Record of Decision 

1.0 RECORD OF DECISION 

This Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) were prepared by the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office (PFO) in Pinedale, Wyoming. The BLM PFO 

administrative area is located in western Wyoming and includes approximately 1,618,140 acres of land 

surface in Sublette and Lincoln counties (Map 1-1). Within that area, BLM administers approximately 

922,880 acres of public land surface and 1,199,280 acres of federal mineral estate. This ROD approves 

the attached Pinedale RMP, and both provide overall direction for the management of all resources on 

BLM-administered land in the Pinedale planning area. 

1.1 DECISION 

The decision is made to approve the attached RMP (hereafter referred to as the Approved RMP) for the 

PFO. The Approved RMP was prepared under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 United States Code [USC] §1701, et seq.) and other applicable laws (43 Code 

of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 1600). The Approved RMP includes broad land use plan decisions that 

provide overall direction for the management of resources and resource uses within the planning area. 

An environmental impact statement (EIS) was prepared for the RMP in compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Following publication of the Pinedale Proposed RMP/Final EIS in 

August 2008, the BLM carried forward text from the Proposed RMP to incorporate in the Approved RMP 

and ROD. During preparation of the Approved RMP, changes were made to the Proposed RMP to correct 

errors, clarify decisions, address issues raised during the protest period, and respond to the Governor’s 

consistency review. These changes are detailed more fully below. 

1.1.1 Clarifications 

A variety of issues raised during the protest period for the Proposed RMP/Final EIS necessitated 

clarifications to certain planning decisions presented in the Proposed RMP. The clarifications are 

presented below and reflected in the decisions found in the Approved RMP. These clarifications are 

supported by, or compliant with, the resolution of protest issues. 

•	 The following definition in the glossary has been modified to more accurately portray that project 

proposals would be considered and evaluated on a case-by-case basis and not routinely dismissed 

without appropriate analysis under the NEPA. It is fully appropriate to consider project proposals 

based on the opportunity to site projects with special stipulations or mitigation measures, and with 

full consideration of the environmental values in a project area. 

Avoidance Areas: Areas to be avoided which may be available for location of ROWs and 

Section 302 permits, leases, and easements with special stipulations or mitigation measures. For 

such authorizations, the area’s environmental sensitivity and other feasible alternatives will be 

strongly considered. 

•	 The BLM is required to manage all uses and activities consistent with an area’s visual resource 

management (VRM) class as established in the RMP. It is not BLM policy to determine, at the RMP 

level, which land uses or activities to restrict based on VRM class. Rather, the BLM must consider, at 

the site-specific activity level, all uses proposed for an area within a given VRM class and determine 

if those uses would be consistent with the objectives for that class. To correct this deficiency, the 

Approved RMP will be clarified by removing the following restrictions (this will not impact RMP 

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decisions related to designated critical habitat, wilderness study areas (WSA), or areas of critical 

environmental concern (ACEC): 

•	 VRM Class II areas are right-of-way (ROW) avoidance areas 

•	 VRM Class I areas are ROW exclusion areas 

•	 Disposal pits are restricted to VRM Class IV areas 

•	 Alternative energy development will be avoided in sensitive areas, including VRM Class I and II 

areas; exceptions will be considered. 

•	 All future development in the planning area will adhere to the VRM class objectives established in 

the RMP. For example, VRM Class II objectives require that the existing character of the landscape 

be retained and that the level of change to be low. To meet these objectives, ROWs or alternative 

energy projects proposed in VRM Class II areas would be subject to intensive mitigation and, in some 

cases, could be precluded. BLM will utilize visual resource design techniques and best management 

practices to mitigate the potential visual impacts. Visual contrast ratings will be required for all major 

projects proposed for VRM Class I, II, and III areas that have high sensitivity levels. In areas where 

VRM class objectives cannot be met through design techniques and/or best management practices, 

BLM has the authority to deny the project. 

•	 There is a need to clarify the application of mitigation guidelines and operating standards contained in 

Appendix 3. In the fourth paragraph of the appendix, rather than stating that operating standards 

“would” apply to exploratory oil and gas drilling (as was stated in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS), 

Appendix 3 now states that the operating standards “could” be applied to exploratory oil and gas 

drilling and other operations as appropriate. 

•	 A typographical error in Appendix 3, page A3-3 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS was identified 

during the protest resolution process. In the first bullet point on that page, the appendix has been 

edited as follows: 

(1) Is technically not feasible, or (2) is economically prohibitive, or (3) is an environmentally 

preferable alternative is available. 

•	 Appendix 3 has also been updated to include an operating standard regarding control of water pits to 

limit the spread of West Nile virus. 

•	 As part of the protest resolution process, BLM determined that clarification of the following cultural 

resources management action is necessary. Contributing segments of the National Historic Trails have 

been identified. Map 3-1 has been enhanced to portray the contributing segments and is included in 

this ROD/Approved RMP. The following paragraph (included on page 2-9 of the Proposed 

RMP/Final EIS) has been deleted from the RMP: 

BLM, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer and other historic trail partners, 

would identify contributing segments of National Historic Trails that are appropriate for 

preservation of their historic values, including setting. Appropriateness would be determined by 

factors such as existing intrusions to setting, landownership along the contributing segment, other 

resource values present, and any factors that would constrain BLM’s ability to manage a segment 

of National Historic Trail for preservation. The State Protocol would be modified by an 

addendum describing the agreed-upon process and mitigation measures. 

•	 An error was identified in Table 2-25, page 2-157 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. In the first row of 

the table on page 2-157, for Alternative 3, the last statement should read as follows: “No new 

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structures 15 feet in height within 2 miles of leks”; and for Alternative 4, “No new structures 15 feet 

in height within 1 mile of leks.” 

•	 An error was identified in the Glossary, page G-21 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The definition 

has been corrected as follows: SAGE-GROUSE BREEDING HABITATS. Breeding habitats are 

composed of leks, nesting and early broad brood rearing habitats. 

1.1.2 Continuity of Previous Decisions 

The decisions included in this ROD and Approved RMP supersede the 1988 Pinedale RMP ROD and 

subsequent amendments. 

1.2 OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVES PRESENTED IN THE PROPOSED 

RMP/FINAL EIS 

1.2.1 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Detailed Analysis 

The following alternatives and management options were considered as possible methods of resolving 

resource management issues and conflicts but eliminated from detailed analysis because they were 

considered unreasonable and/or were not found to be necessary to achieve the management goals of the 

alternatives. The FLPMA requires the BLM to manage public lands and resources according to the 

principles of multiple use and sustained yield, including recognizing the nation’s needs for domestic 

sources of minerals, food, timber, and fiber. Moreover, the BLM is required by law to recognize existing 

valid rights on public lands and manage public lands according to existing laws, including, but not limited 

to, the General Mining Law of 1872 and the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970. Specific 

alternatives considered but not carried forward for detailed analysis are as follows: 

•	 Closure to livestock grazing 

•	 Closure to oil and gas leasing 

•	 Proposed enlarged off-highway vehicle (OHV) open area at Mount Airy 

•	 Reduced pace of oil and gas drilling 

•	 ACEC proposals not considered for ACEC status. 

1.2.2 Alternatives Considered in Detail 

Section 2.4 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS describes the four alternatives considered (Alternatives 1–4) 

in detail. The alternatives were developed to offer a range of management options. Each alternative was 

intended to be consistent with law, regulation, and policy while providing varying levels of compatible 

resource uses and development opportunities. General overviews of each alternative from the Proposed 

RMP/Final EIS are provided below. 

1.2.2.1 Alternative 1, Continuation of Existing Management 

Alternative 1 would maintain the current management goals, objectives, and direction, as specified in the 

1988 Pinedale RMP ROD. 

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Minerals 

Alternative 1 would make approximately 1,026,780 acres available for oil and gas leasing and 

development. No areas would be administratively unavailable for oil and gas leasing for protection of 

wildlife habitats. Timing and distance mitigation would be applied to protect sage-grouse, raptors, big 

game, and their habitats. In addition, 14,540 acres would be proposed for withdrawal from locatable 

mineral entry and land disposal. 

Other Resources 

The current permitted animal unit months (AUM) for livestock grazing (107,907 AUMs) would be 

maintained unless monitoring indicated a need for adjustment. The Desert General Use area (237,360 

acres) would be open to OHV use without restrictions. The Upper Green River, Boulder Lake, and Scab 

Creek special recreation management areas (SRMA) would be retained. No coordinated, area-wide 

transportation planning would be conducted. Access across private lands would be pursued, as needed, 

through a variety of methods, including but not limited to the purchase of ROW or easements, land 

exchange, reciprocal ROW, and other statutory authorities. Under Alternative 1, approximately 641,140 

acres would be managed as VRM Class IV; 187,070 acres would be managed as VRM Class III; 73,430 

acres would be managed as VRM Class II; and 21,290 acres would be managed as VRM Class I. 

Management actions would emphasize the reduction of soil erosion and sediment and salinity 

contributions to the Green River Basin water system. An activity plan for reducing erosion and channel 

degradation would be prepared for the Tip Top watershed. A watershed/recreation plan would be 

prepared for the Stewart Point-Mount Airy area to reduce sedimentation while still allowing OHV use. 

Threatened and endangered (T&E) species and their habitats would be protected. Actions determined to 

degrade habitats to the point of jeopardizing the continued existence of a T&E species would not be 

allowed. Mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and sage-grouse use patterns would be monitored. High priority 

would be given to improving wildlife habitat through vegetation manipulation. Surface disturbance 

restrictions included in the 1988 RMP ROD for protecting cultural, visual, vegetation, wildlife, soils, and 

other resources would continue to be implemented; examples include restrictions on development on 

steep slopes, protections for significant cultural sites, and disturbance restrictions on or near sage-grouse 

and raptor nesting areas. 

Special Designations and Management Areas 

The Rock Creek and Beaver Creek ACECs (8,860 acres) would be retained under their current 

management. The Lake Mountain (13,490 acres) and Scab Creek (7,710 acres) WSAs would be retained. 

WSAs would be managed under the “Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands under 

Wilderness Review” (U.S. Department of the Interior [USDI] 1995). 

1.2.2.2 Alternative 2 

Alternative 2 is designed to evaluate the impacts of maximizing the production of oil and gas resources 

while providing an adequate level of environmental protection for other resources. Objectives and 

standards would provide the minimum protection for all natural resources from impacts of oil and gas 

activities. Appendix 3 presents the mitigation guidelines and standards that provide requirements, 

consultation, guidance, and limitations on all aspects of oil- and gas-related activities. 

Minerals 

Alternative 2 would make available approximately 1,177,530 acres for oil and gas leasing and 

development. The entire planning area would be open to oil and gas leasing and development, except for 

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WSAs (21,200 acres) and the Trapper’s Point ACEC (550 acres). The planning area would be divided 

into three areas for management of oil and gas leasing and development. Intensively Developed Fields 

would be managed for intensive oil and gas activities while protecting wildlife habitats to the extent 

practicable. Traditional Leasing Areas would be managed for protection of important values during oil 

and gas exploration, but would provide opportunity for oil and gas development activities. Unavailable 

Areas would be managed for protection of wildlife habitats through indefinitely postponing the 

availability of lands for oil and gas leasing. The planning area would be open to geophysical exploration 

and operations except where prohibited by law. Specific timing and distance mitigation would be applied 

for wildlife habitat protection only to the extent required by law (for example, for T&E species 

protection) (Appendix 12). Transportation planning would facilitate and designate access to the public 

lands. Sensitive aquatic species habitats would be maintained. 

Other Resources 

In Alternative 2, the integrity of the visual setting of National Historic Trails would be protected by 

prohibiting surface occupancy within one-quarter mile of the trails. Permitted AUMs for livestock grazing 

would be increased from 107,907 to 157,308 by activating suspended nonuse AUMs. Alternative 2 would 

limit OHV use in the Desert General Use area to existing roads and trails. No Recreation Area 

Management Plans (RAMP) would be completed and no new SRMAs would be established under this 

alternative. Vegetation would be managed to support wildlife habitat and livestock grazing needs, control 

soil erosion and provide riparian stability, control noxious weeds, and protect Special Status Species. 

Under Alternative 2, the number of acres in VRM Class IV would be increased to 717,390 acres; the 

number of acres in Class II would be increased to 87,150; and the area in Class III would be reduced to 

118,390 acres. There would be no VRM Class I areas. The discharge of produced waters to streams or 

other non-isolated surface features would be allowed if permitted by the Wyoming Department of 

Environmental Quality (WDEQ). Alternative energy development proposals would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis and would be permitted throughout the planning area except in WSAs and where 

prohibited by law. 

Special Designations and Management Areas 

The Rock Creek and Beaver Creek ACECs would be eliminated. A new ACEC would be designated in 

the Trapper’s Point area (550 acres). The Lake Mountain (13,490 acres) and Scab Creek (7,710 acres) 

WSAs would be retained. WSAs would be managed under the “Interim Management Policy and 

Guidelines for Lands under Wilderness Review” (USDI 1995). 

1.2.2.3 Alternative 3 

Alternative 3 is designed to analyze the impacts of providing the maximum level of environmental 

protection for surface resources while allowing for the production of oil and gas. Management actions, 

mitigation guidelines, and standards would provide the highest level of protection for all natural resources 

from the impacts of oil and gas activities. Appendix 3 presents the mitigation guidelines and standards 

that provide requirements, consultation, guidance, and limitations on all aspects of oil- and gas-related 

activities. In addition, land allocations and areas unavailable for oil and gas leasing would be 

implemented. Additional goals of Alternative 3 are to protect and sustain resources and land uses, such as 

livestock grazing and recreation, in the planning area. To meet these additional goals, BLM would 

implement objectives and management actions that include restrictions and protective mitigation for each 

resource and land use. Alternative 3 would emphasize special designations and management areas 

(SD/MA). 

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Minerals 

Alternative 3 would make approximately 476,080 acres available for oil and gas leasing and development. 

The planning area would be divided into three areas for management of oil and gas leasing and 

development. Intensively Developed Fields would be managed for intensive oil and gas activities while 

protecting wildlife habitats to the extent practicable. Traditional Leasing Areas would be managed for 

protection of important values during oil and gas exploration, but would provide opportunity for oil and 

gas development activities. Unavailable Areas would be managed for protection of wildlife habitats 

through indefinitely postponing the availability of lands for oil and gas leasing. No surface occupancy 

(NSO) would be allowed on big game crucial winter ranges (227,980 acres), migration routes and 

bottlenecks (32,170 acres), and parturition areas (35,360 acres) unless other restrictions are applied 

through ACEC or other SD/MAs. Timing and distance mitigations would be applied to protect sagegrouse, raptors, big game, and their habitats. Transportation planning would be required in all areas to 

reduce road density, duplication of routes, and unnecessary routes. Sensitive aquatic species habitats 

would be maintained or improved. Furthermore, 65,750 acres (New Fork Potholes, Trapper’s Point, 

Upper Green River, and CCC Ponds ACECs; Boulder Lake and Scab Creek SRMAs; East Fork River 

Unit Wild and Scenic River [WSR]; the Upper Green big game migration bottleneck; the Sublette Cutoff 

historical trail; and several sensitive cultural sites) would be withdrawn from locatable mineral entry and 

land disposal. 

