Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Resource Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BLM outlines Rock Springs, Newcastle and Buffalo RMP updates to Wyoming committee
Summary
BLM officials briefed the committee on three RMP actions: Rock Springs (amendment scoping and a planned draft for public comment), Newcastle (final RMP updated for 2025 greater sage-grouse plans, pending EPA publication) and Buffalo (CRA disapproval led to termination of the 2024 planning effort).
BLM officials told a Wyoming legislative committee on July 13 that revisions and actions to three resource management plans are at different stages and that public involvement has been substantial.
Rock Springs RMP: Chris Kirby, acting state director for BLM Wyoming, said BLM initiated a revision in 2011 and that the current December 2024 RMP remains in effect as the agency completes an amendment process launched with a notice of intent and public scoping. "We received approximately 13,000 public scoping comments," Kirby said, and BLM plans to release a draft amendment in early fall with a 60‑day comment period followed by protest and governor consistency review processes; a final decision is likely next spring, the agency said. Kirby rejected characterizations that the plan "took 3,000,000 acres out of human contact," saying valid existing rights (leases, mining) were retained and public access continues in much of the field office.
Newcastle RMP: BLM summarized the Newcastle (WY/NE) revision process (notice of intent July 2023, scoping, draft RMP November 2024, extended comment period through March 17, 2025) and said the final Newcastle RMP was updated to reflect 2025 greater sage‑grouse plans and was being sent to EPA for publication.
Buffalo RMP: BLM briefed the committee that the 2024 Buffalo RMP record of decision became the subject of a Congressional Review Act disapproval (HJR 130) in the House, which the president signed into law on Dec. 11, 2025; BLM then published a termination notice and returned to the 2015/2019 Buffalo RMP (the 2019 amendment remains in effect by court order).
Why it matters: Committee members pressed for acreage specifics and for clear timelines. Kirby said BLM will provide acreage numbers on request and reiterated the agency's plan to publish a draft amendment for public comment in the fall. Stakeholders at the meeting—conservation groups and county representatives—urged timely action to reduce uncertainty for recreation and development interests.
Next steps: BLM will publish the Rock Springs draft amendment, open the public comment and protest periods and coordinate with governor's office consistency review; the Newcastle final decision was expected to publish with EPA clearance, and the Buffalo RMP planning effort has been terminated pending future federal action.
