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BLM updates management plan for Rock Springs Field Office (posted 12/20/2024)
Bureau of Land Management
ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today (Friday, December 20, 2024) issued a Record of Decision and approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs Field Office. The plan, which replaces the nearly three-decades-old Green River RMP, incorporates significant feedback and input from local stakeholders, including recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force.
The approved plan will guide BLM’s management approach for the region, balancing responsible resource development, grazing, and community use with outdoor recreation, wildlife needs, habitat conservation, and cultural resource protection. The approved plan incorporates input from the Governor and State representatives, local governments, the livestock, mining, oil and gas, and recreation industries, as well as conservationists, hunters and anglers, utility companies, and motorized recreation users. The plan reflects the vast majority of the more than 100 recommendations made by the Governor’s task force in its final report to the BLM.
The Rock Springs planning area includes approximately 3.6 million acres of BLM-administered surface land and 3.5 million acres of BLM-administered mineral estate in portions of Lincoln, Sweetwater, Uinta, Sublette, and Fremont counties in southwestern Wyoming. The approved plan, Record of Decision, and other relevant documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
The BLM published the Notice of Availability releasing the Draft RMP/EIS on August 18, 2023, initiating a 90-day public comment period, which was later extended an additional 62 days through January 17, 2024. During the comment period, the BLM held three in-person public meetings and received more than 35,000 comments. The Governor of Wyoming also appointed a Task Force—composed of representatives from Wyoming local governments, industries, hunters and anglers, conservation groups, and more—to develop recommendations on the draft plan. The BLM issued the Final EIS and Proposed RMP on August 23, 2024. That proposed plan incorporated the majority of recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force, the public, and the Greater Little Mountain Coalition. The Record of Decision confirms the BLM’s proposed management approach and concludes the Rock Springs planning process.
For questions, please contact BLM_WY_912@blm.gov.
Governor Gordon responds to the BLM’s release of the Rock Springs RMP Record of Decision (posted 12/20/2024)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – On December 20, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed and released their Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rock Springs Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP). The ROD was immediately preceded by BLM Principal Deputy Director Nada Culver’s rejection of the Governor’s appeal to his Governor’s Consistency Review response. Governor Gordon issued the following statement:
"The Biden Administration’s BLM did everything within its power to push this out the door before President Trump takes office and their Director leaves for a position with an environmental group. While it is not surprising that Wyoming’s comments were figuratively dumped in the trash, it is disappointing that despite years of collaborative work between state agencies, impacted counties, concerned citizens, and interest groups, all Wyoming is left with is this parting shot from the Biden Administration.
I am absolutely committed to reviewing and pursuing all the options we have to claw back this misguided ROD. With President Trump in office, former Governor Burgum at the head of the Department of the Interior, and a Republican Senate and House, I am confident that we will have the ability to finish the job and right a course that has been so far off track over the last four years."
Governor Gordon, in consultation with the Attorney General, will conduct a thorough review of the ROD to determine if it meets the conditions set by the Wyoming Legislature in the 2024 Budget Bill required for certification of the Kelly Parcel sale. A decision on that review will be announced in the near future.
The BLM’s Rock Springs RMP ROD may be found here and on the BLM’s project website.
Barrasso statement on Record of Decision for the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (posted 12/20//2024)
Senator Barrasso media release
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris administration released its record of decision for the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan.
"The Biden-Harris administration is issuing yet another misguided and malicious midnight rule on their way out the door. Given that Wyoming Governor Gordon just submitted his review of this plan two days ago, it is clear that the Department of the Interior did not seriously consider or respond to his concerns. I look forward to working with President Trump to repeal this disastrous plan," said Senator Barrasso.
C40 Cities aim to ban meat, dairy products, private vehicle ownership, limit clothing purchases, and restrict airplane flights by 2030 (posted 12/20/2024)
14 US cities are part of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
Pinedale Online!
In five years, the world we live in globally could look very different.
