JACKSON -- Energy development on one parcel in the Wyoming Range was ordered to be halted this week after a federal agency determined a protest of the lease had merit and deserved closer study.

The Interior Board of Land Appeals said three conservation groups have demonstrated "a likelihood of success" of their appeal, and a "stay," or halting, of development is warranted "until this appeal can be addressed on the merits."

Lisa Dardy McGee, national forest and parks program director for the Wyoming Outdoor Council -- one of the groups filing the appeal -- praised the appeals board's decision.

"The Wyoming Range is special, and the people of this state cherish it as a place to recreate, hunt and fish with their families," she said. "It's part of our state's great outdoor heritage. We hope that this decision influences the Forest Service and the (Bureau of Land Management) to listen to the diverse groups of forest users and local residents who have voiced strong opposition to leasing and protect this part of the forest for its recreational, scenic and wildlife values."

In December, the BLM sold oil and gas leases to two parcels totaling 1,280 acres in the Wyoming Range, an area west of Merna. Those leases were purchased by Stanley Energy Inc. of Denver for $275 per acre.

Representatives of Stanley Energy were not available for comment Tuesday.

Those parcels were the first of a total of 44,600 acres on the Bridger-Teton National Forest released for lease sale. The Forest Service scaled that number down from 175,000 acres originally eyed for development after protests from citizens and politicians.

Subsequent lease sales in the Wyoming Range have also been appealed, but not yet ruled upon by the board of appeals. It is unclear how this decision will influence those appeals, or future leases in the Wyoming Range.

Groups originally filed a protest of the lease sale with the BLM in December. The agency determined the protest did not have merit, and groups appealed to the appeals board.

Joining the Wyoming Outdoor Council were the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Wilderness Society.

In their appeal, the groups said the Forest Service's decision to allow those parcels to be leased did not take into account air quality concerns, concerns for Canada lynx, or the growing presence of oil and gas activity in the nearby Upper Green River Valley.

Another lease sale for Wyoming Range parcels is slated for August.

The Wyoming Range has been a hot-button issue in the state, with recreationists and conservationists rallying against oil and gas development there. Last month, U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., said he would prefer no new leases be issued in the Wyoming Range. Thomas couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has also taken a stand for the Wyoming Range, saying its unique scenic qualities should not be compromised.

"I'm pleased that the IBLA has issued a stay on leasing," he said in a statement Tuesday. "I'm hoping that this will lead to a mature and thoughtful discussion about the problems with leasing in the Wyoming Range."

Environmental reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.