Middle Piney Lake road closure The Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is advising the public that Middle Piney Lake access is now closed and will be closed for three summers for dam reconstruction. Click on this link for more information Photo by Big Piney Ranger District.

Middle Piney dam and road closure Due to a safety concern for both the public as well as the construction crew, the road will be closed to all traffic during the summer season (including on foot). Click on this link for more information Photo by Big Piney Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest.

‘Butch Cassidy, My Uncle’ talk August 11 (posted 8/11/18)
At the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney
Special guest speaker Bill Bentenson will give a talk on his book "Butch Cassidy, My Uncle". 6:00PM in the back building of the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney. Refreshments will be served.

Bank of the West

Bank of the West to no longer support oil, gas, coal exploration or production (posted 8/5/18)
Will terminate all financing and investing activities relating to tobacco product manufacturers
Bank of the West has announced they will no longer do business with companies whose main activity is exploring, producing, distributing, marketing or trading oil and gas from shale and/or tar sands, and will no longer finance coal mines or coal fired power plants that are not actively involved in energy transition to other sustainable energy sources.

Bank of the West is a financial services company based out of San Francisco, California. It is a subsidiary of the French company, BNP Paribas. It has more than 600 branches and offices in the Midwest and Western United States.

According to their website: "We’re investing where we feel we can make the most impact, like advancing diversity and women entrepreneurship programs, financing for more small businesses, promoting programs for sustainable energy, and withdrawing support from companies and business activities that are detrimental to our environment and our health. As a long-term partner of the energy industry, we are proud to work with companies in oil, coal and gas that are actively involved in the energy transition and committed to building a more sustainable energy future. "

To this end, Bank of the West has made the following decisions:
• We will no longer do business with companies whose main activity is exploring, producing, distributing, marketing or trading oil and gas from shale and/or tar sands.
• We will never finance oil and gas exploration or production projects in the Arctic.
• We will no longer finance coal mines or coal-fired power plants that are not actively involved in the energy transition.
• We will terminate all financing and investing activities relating to tobacco product manufacturers, as well as producers, wholesalers and traders whose revenue comes primarily from tobacco.

"As the bank for a changing world, we’re continually seeking to improve the ways we help our customers, while contributing to more sustainable and equitable growth," their website stated.

Their website goes on to discuss how they and their parent company, BNP Paribas, is taking real action for positive change in the world. These include financing for a positive social impact, building support for renewable energy, taking action to accelerate energy transition, transform culture through corporate social responsibility, ending relationships with tobacco companies, and more.
In Wyoming, Bank of the West has branches in Big Piney, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Evanston, Gillette, Green River, Jackson, Kemmerer, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Saratoga, Sheridan, and Worland.

Click on this link to read more on their website:
https://blog.bankofthewest.com/change/?icid=brand_about_change

Related Links:
Craig bank could lose business; longtime branch manager resigns in response to anti-coal social media statement Craig Press, August 2, 2018
Bank of the West Wikipedia

Bible Rodeo Camp Rodeo Performance in Big Piney August 10 (posted 8/1/18)
The public is invited to watch a competition of youth who participated in the 2018 Big Piney Bible Rodeo Camp during the previous week. Sublette County Fairgrounds north of Big Piney. Participants are 11-17 years old and compete in things they chose in camp. Events include roping, barrels, roughstock and more. The event is free, but donations appreciated.

Related Links:
Big Piney Rodeo Bible Camp Aug 6-10

Big Piney Sprint Triathlon and Kids Super Mini Triathlon August 11 (posted 7/31/18)
Friends of Big Piney Recreation will be hosting the Big Piney Sprint Triathlon and Kids Super Mini Triathlon on Saturday, August 11, 2018. Check-in is at 7:30 am Big Piney High School. Call 307-276-4071 for more information.

GOP Candidate events August 6 (posted 7/31/18)
Meet & Greet in Marbleton in the morning, forum in Pinedale in the evening
The Sublette County Republican Party will host candidate events on Monday, August 6th in Marbleton and Pinedale. They have invited the Republican Governor/US Senate/US Representative candidates to come to Sublette County.

