‘We know it’s not perfect’: BLM seeks relevant comments for proposal

A misconception Foster noted is how the public meeting will be conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Holiday Inn. She confirmed that “it is not a public forum.”

She explained the public will have access to maps at different stations and various specialists will be on-site to answer questions such as recreation and mineral development. She added that it will be an open house, informational format with written comment opportunities for the public.

“We’re not taking public testimony at the meeting,” she said.

The open house is scheduled from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., and no one is obligated to stay during the three hours.

The 90-day public comment period continues until Nov. 16, 2023.

On Sept. 19, the Sweetwater County Board of Commissioners submitted a letter to the BLM requesting an additional review time of 120 days on the RMP.

Members of the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee sent a letter to BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in Washington D.C. The letter stated, “the committee strongly encourages the BLM to extend the comment period 120 days beyond the current comment period end date until at least March 15, 2024.”

Local officials agree that 90 days are not enough time to study the RMP, as well.

Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson told Foster that “in order to give sufficient comments, we need more time.”

Lately, Alternative B, one of four proposals in the BLM’s plan, has stirred up emotions among members of the Wyoming Legislature, county commission, local government and citizens.

Foster revealed that their “phones are ringing off the hook,” adding that she has received threats that the FBI is currently investigating.

“We know that it’s an unpopular alternative,” she said, expressing that the threats aren’t helpful. “It will not change the document. We need specific comments such as ‘leasing prohibited in this area is going to affect my business because I was planning to expand’ or ‘If this management action plan takes place, it will alter my ability to collect petrified wood.’”

Councilman Rob Zotti expressed that threats are unnecessary and the public needs to remember the importance of being respectful when submitting comments.

Sen. John Kolb, Senate District 12, echoed that statement by saying that “people don’t need to bring pitchforks to the BLM meeting.”

“Bring comments. Bring a friend. Even though it isn’t going to make a direct difference at that meeting, it’s a show that we disagree, and we have opinions about this process,” said Kolb, expressing that BLM picked the worst plan for Wyoming's custom, culture and future.

Foster noted that the Rock Springs plan was suspended multiple times due to a variety of issues.

Kolb pointed out that he wants half the time BLM took to “come up with this crazy plan,” but said that asking for a 120-day extension puts elected officials in “a reasonable position.”

“We all have to rise up, do our part and get educated,” Kolb said. “We have to make comments that count. BLM indicated that they’d accept all comments in an email form, including overseas.

“I think the folks in Wyoming should have the bigger seat at the table because we live here and love this life.”

Mickelson agreed by saying, “Wyomingites should have the bigger voice, especially those who live in Sweetwater County because we’re the ones who will have to live with the outcome.”

Mickelson noted that BLM needs the public to point out the inaccuracies in the document for them to make necessary adjustments to it.

“I’m certain that they’re aware that nobody is particularly fond of Alternative B, but they need more substantive responses,” Mickelson said.

Sweetwater County Commissioner Island Richards discussed his concerns with Map 2-22., Alternative B, regarding right of ways.

“While we can have development on state lands and private lands, this right of way map shows that there are no new ways to get that production out of those areas,” Richards explained, saying that the map creates paths that will shut down right of ways 100% on the checkerboard, north to south.

Richards said, “That means we can’t put in a new power line, from east to west across Sweetwater County; no new pipeline, no new roads, no right of way access at all. That’s devastating.”

According to Richards, the right of ways map “could shut down one of our trona mines and plant expansions going on right now.”

“I believe the Wyoming Business Council estimated that this could be a $100 million impact on tax revenue in 10 years for Sweetwater County. This has the potential to end Sweetwater County in the name of preserving it for... who? None of us is going to be living here. We’re not going to be here working. We’re not going to be here recreating. We’re not going to be here to donate to the conservation groups that support this alternative. I can’t find anywhere there’s a precedent in choosing Alternative B.”

He added, “I can assure you that Sweetwater County is going through this with a fine-tooth comb, but we don’t have the human hours available to get through this and write substantive comments in 90 days; even with a 120 - day extension, it’s going to be difficult.”

Foster pointed out that since BLM is an executive branch agency for the government, their agency preferred alternative is going to align with the administration’s priorities, however, she also stated that it’s just a draft. No decisions have been made.

She noted that there have been many questions regarding the designated roads.

Councilman Tim Robinson asked for clarification on possible changes with established roads that people currently have access to.

“Roads as they exist now even, let's say worst case scenario, ‘B’ was selected, nothing changes with access to the roads that are established right now? Everybody would have access to it regardless?” Robinson asked.

“That is true except for a few select circumstances,” she answered. “For example, it talks about closure in front of the petroglyphs to protect the integrity of the rock wall itself. That's just one example of where it would be. It's always a specific action, not the blanket broad-strokes, which is why there's so much misinformation right now in the public because everyone's saying ‘across the board’ or all 3.7 million acres. That's just not the case; it is very specific.”

Sen. Stacy Jones, Senate District 13, shared some concerns regarding motorized recreation after discovering “a small paragraph buried” within the first volume of the draft.

Jones pointed out that under Alternative B, 2,352 miles of routes would be managed as open to vehicle use. About 67 miles of routes would be limited to non-motorized or non-mechanized use. 4,505 miles of routes would be closed to all use and 10,006 of routes and linear disturbances would be removed from the transportation network and allowed to return to natural conditions.

Out of 16,930 miles of existing roads and trails, only 2,352 miles would remain open, she said, adding that 67 miles would be converted to non-motorized or non-mechanized use and the remaining 85.7% of existing roads and trails would either be closed to all use or removed and return to natural conditions.

According to Chapter 2 (2-133), regarding land resources and recreation, the Killpecker Sand Dunes special recreation management area would not be retained under Alternative B. Based on Alternative C and D, 9,250 acres are designated open to off-road vehicle (ORV) travel on the active sand dunes. ORV’s travel on 3,581 acres of vegetated dune areas is limited to existing roads and trails.

Jones told Rocket Miner that Alternative B “would eliminate organized rallies, cross-country races, poker runs, fun runs and other events.”

Foster told attendees at the special council meeting that the public can look at the four alternatives and tell BLM what is good and bad about the document.

“We know it’s not perfect. We didn’t say it was,” she said. “That’s why we need public input.”

The public may mail or drop off comments at the Rock Springs BLM office or submit comments electronically here.