By Trina Dennis Brittain
Rocket Miner
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

ROCK SPRINGS — A federal agency dismissed concerns about the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, and leaders in Southwest Wyoming are preparing to fight.

According to a news release, on Friday, December 20, the Bureau of Land Management signed and released its Record of Decision for the Rock Springs RMP. 

The ROD was immediately preceded by BLM Principal Deputy Director Nada Culver’s rejection of Gov. Mark Gordon’s appeal to his Governor’s Consistency Review response.

According to Commission Chairman Keaton West, Gordon and his staff planned to meet with the Sweetwater County Board of Commissioners and legislators to talk about the next steps with the RMP process on Friday, Dec. 20. Moments before their meeting began, Gordon and members of the RMP Task Force received notice that the ROD had been released.

West shared his thoughts about the ROD with the Rocket Miner.

“As expected, the BLM dismissed the governor’s consistency review as well as his (appeal),” West said. “We stand firm that this ROD will have detrimental effects to the economy of Sweetwater County and the state of Wyoming. Anyone who thinks the opposite clearly (hasn’t) read through the entirety of the plan.”

West noted there wasn’t much change, if any, from the draft to the final Environmental Impact Statement.

“We’ve worked hard to offer input and factual data as a cooperator for many years, but political agenda has become more important than the people with the boots on the ground, and as such, we’re all left paying the price,” he said.

West expressed hope for the new administration’s desire to listen to the local control in the months ahead, whether that be through litigation, the Congressional Review Act, or an amendment to the newly established RMP.

“It’s evident in the meantime that getting this out before January 20 was a bigger priority than working with those closest to the people.”

One of the most important takeaways for Commissioner Taylor Jones was the governor’s willingness to visit elected officials in Sweetwater County during his busy schedule and just a few short days before Christmas.

“He wanted to know what we want to see in the final RMP,” Jones said. “He is asking so they can formulate a plan for litigation and the Congressional Review Act. I greatly appreciate the governor’s time and consideration.”

Jones also said he wishes all sworn, or soon-to-be sworn elected officials will “show class and statesmanship going forward” and work with those wanting to work with them.

In his statement regarding the ROD, Gordon said the Biden Administration’s BLM did everything within its power to push this out the door before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and the BLM director leaves for a position with an environmental group.

“While it is not surprising that Wyoming’s comments were figuratively dumped in the trash, it is disappointing that despite years of collaborative work between state agencies, impacted counties, concerned citizens, and interest groups, all Wyoming is left with is this parting shot from the Biden Administration,” he continued. 

Gordon expressed his commitment to reviewing and pursuing all the options, describing the ROD as “misguided.”

“With President Trump in office, former Gov. (Doug) Burgum at the head of the Department of the Interior, and a Republican Senate and House, I am confident that we will have the ability to finish the job and right a course that has been so far off track over the last four years,” he added.

Gordon, in consultation with the attorney general, will conduct a thorough review of the ROD to determine if it meets the conditions set by the Wyoming Legislature in the 2024 Budget Bill required for certification of the Kelly Parcel sale. A decision on that review will be announced in the near future.

The BLM’s Rock Springs RMP ROD may be found on the BLM’s project website.

Secretary of State Chuck Gray expressed how he felt about the ROD in a written statement.

“I am outraged by this outrageously wrong, slapped-together, rush-job from a radical, lame-duck, failed administration,” he stated. “This Record of Decision for the Rock Springs RMP continues to be disastrous for Wyoming’s core industries, and detrimental to the people of Wyoming. It is an unconstitutional abomination that infringes on the rights of the citizens of Wyoming.”

Rep. Joshua “JT” Larson, R-Rock Springs, was also at the meeting to discuss the next steps in pushing back against what he sees as “a blatant overreach and mismanagement of our public lands.”

In an emailed statement to Rocket Miner, Larson said Gordon and the BLM have taken “a critical first step by signing a letter of engagement to explore pathways for transferring certain federal lands to state management.”

“It’s important to emphasize that these lands, if acquired, would not be managed like state trust lands,” Larson stated. “Instead, they would remain open for public access and responsible industry development, ensuring benefits for both residents and local economies.”

Larson also expressed commitment to supporting state policies and funding that prioritize local control of Wyoming lands, protecting public access, and pushing back against the federal government’s overreach.

“Together, we can chart a better course for the management of our public lands without resorting to destructive measures,” he said.