The events will begin at 8 am at the senior center in Marbleton with cinnamon rolls and coffee. The candidates will share with everyone and have a question/answer period.

The candidates are then planning to go to Rendezvous Pointe in Pinedale for lunch. Anyone interested in having lunch at Rendezvous Pointe that day should call 307-367-2881 by Friday, August 3rd to reserve a lunch. A Meet and Greet will follow the meal at Rendezvous Pointe.

Later in the evening will be a GOP candidate forum beginning at 5:30 pm in the Lovatt Room at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale. The Meet and Greet will begin at 5:30 pm and then the US Senate/US Representative candidates will have an opportunity to share. Organizers plan to auction a beautiful queen-size quilt donated by Deanne Bradley to help pay expenses. The evening will conclude with a Governor candidate forum. All the Governor candidates have confirmed they are planning to attend the 5:30 pm event at the Lovatt Room.

Please submit your questions for the Governor candidates to scrp23wy@gmail.com or use this link: https://goo.gl/forms/XLaDT52JPVdzS9Lr1

Big Piney Rodeo Bible Camp Aug 6-10 (posted 7/31/18)
Registration is now open for Big Piney Rodeo Bible Camp which will be held August 6-10, 2018 at the Sublette County Fairgrounds. Cost is $100. This event is for beginners to experts, ages 11-17 of all denominations. There will be roping, rough stock, barrels and more. Timed event riders should bring their own horse. Please visit RideWithTheLord.com, or call Laura at 208-244-2017 or Shelly at 307-360-7002 for more information. Some late registrations accepted. Campers will also put on a Rodeo Performance on the last night of camp, Friday, August 10th at 5:30PM. Admission is free, public invited. Donations are appreciated to help cover camp costs, but not required.

Fire Danger increases to HIGH (posted 7/31/18)
No fire restrictions in place at this time
Bridger-Teton National Forest Interagency media release
WESTERN WYOMING- The fire danger rating for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest and Teton Interagency Dispatch Area has increased to high. The potential for fire activity has increased due to normal summer curing of vegetation combined with hot temperatures and dry, windy afternoons. There are no fire restrictions in place at this time.

A high fire danger rating means that fires can start easily and spread quickly. When determining fire danger, fire managers use several indicators such as the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, and trees; projected weather conditions including temperatures and possible wind events; the ability of fire to spread after ignition; and availability of firefighting resources across the country.

Visitors and local residents are reminded that unattended or abandoned campfires can easily escalate into wildfires; therefore, it is important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a site. Campers and day users should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use.

Visitors have abandoned over 40 campfires in Grand Teton National Park or Bridger-Teton National Forest so far this summer. Campers should be mindful that they could be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire. Everyone should know the risks, exercise caution, and practice heightened fire safety at all times.

Visit the Teton Interagency Fire web site at tetonfires.com to learn more about fire safety and what fire regulations may be in place. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.

Temporary closure of LaBarge Creek and Thompson Pass Roads (posted 7/25/18)
Scheduled for culvert replacements during summer 2018
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Public Notice The Bridger-Teton National Forest will temporarily close roads in the LaBarge Creek drainage during a two week period at the end of July and early August to complete culvert replacements.

As part of a multi-year project to improve road infrastructure and stream passage for native Colorado River Cutthroat Trout in the LaBarge Creek drainage, culvert replacement construction will occur on Indian, Witherspoon and Coyote Park Creeks on the Kemmerer Ranger District. This work will connect 8 miles of currently inaccessible spawning and rearing habitat, as well as reduce the risk of future road failures.

Temporary road closures in the LaBarge drainage between July 30th and August 10th include:
The LaBarge Creek Road (Forest Service Road 10138)
At Indian Creek for approximately 3 consecutive days between July 30th and August 3rd.
At Witherspoon Creek for approximately 1 day between August 6th and 10th.

The Thompson Pass Road (Forest Service Road 10126)
At Coyote Park Creek for approximately 1 day between August 6th and 10th

For travel in the LaBarge headwaters, travelers should consider alternative routes, including access over Sheep Pass via the Smiths Fork Road (FS 10072) or from the Tri-Basin area along the Greys River road (FS 10138). The public should also be aware that construction traffic could slow travel through these areas.

