Washington, D.C. – It is critically important that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ensure access to land management planning documents and that the agency guarantee Wyoming residents an explanation as to why their proposals are or are not included in the final draft alternatives, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., told BLM Director Kathleen Clarke today.
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"I appreciate her help in seeing that my constituents' concerns are considered and given proper attention," said Enzi. "It was an excellent meeting. She understands the issues and is receptive to the notion that the BLM should change and adapt to the evolving needs of the people of Wyoming while preserving the unique characteristics of the land."
The BLM is conducting environmental impact statements and writing new land use plans for huge parcels of land throughout the state and Enzi said it is vital for the agency to listen and act on the proposals made by the people most affected.
The BLM is moving forward with a supplemental review of the Jack Morrow Hills land management planning process. The State of Wyoming and Fremont County have been granted cooperating agency status. Enzi encouraged Clarke to continue to reach out to local communities and use the information they provide in forming a final draft alternative. He also asked Clarke to ensure that the BLM does not establish any wilderness study areas in the Jack Morrow Hills or other parts of the state without a well-defined exit strategy to avail the land for all of its uses should it be deemed unsuitable for wilderness designation.
Fremont and Sublette County ranchers are worried about the BLM's plans to shut their cattle out of the Green Mountain common Grazing allotment. Enzi said the ranchers understand some steps need to be taken to reduce the drought's impact on the land, but he asked Clarke to "give these ranchers every possible consideration before making any decision that would impact their livelihoods."
"Some concerns that must be dealt with include questions over wild horse populations and the need for more flexibility in program deadlines and management options," Enzi said.
Enzi told Clarke that the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming expects tens of thousands of new coalbed methane wells in the coming years. He said the Wyoming delegation had requested additional funds for the BLM field office in Buffalo in order to help process the increase in well permit applications and Enzi requested that the BLM director "exercise all authority available under the Mineral Leasing Act and other applicable law, to ensure that the federal coal and federal and nonfederal coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin will be developed in a timely, economic manner that protects the environment. I'm pleased that she personally is going to be onsite, on the ground looking at this development."
Viewsheds were another topic the senator and agency head touched on at the meeting. Wyoming BLM offices are conducting trails visibility studies because of an executive order issued by former President Clinton. The executive order obligates the agency to conduct line-of-sight mapping for the Pony Express, California, Oregon, Mormon and Continental Divide Trails. The mapping process is expected to become part of the management plan for these trails and is intended to help the BLM outline controls on facilities within a quarter-mile on each side of the trails' center lines.
"There is a growing concern in Wyoming that these activities will result in a viewshed analysis for all new projects and may cause the BLM and other agencies to extend viewshed controls beyond their current quarter-mile to a potential 10 mile corridor," said Enzi. "Should this occur the BLM viewshed analysis could have a severe impact on a number of activities in Wyoming. The BLM must consider the impact any such decision could have on Wyoming residents before imposing this or any other limitation on activities in and around Wyoming's historic trail systems."
Clarke took over the top spot at the BLM earlier this year.