"C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis," according to the organization’s website, https://www.c40.org/. The mayors of these cities, internationally, are committed to cutting emissions in half by 2030 as part of their contribution to a larger climate action plan aligned with the 1.5˚C ambition of the Paris Agreement. Concerns include climate change effects of rising temperatures, severe weather events, and the world’s use and dependence on fossil fuels.
Cities around the world that make up the organization include London, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; Rio de Janeiro, Argentina; Montreal, Canada; Milan, Italy; Seoul, South Korea; Oslo, Norway; and Hong Kong, China. In America, participating cities include Austin and Houston, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Miami, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.
Some of the encouraged efforts described in the C40 2023 Annual Report include:
- Cutting fossil fuel use in cities in half or more by 2030.
- Necessity of reducing consumer consumption as a global effort to mitigate climate change by having cities map consumer-based emissions and exploring ways to reduce them.
- Reduce the demand for new buildings by up to 20% and reducing the use of steel and cement in construction of new buildings by up to 20%.
- Movement to "decarbonize" buildings and new construction to reduce energy use and move away from fossil fuels.
- Eliminate meat and dairy consumption to 0% and launching efforts to transform public and private food systems to reduce meat and dairy items.
- Reduce household food waste by 50%, ultimately down to 0%.
- Reduce commercial supply chain food waste 50-75%.
- Reduce new clothing item purchases per person to 3-8 items per year.
- Eliminate private vehicle ownership.
- Reduce the use of metal and plastic materials by 50%
- Creating net-zero and people-centered neighborhoods, where residents access parks, shops, schools, health services, work, and other basics of a life, within a short walk, cycle or public transit trip of their home – the 15-Minute City concept.
- Encouraging governments to integrate climate goals into their strategic plans, and to ensure budget allocations reflect climate action implementation.
- Grow and expand C40’s Global Green New Deal Pilot Initiative to more cities to plan and deliver local action that tackles the climate crisis while also addressing socio-economic challenges, including on green jobs and just transition.
- Reduce the number of short-haul return airplane flights per person to once every 2 to 3 years.
- Replace airplane fuel to a low carbon technology or fuel source.
- Creating Green and Healthy Streets by putting restrictions in place on motor vehicles, bans on high polluting vehicles, reallocating road space from cars to other modes of transportation (such as bikes and walking).
- Encourage governments to divest from or have no municipal investments in fossil fuel companies and become "fossil-free" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Creating "Water Safe Cities" committed to adapting urban water management to a changing climate with a mandatory target to prioritize early warning systems to improve water security and vulnerability from flooding, droughts, and including replacing and maintaining existing pipes and implementing smart water meter systems.
In the United States, some cities are already implementing strategies in step with these C40 goals. The Mayor of New York City intends to put caps on the amount of meat and dairy served by city institutions, schools and prisons. In 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations (ACC II) plan to begin phasing out sales of new gas-powered cars and light trucks in the state. In December of this year (2024) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted 11 states permission to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035.
The strategic direction of C40 is determined by an elected Steering Committee of mayors, currently co-chaired by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. The former three-term mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg, is a major funder and serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. Major funding comes from many sources including critical core funding from three philanthropic partners: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and Realdania. Other funders include FedEx and Google. C40 Cities is a coalition of billionaires, non-government organizations (NGOs), foundations, banks, governments, and businesses collaborating on the climate change agendas.
Integral to gaining control of populations in this way would very likely be implemented via conversion to a central banking digital currency (CBCD), doing away with untrackable paper money toward trackable online credit card systems. This would allow the forcing of consumer habits and spending ability and controlling access to their money by tieing it to assigned social credit scores based on people’s purchasing choices.
Related Links:
C40 Cities Annual Report 2023
Paris Agreement United Nations
World Economic Forum Climate Leadership Group
The Great Reset Wikipedia
New York City Food Policy
Free online learning available for Wyoming’s older adults (posted 12/20/2024)
Wyoming Department of Health
A wide range of free classes is available for older Wyoming adults through the Wyoming Department of Health’s (WDH) ongoing partnership with a robust online learning service.
Jeff Clark, Community Living Section manager with the WDH Aging Division, described the "GetSetUp" digital education site as an overall opportunity for older adults to increase activity, boost wellness and spark their creativity by learning new things.
