Wyoming ranchers have opposed proposals to turn more than 1.3 million acres of land into conservation areas amid fears it could destroy their livelihoods.
Farmers warned the plans could be more destructive than ‘Pearl Harbor, the Civil War and 9/11 combined’.
The proposals from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concern the Rock Springs Management Area, a tract of land that includes the Red Desert, as well as the famous hunting grounds of the Greater Little Mountain Area.
But critics say the plans could exclude hunters, as well as limit farming, energy development and mining – effectively rendering the area ‘no longer for human use’.
Now, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has announced that he is exploring Wyoming’s options to take legal action against the plan approved by the Biden administration.
Lifelong farmer and Wyoming Rep. Bill Alleman warned that the proposals could have catastrophic impacts for farmers in the state
A Bureau of Land Management plan outlines plans for the protected areas
The BLM has already acknowledged the ‘preferred’ option of its $9 million draft one where ‘socio-economic impact would be greatest’, due to the substantial changes to land use.
This would mean designating a total of 1.6 million hectares of land as areas of critical environmental concern, cutting more than 7,600 hectares of available grazing land and reducing ‘flexibility for livestock management’.
The owner of the ranch and Representative Allen Slagle of Wyoming said the loss was “enough to remove entire farms from grazing.”
The Republican said: ‘I have one whole pasture which if they took it would take away most of my winter pasture. It’s really a critical thing.’
Republican Rep. Bill Allemand, whose family has owned a farm for generations, blasted the plans as part of Biden’s 30×30 agenda.
The scheme aims to conserve 30 percent of US land and oceans by 2030, but has been called a “land grab” by politicians.
Among them are 15 Republican governors who wrote to the president with concerns about efforts to “enlarge the federal estate or further limit the use of public land in our states.”
Allemand said: ‘This is probably the biggest disaster in the history of the United States, affecting more people than the Civil War, Pearl Harbor or 9/11 combined. I urge everyone to call the governor and stop this state-killing BLM plan.’
Hunters could also be banned from much of the area, according to hunting guide Rep. John Winters, due to plans to limit off-road vehicle use to designated trails, among other restrictions.
He will have “significant impact” on hunting and the recreation industry in the Cowboy State.
Ranch owners and Wyoming representatives Allen Slagle (left) and Chip Neiman (right) urged Wyoming residents to contact the governor to oppose the plans.
The Bureau of Land Management, overseen by Tracy Manning-Stone (pictured), invited the public to comment on the proposals put forward as one of four options for the area
Winters added: ‘This will severely restrict access, even for residents (…) if it is designated wilderness, no motorized vehicles will be allowed.’
Most important will be a heavy crackdown on mineral extraction. According to the report, more than 2.5 million hectares will be closed to sales of mineral material and nearly two million hectares could be targeted for withdrawal of traceable mineral access.
Rep. Chip Neiman, a farmer from Crook County, called the plans “an absolute total effort to completely ban the use of land.”
He added: ‘You might as well have stamped these lands “No longer for human use”. We know it’s not functional and it’s not practical. We, the people of Wyoming, must stand up and stand up against this and support our industries.’
The Wyoming Cattlemen’s Association also called for BLM to withdraw its plans and draft a new alternative.
Executive Director Jim Magagna, tells The fence post that the proposed quantity of ACECs is unprecedented.
He said: ‘In the past it’s been used for small areas that have really unique characteristics and they’re applying it to half of the Rock Springs management area, 1.56 million hectares of ACEC and it’s literally putting everything at risk.
‘This means no energy development, renewable or fossil fuel, or none and no mining.’
Part of this $19.5 million ranch falls within the boundary of the Rock Springs Management Area, which spans Lincoln, Sweetwater, Uinta, Sublette and Fremont counties in southwestern Wyoming
Supporters of the plans argue that the ACECs will provide essential protection for wildlife.
Wyoming Outdoor Council program director Alec Underwood said: ‘With its strong protections for wildlife, cultural values, wide open spaces and recreation, there is a lot to be excited about in the concept.’
The BLM, led by Tracy Stone-Manning, has begun a 90-day public consultation on the proposals that runs through November 16.
It said in a statement: ‘The purpose of the land use plan is to establish guidance, objectives, policies and management actions for public lands administered by the Rock Springs Field Office.
‘The plan is comprehensive and will resolve and address issues within the RSFO jurisdictional boundaries identified through agency, interagency and public outreach efforts.
‘The BLM strives for a balance of opportunities to use and develop BLM-administered resources within the planning area, while promoting environmental conservation.’