Wyoming Criminalizes taking Soil Samples and “Ecological” Photos on Public Lands

“…Supporters of the law are framing it as protecting property rights, but that doesn’t explain the prohibition from taking samples—and photos—from public lands

courthousenews.com

“…Gov. Matt Mead signed the “Data Trespass Bill” on March 10. Violators can be imprisoned for up to 1 year and fined if they “trespass” to collect ecological data, whether the “trespass” is on private or public land.
Photos and soil samples used for ecological purposes also are prohibited - even in state or national parks. Any such “data” collected by “trespassing” “shall be expunged by the entity from all files and data bases, and it shall not be considered in determining any agency action,” according to the bill.
The simple act of collecting such data without permission is illegal, and inadmissible in court, even if it reveals environmental hazards. In addition to prison, a first offense is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. A second offense is punishable by no less than 10 days in jail and up to a year, and a fine of $5,000.

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