BLM seeks public input on Buffalo land use plan amendment and supplemental analysis
Initiation of court-directed review
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BUFFALO, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement and amendment to the 2015 Buffalo Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan. The supplemental environmental impact statement is being prepared in response to a U.S. Montana District court opinion and order pertaining to Western Organization of Resource Councils, et al. v. BLM.
The publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register initiates a 30-day public scoping period that will end on Nov. 2, 2022.
In August 2022, the court determined that the analysis of possible fossil fuel impacts to the planning area in the Buffalo RMP was insufficient and gave the BLM until November 2023 to analyze other coal leasing alternatives and disclose the public health impacts, both climate and non-climate, of burning fossil fuels from the planning areas. The BLM Miles City Field Office in Montana is also included in the court order.
A public meeting to further identify planning issues is planned for Oct. 17, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. at the Campbell County Library located at 2101 S. 4J Road, Gillette, WY.
Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or on the BLM’s ePlanning website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2021239/510. Hardcopy comments can be hand-delivered to the BLM Buffalo Field Office during business hours or mailed to ATTN: Buffalo RMP Supplemental Draft EIS, BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort St., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information, please be aware that your entire comment – including personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting can ask in their comments to have their personal identifying information withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so.
Please see the BLM ePlanning website listed above for more information, relevant documents, and a venue for submitting comments. For questions, contact RMP project manager Thomas Bills at 307-684-1133.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.