Dear editor:
Recent news has mischaracterized the Bureau of Land Management’s finalization of the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan.
As a citizen of Sweetwater County for more than four decades, it’s disappointing to see false and misleading statements about the plan from local and state officials and various news outlets.
Most recently, some claim that the agency adopted the controversial ‘Alternative B’ from the draft plan. This could not be further from the truth.
Not only did the BLM modify the plan significantly from the original draft, but they also incorporated a huge percentage of recommendations from the Governor’s RMP Task Force.
Many of those recommendations were from other draft plan alternatives D, A and C, which were favorable to industry and grazing interests.
Critics of the plan claim that it is not allowable enough for grazing and energy development, but the final plan allows grazing on more than 99% of the entire planning area and fluid mineral leasing in 70% of the area.
Continued leasing for trona mining, in specialized areas, also shows that the BLM listened to industry interests.
Luckily, the BLM has retained some safeguards for our amazing wildlife species and recreation opportunities in the Northern Red Desert and Big Sandy Foothills, places that are cherished by so many Wyomingites, including myself.
Anyone who has spent time in the Red Desert knows this place is simply too special to develop.
As the former Planner and Public Lands Planner for Sweetwater County, I can tell you that large land use plans are never perfect.
However, in the case of the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, the BLM has done a great job at taking into consideration local stakeholder input and honoring the wishes of many to protect the Red Desert for future generations.
Our elected officials should stop the politicking and accept that this plan is both balanced and needed.
Sincerely,
Mark Kot, Rock Springs
