Committee delays effective date for Sweetwater Rocks bighorn protections while pursuing federal language

CHEYENNE — The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee voted to pass House Bill 221, which delays the effective date of previously enacted Senate File 118 so sponsors and stakeholders can pursue congressional language to protect federal grazing permits in the Sweetwater Rocks area prior to the state statute taking effect.

Rep. Pepper Ottman presented House Bill 221 and noted that the house amended the original bill to change the effective date from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2028. "House bill 2 21 only changes the effective date of senate file 1 18. Moves it to January first of 28," said Steve Garland, a landowner and constituent who testified in support of the delay and described the bill as designed to give time to secure matching federal protections.

Angie Bruce, director of Wyoming Game and Fish, told the committee the agency supports finding federal language that would allow federal agencies to recognize the state's plan. "We really are working hard to get that congressional action," Bruce said, adding that Game and Fish had drafted language and was coordinating with the federal delegation.

Supporters — including representatives of the Wyoming Wool Growers, the Wyoming Farm Bureau and elected officials — told the committee the delay would let the state and affected permittees pursue a federal vehicle (for example appropriations or the Farm Bill) to lock in protections for federal grazing permits and avoid an RMP amendment that could change grazing authorizations. Steve Garland, who ranches adjacent to the Sweetwater Rocks, said the goal is to protect permittees who fear reclassification of allotments if federal management plans are opened.

Sen. Evan Hicks, speaking to the committee, summarized protections in the underlying statute and explained the state's intended response if federal action threatened grazing allotments. As he described it, under the statute the Game and Fish Department would be required to relocate or remove bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks if a federal agency action or federal litigation would lead to elimination, reduction or suspension of domestic livestock grazing; such removal would be to occur “as soon as practicable but no later than 6 months,” and the action would be certified by the governor.

Committee action: LSO technical cleanups were adopted and the committee advanced HB 221 as amended. Roll call recorded affirmative committee votes by Senators Ide, McEwen, Pearson and Chairman French plus an absentee aye from Senator Crago — the committee tally reported five ayes.

Ending: With committee approval, HB 221 proceeds with a delayed effective date to Jan. 1, 2028; the sponsor and stakeholders said they will continue to press the federal delegation and pursue inclusion of the needed language in a federal vehicle during the next two years.