The Wyoming County Commissioners Association, which conceived the WPLI, also did not have that opportunity. The group’s president, Pete Obermueller, does not see the bill as a threat that undermines the county-based process. The legislation’s mandate for more heli-skiing in the Palisades is “one suggestion” among many, he said, about what to do with 45 wilderness study areas spread around Wyoming.

“The Cheney bill is perhaps a complicating factor,” Obermueller said, “but the honest truth is we started WPLI knowing that there were thousands of complicating factors.”

Some members of a Teton County advisory committee that has devoted long afternoons once a month to deliberate the future of the Palisades and Shoal creek study areas have had more reservations. There have even been suggestions to halt the process.

“Our committee and Park County’s committee need to write a letter, signed also by the WCCA, demanding that she withdraw the legislation,” WPLI advisory committee member Tom Turiano wrote in an email to Teton County commissioners. “Until that happens, I see no point in us meeting in January, other than to co-write that letter.”

Jackson physician and environmentalist Bruce Hayse, another advisory member, said the bill is “unfair to everyone else,” other than heli-skiers.