BLM Revision Plan
The SBHCD, along with other conservation districts in the Basin and the county commissioners, have taken part in the Bighorn Basin Resource Management Plan (RMP) Revision. As local governments with special expertise in resource issues, conservation districts may obtain cooperating agency status with the BLM, allowing them to sit with the BLM during the drafting of the plan, contribute data, and provide local input to the planning process. The planning process began in 2008 and was expected to wrap up in 2012. After completion of the main plan, the BLM was required to do a supplemental EIS and plan revision focusing on sage hens due to their potential listing as an endangered species. During this period, the conservation district continued to provide input, along with reviewing and updating data regarding development on BLM lands which was missing from data the BLM presented. The BLM held public meetings to discuss the supplemental EIS and plan alternatives in June, 2013. District efforts during the public comment period focused on highlighting the severity of the socio-economic impacts the BLM alternatives would have in an effort to get the BLM to mitigate the negative consequences of their proposals, along with helping to update reviews of proposed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics to get an accurate picture of the development on these lands and present it to the BLM in an attempt to limit increased restrictions on access and multiple use of these public lands.
According to BLM officials, the Bighorn Basin Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is currently waiting on data and reports related to the ongoing sage-grouse efforts. Incorporation of these reports is critical to aid the US Fish and Wildlife Service in its listing decision in determining if the management prescriptions proposed in all planning efforts that address sage-grouse habitats offer the regulatory certainty for ongoing population/habitat protection. The Bighorn Basin RMP/FEIS was released for the 30-day protest period and the 60-day Governor’s consistency review during the SBHCD’s 2014-2015 reporting year. It is expected that the Record of Decision (ROD) will be signed in the fall of 2015. The District has participated in conference calls initiated by the local work group in regards to the revision plan
The revised plans provide future direction for approximately 3.2 million surface acres and 4.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in north-west Wyoming. The revised plans establish goals and objectives for resource management; identify lands that are open or available for certain uses, including any restrictions and lands that are administratively unavailable to certain uses; provide comprehensive management direction for all resources and uses; and make broad scale decisions guiding future site-specific implementation decisions. The planning area includes part of Hot Springs County and all of Park, Washakie and Big Horn counties.
Public lands within the field offices were previously managed according to three RMPs: the Washakie RMP (1988) and Grass Creek RMP (1998) for the Worland Field Office; and the Cody RMP (1990).
According to BLM officials, the Bighorn Basin Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is currently waiting on data and reports related to the ongoing sage-grouse efforts. Incorporation of these reports is critical to aid the US Fish and Wildlife Service in its listing decision in determining if the management prescriptions proposed in all planning efforts that address sage-grouse habitats offer the regulatory certainty for ongoing population/habitat protection. The Bighorn Basin RMP/FEIS was released for the 30-day protest period and the 60-day Governor’s consistency review during the SBHCD’s 2014-2015 reporting year. It is expected that the Record of Decision (ROD) will be signed in the fall of 2015. The District has participated in conference calls initiated by the local work group in regards to the revision plan
The revised plans provide future direction for approximately 3.2 million surface acres and 4.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in north-west Wyoming. The revised plans establish goals and objectives for resource management; identify lands that are open or available for certain uses, including any restrictions and lands that are administratively unavailable to certain uses; provide comprehensive management direction for all resources and uses; and make broad scale decisions guiding future site-specific implementation decisions. The planning area includes part of Hot Springs County and all of Park, Washakie and Big Horn counties.
Public lands within the field offices were previously managed according to three RMPs: the Washakie RMP (1988) and Grass Creek RMP (1998) for the Worland Field Office; and the Cody RMP (1990).
