Two conservation bills sponsored by freshman Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming were approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Both will help preserve the state's unique environment.

One bill puts 1.2 million acres of the Wyoming Range off-limits to future oil and gas production. The other designates the headwaters of the Snake River as "wild and scenic."

Both measures were supported by the late Sen. Craig Thomas, whom Barrasso replaced when he was appointed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal. By championing the bills, Barrasso continues Thomas' conservation legacy and begins his own. The senator did a good job of weighing various interests and doing what's best for Wyoming.

In persuading the panel to pass the Wyoming Range bill, Barrasso had to contend with critics who maintained the nation should not be shutting off opportunities to drill for oil and natural gas. The opponents include the Petroleum Association of Wyoming.

But the bill has the support of conservationists and sportsmen, as well as Wyoming's other Republican U.S. senator, Mike Enzi, and Freudenthal, a Democrat.

Barrasso skillfully countered the argument that the bill is anti-development. He noted there are 4,300 producing oil and gas wells in the area and a proposed 4,400 additional wells that will not be affected by the legislation. But no additional oil and gas leasing, mining patents or geothermal leasing would be allowed in the 100-mile-long area of the Wyoming Range.

"There are certain places that we want to protect, and that is this area of the Wyoming Range," Barrasso explained.

Another important element of the bill is the establishment of a process that would allow individuals or groups interested in conservation to buy back voluntarily offered leases and retire them permanently.

The wild and scenic legislation, which is named after Thomas, was staunchly opposed by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, who twice tried to amend the bill. Both times Barrasso prevailed.

The bill will benefit the Wyoming tourism industry, small businesses, outfitters and river users. Tom Patricelli, head of the Campaign for the Snake Headwaters, said putting segments of the river on the wild and scenic map will attract travelers from around the world, as well as help Wyoming's economy.

Both measures still have to be approved by the full Senate. But the recommendation of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will go a long way toward persuading other senators about the value of the legislation.

Barrasso scored two important victories for conservation, but there remains more work to be done in that arena. One issue where he and Enzi could provide needed leadership is on Wyoming wilderness areas. A total of 42 "wilderness study areas" have been designated in Wyoming. It's time to determine which areas truly merit wilderness status and which ones can be released for non-wilderness management.