Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming

Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming, and Prepare an Associated Environmental Assessment

The BLM Wyoming State Director issued a Notice of Intent to amend the Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan and prepare an associated Environmental Assessment to re-evaluate coal leasing allocations in Campbell County, Wyoming. The planning area covers approximately 496,314 surface acres and 481,000 acres of Federal coal mineral estate. Two preliminary alternatives are under consideration: the current 2024 decision making zero acres available for further coal leasing consideration, and the 2019 decision making 481,000 acres available. The action is driven by Executive Orders 14154 and 14156 directing expanded domestic energy production. Scoping comments are due August 7, 2025.

BLM Director's Response to the Wyoming Governor's Appeal of the BLM Wyoming State Director's Governor's Consistency Review Determination for the Buffalo Field Office Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

The Bureau of Land Management published this notice in December 2024 to explain why the BLM Director rejected the Wyoming Governor's appeal of the Buffalo Field Office Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The Governor alleged 11 inconsistencies with state and local plans stemming from the RMPA's No Leasing Alternative for federal coal, and recommended BLM adopt the No Action Alternative (Alternative B). The BLM Director determined that Alternative B is inconsistent with national policy, including Presidential Executive Orders 13990 and 14008 on climate, and that continued coal leasing no longer balances economic benefits against adverse effects to air quality, environmental justice, and public health.

Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming

Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Miles City Field Office, Montana