BLM Wyoming Air Program

The BLM Wyoming Air Resource Program strives to ensure that air quality and air quality related values on public lands are managed in a manner that complies with the Clean Air Act (CAA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state and tribal regulations. The Air Resource Program accomplishes this through collaboration with state (Air | Wyoming DEQ) and other federal agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) (Air Quality | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service), National Park Service (NPS) (Air Quality in Parks - Air [U.S. National Park Service]), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) (Forest Service Air Resource Management Program) and concerned stakeholders and citizens to ensure air quality analyses in support of NEPA are comprehensive and effective in identifying air quality impacts that could result from BLM-authorized activities on public lands.  

Wyoming consists of abundant beauty and vast natural resources. Wyoming’s public lands feature 18 million acres of wide-open spaces, scenic vistas, world class wildlife and cultural treasures as well as nearly 43 million acres of federal mineral estate encompassing extraordinary energy reserves. The air resource analysis helps with the BLM’s decision-making during land management planning when authorizing uses of the public lands. The analysis considers the protection of these areas while still allowing responsible resource development. Most of the emissions sources that BLM Wyoming studies are associated with new federal oil and gas development or other energy-related projects. The aim is to use these lands for multiple use and sustained yield for the benefit of future generations.