Other Resources 

The integrity of the visual setting of National Historic Trails would be protected from surface disturbing 

activities by relocating or redesigning projects within 3 miles from either side of the trail to conform to a 

VRM Class II designation. Alternative 3 would provide for prescribed and natural wildfire management 

to emulate historic natural fire regimes. Permitted use for livestock grazing would be reduced to 84,000 

AUMs. OHV use in the Desert General Use area would be limited to existing roads and trails. BLM 

would complete RAMPs, and an array of outdoor recreation activities, settings, and experiences on public 

lands for local residents and visitors would be provided. The Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA would 

be established. Vegetation would be managed to support wildlife habitat and livestock grazing needs, 

control soil erosion, provide riparian stability, control noxious weeds, and protect Special Status Species. 

The number of acres in VRM Class IV would be reduced to 282,300; the number of acres in Class III 

would be increased to 225,830 acres; and the area in Class II would be increased to 393,260 acres. 

Alternative 3 would limit soil erosion and impacts to riparian areas by working with the state to prohibit 

the discharge of produced waters to streams or other non-isolated surface features. As described in 

Appendix 3, allowing the use of surface water that WDEQ has approved for discharge for limited 

reclamation applications could help improve post-disturbance vegetative communities. Proposals for 

alternative energy development would be considered on a case-by-case basis and would not be approved 

in sensitive areas. 

Special Designations and Management Areas 

The Rock Creek and Beaver Creek ACECs would be retained. New ACECs would be designated in the 

Trapper’s Point, New Fork Potholes, Upper Green River, White-tailed Prairie Dog Habitats, Ross Butte, 

and CCC Ponds areas (65,340 acres). The Trapper’s Point ACEC would be larger under this alternative 

(9,540 acres). The Miller Mountain and Wind River Front Management Areas would be established 

(424,840 acres). Four river units would be managed as suitable for inclusion in the WSR System: East 

Fork, Scab Creek, Silver Creek, and the upper Green River (10,440 acres). The Lake Mountain (13,490 

acres) and Scab Creek (7,710 acres) WSAs would be retained. WSAs would be managed under the 

Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands under Wilderness Review (USDI 1995). 

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1.2.2.4 Alternative 4 

Alternative 4 (Proposed RMP) is designed to evaluate the impacts of optimizing the production of oil and 

gas resources while providing the appropriate level of environmental protection for surface resources. 

Appendix 3 presents the mitigation guidelines and standards that provide setbacks, consultation, 

guidance, and limitations on all aspects of oil- and gas-related activities. In addition, land allocations and 

areas unavailable for oil and gas leasing would be implemented. Additional goals of Alternative 4 are to 

protect and sustain resources and land uses, such as livestock grazing and recreation, in the planning area. 

To meet these additional goals, BLM would implement objectives and management actions that include 

restrictions and protective mitigation for each resource and land use. Oil and gas leaseholders have rights 

that BLM is legally bound to honor. Alternative 4 attempts to provide balance on a planning-area scale 

through implementation of areas unavailable for oil and gas leasing, along with restrictions on other 

activities in those areas. High gas prices, combined with improving technology in gas production and 

unique gas reservoir geology in the Pinedale area, have led to an increase in drilling activity in recent 

years. 

Minerals 

Alternative 4 would make approximately 758,180 acres available for oil and gas leasing and development. 

(Table 2-32 shows the number of acres of BLM mineral estate that is subject to leasing restrictions for 

conventional oil and gas exploration and development. The acreage values provided in the table are 

organized by the type and level of restriction and mineral potential.) The planning area would be divided 

into four areas for the management of oil and gas leasing and development (Map 2-9). Intensively 

Developed Fields would be managed for intensive oil and gas activities while protecting wildlife habitats 

to the extent practicable. Traditional Leasing Areas would be managed for protection of important values 

during oil and gas exploration, but would provide opportunity for oil and gas development activities. 

Unavailable Areas would be managed for protection of wildlife habitats through indefinitely postponing 

the availability of lands for oil and gas leasing. Transportation planning would be required in all areas to 

reduce road density, duplication of routes, and unnecessary routes. Sensitive aquatic species habitats 

would be maintained or improved. Furthermore, 13,770 acres (New Fork Potholes and Trapper’s Point 

ACECs, CCC Ponds SRMA, East Fork River Unit WSR, and several sensitive cultural sites) would be 

withdrawn from locatable mineral entry and land disposal. 

Other Resources 

The integrity of the visual setting on contributing segments of National Historic Trails would be protected 

from surface disturbing activities by relocating or redesigning projects within 3 miles of either side of the 

trail to conform to a VRM Class II designation. The Proposed RMP would also provide for prescribed 

and natural wildfire management to emulate historic natural fire regimes. The current permitted AUMs 

for livestock grazing would be maintained unless monitoring indicates a need for adjustment. The 

Proposed RMP would limit OHV use in the Desert General Use area to existing roads and trails. BLM 

would complete RAMPs to provide an array of outdoor recreation activities, settings, and experiences on 

public lands for local residents and visitors. The Green and New Fork Rivers and CCC Ponds SRMAs 

would be established. Transportation planning would be conducted to provide access to and across public 

lands and to control the density and distribution of roads. Vegetation would be managed to support 

wildlife habitat and livestock grazing needs, control soil erosion and provide riparian stability, control 

noxious weeds, and protect Special Status Species. The number of acres in VRM Class IV would be 

reduced to 242,660; the number of acres in Class III would be increased to 419,410 acres; and the area in 

Class II would be increased to 239,520 acres. Soil erosion and impacts on riparian areas would be limited 

by working with the state to prohibit the discharge of produced waters to streams or other non-isolated 

surface features. Use of high-quality produced waters to assist in reclamation could be considered on a 

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case-by-case basis, would be limited in scope, and would be governed by a number of operating standards 

(Appendix 3). Proposals for alternative energy development would be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Special Designations and Management Areas 

The Rock Creek and Beaver Creek ACECs would be retained. New ACECs would be designated in the 

Trapper’s Point (4,160 acres) and New Fork Potholes (1,820 acres) areas. The Miller Mountain, Ross 

Butte, and Wind River Front Management Areas would be established (303,350 acres). Four river units 

would be managed as suitable for inclusion in the WSR System: East Fork, Scab Creek, Silver Creek, and 

the upper Green River (10,440 acres). The Lake Mountain (13,490 acres) and Scab Creek (7,710 acres) 

WSAs would be retained. WSAs would be managed under the Interim Management Policy and 

Guidelines for Lands under Wilderness Review (USDI 1995). 

1.2.3 Environmentally Preferable Alternative 

In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations 40 CFR 1505.2(b), BLM 

considers Alternative 3 as the most environmentally preferable alternative. Alternative 3 provides the 

maximum level of environmental protection for surface resources while allowing for the production of oil 

and gas, and would therefore result in the least amount of impact on the biological and physical 

environment within the planning area. 

1.3 MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS 

Based on input received during the planning process, there was both support and opposition to certain 

components of the Proposed RMP. No formal comments were received from federal or tribal 

governments indicating the Proposed RMP was inconsistent with other federal or tribal plans or policies. 

BLM considered all comments and protests received on the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and input from the 

Governor’s consistency review (see Section 1.4.2.2). This ROD serves as the final decision for the land 

use plan decisions for the Approved RMP. The Approved RMP becomes effective on the date this ROD 

is signed. 

The BLM is tasked with multiple-use management as mandated under the FLPMA and other laws and 

regulations governing the management of public land. The Approved RMP provides a balance between 

the reasonable measures necessary to protect existing resource values and continued public need to make 

beneficial use of the planning area. Implementation of the Approved RMP is the alternative that best 

complies with applicable laws, regulations, policy, and agency direction. 

The Approved RMP provides for accelerated development of known and existing oil and gas fields and 

resources, while maintaining viable wildlife habitats and open spaces in other areas. The Approved RMP 

provides for the continuation of livestock grazing in the planning area and manages OHV use to minimize 

damage to resources. The Approved RMP also provides for site-specific management of intensive oil and 

gas development through field-level environmental analysis and decisions and implementation of 

operating standards and best management practices (see Appendices 3 and 5). 

1.3.1 Mitigation Measures 

Appendices 3 and 5 present mitigation measures, best management practices, and operating standards. 

These appendices address the impacts of oil and gas exploration and development, as well as other 

resource uses. 

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1.3.2 Plan Monitoring 

The BLM planning regulations (43 CFR Part 1610.4-9) call for the continual monitoring of RMPs with a 

formal evaluation performed at periodic intervals. Implementation of the Approved RMP will be 

monitored over time, and plan evaluations will be conducted periodically. Appendix 11 contains 

information regarding monitoring in the planning area related to RMP decisions. 

Management actions arising from activity plan decisions will be evaluated to ensure consistency with 

RMP objectives. For future project proposals, such as new gas field developments, appropriate mitigation 

and monitoring will be determined at the time of project approval. Section 2.5 of the Approved RMP 

describes monitoring and the evaluation process in more detail. 

1.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, CONSULTATION, AND COORDINATION 

1.4.1 Public Involvement 

The BLM decisionmaking process is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEQ 

regulations implementing NEPA and the USDI and BLM policies and procedures implementing NEPA. 

NEPA and the associated regulatory and policy framework require that federal agencies involve the 

interested public in their decisionmaking. Chapter 5 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS describes the public 

involvement process, consultation, and coordination conducted for the Approved RMP in more detail. 

Public involvement, consultation, and coordination have been at the heart of the planning process leading 

to this ROD/Approved RMP. These activities were accomplished through public meetings, informal 

meetings, individual contacts, news releases, planning bulletins, a planning website, and Federal Register 

notices. A Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2002, to formally 

announce that the BLM PFO was preparing an RMP and associated EIS. The notice invited the affected 

and interested agencies, organizations, and members of the general public to participate in determining 

the scope and significant issues to be addressed in the planning alternatives and analyzed in the EIS. 

Public participation in the EIS process includes a variety of efforts to identify and address public concerns 

and needs. The public involvement process assists the agencies in— 

•	 Broadening the information base for decisionmaking 

•	 Informing the public about the RMP EIS and the potential impacts associated with various 

management decisions 

•	 Ensuring the agency understands public needs and viewpoints. 

1.4.1.1 Scoping Period 

In accordance with CEQ scoping guidance, the BLM provided avenues for public involvement as an 

integral part of revising the RMP and preparing the EIS. CEQ scoping guidance defines scoping as the 

“process by which lead agencies solicit input from the public and interested agencies on the nature and 

extent of issues and impacts to be addressed and the methods by which they will be evaluated” (CEQ 

1981). 

Scoping Notice 

The official 60-day scoping period began when a public scoping notice was prepared and mailed to 

federal, state, and local agencies; interest groups; and members of the general public on January 31, 2003. 

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The notice invited the public to participate in the scoping process and requested input in identifying 

resource issues and concerns, management alternatives, and other ideas in determining future land use 

decisions for the Pinedale planning area. The notice also announced the availability of the Management 

Situation Analysis (MSA) on the Pinedale RMP project website and included information on the PFO 

management area, background information on the planning process, and preliminary planning issues and 

planning criteria. The scoping period ran from February 3, 2003, through April 7, 2003. 

Scoping Meetings 

Public scoping meetings were held in Rock Springs, Pinedale, and Marbleton, Wyoming on March 3, 10, 

and 11, 2003, respectively. During the three scoping meetings, more than 140 people registered their 

attendance. The meetings were structured in an open house format, with various information tables 

representing issues such as livestock grazing, mineral development, and other resource areas. Public 

comments were collected during the scoping meetings and throughout the scoping period through mail, email, and the project website. A summary of all comments was then compiled as the Pinedale RMP 

Scoping Report, May 2003, which can be viewed at: http://www.blm.gov/rmp/wy/pinedale. 

1.4.1.2 Public Review of the Draft RMP EIS 

BLM published the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Pinedale Draft RMP EIS for public review and 

comment in the Federal Register on February 16, 2007. This notice initiated the 90-day public comment 

period. At the request of the public, the comment period was subsequently extended to 120 days, which 

concluded on June 18, 2007. Hard copies and compact discs (CD) of the draft RMP EIS were provided to 

cooperating agencies and tribal representatives and made available to the public. The draft RMP EIS was 

made available through the project website and at information repositories and reading rooms in the BLM 

State Office in Cheyenne, in the PFO, and at local public libraries. 

The BLM also provided the public with 60 days from the date of publication of a supplemental NOA to 

review the Draft RMP/EIS and submit comments specific to ACECs. The NOA was published in the 

Federal Register on February 21, 2008. The 60-day public comment period ended on April 21, 2008. 

Public Meetings and Hearings 

A total of four public meetings/hearings were held in Rock Springs, Jackson, Pinedale, and Marbleton, 

Wyoming on April 9, 10, 11, and 12, 2007, respectively. There were approximately 8 attendees in Rock 

Springs, 17 in Jackson, 73 in Pinedale, and 11 in Marbleton. The first part of these events consisted of an 

open-house style meeting with stations organized around the room, representing various resources and 

planning issues. Attendees visited the stations, asked questions, and had one-on-one conversations with 

BLM staff. All attendees were encouraged to provide written comments. 

The second part of these events consisted of a formal public hearing that provided the public an 

opportunity to comment on the Draft RMP EIS. Attendees registered at the door of the meeting/hearing 

facility and indicated whether they would be providing official testimony. All attendees who provided 

testimony were asked to proceed to the microphone and provide their full name, affiliation (if any), and 

comments. All oral comments submitted at the hearings were recorded by a professional court reporter 

and included in the official transcript for the hearings. 

Public Comments 

During the Draft RMP EIS public comment period, a total of 99,836 public comment submittals were 

received via e-mail, hard copy, web-based, and oral (public hearings) communication from members of 

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Record of Decision 

the public, governments, governmental agencies, and nongovernmental agencies. Of the total comments 

received, 95,302 were identified as “form letter” type comments. All comments were reviewed and 

evaluated for response as outlined in BLM Manual H-1790-1. Detailed responses to substantive 

comments are provided in Appendix 27 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and on the Pinedale RMP 

website at http://www.blm.gov/rmp/wy/pinedale/documents.html. 

1.4.1.3 Protest Period for the Proposed RMP/Final EIS 

A 30-day protest period was provided on the land use plan decisions contained in the Proposed 

RMP/Final EIS in accordance with 43 CFR Part 1610.5-2. After publication of the Proposed RMP/Final 

EIS on August 22, 2008, public protests were accepted through September 22, 2008. BLM received 13 

protest letters that the BLM Director subsequently resolved. The BLM Director’s decision constitutes 

final agency action for the USDI. The main protest issues pertained to the range of alternatives 

considered, baseline data used, adequacy of the impact analysis, cumulative impacts, consistency with 

local government plans, consistency with FLPMA, ACECs, air quality, climate change, sage-grouse 

management, areas unavailable for oil and gas leasing, valid existing rights, livestock grazing, National 

Historic Trails, travel management, VRM, and water quality. Section 1.1.1 details clarifications made to 

the ROD/Approved RMP in response to protests received. 

