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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWyoming Makes It A Crime To Collect Evidence Of Pollution On Public Lands
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/14/wyoming-makes-it-a-crime-to-collect-evidence-of-pollution-on-public-lands/Wyoming has implemented a law that will make it virtually impossible for citizen watchdog groups, whistleblowers, and even concerned private citizens to collect data evidence of pollution outside of city limits.
The law, signed by Governor Matt Mead (R) makes it illegal to collect data, outside of city boundaries, on all lands public, private or federal. It cites data collection as meaning take a sample of material, acquire, gather, photograph or otherwise preserve information in any form from open land which is submitted or intended to be submitted to any agency of the state or federal government.
Essentially if you live in or visit Wyoming, taking a picture of a polluted stream as a concerned citizen for the purpose of informing the EPA, National Forestry Service or any other agency could land you a $5000 fine and up to a year in jail....
The reality of the law is far more simple. Its a broad overreach that makes any data collected evidence of a trespassing crime, whether a rancher can prove trespassing or not, rather than evidence of an environmental crime.
The law, signed by Governor Matt Mead (R) makes it illegal to collect data, outside of city boundaries, on all lands public, private or federal. It cites data collection as meaning take a sample of material, acquire, gather, photograph or otherwise preserve information in any form from open land which is submitted or intended to be submitted to any agency of the state or federal government.
Essentially if you live in or visit Wyoming, taking a picture of a polluted stream as a concerned citizen for the purpose of informing the EPA, National Forestry Service or any other agency could land you a $5000 fine and up to a year in jail....
The reality of the law is far more simple. Its a broad overreach that makes any data collected evidence of a trespassing crime, whether a rancher can prove trespassing or not, rather than evidence of an environmental crime.
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Wyoming Makes It A Crime To Collect Evidence Of Pollution On Public Lands (Original Post)
KamaAina
May 2015
OP
DamnYankeeInHouston
(1,365 posts)1. Makes me want to organize a huge sample fest.
msongs
(67,441 posts)2. sounds vaguely unconstitutional. oh look, it's a red state, where excess govt regulation is bad nt
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,364 posts)3. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures ...
... er, wait Pal, gimme that camera ...
IcyPeas
(21,904 posts)4. Ag-Gag laws
Some states have passed Ag-Gag laws that make it illegal to film what goes on in factory farms. What are they hiding?