ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has extended a period for public comment to Dec. 18 on a proposed amendment and related environmental assessment for mineral land development in southwestern Wyoming.

The amendment to the 2024 Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) comes in response to Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, which directs federal agencies “to reassess policies that may unnecessarily restrict access to domestic energy and mineral resources.”

Based on these orders, the BLM determined that some existing mineral restrictions and special management designations require re-evaluation.

The proposed plan will review 12 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in addition to five Special Recreation Management Areas, a National Historic Trails corridor and 13 Wilderness Study Areas.

Each designation will be reviewed to decide whether or not the current restrictions on mineral development are warranted. The RMP planning area included in the amendment includes approximately 3.6 million acres of BLM-administered mineral estate in portions of Fremont, Sublette and Sweetwater counties.

“This amendment is about striking a better balance,” said Acting BLM Wyoming State Director Kris Kirby in the statement. “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 that make these lands unique.”

Local communities, Tribes, industry professionals and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public comment process. Public comments can identify otherwise unknown issues and provide context into proposed alternatives.

To learn more about the proposed amendment, a public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Sweetwater Events Complex, 3320 Yellowstone Road in Rock Springs.

Courtesy of BLM, a map of ACEC areas from the Rock Springs Field Office.
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern as of October 2025, from the Rock Springs Field Office // BLM

Comments can be submitted on the BLM National NEPA Register by clicking on “Participate Now” and will be accepted until Dec. 18. Nominations for new Areas of Critical Concern are also being accepted at this time.

Individuals who need special assistance or accommodations can contact the BLM office in advance at BLM_WY_RockSpringsRMP@blm.gov.

Hannah is a Buckrail Staff Reporter and freelance web developer and designer who has called Jackson home since 2015. When she’s not outside, you can probably find her eating a good meal, playing cribbage, or at one of the local yoga studios. She’s interested in what makes this community tick, both from the individual and collective perspective.