1.4.2 Consultation and Coordination 

1.4.2.1 Cooperating Agency Status 

The PFO extended cooperating agency status to the State of Wyoming, Sublette County, Sublette County 

Conservation District, Sweetwater County, Sweetwater Conservation District, Lincoln County, Lincoln 

Conservation District, and the Town of Pinedale for the Pinedale RMP planning effort, in addition to the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Various agencies in the State of Wyoming have participated as 

cooperators throughout the planning process. The following is a list of the cooperating agencies that have 

actively participated in the development of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS: 

• Sublette County 

• Sublette County Conservation District 

• Lincoln County 

• Lincoln Conservation District 

• Sweetwater County 

• Sweetwater County Conservation District 

• Town of Pinedale 

• Environmental Protection Agency 

• Wyoming Office of Federal Land Policy 

• Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

• Wyoming Office of State Lands 

• Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 

• State Historic Preservation Office 

• Department of Environmental Quality 

• Department of Agriculture 

• Department of Transportation 

• The Governor’s Office 

• Wyoming State Geological Survey 

• Wyoming Business Council. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 1-11 
 

 

Record of Decision 

The cooperating agencies were formally invited to participate in the development of the alternatives and 

to provide data and other information relative to their disciplines. The PFO conducted meetings with 

cooperating agencies throughout the development of the RMP/EIS. 

1.4.2.2 Governor’s Consistency Review 

Coordination with other agencies and consistency with other federal, state, and local government plans 

was accomplished through frequent communications and cooperative efforts between BLM and federal, 

state, and local agencies. The Wyoming Governor is allowed 60 days to review the Pinedale Proposed 

RMP/Final EIS to verify consistency with ongoing state plans. The BLM received a letter from the 

Wyoming Governor’s Office on October 17, 2008. The Governor’s letter expressed concerns related to 

(1) utility corridor ROWs; (2) continued cooperating agency participation in implementation of the 

Pinedale RMP, particularly with respect to implementation of the categorical exclusion language 

contained in Section 390(b)(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; (3) air quality—lease stipulations and 

conditions of approval (COA); (4) air quality—general concerns; (5) greater sage-grouse core area 

protection; (6) protection of unleased lands in the Pinedale Anticline Project Area; (7) the Trapper’s Point 

ACEC; (8) development threshold for RMP revision; (9) and consistency with local government plans. 

Although no inconsistencies with state plans were identified, the Governor’s issues are addressed below. 

Resolution of these issues resulted in minor editorial changes to the Approved RMP. 

1.	 The Governor recommended a minor language change regarding ROW avoidance areas. The revised 

language appears in Section 2.3.4 of the Approved RMP. 

2.	 Section 2.5.2 in the Approved RMP supports the continued coordination and cooperation with state 

and local agencies during implementation of the Approved RMP. The recommendation to establish an 

Activity Plan Working Group (APWG) commits BLM to meet with potential cooperating agencies 

prior to scoping for major activity plans or RMP amendments to establish the level and extent of the 

involvement of APWGs. The issuance of this ROD and Approved RMP also includes a commitment 

to hold an annual meeting between the BLM and the cooperating agencies involved in the RMP 

revision to update the agencies on the implementation of the RMP, foreseeable activities for the 

upcoming year, and opportunities for continued collaboration with the RMP cooperators. The 

Governor has expressed the specific need to discuss and annually plan for the implementation of 

Energy Policy Act of 2005 categorical exclusions. 

3.	 The Governor suggested that the air quality section of the RMP address the potential need for future 

air quality monitoring and modeling. The Governor’s suggested language has been included in 

Section 2.3.1 of the Approved RMP. 

4.	 The Governor also requested clarification of a statement in Chapter 3 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS 

that air quality in the planning area is considered “generally good.” BLM recognizes that air quality, 

particularly ozone, has become a concern in the planning area. Although Chapter 3 is not a part of the 

ROD/Approved RMP, BLM intends to keep abreast of the air quality situation in the planning area 

and, within its authority, implement monitoring and mitigation as necessary to address the issue. 

5.	 The Governor requested that the Approved RMP include reference to Wyoming Executive Order 

(EO) 2008-2 regarding greater sage-grouse core area protection. BLM recognizes the importance of 

conservation of sage-grouse habitats in Wyoming. A reference to the Governor’s EO has been added 

to Section 2.3.16 of the Approved RMP and to Appendix 3. 

6.	 The Governor requested clarification of the availability of unleased lands in the Pinedale Anticline 

Project Area for new oil and gas leasing. As depicted on Map 2-9, the west flank of the Anticline is 

1-12 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Record of Decision 

unavailable for leasing. Lands in the east flank of the Anticline area are under lease suspension for a 

period of 5 years. After that period, the lease suspensions will be reevaluated, considering the status 

of development of the core area of the Anticline, and may be continued. 

7.	 The Governor also requested expansion of the Trapper’s Point ACEC to the area considered in 

Alternative 3 of the Final EIS. This change has been included in Section 2.3.17 of the Approved 

RMP. 

8.	 The Governor requested that the RMP include a development “trigger” or threshold for future RMP 

revision. BLM is unable to predict when full revision of the RMP may become necessary. In 

compliance with NEPA, the RMP will remain in effect while the impact analysis included in the Final 

EIS is adequate. If, in the future, new projects, new science, new technology, or other information 

renders the impact analysis not in conformance with the analysis in the Final EIS, additional impact 

analysis will be completed through either maintenance, amendment, or revision. 

9.	 Finally, the Governor relayed the concerns of local governments regarding the RMP’s consistency 

with local government plans. This submission has been reviewed. The plans of local governments 

have been considered in preparation of the RMP. Specific concerns raised by local governments 

through the protest process have been addressed in the Director’s Protest Resolution Report. 

1.4.2.3 Section 7 Consultation 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was consulted for Endangered Species Act Section 7 

consultation. The USFWS provided updated T&E species lists throughout the process. It also participated 

in the development and review of the biological assessment (BA), which was completed in September 

2008, and the biological opinion (BO), which was completed in November 2008 (Appendix 28). 

1.4.2.4 Native American Consultation 

Protective measures for culturally sensitive Native American resources are established through 

consultation and coordination with the appropriate Native American tribes. Pursuant to the NEPA, 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), FLPMA, American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA), 

and EO 13007, the BLM has engaged in consultation with Native American representatives for the RMP 

planning process. Native American consultation is an ongoing process that began before the current RMP 

revision and will continue after the new RMP is complete. Meetings were conducted in early 2004 to 

continue discussions regarding the RMP. 

1.4.2.5 Coordination With the Environmental Protection Agency 

Coordination with the EPA through various meetings has occurred throughout the Pinedale RMP process. 

The EPA also participated as a member of the Air Quality Protocol Group, which includes the BLM, U.S. 

Forest Service (USFS), State of Wyoming, and National Park Service (NPS) as participants. The EPA 

provided a rating of EC2 on the Draft RMP/EIS. It expressed environmental concerns regarding the 

potential for adverse impacts on air and water quality with full field development. The Wyoming BLM 

State Director responded by letter to the EPA’s comments. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 1-13 

Approved Resource Management Plan 

2.0 APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

2.1 INTRODUCTION 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office (PFO) administrative area is located in 

western Wyoming and includes approximately 1,618,140 acres of land surface in Sublette and Lincoln 

counties (Map 1-1). Public land in Teton County, Wyoming is covered by the Snake River Resource 

Management Plan (RMP) and is not included in the planning area. This Approved RMP and resulting 

Record of Decision (ROD) for the Pinedale planning area are intended to provide land use planning and 

management direction on a broad scale and to guide future actions. The regulations for making and 

modifying land use plan decisions, which comprise an RMP, are included in 43 Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) Part 1600. Land use plan decisions consist of (1) desired outcomes (goals and 

objectives) and (2) allowable uses and management actions. 

2.1.1 Purpose and Need for the Plan 

The purpose of this revision of the Pinedale RMP is to provide land use allocation that includes resource 

protection and opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized recreational activities, leasing and 

development of mineral resources, livestock grazing, and other land use activities within the Pinedale 

planning area. 

The RMP revision is needed so that management decisions, objectives, and goals can be adjusted to 

address new information and changed circumstances. The need for the Pinedale RMP revision results 

from considerable changes within the planning area since completion of the previous Pinedale RMP 

(December 12, 1988). Routine amendments and maintenance actions are not adequate to address these 

changes, which include increased oil and gas exploration and development activities, heightened public 

awareness of and interest in BLM management actions and permitted uses, increased demand for 

recreational use of the lands, increased conflict between land use and wildlife/wildlife habitat, changes in 

BLM policy, and expanded scientific knowledge and data. 

2.1.2 Planning Area 

Within the Pinedale planning area, BLM administers approximately 922,880 acres of public land surface 

and 1,199,280 acres of federal mineral estate. Map 1-2 shows surface land ownership within the planning 

area, and Map 1-3 shows the federal mineral estate and existing federal leases. Table 1-1 provides a 

summary of land and mineral ownership and administrative jurisdictions within the planning area. 

Table 1-1. Land and Mineral Ownership and Administrative 

Jurisdictions Within the Pinedale Planning Area 

Jurisdiction Acres1 

Total land surface area in the Pinedale planning area (all ownership) 1,618,140 

Areas the Pinedale RMP decisions will cover: 

A. Federal land/federal minerals2 911,880 

B. Federal land/nonfederal minerals3 11,000 

C. Nonfederal land/federal minerals4 287,400 

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Total BLM-administered federal land surface to be covered by RMP 

decisions 922,880 

Total BLM-administered federal mineral estate to be covered by RMP 

decisions 1,199,280 

Areas the Pinedale RMP decisions will not cover: 

D. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) land/BLM minerals5 1,500 

Total BLM-administered federal mineral estate that will not be covered by 

RMP decisions 1,500 

E. Private or state land/private or state minerals6 397,210 

1

 Because of land surface and mineral ownership overlaps and administrative responsibility overlaps, acreage figures 

for different jurisdictions do not add up to the total acreage. Acreage figures are rounded to the nearest 10 unless 

otherwise stated. 

2

 Where the federal land surface and federal mineral estate are both administered by BLM, RMP decisions would apply 

to both the land surface and the mineral estate. 

3

 Where the federal land surface is administered by BLM and the minerals are privately or state owned, RMP decisions 

would apply only to BLM-administered federal land surface and only to the extent allowed by law. Although surface 

management decisions may affect the timing and location of development, surface management decisions cannot 

preclude development of the nonfederally owned minerals. The RMP decisions for mineral management would not 

apply to the nonfederal mineral estate. Anticipated surface and mineral management actions and their direct, indirect, 

and cumulative impacts (cumulative impacts to the extent that they affect resource management decisions) are 

included/disclosed in the analyses. 

4

 Where the land surface is privately owned or owned by the State of Wyoming and the minerals are federally owned 

(i.e., split estate), the RMP decisions would apply to BLM-administered federal mineral estate and, to varying degrees, 

the surface estate. RMP decisions would only pertain to the state-owned and privately owned land surface to the 

extent allowed by law and to the extent that the impacts were the result of the federal action. BLM would work with the 

private/state surface owners to honor their wishes to the extent allowed by law. Anticipated surface and mineral 

management actions and their direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts (cumulative impacts to the extent that they 

affect resource management decisions) are included/disclosed in the analyses. 5

 Where the federal land surface is administered by the BOR and the federal mineral estate is administered by BLM, 

BOR surface planning and management decisions are incorporated where possible. BLM administrative 

responsibilities are limited to those actions concerning the federal mineral estate. Surface management issues are 

handled on a case-by-case basis through consultation with BOR in conformance with its management plan(s). The 

RMP includes management decisions for the federal minerals on these lands. Anticipated surface and mineral 

management actions and their direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts (cumulative impacts to the extent that they 

affect resource management decisions) are included/disclosed in the analyses. 

Note: Although BLM responsibilities include surface management of the lands withdrawn for BOR purposes, they are 

carried out in accordance with an interagency agreement between the two agencies. Administrative jurisdiction 

(including land use planning) for these lands lies with BOR. 6

 The RMP will not include any management decisions that are applicable to areas where the land surface and 

minerals are privately owned or owned by the State of Wyoming. However, anticipated impacts that might affect RMP 

decisions on these lands are included in the cumulative impact analysis. 

2.1.3 Planning Issues 

2.1.3.1 Issues Addressed 

Planning issues are determined from demands, concerns, conflicts, or problems concerning the use or 

management of public lands and resources. These issues are usually expressed in terms of the potential 

adverse consequences or effects that a particular land or resource use may have on other land or resources 

used or valued by another or for another purpose. The following planning issues were identified through 

public scoping and information gathered in analyzing the existing management situation in the planning 

area. Based on the input of the public, other government agencies, and BLM and its cooperators, 10 key 

issues or unresolved conflicts were identified. 

2-2 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

 

Approved Resource Management Plan 

Issue 1: Development of Energy Resources and Minerals-Related Issues 

Mineral development (i.e., oil and gas, coalbed natural gas, and oil shale exploration and development; 

and sand, gravel, and decorative rock mining) and the related transportation network(s) conflict with other 

land and resource uses or values. Principal management considerations include (1) activities and human 

presence in fish and wildlife habitats (big game crucial winter range and parturition areas, and habitats of 

other wildlife species given special consideration, such as greater sage-grouse, mountain plovers, whitetailed prairie dogs, Colorado River cutthroat trout, and raptors) and (2) effects of mineral development on 

recreation values, forage use, air quality, scenic quality, sensitive vegetation types, sensitive watersheds, 

and water quality. Areas where surface disturbing activities (e.g., mineral exploration and development 

activities, right-of-way [ROW] construction activities) are suitable, not suitable, or should be restricted or 

avoided must be identified. 

Issue 2: Land Tenure Adjustment 

Opportunities exist to make land ownership adjustments in the form of acquisition and disposal that 

would benefit private landowners, local communities, and the public. Identification of land parcels and/or 

establishment of criteria that would be used to identify lands for land tenure adjustments are necessary. 

Issue 3: Vegetation Management 

It is important to determine the appropriate mix of resources produced from the public lands. Vegetation 

resource values include native vegetative cover, important watersheds, properly functioning riparian 

areas, fragile and important soils, and important wildlife habitat (particularly big game crucial winter 

range and habitat for candidate, sensitive, proposed, or threatened and endangered [T&E] wildlife and 

vegetative species). Consumptive uses of vegetation include livestock grazing, off-highway vehicle 

(OHV) use, management of forest products, wildlife foraging, and vegetation removal by mineral 

development, ROW construction, and other surface disturbing activities. 

Issue 4: Cultural Resources (Including National Historic Trails) and Paleontological Resource 

Management 

Cultural and paleontological resources must be managed in a way that appropriately protects these unique 

resources, consistent with laws, regulations, and policies (Appendix 1). Certain resources and areas need 

protection, whereas others should be accessible for more public and recreational uses. Of particular 

concern is the need for protection of congressionally designated National Historic Trail variants, such as 

the Lander Trail; other significant emigrant trails; other historic transportation resources in the region, 

including prehistoric and historic Native American trails, early historic exploration trails, and Expansion 

Era roads; and Native American traditional use areas and sacred places. Visual intrusions along these 

trails and surrounding Native American respected places are also an issue. 

Issue 5: Travel Management—OHV Use 

OHV use can conflict with other land and resource uses and values. Of concern are potential effects on 

resources, including soil, vegetation, watershed, visual values, and other recreation values. Principal 

considerations include providing for suitable and sufficient recreation uses and facilities (both dispersed 

and commercial), visual resource management (VRM) direction, and OHV use designations. 

