BLM to revisit Rock Springs RMP
In the first days of October, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a notice of intent to amend the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) to better align with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14154 and Secretarial Order 3418, both titled “Unleashing American Energy.”
According to the corresponding Oct. 2 press release, both of these orders direct federal agencies to reassess policies limiting access to domestic energy and mineral resources.
With this, the BLM recently determined existing mineral restrictions and special management designations in the Rock Spring Field Office (RSFO) require reevaluation under these orders.
“This amendment is about striking a better balance,” says BLM Wyoming Acting State Director Kris Kirby. “We are initiating a transparent public process to assess how we can support multiple-use management, meet current energy demands and honor the unique ecological, cultural and recreational values that make these lands unique.”
RMP reevaluation
According to BLM, the RMP planning area includes 13 wilderness study areas, 12 areas of critical environmental concern (ACEC), five special recreation management areas and a National Historic Trails corridor.
In these areas, the agency will reexamine if special management is still warranted and explore areas where development may be appropriate.
“The amendment will also consider advances in technology, evolving industry interests and updated mineral potential,” BLM explains.
A public scoping period kicked off on Oct. 2 and will close in 30 days or 15 days after an in-person public meeting, which is yet to be scheduled.
The agency is currently accepting public comments on the amendment and encourages participation from local communities, Tribes, industry and other stakeholders.
“Public comments will help identify relevant issues and inform the development of alternatives in the environmental assessment,” the press release reads. “BLM is also accepting nominations for new ACECs.”
The agency adds, “This landscape is of significant natural, cultural and economic importance. BLM is committed to considering a full range of public input while meeting its mission to manage public lands for the benefit of current and future generations.”
It is important to note, however, BLM is unable to address public comments until the current government shutdown comes to an end.
Unusual move, controversial topic
In an Oct. 6 Wyoming Public Radio article by Caitlin Tan, Wyoming Outdoor Council Program Director Alec Underwood notes amending the plan so quickly is an unusual move, as it was finalized less than a year ago following extensive public comment, countless meetings and multiple drafts.
“It is rare for an agency to take an approved record of decision for an RMP which is meant to last 15 to 20 years, and within nine months, go toward revising it and its management prescriptions after more than a decades-long effort to ensure a well-balanced plan for the RSFO,” Underwood tells Wyoming Public Radio.
Approving the plan was not only a long and tedious process, it was also a highly controversial one.
The Rock Springs RMP was initially brought to the public’s attention in August 2023, initiating a 90-day public comment period, which was later extended through January 2024, and stirring up opposition across the Cowboy State.
During this time, the BLM held three in-person public meetings and received more than 35,000 comments.
Additionally, Gov. Mark Gordon appointed a task force of politicians, ranchers, industry, conservationists and recreation advocates to thoroughly review and compile recommendations on the draft plan.
Despite their competing interests, the task force published a report on Jan. 10, 2024 including 24 agreements on a broad range of critical issues and more than 100 recommendations on specific management actions.
According to an analysis published by the Wyoming Outdoor Council, the Wilderness Society and the Wyoming Wilderness Association, the BLM’s final plan incorporated 85 percent of the task force’s recommendations.
While some considered this a win, others were still unhappy with the final plan, and Gordon called on the agency to further dial back its conservation measures, which never happened.
Now, Gordon is applauding the BLM’s announcement to amend the original plan.
“The notice of intent published following the BLM’s announcement earlier this year is another important step in providing a true multiple-use plan for the Rock Springs area. It is good now to see the BLM’s amendment approach, including open public comment,” he states.
“I am confident this process will provide opportunity to address drastic flaws without restarting this decade-long effort. I encourage everyone impacted by this RMP to participate and see this plan to its conclusion,” he adds.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
