The yearslong effort to pursue a federal heritage designation for 8.5 million acres of central Wyoming lurched forward last week when Natrona County officials OK’d a necessary early step to
Natrona County OKs feasibility study on national designation for swath of central Wyoming rich with historical resources. Many Carbon County leaders support it, though some in Natrona County distrust it.
Natrona and Carbon counties could have the first National Heritage Area in Wyoming if they apply for a federal designation capitalizing on tourism potential of historic trails. But some are wary it could lead to federal encroachment on private and state lands.