Mission

Celebrate the closing of the Powder River Basin to coal leasing, and fly with WORC Executive Director and the Powder River Resource Council, along with media, to work and advocate for furthered protections.

Our overflight examined one of the largest coal mining regions in the nation, the Powder River Basin, which covers much of northeast Wyoming and a portion of southeast Montana. Coal production here peaked in 2008, but has subsided with lessening demands for coal. These massive operations are alarming to see from above. We flew above Black Thunder Mine, Belle Ayr Mine, Antelope, Caballo, and Eagle Butte Mines. Wyoming is bullish on energy and is bringing new technology for extracting natural gas to the coal-bed methane wells in the Powder River Basin. We flew to the southern area of the basin over extensive and active oil and gas development. These expanding oil and gas networks and mines pose significant harms to wildlife and water and air quality.

Thankfully, this year, in a hard-fought win, the BLM Buffalo Field Office closed the Powder River Basin to future coal leasing in its newest Resource Management Plan. Our flight partners are dedicated to continued advocacy to protect the Powder River Basin, water quality, wildlife, and human health.

Click for the photos, aerial GoPro video, and geo-referenced photos (download then open in Google Earth)