We want to thank the public in advance for their cooperation during this important work. Please contact Fish Biologist, Kate Olsen, with further questions at kholsen@fs.fed.us or 307-367-5751.

For more information, visit the Forest Website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf/. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BridgerTetonNF/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/BridgerTetonNF or Flikr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bridgerteton/ for Forest information.

Middle Piney Dam and Road Closure (posted 7/11/18)
Middle Piney Lake access will be closed for three summers for dam reconstruction
PUBLIC NOTICE: Forest Road #10024 heading to Middle Piney Reservoir is now closed above Sacagawea Campground for the next three summers while the dam is being reconstructed. There will be heavy equipment up and down that road. Due to a safety concern for both the public as well as the construction crew, the road will be closed to all traffic during the summer season (including on foot).

The back side of the lake will still be open to the public, but know that it is going to be a long hike OFF-ROAD AND OFF-TRAIL, and there will be NO MOTORIZED access.

According to the Wyoming Water Development Office, the dam is in need of reconstruction due to its high risk of failure. The State is also funding the reconstruction project.

Construction is going to take the shoreline down to its natural level and completely reconstruct the man-made dam. Because of the short field season in the area, the process is going to take at least three years to complete.

During the winter season, while construction activity is on hold, NW Construction will remove their equipment and supplies as much as possible to allow winter access.

Please call the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for more information, 307-276-5800.

Click on this link for more pictures

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)
Sweetwater County
In a joint release issued on Tuesday (May 29, 2018), Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and County Treasurer Robb Slaughter described the details of Wyoming statute concerning vehicle registration for non-residents working in the state.

"The Wyoming statute that addresses this issue," Slaughter said, "is W.S. 31-2-201 (j) and (k). It can be reviewed online at the State Legislature’s website at http://www.wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution?tab=0 ."

Lowell and Slaughter outlined the statute as follows:

A non-resident who is employed in Wyoming, on either a temporary or full-time basis, and who is the owner or operator of a vehicle in Wyoming that is not a commercial vehicle must immediately obtain a valid Wyoming registration or purchase a temporary registration.

To obtain a temporary registration, their vehicle must display a valid registration from another jurisdiction and be properly insured. Application is made in person at the County Treasurer’s Office at the Sweetwater County Courthouse at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. The fee for a temporary registration is $50.00 per month and cannot exceed 120 days per vehicle. If a worker is going to be employed in Wyoming for longer than 120 days, a regular Wyoming registration must be issued.

Those applying for a temporary registration will need to bring with them the following:

- The vehicle’s current, non-expired registration
- Proof of insurance
- Color of vehicle
- Payment for temporary registration in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card

Subsection (k) of the statute makes the following provisions for a commercial vehicle owner, a non-resident owner of a vehicle who is not employed in Wyoming, or any owner, upon transfer of ownership to, as an alternative to registration:

A 30-, 60-, or 90-day permit may be obtained in any 12 month period. The temporary permit begins on the date the owner enters Wyoming or on the date of purchase of the vehicle. The fees for a temporary permit are:

Up to 30 days - .10 X regular registration fee
Up to 60 days - .20 X regular registration fee
Up to 90 days - .30 X regular registration fee

Lowell and Slaughter noted that Wyoming has full reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, and Nebraska. Non-residents working in Wyoming who live in these states may run with their regular registration. If they take up residence in Wyoming, however, (by living here over 120 days, for instance), they must obtain Wyoming registration.

In addition, Wyoming has daily commuter reciprocity with Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah. Non-residents who live in these states and commute to work daily in Wyoming may run with their regular registration.

Lowell emphasized that Sweetwater County deputies are enforcing this statute, and will continue to do so.

Slaughter said those with questions may contact their County Clerk’s office.

3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’ (posted 1/15/18)
Including Big Piney, Wyoming
Wyoming Public Radio posted an article today (Monday, January 15) about three towns that are fighting to claim the title of "Ice Box of the Nation.’ Those three towns are International Falls, Minnesota; Fraser, Colorado; and Big Piney, Wyoming. Each has had record cold recorded temperatures. Big Piney has reached -61F.

