WASHINGTON - Sen. John Barrasso vowed Monday to carry out the late Sen. Craig Thomas's legacy by introducing a bill to protect the Wyoming Range from energy development.

In his maiden speech on the Senate floor, Barrasso noted that before he died, Thomas had nearly completed a bill to protect the Wyoming Range in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming.

Barrasso added that he had spoken with Thomas about it, reviewed his draft bills and listened to those affected by the legislation. He quoted Thomas on seeking balance between conservation and development.

"I am completing that work and will soon be introducing a bill in the Senate to protect the undeveloped areas of the Wyoming Range from any future oil and gas leasing," Barrasso said. "My legislation is intended to achieve that goal while respecting property rights that currently exist in the Wyoming Range."

The move received praise from both conversation and industry groups.

"I think the legislation is something that is the citizens of Wyoming are going to be real happy with," said Gary Amerine, one of the founders of the Citizens Protecting the Wyoming Range. "There are some areas of the Wyoming Range that need to be protected from energy development."

Bruce Hinchey, president of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, agreed that scenic areas need to be protected and said his group understands that.

"There are areas that probably need to be protected that we discussed with former Sen. Thomas as well as with Sen. Barrasso, and I believe that's probably what he's talking about, some of those scenic areas for protection," he said. "I'm very sure the senator will work to see that all property rights are protected in any legislation that he does."