Update of the Review Procedures of Environmental Documents

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office
P.O. Box 1828
IN REPLY REFER TO: Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-1828
1792 (930) P
January 7, 2010
EMS TRANSMISSION: January 11, 2010
Instruction Memorandum No. WY-2010-014
Expires: 9/30/2011
To: District Managers
From: State Director
Subject: Update of the Review Procedures of Environmental Documents
Following recent discussions with the State of Wyoming's Planning Coordinator and staff, we
have agreed to update the review procedures of environmental documents to reflect the State's
current staffing. This Instruction Memorandum (IM) is a re-issue of WY-2004-027 with the
exception of the following information: e-mail addresses for several State agencies contacts
have been updated and the Wyoming Department of Transportation has been added to the matrix
and addresses.
The following environmental documents for review are to be sent to State agencies listed:
1. All Resource Management Plan Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including Draft
and Final EISs;
2. All project EISs including Drafts and Finals;
3. Major Environmental Assessments (EA) for significant Activity Plans (i.e., Allotment
Management Plans, Herd Management Plans, etc.), unique proposals, or other actions
deemed significant by the Field Manager or specifically requested by State agencies.
Effective immediately: Send one copy of all environmental documents requiring review
directly to each of the appropriate State agencies. A matrix (Attachment 1) showing which State
agencies desire to review copies of EAs addressing actions proposed for BLM-administered
lands and minerals is attached. An updated list of the State agency addresses and electronic mail
contacts are also included (Attachment 2). Please note, one copy of the environmental document
will always be sent to the State Planning Coordinator, the State Department of Game and Fish,
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Department of Agriculture, and the Office of State
Lands and Investments. Field Offices will continue to send review and comment copies of
environmental documents to their associated regional Game and Fish offices as before.
The State would prefer an electronic copy of the environmental document be sent to the
electronic inboxes of the contacts listed on Attachment 2. To comply with BLM e-mailing
conventions, only send electronic documents through the mail if they meet the BLM email size
requirements. Sending large electronic documents to many recipients at once using a mailing list
can create a multiplier effect. Therefore, when working with large documents (3 Megabytes or
larger), first send an electronic message to the recipient notifying them that the document is
available for viewing on line or as a compact disc (CD). In the message, note the website
address where the document may be viewed. The State's second preferred medium would be to
have a CD sent to the individual State agencies. Provide a statement in your message that directs
the recipient to request that a CD version be sent to the reviewer(s) through the mail.
If neither of these electronic media is available, a printed "hardcopy" paper format may be sent.
When transmitting an environmental document to the State, place in the upper right corner of the
memorandum or in the subject line in an electronic message, the number used in the NEPA
Registers to aid in tracking.
Provide the State with the same comment period that you have established for public review.
The individual State agencies will send comments directly to the requesting Field Office with a
copy of their comments sent to the State Planning Coordinator. If no comments are provided by
the State agencies within the allotted time assume no comments will be provided and move
forward with the NEPA process.
This procedure will also apply to the 60-day consistency review period by the Governor required
for Resource Management Plans 43 CFR 1610.3-2e.
If you have any questions or need more information about this process, contact Ken Peacock,
at 307-775-6329.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Donald A. Simpson Pamela D. Hernandez
State Director Wyoming Central Files
2 Attachments:
1 – Agency Addresses and Contacts (3 pp.)
2 – Document Request Matrix (1 p.)