WOC to Open Satellite Office in Washington, D.C.

by Nancy Debevoise

In September, WOC will open a satellite office in Washington, D.C. Tom Darin, Director of Public Lands and Resources, will staff the office. WOC will sublet downtown office space from the National Wildlife Federation.

"Wyoming is directly in the cross-hairs of the Bush Administration's national energy

Tom Darin with Powder River Basin Resource Council member Nancy Sorenson during a D.C. lobbying trip las fall. Photo by joan Kazmerzak

plan," notes WOC executive director Dan Heilig. "A Washington office is essential in order to better influence the outcome of the ongoing debate on energy policy and the effects of rampant oil and gas development on our state's wild places, environment and quality of life."

"This is a huge step for WOC," says Tom. "I've learned through previous lobbying visits the crucial importance of day-to-day contacts with Members of Congress and federal agency decisionmakers. A Washington presence will make an enormous difference in the success of our efforts to ensure responsible coalbed methane development in the Powder River Basin and to protect wildlands in the Red Desert, the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests, the Green River Basin and elsewhere from ill-conceived development plans."

Jim Lyon, National Wildlife Federation's director for congressional and federal affairs, welcomes WOC's decision to locate its D.C. office at NWF headquarters.

"NWF has had a long and close relationship with both the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and the Outdoor Council, working to protect wildlife and wild places in the West," says Jim. "We're delighted that WOC will base its new D.C. operation in our facility. It will enhance our relationship and bolster our mutual conservation efforts."

Bart Koehler, director of the Wilderness Support Center and former WOC executive director, is equally enthusiastic.

"It's been very clear over many years that it's absolutely essential to have people from far-flung grassroots groups roaming around on Capitol Hill," notes Bart. "Folks who fly in from Wyoming are the genuine article, standing out in a sea of three-piece-suited bureaucrats and industry lobbyists. As my old friend, former Wyoming State Senator and former WOC board president Jack Pugh would say, ÔThe watch-word of successful advocacy action is simply this: Be There.'"

Scott Groene, Wyoming field representative for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, agrees.

"WOC's Washington office will ensure that environmental issues important to people in Wyoming are brought to center stage," Scott says. "Decisions regarding the use of our public lands are often made in D.C., especially under this administration. Having Tom back East in the thick of it will benefit all of us who care about Wyoming."

Tom will spend three months each year working in Wyoming. "Nothing can replace on-the-ground experience when I discuss development threats to our state with key decisionmakers in Washington," he says.