Issue 6: Wildland/Urban Interface 

The expansion of population centers and populated areas toward range and forested wildlands and the 

ability to protect residences and other improvements from wildfire are principal concerns. New demands 

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Approved Resource Management Plan 

are being placed on public lands as a result of accelerated growth in and around cities and towns within 

the planning area. Population, community, and subdivision growth have changed the way communities 

interact with surrounding public lands, as well as community expectations. Principal considerations 

include wildland fire and fuels management, water source depletion, fragmentation of wildlife habitat, 

community expansion, transportation and utility corridors, open space, recreational uses, and land tenure 

adjustments. 

Issue 7: Special Status Species Management 

Several categories of species and their habitats within the planning area require special management or 

considerations. These species are federally listed T&E, proposed for listing, and candidate and state 

sensitive species. Principal concerns associated with Special Status Species are habitat identification, its 

use, and its quality; and the interrelationships between these species and other resource uses and human 

activities. 

Issue 8: Water Quality 

The principal issue with respect to water quality is maintaining the current high water quality in the 

planning area. The effects of energy exploration and development, livestock grazing, and motorized 

recreation must be considered while ensuring that state water quality standards are met. Salinity 

contributions to the Colorado River system and ensuring land health sufficient to adjust to normal 

fluctuations in water quantities are concurrent issues. 

Issue 9: Special Management Designations 

Resources or features of the lands within the planning area must be evaluated to determine if and how 

those resources or features might be managed in the future using specific or special practices. Two areas 

of critical environmental concern (ACEC)—Rock Creek and Beaver Creek—were designated in the 1988 

RMP. The 1988 RMP established three areas to be managed with an emphasis on providing high-quality 

recreation opportunities: Upper Green River, Boulder Lake, and Scab Creek. Two wilderness study areas 

(WSA)—Scab Creek and Lake Mountain—were recommended by BLM for wilderness designation. 

Some members of the public have expressed interest and desire that the BLM evaluate and identify 

additional geographic areas or features that would merit special management practices or treatment. The 

BLM has not proposed any additional WSAs during the planning process for this RMP. 

Issue 10: Wildlife Habitat, Including Greater Sage-Grouse 

The principal issue concerning wildlife habitat is disruptive activities, human presence, and loss of habitat 

in big game (i.e., elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, and bighorn sheep) habitat, big game crucial habitat 

(crucial winter range, migration routes, and birthing areas), and the habitats of other important fish and 

wildlife species (i.e., greater sage-grouse, plovers, Colorado River cutthroat trout, and raptors). This issue 

includes managing nonlimiting habitats, such as transitional and summer ranges, to prevent these habitats 

from becoming limiting. Development of private lands has increased the importance of maintaining 

functional habitats on public lands. 

Populations of greater sage-grouse have declined in the planning area, and some intensively developed 

areas no longer provide functioning sage-grouse habitats. The greater sage-grouse is a Wyoming BLM 

sensitive species; sage-grouse habitats should be managed to avoid the necessity of listing the greater 

sage-grouse in the future. The greater sage-grouse was proposed for listing under the Endangered Species 

Act; however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined in December 2004 that listing is 

not warranted at this time. In April 2008, the USFWS announced the extension of the period for 

submitting information pertinent to the status review of the greater sage-grouse. The extension provided 

2-4 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

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the public and federal, state, and local agencies with an additional opportunity to submit information for 

the status review. All submitted information was due by June 27, 2008. 

2.1.3.2 Planning Criteria/Legislative Constraints 

Planning criteria are the conditions and guidelines or parameters that frame the planning effort and 

preparation of the Pinedale RMP Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The planning criteria serve the 

following purposes: 

•	 To ensure that the planning effort focuses on the issues, follows and incorporates legal requirements, 

and addresses management of all public land resources and land uses in the planning area, and that 

plan preparation is accomplished efficiently. 

•	 To identify the scope and parameters of the planning effort for the decisionmaker, the 

interdisciplinary planning team, and the public. 

•	 To inform the public of what should and should not be expected from the planning effort. This 

includes identifying any planning issues that will be addressed only through subsequent activity or 

implementation planning efforts or in approval of public land and resource use authorizations (e.g., 

livestock grazing allotment management plans; wildlife habitat management plans; watershed 

management plans; other coordinated activity planning; and processing applications for permits for 

mineral exploration, ROWs, etc.). 

Planning criteria are based on standards prescribed by laws and regulations; guidance provided by the 

BLM Wyoming State Director; the results of consultation and coordination with the public, other 

agencies, other governmental entities, and Native American tribes; analysis of information pertinent to the 

planning area; public input; and professional judgment. The general planning criteria have been 

developed to help focus the preparation of planning and management alternatives and the analysis of their 

impacts and to guide selection of the proposed plan for the final EIS. Additional planning criteria may be 

identified during the planning process. 

General Planning Criteria 

General planning criteria are as follows: 

•	 Actions must comply with laws, Executive Orders (EO), and regulations. 

•	 The planning decisions in the RMP will apply only to BLM-administered public land surface and 

mineral estate in the planning area, including BLM-administered minerals that underlie nonfederal 

lands (split estate). 

•	 BLM decisions will not apply to private land with private mineral estate, federal lands administered 

by other federal agencies, or federal mineral estate administered by other federal agencies. 

•	 The impact analysis will include all lands that may affect, or be affected by, management occurring 

on BLM-administered public lands in the planning area. 

•	 A collaborative and multijurisdictional approach will be used, where possible, to jointly determine the 

desired future condition and management direction for the public lands. 

•	 To the greatest extent possible and within legal and regulatory parameters, BLM management and 

planning decisions will complement the planning and management decisions of other agencies, state 

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and local governments, and Native American tribes with jurisdictions intermingled with and adjacent 

to the planning area. 

•	 Planning and management direction will focus on the relative values of resources and not on the 

combination of uses that will give the greatest economic return or economic output. 

•	 Where practicable and timely for the planning effort, current scientific information, research, and new 

technologies will be considered. 

•	 Existing endangered species recovery plans, including plans for reintroducing endangered species and 

other species, will be considered. Consultation, coordination, and cooperation with USFWS will be in 

accordance with the 2000 BLM/USFWS Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

regarding Section 7 Consultation. All existing biological assessments (BA) and biological opinions 

(BO) for portions of the planning area will be reviewed for adequacy and possible consolidation and 

update. 

•	 Notwithstanding other planning criteria, all decisions in the revised Pinedale RMP are subject to valid 

existing rights. 

Planning Criteria for Specific Situations 

Criteria for Hydrocarbon Potential 

Using available geologic information, reports of past production, and information from the minerals 

industry, areas of high, moderate, and low potential for the occurrence and development of hydrocarbons 

in the planning area have been identified. Estimates of reasonably foreseeable oil and gas (including 

coalbed natural gas) exploration and development activity have been developed from analysis of past 

activity and production. These estimates have been used to aid in the analysis of environmental 

consequences. Because these occurrence and development potential classifications and production 

estimates are general, they are appropriate for planning purposes but are not appropriate for predicting 

future specific activity or the specific locations of new discoveries. 

Criteria for Withdrawals and Classifications 

Under Sections 202(d) and 204(l) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 

any classification or withdrawal of BLM-administered public land is subject to periodic review to 

determine whether it is serving its intended purpose and is still needed. These reviews will be conducted 

during the planning effort and may result in modification or termination of classifications and 

withdrawals. During the planning effort, the need for new withdrawals was identified. 

•	 Withdrawals Under Other Agency Jurisdiction. The withdrawal review requirement of FLPMA 

has not yet been completed on those federal lands withdrawn for purposes of other federal agencies 

(i.e., those lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense or BOR). For the purposes of 

this planning effort, it must be assumed that these withdrawals will remain in effect and that the 

planning and management authorities for these withdrawn lands will remain with those agencies. 

Thus, the planning effort will not include consideration of any planning or management decisions for 

either the federal land surface or the federal minerals within these withdrawn areas. These lands will 

be considered in conducting the environmental analysis for the planning effort in terms of cumulative 

impacts and in terms of how they may be affected by management in the planning area or vice versa. 

•	 Withdrawals and Classifications Under BLM Jurisdiction. The review of withdrawals and 

classifications on any lands under BLM jurisdiction may result in a determination that withdrawals or 

classifications are no longer serving their intended purposes and should be terminated (either in their 

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entirety or in part). This review will include consideration of whether new withdrawals or 

classifications, for other purposes, are needed and should be put into place before termination of old 

withdrawals on the same areas. 

Criteria for Wilderness 

There are two WSAs (Lake Mountain and Scab Creek) on BLM-administered public lands in the planning 

area. These WSAs were established in accordance with the requirements of FLPMA Section 603(c). The 

WSAs will continue to be managed under the Interim Management Policy (IMP) for Lands Under 

Wilderness Review until Congress either designates all or portions of the WSAs as wilderness or releases 

the lands from further wilderness consideration. There may be instances in which resource values within 

WSAs will require RMP management decisions or prescriptions that are more stringent than those of the 

IMP. 

Criteria for Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

The relevance and importance criteria for ACEC designation, found in BLM Manual 1613, were applied 

to BLM-administered public lands in the planning area to identify areas with the potential for ACEC 

designation (U.S. Department of the Interior [USDI], BLM 2006). An ACEC designation alone does not 

change the allowed uses of public lands involved (FLPMA Section 201(a) and 43 CFR §1601.0-5a). In 

addition, protective measures for ACECs are not applied or required simply because of the designation. 

Any protective measures applied to ACECs are based on what is necessary to protect the relevance and 

importance criteria for which the ACEC was designated. The only automatic requirement associated with 

an ACEC designation is that a plan of operations must be submitted for any mining claim development in 

the area (43 CFR §3809.11(c)(3)). 

Criteria for Wild and Scenic Rivers 

During the preparation of the Management Situation Analysis (MSA) for this planning area, free-flowing 

streams were evaluated under the criteria established by the Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act of 1968 

to determine their eligibility and suitability for inclusion in the National WSR System. BLM developed 

interim management prescriptions for the stream segments passing through public lands deemed eligible, 

suitable, or both. To provide a clear basis for comparisons, the No Action Alternative did not consider or 

include any of the stream segments evaluated in association with preparing the MSA for the RMP 

revision. 

2.1.3.3 Planning Process Summary 

The BLM uses a nine-step planning process when developing and revising RMPs as required by 43 CFR 

Part 1600 and planning program guidance in the BLM Handbook H-1601-1, Land Use Planning 

Handbook. The planning process is designed to help the BLM identify the uses of BLM-administered 

lands desired by the public and to consider these uses to the extent they are consistent with the laws 

established by Congress and the policies of the executive branch of the Federal Government. The 

planning process is issue-driven. The BLM used the public scoping process to identify planning issues to 

drive the revision of the existing plan. The scoping process also was used to introduce the public to 

preliminary planning criteria, which set limits to the scope of the RMP revision. 

Title II, Section 202 of FLPMA directs the BLM to coordinate planning efforts with Native American 

tribes, other federal departments, and agencies of the state and local governments as part of its land use 

planning process. The BLM is also directed to integrate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

requirements with other environmental review and consultation requirements to reduce paperwork and 

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delays (40 CFR Part 1500.4-5). The BLM coordinated with Native American tribes and other agencies 

and ensured consistency with other plans through ongoing communications, meetings, and collaborative 

efforts with the Interdisciplinary Team, which includes BLM specialists and federal, state, and local 

agencies. 

2.1.3.4 Relationship With Other Plans 

BLM land use plans and amendments must be consistent with officially approved or adopted resourcerelated plans, and the policies and programs contained therein, of other federal agencies, state and local 

governments, and Native American tribes, so long as the guidance and RMPs are also consistent with the 

purposes, policies, and programs of federal laws and regulations applicable to public lands. These laws 

and regulations include federal and state pollution control laws as implemented by applicable federal and 

state air, water, noise, and other pollution standards or implementation plans. 

In addition, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law [P.L.] 109-58), Section 368 refers to the 

designation of west-wide energy corridors. The Act is being implemented through the development of an 

interagency programmatic EIS. The final programmatic EIS will provide plan amendment decisions that 

will address numerous energy corridor-related issues, including the use of existing corridors 

(enhancements and upgrades), identification of new corridors, supply and demand considerations, and 

compatibility with other corridor and project planning efforts. 

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58), Section 369 (oil shale and tar sands commercial leasing) is 

being implemented through the development of a BLM programmatic EIS. The identification of areas 

suitable for oil shale development will be included in the Oil and Tar Sands Leasing programmatic EIS. 

Once the EIS and ROD are completed, the approved programmatic EIS will subsequently amend the 

Pinedale RMP. 

2.1.4 Overall Vision 

The Approved RMP increases conservation of physical, biological, and heritage resources compared to 

current management, including restrictions against habitat fragmentation and designation of new special 

designations and management areas (SD/MA). The Approved RMP also emphasizes moderate constraints 

on leasing for oil and gas and other (leasable) solid minerals. 

2.2 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS 

Management decisions were based on the following resources: 

• Air Quality Management 

• Cultural Resources Management 

• Forestry 

• Lands and Realty Management 

• Livestock Grazing Management 

• Minerals Management 

• Paleontology and Natural History 

• Recreation and Visitor Services Management 

• Soils Management 

• Transportation, Access, and Travel Management 

• Vegetation Management 

• Visual Resources Management 

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• Watershed and Water Quality (Surface Water and Groundwater) Management 

• Wild Horses Management 

• Wildland Fire and Fuels Management 

• Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management 

• Special Designations and Management Areas 

Goals and objectives describe the desired outcomes for each resource topic, and management actions are 

anticipated to achieve these goals and objectives. 

2.2.1 Management Decisions 

Section 2.3 includes the goals, objectives, and land use plan decisions/management actions made in the 

Approved RMP. The section is organized by the 17 resource topics listed above; however, management 

actions for resources and resource uses are often interconnected. Therefore, a comprehensive review of all 

17 resource topics is required to ensure a full understanding of the Approved RMP. 

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2.3 APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

2.3.1 Air Quality Management 

Management Goals 

Minimize the impact of management actions in the planning area on air quality by complying with all 

applicable air quality laws, rules, and regulations. Implement management actions in the planning area to 

improve air quality as practicable. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Maintain concentrations of criteria pollutants associated with management actions in 

compliance with applicable state and federal Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS). 

Objective 2. Maintain concentrations of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) pollutants 

associated with management actions in compliance with the applicable increment. 

Objective 3. Reduce visibility-impairing pollutants in accordance with the reasonable progress goals and 

time frames established within the State of Wyoming’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP). 

Objective 4. Reduce atmospheric deposition pollutants to levels below generally accepted levels of 

concern (LOC) and levels of acceptable change (LAC). 

