Governor Gordon has voiced strong concerns regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Final Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Greater Sage-grouse, which applies to all BLM-administered lands in Wyoming. The Governor emphasized that the plan did not adequately consider Wyoming’s state-level expertise in sage-grouse management.
Wyoming has long been a leader in sage-grouse conservation, with state-led efforts spanning more than 16 years. The Governor noted that Wyoming’s approach has successfully balanced core habitat protection with responsible development. He expressed disappointment that the BLM’s amendments fail to reflect Wyoming’s experience and expertise, instead adding federal regulatory layers that may hinder state-developed conservation practices without clear benefits to sage-grouse populations or habitats.
The Governor stated, “The BLM’s plan reflects extreme indifference to Wyoming’s expertise and authority in managing sage-grouse.” He emphasized Wyoming’s commitment to defend its management authority and plans to pursue a Protest response and Consistency Review, due December 16, 2024, and January 7, 2025, respectively.
Governor Gordon expressed hope that upcoming federal leadership changes could allow Wyoming to shape a more effective management approach for sage-grouse conservation.
For more updates on Wyoming’s response to the BLM plan, visit the Governor’s official website.
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