CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The BLM Rock Springs Field Office began revising its 1997 Green River RMP in 2010, and the process has experienced significant delays ever since. With its Notice of Availability published on Thursday, August 17, the BLM announced that over 1.8 million acres, half of the 3.6 million acres of surface land managed by the Rock Springs Field Office, is proposed to be given special designation as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, or ACECs. 

“Upon first glance, I am extremely disappointed, yet not surprised, by the redirection this Administration is taking with this draft,” Governor Gordon stated. “Over a decade’s worth of work from Wyoming’s cooperating agencies, local stakeholders, and impacted industries seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of the federal BLM and its imperious agenda. I know I am not alone in my desire to review this draft with a fine-tooth comb. I will protect the interests of the State of Wyoming and make sure they pay attention to the good work being done at the state and local level as we move ahead.”

In their announcement, the BLM noted a 90-day comment period, ending on November 16, 2023. A 60-day comment period will be given specifically for the proposed ACECs included in the BLM’s preferred alternative. The draft RMP and information to comment can be found on the following link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/510.

Barrasso, Lummis Blast BLM’s Proposed Land Grab in Wyoming

CASPER, WY – U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., blasted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Rock Springs Draft Resource Management Plan (RPM) it released today.

In the announcement, the BLM stated that over 1.8 million acres of land in Wyoming, managed by the Rock Springs Field Office, would be given special designation as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs).

“The Biden administration continues to attack our Wyoming way of life. The latest hit job from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) aims to take control of 1.8 million acres of land in Wyoming. This blatant land grab completely dismisses practical solutions proposed by local land managers, local agencies and the people who live and work on this land,” said Senator Barrasso. “I encourage everyone to make your voice heard through the public comment period. There is still time for us to force the BLM to turn this outrageous proposal around and strike a balanced approach that puts Wyoming, not Washington, in the driver’s seat.”

“The Biden administration’s proposal to lock up even more federal lands willfully ignores more than a decade of thoughtful systems designed by local experts and Wyoming-based stakeholders at our state’s expense,”said Senator Lummis. “While I am not surprised by this misguided decision, I am disappointed this administration is prioritizing unnecessary red tape over well-designed policies established by our experts on the ground.”

The BLM has opened a 90-day public comment period, closing on November 16, 2023. For those interested in leaving a comment, information can be found at the following link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/510.