Actions (these actions apply to all four objectives) 

a. The State of Wyoming has primacy with regard to air quality. Adhering to Wyoming Department 

of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) standards is required by law. Air quality standards are maintained 

by the State of Wyoming, which determines the necessity of regulating emissions. When necessary, 

the state regulates emissions through its SIP for air quality by promulgating the appropriate rule. 

b. BLM will collaborate in the operation of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program 

(NADP)/National Trends Network acid rain monitoring site. Data collected from the NADP/National 

Trends monitoring site will be used to determine actual or potential impacts from air pollutant 

emissions and to provide information on proposed emission sources. 

c. In all cases, BLM will take those actions necessary to ensure that violation of the Clean Air Act 

does not occur. 

d. BLM will cooperate in the collection of basic climate and meteorological data from remote 

automatic weather stations. 

e. BLM will cooperate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Wyoming 

and collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in monitoring for atmospheric deposition (acid 

rain) and its impacts on the Class I airsheds of the Bridger and Fitzpatrick Wilderness Areas. 

f. Special requirements, such as dust abatement, alternative power sources, and best management 

practices (BMP) to alleviate air quality impacts, will be included on a case-by-case basis in use 

authorizations within the scope of BLM’s authority. 

g. Prescribed burns will be managed to comply with WDEQ-Air Quality Division (AQD) smoke 

management rules and regulations. 

h. BLM will continue to participate in State of the Atmosphere modeling to assess cumulative 

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changes to air quality over time. 

i. BLM will work cooperatively with WDEQ-AQD to develop an MOU on lease stipulations and 

conditions of approval (COA), with respect to air quality emissions. 

j. Given the anticipated level of energy development within the PFO, the BLM acknowledges the 

need for additional air monitoring and air modeling associated with individual energy development 

projects in order to quantify the existing ambient levels of air pollutants prior to and after project 

initiation and to estimate the potential effects on air quality and any necessary mitigation associated 

with proposed projects. 

2.3.2 Cultural Resources Management 

Management Goals 

Protect and preserve significant cultural resources for appropriate use by present and future generations. 

Promote stewardship, conservation, and appreciation of cultural resources. 

Provide opportunities for scientific, educational, recreational, and traditional uses of cultural resources. 

Reduce imminent threats to eligible and unevaluated cultural resources from natural or human-caused 

impacts or potential conflict with other resource uses. 

Develop a public outreach and education program to instill a preservation ethic in the public regarding 

archeological and historic resources. 

Management Objective and Actions 

Objective 1. Protect National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-eligible cultural sites and National 

Historic Trails. 

Actions 

a. Sites and trails will be allocated to uses based on their natural and relative preservation value. The 

allocation process will include collaborating with state and local governments and government-togovernment consultation with Native American tribes, where appropriate. 

b. Potential effects on cultural resources will be managed, to the extent possible, through avoidance 

and confidentiality of location (Appendix 1). Where avoidance is not feasible or prudent, mitigation 

through data recovery, monitoring, or other data collection will be required. Before allowing for or 

permitting any surface disturbing activities, the appropriate level of cultural resource inventory will 

be performed to identify the presence of cultural resources. Should a significant (NRHP-eligible) 

cultural property be discovered, the area will be avoided if possible. Where avoidance is not possible, 

data recovery activities will be pursued as necessary. 

c. Sites or locales considered sacred, sensitive, or of interest to modern Native Americans will be 

identified. If actions are proposed that would impact these properties or Native American use of them, 

consultation with affected tribal interests will occur. The input received from affected tribal groups 

will be considered before any irretrievable or irrevocable decisions are made. 

d. Programmatic agreements (PA) for managing cultural resources, such as the Lander Trail PA and 

the Jonah PA, will continue to apply. Per the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (in Section 

106), BLM will consider the potential effects of agency actions on properties listed on or eligible for 

the NRHP. 

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e. Cultural resource management activity plans will be completed and implemented to identify, 

record, preserve, and protect archeological and historic sites. Activity plans will be prepared for any 

current or future sites listed in, or determined eligible for listing in, the NRHP. Site-specific 

management prescriptions, including data recovery if warranted, will be included in the activity plans. 

f. Select NRHP-eligible sites will be monitored and mitigations will be developed to protect the sites 

from inappropriate use, erosion, trampling, or other damage. 

g. Important cultural areas will be identified and inventoried to protect cultural resources before other 

management actions are proposed. 

h. Surface disturbance and occupancy are prohibited on communal big game kill sites, Oregon Trail 

inscription sites, rock shelters, select rock alignments, Native American burial locales, Native 

American traditional cultural properties (TCP)s, and rock art sites (4,430 acres). The no surface 

occupancy (NSO) areas will be tailored to the type, characteristics, and setting of each site. 

i. Native American consultation will be conducted before lands containing known rock shelters, rock 

alignments, Native American burials, rock art sites, or other sites considered important or sacred to 

modern Native Americans are leased for oil and gas. 

j. The Lander Trail and its visual historic setting will be protected through the establishment of a 

VRM Class II designation for about 71,510 acres of public land within 3 miles of contributing 

segments of the trail (Map 2-30). 

k. If a proposed action will diminish the integrity of a historic property’s setting, and the integrity of 

the setting contributes to NRHP eligibility, appropriate mitigation will be applied (Appendices 1, 3, 

and 5). 

l. Segments of the Lander Trail where the setting does not contribute to its eligibility for the NRHP 

will be managed as determined by the VRM Class inventory. 

m. Surface occupancy or disturbance is prohibited except for linear crossings within one-quarter mile 

of the Lander Trail. 

1. In addition to the one-quarter mile NSO in the South Piney Canyon Area, controlled 

surface use (CSU) stipulations will apply for the next three-quarters of a mile on either 

side of the Lander Trail, for a total stipulation area of 1 mile on either side of the trail. 

n. Surface occupancy is prohibited within 1 mile on either side of the Sublette Cutoff Trail. 

o. BLM will consult with state and local governments and landowners with respect to all trail 

management issues. 

p. Section 110 inventory acreage will be determined annually based on budget, workload, and threats 

from development, vandalism, and/or erosion. 

q. Conservation easements from willing private landowners could be sought to protect historic values. 

r. Acquisition of conservation easements, when agreed upon by all consulting parties, including 

willing private landowners, could serve as a potential mitigation option for adverse effects on 

National Historic Trails and their settings that could take place at other locations. 

s. Segments of National Historic Trails not selected for special management consideration will 

continue to be managed as directed in applicable RMPs and other activity plans and as required by 

the NHPA and the State Protocol between the Wyoming BLM and the Wyoming State Historic 

Preservation Office (SHPO). 

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2.3.3 Forestry 

Management Goals 

Manage all forest and woodland stands for restoration to pre-suppression composition, structure, and 

function, with generally widely scattered, more fire resilient larger trees and lower numbers of smaller 

trees in the more frequent fire return interval regimes (primarily Douglas fir, limber, and white bark pine). 

Realize that pre-suppression characteristics in the longer fire return intervals forests (lodgepole pine and 

true firs) consisted of stand replacement fires and even aged stands. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Actions 

a. Public demand sales for firewood, Christmas trees, posts and poles, and other forest products will 

continue. The actual number of permits issued and estimated volumes will vary yearly based on 

public demand, which is increasing as the population of the area grows, but will not exceed the 

capability of the resource to maintain healthy forests and sustained yield. Should demand exceed 

historical use levels, a NEPA analysis will be prepared to analyze impacts on other resources. 

b. All special recreation management areas (SRMA), ACECs, and WSAs are unavailable for 

commercial or personal use forest products removal (incidental use as defined by 43 CFR, Subpart 

5400, Section 5400.0-5 is excepted). The only forest/woodland treatments allowed are to reduce fire 

or safety hazards in designated campgrounds or to address serious forest health issues in accordance 

with management direction. 

Objective 1. Return mixed conifer and lodgepole pine stands (approximately 22,000 acres) to their 

historic range of variability (HRV). 

Actions 

a. Existing old growth stands will be identified and managed to comply with the Healthy Forests 

Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). 

b. Other stands will be managed to move them toward old growth composition, structure, and 

function as appropriate. 

c. Forest health concerns will be identified and stands aggressively managed to improve forest health 

within the guidelines of HFRA. 

d. Forest commodity production and stand improvement activities will focus on small diameter trees, 

consistent with making the stand fire resilient. Approximately 1,600 CCF/800 MBF of forest products 

will be available for sale annually. Up to 200 acres of forest could be commercially or 

precommercially treated annually. 

e. In stands (Fire Regime IV and V) where stand replacement fires are the norm, even age 

management could be practiced, consistent within the disturbance ecology framework of the 

vegetation type. 

Objective 2. Return woodland ecosystem areas (aspen, aspen/conifer, cottonwood, and other woodland 

ecosystems—15,280 acres) to their HRVs. 

Actions 

a. Forest products are available as a secondary product of management, consistent with forest health, 

landscape restoration, and reduction of forest fuels objectives. 

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b. Restoration of aspen stands will be emphasized through removing/reducing conifer and/or 

sagebrush invasion. Prescribed fire and overstory removal of dead and dying aspen will be used to 

rejuvenate and expand these stands so that watershed and wildlife habitat are improved and natural 

fire breaks are created within the landscape. 

c. Up to 700 acres of woodlands could undergo vegetation treatment per year. 

Objective 3. Restore or emulate natural/historic forest cycles on the forested lands and woodlands within 

the Scab Creek and Lake Mountain WSAs. 

Action 

a. Prescribed or wildland fire could be used to achieve vegetation alteration in the WSAs. Mechanical 

surface disturbing activities are prohibited, and no forest products will be removed from WSAs. 

Objective 4. Using HFRA guidelines, maintain identified old growth stands. 

Actions 

a. The guidance of the HFRA will be followed for all old growth stands (Appendix 6), improvement 

and treatment of forest stands, and collaboration with local governments for fire suppression as 

identified by the Act. Stands meeting old growth standards for their vegetation type will be managed 

to maintain and/or restore old growth characteristics of pre-suppression composition, structure, and 

function on a landscape scale. 

b. Landscape analysis of the percentage of stands needed to meet old growth standards will establish 

the management goals for the individual stand for their vegetation type. Stands will be managed to 

maintain old growth characteristics on a landscape scale. Connectivity of existing old growth areas 

will be maintained at appropriate locations and distribution levels. 

2.3.4 Lands and Realty Management 

Management Goals 

Provide for use of public lands in accordance with federal regulations where compatible with other 

resources. Pursue land tenure adjustments that are in the public interest. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Process land tenure adjustments that would benefit or achieve the goals of other resource 

programs. 

Actions 

a. Lands identified for disposal under Sections 203 and 206 of FLPMA and identified as such in this 

plan are hereby classified for disposal under Section 7 of the Taylor Gazing Act of 1934, as amended 

(43 United States Code [USC] 315f) under EO 6910 and under 43 CFR §2400. 

b. Of the 6,300 acres that meet FLPMA disposal criteria for sale, 790 acres are available (Appendix 

14, Map 2-31). 

c. Land acquisitions are limited to willing buyers and sellers with a preference for transactions that 

create no net loss of private land in the affected counties. 

d. Emphasis will be placed on actions that accommodate and enhance wildlife migration routes within 

the PFO. 

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Objective 2. Respond to community needs for expansion and economic development. 

Actions 

a. Proposals for land tenure adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis and according to 

criteria in Appendix 13 (Map 2-31). Before any land tenure adjustments are made, the appropriate 

level of environmental analysis will be conducted on the proposal. Riparian, wetland, and aquatic 

resources are not available for sale but could be exchanged for lands of equal or greater monetary 

and/or resource value. 

b. Acquisition of nonfederal lands from willing parties will be considered to meet the goals of various 

resource management programs. Land exchanges will be considered if they would enhance other 

resource values, provide a public benefit, or improve management efficiency in areas of scattered or 

intermingled landownership patterns (Appendix 13). 

c. No lands will be determined suitable for desert land entry (DLE). 

d. Trespass within the planning area will be resolved. BLM will pursue the resolution of occupancy, 

mineral, or other trespass to the benefit of the BLM and the public. 

e. Realty actions that would protect wildlife migration routes will be considered. Public lands will be 

retained to provide for free movement of migrating big game animals at— 

• Trapper’s Point 

• The south end of Fremont Lake (CCC Ponds Area) 

• Other important wildlife migration routes as identified. 

Objective 3. Process ROW applications in a timely manner, applying appropriate mitigation to protect 

resource values. 

Actions 

a. Areas not identified as avoidance, exclusion, or restriction areas are open to ROWs. 

b. ROW facilities will not be placed adjacent to each other if issues with safety or incompatibility are 

identified. All utilities will be placed to meet reliability and safety standards. 

c. ROWs will be issued for the minimum size necessary to complete the intended use and will be 

clustered or corridored as much as possible. 

d. ROW activities that typically require an exception during seasonal closure periods are road 

construction or improvement and pipeline, power line, and communication site construction. 

Activities that are permissible during seasonal closure periods without requiring an exception include 

daily operations, emergencies, or nonstandard maintenance. These activities are permissible if 

operations are confined to an existing ROW, require no longer than 72 hours to complete, are 

conducted during daylight hours only, and involve no new surface disturbance. 

e. Energy corridors and criteria will be incorporated. Common ROW routes will be designated, where 

appropriate, to minimize impacts. 

f. ROWs for above-ground power lines will be sited to protect the setting of contributing segments of 

the National Historic Trails (Map 2-32). 

g. Utility facilities will be restricted to existing routes and designated corridors where practicable, 

including environmental and socioeconomic considerations. Corridor routes include U.S. Highways 

189 and 191 and State Highways 189, 191, 350, 351, 352, 353, and 354. New corridors could be 

established as oil and gas fields are developed (Map 3-10). 

h. New power lines will be buried to the extent practicable. 

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i. Linear ROW crossings in 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas will be considered on a 

case-by-case basis (Map 3-14). 

j. Exceptions to ROW avoidance areas (Map 2-32; Table 2-27) will be considered if the activity is 

within the corridors identified in paragraph g above or if the activity meets the following criteria: 

1. Does not create substantial surface disturbance 

2. Is located in areas with a high potential for successful reclamation 

3. Has impacts that would be temporary 

4. Is compatible with other resource values being protected 

5. Is beneficial to the resources being managed. 

k. ROWs for communication sites will be processed on a case-by-case basis with the following 

criteria: 

1. Emphasis will be on development on already-existing multiple use sites rather than on 

establishing new sites. 

2. Towers on all sites will be restricted to heights not requiring lighting. 

3. All new and replacement towers will be self-supporting and non-guyed. 

4. New users on all sites will be responsible for notifying existing users of frequencies 

and for resolving any interference problems with existing facilities. 

l. Proposals for alternative energy development will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

1. Alternative energy development will be avoided in sensitive areas, including— 

•	 Raptor concentration areas 

•	 Neotropical bird migration routes, as determined by site-specific monitoring 

•	 Within 3 miles of occupied sage-grouse leks 

•	 Sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

•	 WSAs, SRMAs, ACECs, and other SD/MAs 

•	 Lander Trail, Sublette Cutoff Trail, and sensitive Native American and cultural 

sites identified for NSO stipulations or unavailable for oil and gas leasing 

•	 Crucial big game winter ranges. 

2. Exceptions will be considered if impacts could be mitigated. 

m. No new centralized compression facilities will be permitted in the Wind River Front Management 

Area (approximately 201,240 acres) (Map 2-33). Wellhead compression for individual wells will be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

n. Water disposal pits will be considered on a case-by-case basis in the Intensively Developed Fields. 

1. Pits will meet the requirements of Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 7, the Wyoming Oil 

and Gas Commission, and the WDEQ. 

2. Disposal pits will be bonded to an amount determined by an Authorized Officer. 

o. Reasonable access will be provided to private landowners/private mineral estate holders for 

transportation of products across public lands to access sales pipelines or to issue other ROWs across 

BLM lands when necessary to support activities on private lands. 