Wyoming residents have participated in nearly 20,000 classes since WDH made GetSetUp available in the state roughly three years ago. "While the variety of subjects available through GetSetUp is impressive, fitness classes have been the most popular by far among Wyoming users," Clark said.
"Wyoming residents can access thousands of interactive classes taught by older adults to their peers on GetSetUp," Clark said. "These classes can be a simple way to connect with others from the comfort and safety of one’s home, which is especially a nice feature during poor weather."
Beyond popular fitness classes such as "indoor walking workout," available subjects range from avoiding scams, building computer skills, crafting and cooking to learning about volunteering. Some offerings involve live sessions; others are recorded and available at any time.
GetSetUp’s custom-built video learning interface is available around the clock and has been tailored to older adults of all tech levels. The platform offers support via phone and in all classes to help learners with technology, and includes a booking system complete with regular reminders and after-class notes.
Wyoming’s older adults can safely and easily connect with a worldwide community by visiting https://www.getsetup.io/partner/wyoming online. Because of the WDH Aging Division partnership with GetSetUp, the classes are free for state residents. To avoid fees, residents should use the coupon code "Wyoming" while booking classes.
Clark noted many classes are available in Spanish, with some presented in other languages as well.
Governor Gordon appeals BLM’s response to his Rock Springs RMP Governor’s Consistency Review (posted 12/18/2024)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Governor Gordon submitted his appeal of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) response to his Governor’s Consistency Review on the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) Revision. This is the final National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) input from the State of Wyoming before the BLM makes their final changes and signs a Record of Decision (ROD). Governor Gordon issued the following statement:
"The BLM’s perfunctory response to the Governor’s Consistency Review showed their final hand. We were left with little choice but to appeal their response. It is our hope the BLM will consider our arguments carefully.
With this appeal, BLM has another opportunity to make sensible, multiple-use based decisions in the RMP. The Biden-Harris Administration has always been more concerned about pushing out an agenda-driven document to make a political point before leaving office, rather than collaborating with the State, counties, and locals on responsible and durable land management policy. Rest assured, Wyoming will consider every option available to the State, and we look forward to a Republican Congress and President Trump bringing some much-needed balance to resource management.
I thank Attorney General Hill and her staff for their efforts. Their work has put Wyoming in the best possible position to continue the fight and call out the BLM wherever they have shirked their NEPA responsibilities during this process."
Governor Gordon had 60-days to complete and submit his Consistency Review to the BLM State Director following the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, and a further 30-days upon receipt to appeal the State Director’s response to BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. State Agencies previously submitted their protest letters following a 30-day window. The ROD is still expected from the BLM before the change in presidential administrations. The Governor’s Consistency Review Response Appeal may be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lM5q6Wsm0aPDvxmoXmb4CTOz3XskE7g9/view.
Wyoming completes deployment of $76.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for community projects (posted 12/20/2024)
Wyoming received nearly $1.1 billion from the federal ARPA of 2021
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Governor’s Office announced that Wyoming’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are now fully committed, making it unlikely that any of those funds will be returned to the Federal government.
Wyoming received nearly $1.1 billion from the federal ARPA of 2021. Of that amount, approximately $584 million was used to replace revenue lost as a result of the economic downturn caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One impact of that downturn was that for the first time in the state’s history, there was a period of time when no oil and gas drilling rigs were operating in Wyoming. Most of the revenue replacement funds were used within the Department of Health and Department of Corrections to conserve the General Fund dollars appropriated to them, ensuring the State had a sustainable approach to its operations during the economic downturn. Some of those General Fund dollars were also put into permanent savings, which will generate income to the benefit of Wyoming taxpayers for future generations.
"The ARPA funds appropriated by the Federal government will be paid for by our children and grandchildren," Governor Gordon stated. "It is fitting that we use those funds at a state level to reduce the potential tax burden of Wyoming’s current and future taxpayers."