For more on this story, click on this link,Why Three Towns Are Fighting To Be The 'Ice Box Of The Nation' and then click on the audio link on the left hand side. Story by Kelly McEvers, All Things Considered, npr.org, Jan. 15, 2018

Local Contact Numbers
Big Piney Town Hall
PO Box 70
Big Piney, WY 83113
307-276-3554
www.bigpiney.us

Marbleton Town Hall
10700 US 189
Marbleton, WY 83113
307-276-3815

Flicks & Pins Entertainment Center
Open Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 3:00PM to Midnight
Phone 307-276-4062 for movie times
www.flicksnpins.com/

Big Piney Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 218
Big Piney, WY, 83113
307-276-3375 or 276-5800/5200
Fax: 307-739-5235/276-5835
www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Sublette County Courthouse
21 S Tyler, Pinedale, WY 82941
Big Piney Direct Line 307-276-3827
Marbleton Annex 307-276-3735
Pinedale Information: 307-367-7722

Sublette County Sheriff's Department
PO Box 701
Pinedale, WY 82941
Marbleton: 307-276-5448
Pinedale: 307-367-4378

Big Piney Post Office
401 Budd Avenue
307-276-3772
1-800-275-8777

Sublette County School District #9
Superintendent's Office: 307-276-3322
Big Piney High School: 307-276-3324
Big Piney Middle School: 307-276-3315
Big Piney Elementary School: 307-276-3313
Big Piney Pool: 307-276-9966
www.sublette9.org


Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 E First St, Marbleton, WY
P.O. Box 33
Big Piney, WY 83113
Phone: (307) 276-3249
Fax (307) 276-3249
E-mail: southwest001@centurytel.net
Open 8:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch at 12:00 noon Tue. Wed. Thurs. (starting July 1, 2008)
Joan Mitchell / Director
www.bpmseniorhousing.com
Facebook page

Green River Valley Cowbelles
www.greenrivervalleycowbelles.com

More Area Information:
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce (Pinedale)
307-367-2242 or 1-888-285-7282
www.sublettechamber.com

BigPiney.com (Pinedale Online!)
307-360-7689 (days, evenings, weekends, after hours calls ok)

Sublette County Fair
July - August
The Sublette County Fair is packed with entertainment and fun. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the many highlights is the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The audience holds their breath as these young cowboys and cowgirls try their hand at bronc riding. The evening ends with the youngest contestants competing in the stick horse barrel race. The greased pig contest is another favorite, the crowd roars with laughter watching the wave a kids overtaking the slimy critters.

Spend some time viewing the livestock shows and watch the participants as they receive their awards for a job well done. Enjoy the wonderful food which some how tastes more delicious in the atmosphere of the fair festivities. Finish the night off at the rodeos with many local cowboys and cowgirls participating in the fast paced events. Visit the Sublette County Fair web page to enjoy pictures from previous years fairs.

For more information visit - www.sublettecountyfair.com.

Green River Valley Museum
Open June through October
The Green River Valley Museum is located on the main street in Big Piney. Artifacts from prehistoric Indians, pioneers, homesteaders and other various groups that have settled this area are on display at the museum. Many of the items displayed at the museum were donated by local families. 'Hard Hats and Stetsons' is the annual fundraiser for the museum. The name of the fundraiser itself reflects how important the cattle and oil industry have been for this valley.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM from June into October (opening date varies, so watch for announcements on the specific date each year). Admission is by donation. Special tours can be arranged by calling Museum Director Jeannie Lockwood at 307-276-3637.

For more information visit www.grvm.com

Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Chuckwagon Days takes place each year over the 4th of July holiday in Big Piney. There is a Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo, a parade down Big Piney's main street followed by a free BBQ at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, an afternoon rodeo, street dance and late evening fireworks (on the 4th).

The "Chuckwagon Chug" a 5k and 10k Walk/Run, will be held on July 4th, before the Big Piney Parade. Start/Finish is at the Big Piney High School parking lot. There will be prizes for top finishers and gift bags for all contestants.