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Objective 4. Approximately 13,770 acres of new withdrawals from locatable mineral entry and land 

disposal will be pursued to protect cultural, wildlife habitat, and recreational values (Table 2-26; Map 2-

34). 

a. Public lands within active livestock driveways that serve their designated purpose will continue to 

be segregated from all forms of disposal under the public land laws. Withdrawals for stock driveways 

that are not serving their designated purpose will be terminated. Mineral location on stock driveways 

will be processed under 43 CFR §3815. 

b. Existing land withdrawals currently encumbering public lands will be reviewed to determine the 

need for continuation, modification, revocation, or termination of the withdrawals. Unneeded 

withdrawals will not be continued. These include power site, oil shale, and other miscellaneous 

withdrawals. 

2.3.5 Livestock Grazing Management 

Management Goal 

Maintain and/or enhance livestock grazing opportunities and rangeland health. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Maintain, restore, or enhance livestock grazing to meet the Wyoming Standards for 

Rangeland Health and achieve allotment objectives. 

Mitigate direct, indirect, and cumulative livestock forage losses and impacts on livestock grazing 

(including impacts on livestock grazing operational capabilities and production performance) where 

opportunities exist. 

Actions 

a. The Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health apply to all resource management decisions and 

activities, and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management apply to all livestock grazing activities 

on public lands. BLM will consult, cooperate, and coordinate with operators and interested members 

of the public to determine the most appropriate guidelines to implement. 

b. Forage will be made available for livestock grazing use. 

c. Adequate stock trails will be maintained to support livestock trailing needs. 

d. All allotments are currently categorized. As resource conditions change, and following consultation 

with the affected parties, an allotment could change from one category to another. Current allotment 

categorization is 40 I allotments, 147 M allotments, and 26 C allotments. 

e. Any combining or splitting of allotments to meet management objectives will be consistent with 

RMP direction. Such actions include consultation and coordination with the affected parties. 

f. Monitoring of the range and the vegetation resource will be conducted at a level sufficient to detect 

changes in grazing use, trend, and range conditions. Monitoring will be tied to land health standards 

and indicators that help determine change in status and progress toward meeting objectives. Data will 

be used to direct and support grazing management decisions consistent with national policy. 

g. Conversions from one type of livestock to another will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, 

including an environmental analysis, and will be authorized in conformance with the goals and 

objectives of the RMP. 

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h. The current grazing preference of 107,907 animal unit months (AUM) will be maintained, unless 

changes are warranted through site-specific monitoring. 

i. Adjustments in AUMs will be considered through implementation of allotment management plans 

(AMP), additional NEPA analysis, and rangeland monitoring. 

j. Livestock grazing in the oil and gas Intensively Developed Fields will incorporate adaptive 

management and collaboration with interested parties, including livestock operators, to examine the 

effects of intense industrial operations on access to, and availability of, the forage base. 

1. Reasonable and prudent mitigation will be implemented to maintain the availability of 

public lands for authorized livestock grazing use to the extent possible. 

2. Reductions in grazing use in industrialized areas could become necessary if mitigation 

is insufficient to maintain the current level of livestock grazing. 

3. Reductions could be temporary in nature, with AUMs restored to affected permittees 

when appropriate. 

k. Grazing systems will be designed to maintain or improve watershed and range condition; for 

example, through changing seasons of use, implementing rotational or other grazing management 

systems, or developing infrastructure for livestock management. 

l. Livestock grazing in areas of crucial big game winter ranges (Map 3-20) will be managed to 

maintain or enhance vegetation condition and forage availability for wildlife, as appropriate. 

m. Livestock water developments on crucial elk winter ranges will be designed, located, and managed 

to maintain winter elk forage. 

n. Grazing seasons in allotments containing elk parturition areas will be adjusted to begin after June 1 

to reduce the potential for brucellosis transmission. This action will only occur after, and in 

conjunction with, development of a herd management plan through coordination and cooperation with 

the affected grazing permittee and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). 

o. Approximately 21,000 acres of unallocated forage on public lands will be considered for wildlife 

and livestock allocation on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with RMP goals and objectives. 

1. The number of AUMs to be allocated to each use will be determined after the lands 

have been evaluated to determine the range condition and appropriate carrying capacity. 

p. Developed recreation sites (approximately 100 acres) and vegetation exclosures (approximately 75 

acres or up to 150 AUMs) are closed to livestock grazing. 

q. Livestock grazing and range-related improvement are allowed in the Rock Creek ACEC consistent 

with ACEC objectives. 

r. Forage reserves will be established to accommodate and facilitate rangeland restoration and 

recovery on a landscape scale. Authorized forage removal will not exceed the livestock carrying 

capacity (acres/AUM) of the allotment identified as a forage reserve. The PFO will actively pursue 

opportunities as they arise to establish forage reserves based on reasons such as— 

•	 The cooperation of a current permittee under a partnership agreement or MOU 

•	 Newly available forage for livestock on a sustained yield basis, such as that 

created upon cancellation of preference within an individual allotment 

•	 Non-BLM lands made available in cooperation with another agency or entity. 

Forage reserves, once established, will be managed in accordance with the provisions of an 

appropriate activity plan developed in consultation with the interested public. 

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s. In allotments with riparian habitat, grazing management actions will be designed to maintain or 

achieve proper functioning condition. 

t. Mineral supplement blocks will be placed in locations that promote proper grazing distribution and 

prevent inappropriate livestock use on riparian habitat; for example, by locating supplements on 

ridgetops and/or approximately one-quarter mile from riparian habitat. Placement of supplements 

near water sources, such as wells and reservoirs, will consider rangeland objectives, such as grazing 

distribution, wildlife habitat requirements, and reclamation success. Mineral supplement blocks will 

not be placed within one-quarter mile of an occupied sage-grouse lek. Mineral supplement blocks will 

not be placed within one-quarter mile of known Special Status Plant Species locations. 

u. Livestock grazing management will be based on monitoring of range condition and trend; 

consultation, cooperation, and coordination with livestock grazing permittees and other interested 

parties; and completion of an approved landscape/watershed/AMP with accompanying NEPA 

documentation. 

2.3.6 Minerals Management 

Management Goal 

Provide opportunities for mineral extraction and energy exploration and development to provide resources 

to meet national and local needs while avoiding or otherwise mitigating significant impacts on other 

resource objectives. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Actions 

a. Mineral resources include fluid and solid minerals leased for development under the Mineral 

Leasing Act of 1920 and amendments, locatable minerals that may be claimed and patented under the 

1872 Mining Law, and common variety mineral materials that may be purchased by private parties or 

used for free by public agencies and nonprofit groups under the Materials Act of 1947 (as amended). 

The preceding laws only apply to federal minerals and are not intended to suggest or give BLM 

jurisdiction over state- or privately-owned minerals. Drilling proposals are initiated by oil and gas 

leaseholders. Parcels are nominated for leasing by oil and gas companies, not by BLM or other 

agencies. 

b. Existing oil and gas or other mineral lease rights will be honored. When an oil and gas lease is 

issued, it constitutes a valid existing right; BLM cannot unilaterally change the terms and conditions 

of the lease. Existing leases will not be affected by new closures and/or areas administratively 

unavailable for lease, and restrictions cannot be added to existing leases. Surface use and timing 

restrictions resulting from this RMP cannot be applied to existing leases. Existing leases will not be 

terminated until the lease expires. However, based on site- or project-specific environmental analysis, 

COAs could be applied at the Application for Permits to Drill (APD) and Sundry Notice stages and 

subsequent development stages to mitigate potential impacts from oil and gas operations within 

existing lease areas, provided the leaseholder’s right to develop the lease remains intact. 

c. Nondiscretionary closures to oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development apply to 

incorporated municipalities and WSAs. As provided by regulation, existing pre-FLPMA oil and gas 

leases are exempt from this restriction. 

d. BLM-permitted actions on split estate lands are subject to the same stipulations as leased federal 

mineral estate on federal surface lands (Appendix 7), provided the stipulations do not adversely affect 

the surface owner’s land use or actions. Exceptions to surface development restrictions could be 

granted if requested or agreed to by the surface owner. 

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e. The oil and gas resource inventory data of the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) is 

integrated into the Reasonably Foreseeable Development (RFD) scenario prepared by BLM’s 

Wyoming State Office Reservoir Management Group (RMG). The RFD predicts future mineral 

development within the planning area. The RFD is a projection of the number of wells and well pads 

that could potentially be developed under the various alternatives. It is included in the RMP EIS for 

analysis purposes and is not a cap on the number of wells that will ultimately be developed. The 

actual number of wells could exceed the RFD if the associated surface disturbance and impacts on 

other resources did not exceed the analysis thresholds. 

f. In compliance with EPCA, restrictions and impediments to mineral resource development have 

been analyzed throughout the planning process with the intent to— 

1. Clearly present mitigation requirements necessary to reduce impacts of oil and gas 

operations on other resources. 

2. Ensure that such mitigation is either statutorily required or scientifically justifiable and 

is the least restrictive measure necessary to accomplish the desired level of resource 

protection. The mitigation requirements will be monitored to determine whether more or 

less restrictive measures may be required to accomplish the same goal. 

3. Provide means for evaluating and processing exceptions, modifications, and/or waivers 

to lease stipulations and COAs attached to post-leasing authorizations, such as APDs and 

Sundry Notices. Modifications will be processed when there is a need for a fundamental 

change to the provisions of a lease stipulation or COA, either temporarily or for the term 

of the lease or use authorization. For example, a seasonal use restriction prohibits activity 

in October, but the protected resource period has shifted to August. Waivers (permanent 

exemption from the lease stipulation) will be processed when the condition warranting 

the stipulation or COA no longer exists anywhere within the leasehold or within the area 

of authorization for a COA. For example, an elk feedground is protected by an NSO 

stipulation, but elk no longer come to that feedground. Modifications and waivers to lease 

stipulations may require RMP maintenance or an RMP amendment. An exception is a 

case-by-case, site-specific exemption from a lease stipulation or COA (see Appendix 8 

for a discussion of the exception process). 

4. Onshore Order No. 1 and 43 CFR §3162 3-2 (a) (b) and (c) provide for subsequent 

well operations and for when filing of a Sundry Notice (BLM form 3150-6) is required. 

43 CFR §3161.2 directs the BLM to ensure that “all operations are conducted in a manner 

which protects other natural resources and the environmental quality.” 43 CFR §3162.2 

(a) and §3162.5 require operators to “conduct all operations in a manner which protects 

other natural resources and the environmental quality.” Consistent with the regulatory 

requirement to protect other natural resources, the following actions are permissible 

during seasonal closure periods without requiring an exception: (1) daily production 

operations, including pumper visit and pumper maintenance actions; (2) road 

maintenance and snow removal; (3) remedial workover operations immediately essential 

to maintaining well production; (4) workover, well logging, and operations that do not 

alter the well bore or casing providing the operations will be conducted during daylight 

hours and will not take more than 3 work days to complete; and (5) regularly required 

production facility and pipeline maintenance (e.g., monthly, every 2 months, every 3 

months), provided the operations are conducted during daylight hours and do not take 

more than 3 workdays to complete. These activities are restricted to existing well pads, 

access roads, and/or pipeline ROWs and involve no new surface disturbance. 

5. Evaluate the impacts of the COA and other mitigation on the economics of energy 

development and access to domestic sources of energy to ensure that they are the 

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minimum necessary. 

g. Clarifying changes could be made in the future to the wording of oil and gas lease stipulations as 

long as there is no substantial change to the protection provided by mitigation and the clarification 

does not place additional restrictions on the leaseholder. 

Objective 1 (Intensively Developed Fields). Make federal lands and minerals within existing oil and gas 

fields (175,040 acres) available for intensive oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, and 

production (Map 2-9). 

Actions 

a. Lands and mineral estate in these areas are available for lease. 

b. New oil and gas leases will include standard lease stipulations and appropriate NSO and CSU 

stipulations (Map 2-4) as specifically prescribed in Sections 2.3.2, 2.3.8, and 2.3.16. 

c. Exceptions will be considered to allow year-round drilling and development operations on new and 

existing leases (170,670 acres) in Intensively Developed Fields that are currently encumbered by 

seasonal restrictions. Such exceptions will be subject to existing federal laws, such as the Migratory 

Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA); additional environmental analysis, 

including cooperating agency coordination; and the leaseholder/operator implementing offsetting 

mitigation to support other resource objectives. 

1. This exception will not be applied to seasonal (timing limitation) protection measures 

for T&E and migratory bird species unless consultation with USFWS, migratory bird 

take permits, or other permits beyond the scope of BLM’s exception process are 

obtained. 

d. BMPs and other mitigation measures will be applied to mitigate impacts on sensitive habitats and 

other resources (Appendices 3 and 5) to the extent possible and practicable. Post-lease actions 

(activity plans, APDs, Sundry Notices) will be managed under restrictions and COAs will be 

developed through programmatic and/or site-specific environmental analysis in coordination with 

cooperating agencies and in consideration of resource objectives. 

e. Accelerated reclamation will be implemented to reestablish habitats. 

f. Water disposal pits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Objective 2 (Traditional Leasing Areas). Make federal lands and mineral estate as depicted on Map 2-9 

available for oil and gas leasing and exploration in concert with maintaining the viability of non-oil and 

gas resource values and land uses (451,490 acres). 

Actions 

a. Lands and mineral estate in these areas are available for lease. 

b. Mineral leases, including those for minerals other than oil and gas, are subject to timing limitation, 

CSU and NSO stipulations (Map 2-4), and COAs, as well as the additional resource constraints as 

established for surface disturbing and disruptive activities. 

c. Existing oil and gas leases (303,140 acres) will be managed under their existing lease terms and 

stipulations. 

1. Oil and gas activities will be designed to mitigate impacts on important wildlife 

habitats, including big game crucial winter ranges and greater sage-grouse habitats. 

2. BMPs and other mitigation measures will be applied to mitigate impacts on sensitive 

habitats and other resources (Appendices 3 and 5). 

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d. Post-lease actions (activity plans, APDs, Sundry Notices) will be managed under restrictions and 

COAs developed through programmatic and/or site-specific environmental analysis in coordination 

with cooperating agencies and in consideration of resource objectives. 

e. Lands in these areas could convert to Intensively Developed Fields when bottom-hole well density 

exceeds one well per 160 acres and a surface density of four well pads per 640-acre section. 

Consideration for conversion depends on (1) a geology and reservoir analysis determination that 

additional well density is needed to efficiently and adequately produce the gas or oil resource; (2) that 

surface resources can be satisfactorily mitigated; and (3) that a project-specific environmental 

documentation is prepared to analyze impacts and to determine operating methods, mitigation, and 

BMPs to be used in the efficient and comprehensive development of the field. 

f. New fields not adjacent to the current Intensively Developed Fields (Jonah, Pinedale Anticline, Big 

Piney-LaBarge, Deer Hills, and Camp/Castle Creek) require an RMP amendment to be designated 

Intensively Developed Fields. 

g. On-lease water disposal pits are not allowed. 

Objective 3 (Unavailable Areas). Make federal lands and minerals as depicted on Map 2-9 unavailable for 

oil and gas leasing (453,700 acres). As existing oil and gas leases expire in Unavailable Areas, they will 

not be re-offered for lease, except as necessary to provide drainage protection (as indicated below). 