Like all federal programs, ARPA funds could only be used for certain purposes, as determined by the federal government, including the requirement of a nexus to direct impacts of the pandemic. The Wyoming Legislature appropriated the remaining ARPA funds for support of mental health, healthcare, infrastructure, water and sewer projects. These funds were granted through state agencies. In addition, all proposed projects were reviewed by the State Budget Department, in consultation with an audit firm, and the Office of the Attorney General to assure compliance to the extent practical with federal and state law and regulations.
Not surprisingly, there were a number of communities and organizations who were unable to completely obligate the ARPA funds within federally mandated time frames. Recognizing that possibility, the Wyoming Legislature provided the Governor the authority to establish a process so that those projects that were ARPA-funded, but not obligated on time, could be redeployed prior to the federal deadline. Governor Gordon primarily redeployed these unobligated funds to community projects, particularly choosing to reduce participating communities’ local cost share of water and sewer projects, which are the safest category available for the use of ARPA funds.
In addition, $13.7 million was conditionally approved by the State Land and Investment Board (SLIB) for inflationary costs for approved Health and Human Services (HHS) related projects during the 2023 General Session through 2023 House Bill 0195. Due to the complicated federal requirements, HHS projects funded by ARPA dollars were always considered to be at the highest risk for eventual clawback by the federal government. The Governor and SLIB recognized this risk and thus did not redeploy unobligated ARPA funds for additional funding for HHS projects.
In summary, approximately $76.7 million was redeployed for various projects, the majority into community infrastructure projects. A list of those projects can be found here: https://sbd.wyo.gov/
Wyoming sues BLM to protect coal leasing in Powder River Basin (posted 12/12/2024)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Governor Mark Gordon announced today (Thursday, December 12, 2024) that Wyoming and Montana have filed suit against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) that ends new federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. The suit that the RMPA record of decision is unreasonable, unjustified, and unsupported by federal law.
"Instead of working with the states to address their concerns, BLM pushed through their narrow-minded agenda to stop using coal, ignoring the multiple-use mandate and the economic impacts of this decision, including skyrocketing electricity bills for consumers. They did not do their job properly," Governor Gordon said.
The states’ lawsuit argues that the RMPA fails to comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), stating that the BLM’s action marks a total shift in the agency’s treatment of coal leasing and simply ignoring the states’ concerns.
"Even though these States, their agencies and counties, industry groups, and members of Congress objected to the proposed management plan, BLM gave their concerns short shrift and moved forward with its own agenda," the lawsuit states.
Governor Gordon utilized Coal Litigation Funds appropriated by the Wyoming Legislature, which added another arrow to the Attorney General’s quiver in Wyoming’s longstanding efforts to combat the Biden federal efforts to end the use of fossil fuels. This most recent lawsuit adds to the more than 50 cases in which the Attorney General is protecting Wyoming’s interests. The Governor expressed his appreciation to the legislature for the funds, which were used to contract with Consovoy McCarthy, a private firm with proven expertise in federal administrative law.
"Wyoming will continue to lead in the fight against federal overreach. I look forward to the courts scrutinizing this misguided and politically-driven amendment which consciously ignored our country’s increasing demand for affordable energy," the Governor said.
A copy of the States’ filing may be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o4aFBhgz_URSKhFoXh4vssJUukX_EM7a/view
Update on Corporate Transparency Act BOI filing requirement (posted 12/11/2024)
Nation-wide preliminary injunction suspends enforcement temporarily
Pinedale Online!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) which requires specific business entities to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) by January 1, 2025, has been preliminarily blocked nationwide as of December 3, 2024, by a Texas federal court. The ruling ordered a nation-wide preliminary injunction suspending enforcement temporarily. As a result, "reporting companies need not comply with the CTA’s January 1, 2025, [beneficial ownership information] reporting deadline pending further order of the Court" and FinCEN cannot enforce any of the CTA’s penalties for willful noncompliance against entities or individuals. The Department of Justice has filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Further appeals could take it to the Supreme Court. Companies impacted by this matter should keep apprised of the status of the rulings on this case and the filing requirement.
