BLM issues proposed management plan for Rock Springs Field Office
Reflects adoption of recommendations and input from Governor’s task force, the public and Greater Little Mountain Coalition
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ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management Wyoming state office today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs Field Office. The proposed plan would replace and rename the existing 26-year-old Green River RMP.
The Rock Springs Field Office manages more than 3.6 million acres of public land and 3.5 million acres of public subsurface minerals in southwestern Wyoming. It is land rich in wildlife habitat, rangeland, and natural resources. The proposed Rock Springs Resource Management Plan would provide an updated, comprehensive framework for managing and allocating the uses of public lands and resources so that the Bureau can meet its multiple-use mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for present and future generations.
The BLM published the Notice of Availability releasing the Draft RMP/EIS on August 18, 2023, initiating a 90-day public comment period, which was later extended an additional 62 days through January 17, 2024. During the comment period, the BLM held three in-person public meetings and received more than 35,000 comments. The Governor of Wyoming also appointed a Task Force—composed of representatives from Wyoming local governments, industries, sportsmen, conservation groups, and more—to develop recommendations on the draft plan.
The proposed plan provides for a balance of opportunities to use and develop public land resources within the planning area, while conserving the area’s cultural, scenic, and natural heritage. The Proposed RMP reflects components of alternates in the Draft EIS and the adoption of recommendations and input from the public, organizations such as the Greater Little Mountain Coalition, and the Governor’s task force. The Proposed RMP provides for the continued multiple uses of public lands in the Rock Springs field office while addressing growing pressures from increased visitation and a changing climate.
The proposed RMP is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. A Notice of Availability will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register to begin a 30-day protest period. For information on how to submit a protest and to view the documents for the Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement, please visit the BLM National NEPA Register.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.