As the Bureau of Land Management develops their Resource Management Plan for the Rock Springs Field Office, they have received criticism and opposition from Wyoming residents across the state.

BACKGROUND

According to a notice published by the BLM on the Federal Register website, “The purpose of the Rock Springs RMP is to provide an updated, comprehensive, and environmentally adequate framework for managing and allocating uses of public lands and resources administered by the BLM Rock Springs Field Office. The Rock Springs RMP will address changing needs of the planning area by updating information and revising management goals, objectives, and decisions while ensuring that public lands are managed according to the principles of multiple use identified in [the Federal Land Policy and Management Act] and while maintaining the valid existing rights and other obligations already established.”

The BLM identifies four potential “alternatives” within their RMP, each alternative prioritizing different aspects of land management.

While one alternative is to continue using their current management plan, and another alternative prioritizes using land resources, the BLM’s preferred alternative, “Alternative B,” prioritizes land conservation. According to the notice, “Alternative B emphasizes conservation of resource values with constraints on resource uses. Relative to all alternatives, Alternative B conserves the most public lands for physical, biological and cultural resources.”

According to the Rock Springs RMP Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Alternative B demonstrates the importance of habitat protection for wildlife, aims to improve riparian habitat, notes sensitive plant and animal species and several other actions.

A significant part of Alternative B that aligns with land conservation is the addition of 1.6 million acres being designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. The BLM impact statement defines ACEC as, “areas within the public lands where special management attention is required (when such areas are developed or used or where no development is required) to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards.”

PUBLIC COMMENT

Rep. Martha Lawley (R-HD27) shared her public comment in opposition of Alternative B of the management plan.

Lawley submitted her public comment on Oct. 15, 2023, and said, “I am requesting that the BLM pull Alternative B as their preferred alternative resources management plan […] Alternative B of the Rock Springs RMP has the potential to negatively impact two of Wyoming’s core industries: agriculture and energy development.”

Lawley quotes the management plan, stating, “stakeholders would be [Alternative B] as harmful to their abilities to maintain their livelihoods and the customs and culture of ranching” and “this alternative would impact the long-term viability of maintain livestock grazing as an important part of the traditions and economics of local communities.”

According to Lawley, the designation of ACEC land would additionally result in an impact to Wyoming through, “loss of the State’s portion of federal mineral royalties as well as increasing our nation’s dependence on foreign or unreliable and unproven energy sources.”

Finally, Lawley said in her comment that Alternative B does not align with the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act (MUSYA), which is a governing mandate of BLM. MUSYA requires the BLM, along with other federal land management agencies, to manage the land for a variety of uses. Lawley said, “My colleagues and I strive to strike a balance between all the competing interests on our natural resources. We expect no different from the federal government, including the BLM […] Alternative B clearly places resource conservation objectives higher than resource use and development.”

The BLM is accepting comments on their resource management plan until Jan. 17, 2024. For those that are interested, comments are accepted on the BLM website at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/520. The initial comment period was extended at the request of the State of Wyoming and other stakeholders.

In a press release in October, the BLM announced the extension.

Governor Mark Gordon requested the extension for Wyomingites to have more time to provide input into the formulation of a final plan.

“A lot of work happens between a draft plan and a final plan, and that work is best informed by people who roll up their sleeves to work together,” said Tracy Stone-Manning, Director of the Bureau of Land Management. “We are committed to doing that work to finalize the final plan.”

In any resource management planning process, the final plan may mix and match portions from all the alternatives. The BLM greatly appreciates continued and specific feedback and participation during this extended comment period.

“Public comment periods give us the opportunity to listen to people to make our work stronger,” said Andrew Archuleta, the state director of BLM Wyoming. “We urge specific feedback and participation over the next several months.”