Related Links:
Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Enforcement On Hold After Court Ruling The National Law Review, December 11, 2024
FinCEN: CTA Is Voluntary (for Now). Forbes.com, December 9, 2024
Corporate Transparency Act Blocked Nationwide by Texas Court bloombergtax.com, December 3, 2024
LLCs required to file new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report by January 1, 2025 Pinedale Online! November 18, 2024
Wyoming DEQ begins Upper Green River Basin Redesignation process (posted 12/11/2024)
Kimberly Mazza, Wyoming DEQ
PINEDALE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Air Quality Division (AQD) recently held a public meeting in Pinedale, Wyoming to discuss the process to officially redesignate the Upper Green River Basin (UGRB) to Attainment status for meeting the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
In 2012, the UGRB was designated by the EPA as a Nonattainment Area (NAA) for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS due to exceedances that occurred in previous years.
The AQD developed enforceable reductions to meet the 2008 Ozone NAAQS and move the Basin back into attainment. Through collaboration with many stakeholders in the Basin, including industry and citizens, the DEQ was able to demonstrate that the enforceable reductions were working. As a result, in 2016, the EPA issued a Determination of Attainment confirming that the UGRB met the 2008 NAAQS of 75ppb for three consecutive years.
The next step for redesignation is developing a 20-year maintenance plan. The maintenance plan ensures continued compliance and includes contingency measures for potential issues. The plan projects future emissions for the next 10 years. At the eight-year mark, the second 10-year plan will be due.
The AQD has designated a special website (UGRBozone.org) to keep the public informed and to provide an opportunity for input to inform Wyoming DEQ’s planning process. The public is encouraged to visit UGRBozone.org for links to submit their input and sign up for updates on the process.
BLM Pinedale and Kemmerer Field Office seeks volunteers for bald eagle survey (posted 12/11/2024)
Pinedale survey on January 11, 2025
Bureau of Land Management
PINEDALE, WYOMING — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale and Kemmerer Field Offices are inviting volunteers to participate in the national Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey. The Pinedale survey is scheduled for Saturday, January 11, while the Kemmerer survey will take place on Friday, January 10.
Volunteers should call the Pinedale and Kemmerer Field Office by Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to be assigned survey routes along public roads in Sublette and Lincoln County, Wyoming, and receive instructions on survey methods and eagle identification. Two-person observation teams are needed so that one person can safely drive while the other observes and documents eagles.
Since 1979, federal and state agencies as well as volunteers from the public have counted bald eagles throughout the U.S. every January. By monitoring and estimating national and regional count trends, an index of the total winter bald eagle population in the lower 48 states has been established.
For additional information:
• Pinedale Field Office: Contact Theresa Gulbrandson at 307-367-5359.
• Kemmerer Field Office: Contact David Merz at 307-828-4517.
Wyoming pushes back on anti-fossil fuel ESG-driven asset managers (posted 11/29/2024)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
Wyoming is part of a coalition of states that has brought an antitrust enforcement action against asset managers Blackrock, State Street, and Vanguard for their coordinated and anticompetitive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) schemes to disrupt the energy industry.
Each defendant – three of the largest institutional investors in the world – has individually acquired substantial stockholdings in every significant publicly held coal producer in the United States. Each thereby has acquired the power to influence the policies of these competing companies and significantly diminish competition in the coal markets.
In 2021, Blackrock, State Street, and Vanguard publicly announced their respective commitment to use their shares to pressure all portfolio companies in which they held assets to align with a climate activist agenda. Those goals included reducing carbon emissions from coal by over 50%.
"Wyoming is committed to protecting our core industries, whether from federal over-reaching regulations or unfair market manipulation. I commend our Attorney General for her diligence in pursuing all options to protect the coal industry," stated Governor Mark Gordon.
"Under the guise of ESG policies, they have leveraged their holdings and voted their shares to artificially constrain the supply of coal and significantly diminish competition in the markets for coal, which resulted in increased energy prices for American consumers and extraordinary profits for the asset managers," the Governor continued. "Pushing back against anti-competitive ESG policies, especially when they unfairly exact profits from increased energy costs to Wyoming families and businesses, is one of the ways Wyoming continues to defend our coal industry and help power the country."
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