More information about Chuckwagon Days can be found here: www.ChuckwagonDays.com

Local Lodging
If you are looking for local lodging and places to stay in the Big Piney-Marbleton areas, be sure to check the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce website under lodging. Big Piney and Marbleton are located about 35 miles south of Pinedale, so look under motels, RV parks and campgrounds specific to our towns.
Lodging Links:
Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Motels, Guest Ranches, RV
www.sublettechamber.com

Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
The closest campgrounds are located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. They offer two developed campgrounds and many opportunities for dispersed camping in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney and Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from local businesses and town services. For detailed information, contact the district office at 307-276-3375.

Sacajewea Campground Located 25 miles west of Big Piney. This campground has 26 sites, basic amenities, and is open June 15th through September 30th. The camping fee is $7.00 per site, per night. This campground has running water, an on-site host, and is well maintained. No electricity, showers or phone.

Middle Piney Lake Campground This is a primitive campground located further down the road from the Sacajewea Campground. This camp area is next to Middle Piney Lake and has 5 tent sites, tables and pit toilets. NO running water, electricity, showers or phone service. NO fees. Because of the narrow winding road to this campground, it is not recommended to take trailers to the lake site.

Forest Service Cabins Big Piney Ranger District offers two Forest Service work centers for rent for overnight stays. One is located at Snider Basin and the other in the Hoback. Contact the Big Piney office for more information on availability and fees.

NOTICE ABOUT BEARS: These campgrounds are in bear country. Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the Wyoming mountain range. Visitors are strongly encouraged to practice clean camping techniques and store attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to bears. Bear-proof canisters are available for rent from the Big Piney Ranger District office. Bear-proof dumpsters are located at various locations at campgrounds and recreation areas on National Forest land.

Dispersed Camping:
There are practically unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney/Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from town. Stay limit is 16 days in any one location. Campers should either bring their own water or boil water obtained from sources in the outdoors to avoid getting sick from organisms that live in lakes and streams. Do not drink untreated surface water. Dispersed camping is available along the Piney, Cottonwood and LaBarge Creek drainages.

Camping on BLM land
There are no developed campgrounds on BLM land near Big Piney or Marbleton, however there are many places for dispersed camping for those who are prepared to bring their own drinking water and camp without developed facilities. For more information, contact the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Pinedale.

Private RV Campgrounds
There are several private businesses that offer RV campsites for overnight and extended stays. Most have power, water and sewer hookups. Click here to our sister website, Pinedale Online, for info about private RV campgrounds and services.

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest/Big Piney Ranger District
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce

Big Piney, Wyoming, "Ice Box of the Nation"

Big Piney & Marbleton
Ice Box of the Nation
Big Piney is the oldest settlement in Sublette County, Wyoming and was named by Dan B. Budd for the Piney Creeks. In 1879, Daniel B. Budd and his partner Hugh McKay brought a thousand head of cattle from Nevada hoping to ship them at Point of Rocks, but winter caught up to them here in the Green River Valley. The following year Dan Budd moved his family here and that is how the settlement of this town began. Big Piney was called "Ice Box of the Nation" when it was officially made a weather station in 1930. Big Piney had the coldest year round average temperature of any place nationally.

It's a curiosity, considering most Wyoming towns are few and far between, that Big Piney and Marbleton would only be a mile apart. They have separate post offices and town governments. Big Piney was incorporated on July 5, 1913. In the early days there was a lot of drainage problems with the site on which Big Piney was built. So Charles Budd, eldest son to Dan B Budd had hope to build the town up on the bench to alleviate this problem. Charles did establish Marbleton on the bench, in late 1913, but it never replaced Big Piney. Any attempts to combine the two towns has been unsuccessful. The truth is people here kinda' like it that way. Both towns cooperate with each other, they have a common school. The citizens of these two towns take a lot of pride in the growth of their little metropolis over the past years and think the founders would be proud too. Both communities have thrived in the last several decades because of the oil and gas industry. In the 1980's Marbleton recieved it's own post office, because of the number of people moving to the area.

To contribute information to this community website,
please e-mail: info@bigpiney.com or info@marbleton.com.
Phone: 307-276-5699 • Fax: 307-276-5414