>Scoping period extended 45 days and public meeting scheduled for Dec. 3

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management is providing additional time for the public to comment on a proposed amendment and associated environmental assessment that will review special management designations and evaluate mineral development opportunities across approximately 3.6 million acres of BLM-managed land in Fremont, Sublette, and Sweetwater counties, Wyoming. The BLM will accept comments until Dec. 18, 2025.

“This amendment is about striking a better balance,” said Acting BLM Wyoming State Director Kris Kirby. “By providing more time for public review and comment, the BLM is ensuring a transparent process to assess how we can support multiple-use management, meet current energy demands, and honor the unique ecological, cultural and recreational values of that make these lands unique.”

The BLM also will host a public meeting as an opportunity for the public to learn more about the proposed amendment. The meeting will occur Dec. 3, 2025, from 3-6 p.m. MST at the Sweetwater Events Complex, 3320 Yellowstone Road, Rock Springs.

The amendment responds to Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, which direct federal agencies to reassess policies that may unnecessarily restrict access to domestic energy and mineral resources. The BLM determined that existing mineral restrictions and special management designations within the Rock Springs Field Office require reevaluation.

The planning area contains twelve Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, five Special Recreation Management Areas, a National Historic Trails corridor, and thirteen Wilderness Study Areas. The BLM will reexamine these designations to determine whether special management is still warranted and where development may be appropriate. The amendment will also consider advances in technology, evolving industry interest, and updated mineral potential data.