildlife conservation is important, but it must be balanced with the constitutional rights of the citizens who own and steward the land.

A Conversation the Public Should Have

The public deserves a transparent discussion about where Wyoming draws the line between wildlife management and private property rights.

Most residents support responsible conservation. However, conservation should occur through collaboration between local agencies and landowners, not through policies suggesting that wildlife corridors take precedence over private development.

The implications of these recommendations extend far beyond one migration corridor. They touch the core principles of land ownership, local control, and the future of rural Wyoming communities.

Before policies like these advance further, the people of Sublette County and Wyoming deserve a full public conversation about what rights may ultimately be surrendered and whether those consequences are acceptable.

To view the full list of comments in the draft recommendation click on the following link: https://sublettecitizensforprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Draft-Sublette-Antelope-Migration-Corridor-Local-Working-Group-Recommendations.pdf