Actions 

a. Lands and mineral estate in these areas are unavailable for lease. 

b. A one-half mile NSO area is established in some areas where the Unavailable Areas abut lands or 

mineral estate not managed by the BLM (Map 2-9). This one-half mile NSO “buffer” area provides a 

means for dealing with drainage of resources from BLM mineral estate. 

c. The unavailable for oil and gas leasing designation could be reevaluated in site-specific situations 

under the following circumstances: 

1. Development on adjacent state or private mineral estate is determined by BLM’s RMG 

to be draining federal oil and gas resources to the extent that an offsetting federal well or 

wells is/are needed to resolve the drainage issue. 

2. Surface resource values (wildlife, cultural, vegetation, visual, livestock grazing, 

recreation, etc.) can be adequately mitigated. 

3. A plan amendment is completed for the conversion. 

d. Existing oil and gas leases (118,190 acres) will be managed under their existing lease terms and 

stipulations. 

1. Oil and gas activities will be regulated to mitigate impacts on important wildlife 

habitats, including big game crucial winter ranges and greater sage-grouse habitats. 

2. BMPs and operating standards will be applied to mitigate impacts on sensitive habitats 

and other resources (Appendices 3 and 5). 

3. Post-lease actions (APDs, Sundry Notices) will be managed under restrictions and 

COAs developed through the appropriate level of additional environmental analysis in 

coordination with cooperating agencies as appropriate and in consideration of resource 

objectives. 

4. On-lease water disposal pits are not allowed. 

e. Oil and gas operators have the right to explore, develop, and produce existing leases. As prescribed 

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in 43 CFR §3101.1-2, post-lease actions (APDs and Sundry Notices) could be subject to reasonable 

restrictions as determined necessary by the Authorized Officer. 

Objective 4. Provide opportunities for geophysical and geologic data acquisition while mitigating impacts 

on important resource values. 

Actions 

a. Geophysical data gathering methods that involve only casual use of the surface (as defined in 43 

CFR §3150) are permitted throughout the planning area. 

b. Vehicle-based geophysical activities will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

c. The use of surface and/or above-ground (Poulter shot) explosive charges for geophysical 

exploration will be assessed case by case. 

d. Geophysical projects, including projects proposed in areas with an NSO restriction, will be 

analyzed and mitigation developed on a case-by-case basis. 

e. Geophysical operations on BLM-administered surface within Native American TCP areas and 

within one-quarter mile of rock art sites are restricted to designated roads and trails or nonvehiclebased methods and are subject to Native American consultation. 

f. Geophysical operations on post-FLPMA leased or unleased BLM-administered surface within the 

Scab Creek and Lake Mountain WSAs will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the operations 

meet the requirements of the IMP for Lands under Wilderness Review (BLM Handbook H-8550-1). 

Geophysical operations on pre-FLPMA leased, BLM-administered surface within the Lake Mountain 

WSA are allowed pursuant to environmental analysis and the pre-FLPMA requirements in H-8550-1. 

g. Geophysical operations are allowed on BLM-administered surface within the Wind River Front 

Management Area and the Beaver Creek, Trapper’s Point, and New Fork Potholes ACECs if the 

operations are conducted using nonvehicular methods or on designated roads and trails. 

h. Geophysical activities are allowed in and within one-quarter mile of developed recreation sites if 

the recreation site is not occupied and the operations are conducted on designated roads and trails. 

i. Geophysical activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts on wildlife habitats 

through means such as the imposition of surface-use, seasonal, and/or other appropriate mitigation 

developed through project-specific NEPA analysis. 

j. Geophysical activities that are considered casual use actions are allowed within one-quarter mile of 

active sage-grouse leks provided that— 

1. Operations are conducted on designated roads and trails. 

2. Operations during the breeding season (March 1 through May 15) are conducted 

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 

3. A 150-foot wide strip of undisturbed sagebrush is maintained around the perimeter of 

the lek for hiding and escape cover. 

Objective 5. Make coal resources available for leasing and development. 

Action 

a. Decisions on lands acceptable for leasing consideration for coal development will be made after an 

application is received and the coal screening process is conducted. 

Objective 6. Lands not withdrawn or segregated from mineral entry are available for locatable mineral 

exploration and development (1,185,510 acres). 

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Actions 

a. According to 43 CFR §3809.11 and §3809.21, only exploration activities of 5 acres or less are 

allowed with only a notice. Exploration over 5 acres, all activities in ACECs regardless of acreage, 

and all mining operations regardless of acreage require approved Plans of Operation. 

b. Locatable mineral activities are subject to regulatory requirements; resource constraints are based 

on the undue and unnecessary degradation standard. 

c. New mineral withdrawals (13,770 acres) will be pursued to protect cultural, wildlife, and 

recreational values in the areas identified in Map 2-34 and Table 2-26. 

Objective 7. Salable mineral resources are available for development. 

Actions 

a. Regular field monitoring of salable mineral permit areas will occur to ensure permit compliance. 

b. Salable mineral activities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

c. The planning area is open to mineral material disposals with the exception of WSAs (21,200 acres) 

(Map 2-33). 

Objective 8. Make other leasable minerals (phosphate, sodium [trona], and geothermal steam) available 

for exploration and development. 

Actions 

a. Geothermal leasing and development will be considered and managed under the same objectives, 

management actions, and restrictions and in the same areas identified as being available for Intensive 

Development and Traditional Leasing Areas for oil and gas leasing and development. 

b. Should interest in other leasable minerals materialize in the future, leasing will be considered on a 

case-by-case basis, and the RMP will be amended as appropriate and necessary. The same surface 

disturbance restrictions will be used in analyzing leasing proposals and determining the issuance of 

any leases (for example, geothermal steam, coal, sodium, oil shale, and phosphate). 

c. In the event of a coal lease application, the coal planning screening process in 43 CFR §3420.1-4 

will be applied. 

d. The existing withdrawals for phosphate, coal, and oil shale will be revoked. These mineral 

resources no longer need such protection because under the Multiple Mineral Use Act of 1954 (P.L. 

585), any claims posted on a preexisting lease must allow the lease to be developed, and both 

locatable and leasable development can occur on the same land. Mineral leases, other than oil and 

gas, are subject to the same resource constraints as established for other surface disturbing activities. 

2.3.7 Paleontology and Natural History 

Management Goal 

Protect significant fossils and known paleontological resources from damage or destruction and facilitate 

suitable scientific, educational, and recreational uses of fossils. 

Management Objective and Actions 

Objective 1. Known and newly discovered paleontological resources will be managed to maintain or 

improve current condition. 

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Actions 

a. Paleontological sites will be protected by using surface and subsurface protection stipulations and 

discretionary management authority. Any actions to close or restrict areas for fossil protection will be 

evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Permits are required for collecting all vertebrate fossils, tracks, and 

traces and any invertebrate and plant fossils determined to be significant. 

b. Areas of unique natural history, important paleontological resources, or particular natural interest, 

including the Pinedale Glacial Area, will be nominated for designation as national natural landmarks 

(NNL), research natural areas (RNA), or ACECs and managed for protection of their unique values. 

2.3.8 Recreation and Visitor Services Management 

Management Goal 

Provide substantial personal, community, economic, and environmental benefits to local residents and 

visitors through recreational uses of the public lands. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Maintain or enhance the health and viability of recreation-dependent natural resources and 

settings within the planning area. 

Actions 

a. Recreation facilities will be developed, where needed, to accommodate anticipated recreation uses 

and use levels and to provide for adequate public health and safety and resource protection according 

to subsequent SRMA activity plans. 

b. The order of priority for recreation management will be (1) congressionally designated areas; (2) 

major rivers and lakes where BLM has clear jurisdiction; (3) areas with outstanding recreation 

resource values not already provided in the area; and (4) areas where the recreation capacity is 

regularly exceeded, thus threatening other important resource values. 

c. A temporary no overnight camping stipulation could be imposed anywhere in the planning area in 

an emergency. 

d. Where applicable, recreation facilities development and management will maintain or improve 

riparian values. 

e. Recreational use will be directed through the use of signs and publications to address trespass 

issues. BLM will work cooperatively with private property owners to sign common boundaries. 

f. BLM will enter into partnerships with interested parties to further the goals of the recreation and 

visitor services program. 

g. A 14-day campsite occupancy limit applies throughout the planning area. This occupancy limit 

applies to a 5-mile radius of the campsite and is restricted to the recreational use of public lands. 

h. Commercial operators camping within 200 feet of streams or in riparian areas will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis and could be restricted or prohibited if resource damage occurs. 

i. Dispersed camping within 200 feet of streams or in riparian areas is allowed but could be restricted 

or prohibited if resource damage occurs. 

j. Surface occupancy within one-quarter mile of developed recreation sites is prohibited except for 

activities necessary to maintain or enhance recreation sites or for activities necessary to protect or 

enhance soil, vegetation, watershed health, and similar resources. 

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Objective 2. Promote commercial competitive events and organized group activities where appropriate 

and compatible with natural resource management objectives. 

Actions 

a. Commercial, competitive, or organized group activity or event special recreation permits (SRP) 

will not be authorized for prairie dog hunts, contests, derbies, or other organized prairie dog hunting 

events. 

b. SRP applications will be processed except for additional commercial SRPs for river use on the 

Green and New Fork Rivers. 

c. Additional SRPs and allotted river use for commercial SRPs for the Green and New Fork Rivers 

will be determined through the development of a recreation area management plan (RAMP). 

Objective 3. Manage SRMAs to provide for current and future recreation opportunities. Refer to 

Recreation Management Zone (RMZ)-specific objectives below. The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

will be used for each SRMA as a guide to maintain, promote, or modify recreation activities, settings, and 

experiences (Appendix 16). 

Actions 

a. Scab Creek SRMA—The Scab Creek SRMA will be retained and managed as two RMZs (18,460 

total acres; Map 2-33a). The Front Country Zone consists of the BLM access road, trailheads, 

backpacker and pack stock staging areas, campgrounds, area trails, restrooms, trash collection, and 

public information facilities. The Back Country Zone consists of the remaining area generally void of 

modern, human-created features and located at least one-half mile from any roads. 

1. Recreation Tourism Markets: The Front Country Zone is a Community and Destination 

Market, and the Back Country Zone is an Undeveloped Market. Recreation users are 

local residents and regional and national visitors. 

2. The Recreation Market Segment for the Front Country Zone is developed camping, 

hunting, trailhead access, and day use opportunities. The Back Country Zone provides an 

undeveloped primitive, nonmotorized setting (within the WSA) for back country 

camping, hunting, hiking, backpacking, fishing, rock climbing, and other adventure 

activities requiring a high degree of self-reliance. 

3. The Management Objective for the Scab Creek SRMA is to manage each zone to 

provide opportunities for the public to achieve targeted, high-quality recreation activities 

and experiences that produce significant benefits to the visiting public. Both zones will 

provide opportunities for visitors to engage in targeted activities, providing a 90% or 

better realization of targeted benefits (Table 2-17 and Table 2-18). 

4. Recreation Management: A RAMP will be prepared to guide management of 

recreation use while enhancing the area’s natural setting. The Front Country Zone will 

provide quality services and facilities that accommodate appropriate use levels, meet 

health and safety standards, and protect the area’s natural values. The Back Country Zone 

maintains trails for nonmotorized foot and equestrian travel except where limited to 

designated roads and trails outside of the WSA. 

5. The Market Strategy for the Front Country Zone onsite is to use standard BLM venues 

for disseminating recreational user information and regulations; for the Front Country 

Zone offsite, the Market Strategy is to use local BLM publications and Internet 

technologies. The Market Strategy for the Back Country Zone is to provide basic user 

information at trailheads on access, regulations, and resource protection. The provision of 

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onsite information and directional signs is prohibited unless such facilities comply with 

the BLM IMP for Lands under Wilderness Review (within the WSA). 

6. Recreation Monitoring: BLM personnel and volunteers will regularly conduct 

recreation monitoring. Visitor use surveys will be implemented to determine whether 

targeted outcomes are being achieved. Surveys will be replicated periodically. 

7. Recreation Administration will include approval for cost recovery to maintain visitor 

services and manage it as a U.S. Fee Site. For both the Front and Back Country Zones, 

the issuance of SRPs could be considered only for commercial and group activities as 

appropriate for the area setting. Camping is limited to a 14-day stay. The WSA is closed 

to motorized vehicles and limited to designated roads and trails outside the WSA. The 

SRMA is administratively unavailable for fluid mineral leasing. VRM Class I objectives 

apply to the Scab Creek WSA, and VRM Class II objectives apply to the remainder of the 

SRMA. 

Table 2-17. Targeted Outcomes—Scab Creek SRMA 

Activities Experiences Benefits 

Front Country Zone 

Camping (auto/RV) 

Picnicking and day use 

Hunting 

Equestrian 

Enjoying viewing natural scenery 

Relaxing physically 

Engaging in preferred activities with 

family and friends 

Personal: 

• Nature and aesthetic 

appreciation 

• Social bonding, cohesion, and 

cooperation 

• Personal health and fitness 

Community: 

• Family bonding and better 

family life 

Environmental: 

• Public awareness of 

environmental stewardship 

• Better care of Wind River Front 

Economic: 

• Contribution to tourism and 

local economy 

• Increased attractiveness of 

region as a place to live 

Back Country Zone 

Backpacking 

Pack stock use 

Wilderness camping 

Hunting 

Viewing wildlife and natural scenery 

Relaxing physically 

Engaging in preferred activities with 

family and friends 

Developing outdoor skills 

Wilderness experience 

Personal: 

• Nature and aesthetic 

appreciation 

• Social bonding and cooperation 

• Personal health and fitness 

• Self-reliance 

Community: 

• Improved perceived quality of 

life 

• Family bonding and better 

family life 

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Activities Experiences Benefits 

• Improved image of BLM 

Environmental: 

• Public awareness of 

environmental stewardship 

• Enhanced wilderness 

experience 

Economic: 

• Contribution to tourism and 

local economy 

Table 2-18. Prescribed Setting Character—Scab Creek SRMA 

Physical Social Administrative 

Front Country Zone 

Remoteness: Front Country 

Naturalness: Front Country 

Facilities: Front Country 

Contacts: Middle Country 

Group Size: Middle Country 

Evidence of Use: Front Country 

Types of Encounters: Front Country 

Mechanized Use: Middle Country 

Visitor Services: Front Country 

Management Controls: Front 

Country 

Domestic Animals: Middle Country 

Back Country Zone 

Remoteness: Back Country 

Naturalness: Back Country 

Facilities: Back Country 

Contacts: Back Country 

Group Size: Middle Country 

Evidence of Use: Back Country 

Types of Encounters: Back Country 

Mechanized Use: Back Country 

Visitor Services: Middle to Back 

Country 

Management Controls: Back 

Country 

User Fees: Middle Country 

Domestic Animals: Back Country 

b. The Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA consists of two RMZs (32,560 total acres; Map 2-33b). 

The Front Country Zone includes the Warren Bridge Campground located on the Green River (a U.S. 

Fee Site) and the Warren Bridge River Access complex located upriver of the Warren Bridge on U.S. 

191 (9-mile river segment). The Warren Bridge Public Access complex is predominately BLM land; 

however, WGFD and private lands (shoreline) are also available to the public. Facilities and roads in 

this zone are primarily BLM roads and trails, developed boat ramps, campgrounds, restrooms, trails, 

and public information facilities. 

