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County approves letter to Congresswoman Hageman asking that Rock Springs RMP be revised to prioritize resource development
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to send a draft letter to Congresswoman Harriet Hageman asking for RMP revisions that would reduce restrictions on mineral and energy development within the Rock Springs planning area.
Sweetwater County commissioners on April 1 approved a draft letter to Congresswoman Harriet Hageman asking her to press the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Interior Department to revise the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) to align with recent presidential executive orders and subsequent secretarial direction. The board authorized county staff to finalize edits and transmit the letter.
Land-use Director Eric Bingham and Chief Deputy County Attorney De Leon summarized the county’s position: the county seeks specific changes to management alternatives and designations — including reconsideration of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), National Trail Management Corridors, and certain special recreation management areas — and to ensure the RMP does not unduly restrict mineral and energy development. Bingham said the county focused on revising the RMP alternatives that produced the most limiting management actions, rather than asking the BLM to reopen the entire plan.
Rocky Mountain Power provided suggested edits and requested a broader alignment of several land-use items (Bingham said Rocky Mountain Power asked that proposed management actions be universally moved to a less-restrictive alternative). County commissioners emphasized the request is an early step in a longer process and that the county wants continued stakeholder conversations with BLM leadership.
Commissioner Jones and others said the letter reflects widespread local interest from industry, grazing groups and affected land users; the commission unanimously approved the draft and directed staff to forward it to Congresswoman Hageman and BLM leadership in Washington, D.C.
Next steps: staff will finalize the edits discussed at the meeting, include Rocky Mountain Power’s suggested language adjustments where appropriate, and forward the letter to the State and Washington offices of BLM and to Congresswoman Hageman.