The Middle Country Zone includes the Green and New Fork Rivers and comprises the remaining 

BLM-administered land within one-quarter mile on each side of the Green and New Fork Rivers from 

about U.S. Highway 191 downstream to the Fontenelle Reservoir (approximately 110 Green River 

miles and New Fork River miles). This zone will provide important opportunities for the public to 

enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities associated with public land and waters. A combination 

of BLM, private, and Wyoming State lands provide public access in this zone. Public river accesses 

vary widely from undeveloped to constructed boat ramps with associated user amenities. The 

majority of developed public accesses in this zone is provided through the cooperative efforts of 

BLM, WGFD, and private landowners. Developed river accesses typically include boat ramps, 

restrooms, vehicle parking, user information, and camping facilities (Map 3-6). 

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1. Recreation Tourism Markets: The Front Country and Middle Country Zones are a 

Community and Destination Market. Recreation users will be local residents and regional 

and national visitors. 

2. The Recreation Market Segment for the Front Country Zone is easy and contiguous 

river access where visitors of nearly all abilities could enjoy myriad river and uplandbased recreation activities, such as float and wade fishing, adventure floating, hunting, 

hiking, equestrian use, wildlife observation, exceptional scenery, camping, and motorized 

activities. The Recreation Market Segment for the Middle Country Zone is for visitors to 

enjoy river-related recreation activities in a less structured setting where access is more 

dispersed and amenities are few. A greater degree of self-reliance is required in the 

Middle Country Zone. 

3. The Management Objective for the Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA is to manage 

each zone to provide opportunities for the public to achieve targeted, high-quality 

recreation activities and experiences that produce significant benefits to the visiting 

public. Both zones provide opportunities for visitors to engage in targeted activities, 

providing a 90% or better realization of targeted benefits (Table 2-19 and Table 2-20). 

4. Recreation Management: For both zones, quality services and facilities are provided 

that accommodate appropriate use levels, meet health and safety standards, and protect 

the area’s natural values. A recreation management plan will be developed. 

5. The Market Strategy for both zones is to use standard BLM venues for disseminating 

recreation user information onsite and to use regional BLM publications and Internet 

technologies offsite. A Guide for Recreational River Use will be prepared. The Front 

Country Zone focuses resources on area use information, directional signs, brochures, 

and interpretation of area natural and historic resources. 

6. Recreation Monitoring: BLM personnel and volunteers will regularly conduct 

monitoring for both zones. Visitor use surveys will be periodically implemented to 

determine whether targeted outcomes are being achieved. 

7. Recreation Administration: For both zones, the issuance of additional commercial 

SRPs for guided fishing will not be considered before completion of the RAMP except 

through transfer of an existing permit or by clear demonstration by a qualified guided 

fishing service provider of continual commercial use of BLM public lands since and 

before 1998. Appropriate use levels for commercial competitive events and groups will 

be determined. Camping is limited to a 14-day stay. Motorized vehicles are limited to 

designated roads and trails. The Front Country Zone is available for fluid mineral leasing 

with an NSO stipulation. The Middle Country Zone is also available for fluid mineral 

leasing, but no surface disturbance is allowed within one-quarter mile on either side of 

the river. VRM Class II objectives apply to all of the SRMA except for approximately 6 

miles of the Green River near LaBarge, Wyoming. The Warren Bridge Campground will 

remain a U.S. Fee Site. A new float boat access could be developed within the Warren 

Bridge Campground. To maintain minimal visitor services and protect resources, the 

Warren Bridge Public Access Area could be considered for authorization as a U.S. Fee 

Site. For the Green River where BLM jurisdictions are shared, a cooperative management 

agreement between the PFO and the Rock Springs Field Office will be pursued. The 

purpose of this agreement is to facilitate uniform recreation management. 

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Table 2-19. Targeted Outcomes—Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA 

Activities Experiences Benefits 

Front Country Zone 

Float and wade fishing 

Hunting 

Family and group camping 

Float camping 

Wildlife viewing 

Being with family and friends 

Relaxing physically 

Enjoying viewing natural scenery 

Personal health and fitness 

Personal: 

• Nature and aesthetic 

appreciation 

• Identification with a special 

place 

• Stronger ties with family and 

friends 

• Improved mental and physical 

well-being 

Community/Social: 

• Improved image of land 

management agencies 

• Improved perceived quality of 

life 

• Family bonding 

Environmental: 

• Greater environmental 

stewardship of Green River 

• Increased awareness of 

protection and management of 

natural landscapes 

Economic 

• Increased contributions to local 

economy 

Middle Country Zone 

Same as Front Country Zone Same as Front Country Zone Same as Front Country Zone 

Table 2-20. Prescribed Setting Character—Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA 

Physical Social Administrative 

Front Country Zone 

Remoteness: Front Country 

Naturalness: Middle Country 

Facilities: Front Country 

Contacts: Middle and Front Country 

Group Size: Middle and Front 

Country 

Types of Encounters: Front Country 

Personal Gear and Equipment: 

Front Country 

Evidence of Use: Front Country 

Visitor Services: Front Country 

Management Controls: Front 

Country 

Domestic Animals: Middle Country 

Individual User Fees: Middle 

Country 

Mechanized Use: Middle Country 

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Physical Social Administrative 

Middle Country Zone 

Remoteness: Front Country and 

Rural 

Naturalness: Front Country and 

Rural 

Facilities: Middle Country 

Group Size: Back Country and 

Middle Country 

Contacts: Middle Country 

Types of Encounters: Middle 

Country 

Personal Gear and Equipment: 

Middle Country and Front Country 

Evidence of Use: Middle Country 

and Front Country 

Visitor Services: Back Country 

Management Controls: Middle 

Country 

Domestic Animals: Middle Country 

Individual User Fees: Primitive 

Mechanized Use: Front Country 

c. Boulder Lake SRMA—The Boulder Lake SRMA is retained (5,790 acres; Map 2-33c) and will be 

managed as a Front Country Zone. The developments consist of the BLM access road, boat launch 

area, restrooms, parking area, two non-fee campgrounds, public information facilities, and 

undeveloped primitive roads and trails. 

1. The Recreation Tourism Market is a Community and Destination Market. Recreation 

users are local residents and regional and national visitors. 

2. The Recreation Market Segment is a natural-appearing landscape that provides easy 

lake and river access and substantial opportunities to experience lake and upland-based 

recreation activities, such as lake fishing and river wade fishing, boating, hunting, 

camping, equestrian use, cycling, motorized activities, wildlife viewing, and exemplary 

glacial lake scenery. 

3. The Management Objective is to provide opportunities for the public to achieve 

targeted, high-quality recreation activities and experiences that produce significant 

benefits to the visiting public. The SRMA will provide opportunities for visitors to 

engage in targeted activities, providing a 90% or better realization of targeted benefits 

(Table 2-21 and Table 2-22). 

4. Recreation Management: A RAMP will be prepared to provide quality services and 

facilities that accommodate appropriate use levels, meet health and safety standards, and 

protect the area’s natural values. Appropriate use levels for commercial competitive 

events and groups will be determined. 

5. The Market Strategy is to use standard BLM venues for disseminating recreational user 

information and regulations onsite and to use local BLM publications and BLM Internet 

technologies offsite. 

6. Recreation Monitoring: BLM personnel and volunteers will regularly conduct 

recreation monitoring. Visitor use surveys will be periodically implemented to determine 

whether targeted outcomes are being achieved. 

7. Recreation Administration: To recover costs to maintain minimal visitor services and 

protect resources, the SRMA will be considered for authorization as a U.S. Fee Site. 

Camping is limited to a 14-day stay. Motorized and mechanized upland activities are 

limited to designated roads and trails. The SRMA is administratively unavailable for fluid 

mineral leasing. VRM Class II objectives apply to the SRMA. 

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Table 2-21. Targeted Outcomes—Boulder Lake SRMA 

Activities Experiences Benefits 

Lake and river fishing 

Boating 

Camping 

Hunting 

Viewing wildlife and natural scenery 

Relaxing physically 

Engaging in preferred activities with 

family and friends 

Personal: 

• Nature and aesthetic 

appreciation 

• Social bonding and cooperation 

• Personal health and fitness 

Community: 

• Improved perceived quality of 

life 

• Family bonding and better 

family life 

• Improved image of land 

management agencies 

Picnicking and day use Environmental: 

• Public awareness of 

environmental stewardship 

Economic: 

• Contribution to tourism and 

local economy 

• Increased attractiveness of 

region as a place to live 

Table 2-22. Prescribed Setting Character—Boulder Lake SRMA 

Physical Social Administrative 

Remoteness: Middle and Front 

Country 

Naturalness: Middle Country 

Facilities: Front Country 

Contacts: Middle and Front Country 

Group Size: Middle and Front 

Country 

Evidence of Use: Front Country 

Types of Encounters: Front Country 

Mechanized Use: Middle Country 

Visitor Services: Middle Country 

Management Controls: Middle 

Country 

Domestic Animals: Middle Country 

d. The CCC Ponds SRMA is designated (1,040 acres; Map 2-33d) and will be managed as a Front 

Country RMZ. The SRMA consists of a complex of day-use recreation facilities, recreation trails, 

water impoundments, and interpretive facilities. Recreation management and direction will be 

implemented in collaboration with the Bridger Teton National Forest, Sublette County, WGFD, Town 

of Pinedale, and Sublette County School District No. 1. 

1. The Recreation Tourism Market is a Community Market. 

2. The Recreation Market Segment for the SRMA is quick access for area residents and 

visitors to enjoy open space and view spectacular lake and glacial scenery. Substantial 

opportunities exist for visitors to participate in myriad nonmotorized recreation activities, 

such as wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, and natural and 

historic resources appreciation. The CCC Ponds SRMA also encompasses a portion of 

the Fremont Lake big game wildlife migration corridor bottleneck. 

3. The Management Objective for the SRMA is to provide opportunities for the public to 

achieve targeted, high-quality recreation activities and experiences that produce 

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significant benefits to the visiting public. The SRMA will provide opportunities for 

visitors to engage in targeted activities, providing a 90% or better realization of targeted 

benefits (Table 2-23 and Table 2-24). 

4. Recreation Management: A RAMP will be prepared to provide quality services and 

facilities that accommodate appropriate use levels, meet health and safety standards, and 

protect the area’s natural values. 

5. The Market Strategy is to use standard BLM venues for disseminating recreation user 

information onsite and offsite using regional BLM publications and Internet technologies. 

6. A Recreation Monitoring survey will be implemented to determine whether targeted 

outcomes are being achieved. 

7. Recreation Administration: A withdrawal from mineral location and disposal will be 

pursued. Motorized and mechanized use, including over-the-snow equipment, is limited 

to designated roads and trails. Motorized vehicle use is prohibited on the Pinedale 

Pathway, except for snow removal, maintenance, and ski trail grooming. The CCC Pond 

walking trails are closed to motorized vehicles except for area maintenance activities. 

Proposed projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure functionality of the 

migration corridor. SRPs will be considered for group and competitive activities to 

manage use in a manner appropriate for the area setting and environment. Camping is 

prohibited unless authorized in the RAMP. The SRMA is administratively unavailable for 

oil and gas leasing. VRM Class II objectives apply to the SRMA. The SRMA will be 

withdrawn from entry for locatable minerals. 

Table 2-23. Targeted Outcomes—CCC Ponds SRMA 

Activities Experiences Benefits 

Hiking 

Cycling 

Fishing 

Wildlife viewing 

Education activities 

Skiing 

Being with family and friends 

Relaxing physically 

Physical exercise 

Enjoying viewing natural scenery 

Personal: 

• Health and well-being 

• Nature and aesthetic 

appreciation 

• Identification with a special 

place 

• Social bonding and cooperation 

• Stronger ties with family and 

friends 

Community/Social: 

• Improved image of land 

management agencies 

• Improved perceived quality of 

life 

• Family bonding 

Environmental: 

• Greater environmental 

stewardship 

• Greater preservation of 

Freemont Lake Area 

• Increased awareness of 

protection and management of 

natural landscapes 

Economic: 

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Activities Experiences Benefits 

• Greater recognition of area as a 

tourist destination 

Table 2-24. Prescribed Setting Character—CCC Pond SRMA 

Physical Social Administrative 

Remoteness: Front Country 

Naturalness: Front Country 

Facilities: Front Country 

Contacts: Middle Country 

Group Size: Middle and Front 

Country 

Evidence of Use: Front Country 

Types of Encounters: Front Country 

Personal Gear and Equipment: 

Middle Country 

Mechanized Use: Front Country 

Visitor Services: Middle Country 

Management Controls: Middle 

Country 

Domestic Animals: Middle Country 

Individual User Fees: Primitive 

Objective 4. Extensive Recreation Management Area (remainder of the Pinedale planning area) 

Provide an array of resource-dependent dispersed recreation opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, 

motorized use, and open space. Management will be extensive rather than intensive. Management actions 

will be custodial in nature and will focus on— 

a. The development of new recreation facilities only when necessary to protect human health, safety, 

and natural resource values 

b. The maintenance and enhancement of important public access 

c. The resolution of resource and social conflicts. 

2.3.9 Soils Management 

Management Goal 

Prevent or mitigate impacts on soil stability, productivity, and water infiltration to prevent accelerated 

erosion and chemical degradation of the soil resource, and provide for optimal plant growth. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Prevent, reclaim, or mitigate impacts of erosion and chemical degradation from past surface 

disturbing and other activities within 5 years of RMP implementation. 

Actions 

a. BLM will work with state and local cooperating government agencies, communities, bonding 

companies, and operators to achieve the objective. 

b. Disturbed areas will be reclaimed to achieve natural erosion rates and soil productivity to the extent 

practicable. 

Objective 2. Ensure that all newly disturbed areas are successfully reclaimed and that management 

actions are consistent with inherent soil resource capabilities. 

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Actions 

a. Mitigation, including WDEQ BMPs, will be applied in all areas to limit soil erosion and related 

undesirable conditions with special emphasis in areas with soils that are classified as highly erodible, 

such as Ross Butte, Blue Rim, Milleson Draw, Red Canyon, and the Long Island Watershed 

(hydrologic unit code [HUC] 1404010108); and saline, fragile, and other sensitive soils (Appendices 

3 and 5). 

b. Disturbed areas will be reclaimed to achieve natural erosion rates and soil productivity to the extent 

practicable. 

c. Soils impacted by spills or leaks of chemicals, petroleum products, and produced water will be 

mitigated or reclaimed in coordination with the State of Wyoming. 

d. BLM will coordinate and work with cooperating agencies and conservation districts in addressing 

soil, water, vegetation, and livestock grazing and related issues. 

e. BLM will collaborate with state, local, and federal agencies on Level III soil surveys so that the 

BLM, other agencies, and conservation entities, including the Sublette County Conservation District 

(SCCD), have access to adequate and useful information to guide the use and management of the soil 

and related resources. 

2.3.10 Transportation, Access, and Travel Management 

Management Goals 

Provide access for approved public land uses consistent with public health and safety and other resource 

value concerns. 

Provide opportunities for OHV use and activities, including motorized, nonmotorized mechanized, and 

foot travel where compatible with other resource values. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Provide needed and appropriate ingress, egress, and access routes to and across public lands 

for authorized uses. 

Actions 

a. Transportation planning will be completed within 5 years of implementation of the RMP (see 

Appendix 17 and Map A17-1). 

b. Access to county and state roads will be minimized and consolidated where practicable to enhance 

safety and minimize conflict points. Ingress and egress to state highways and county roads will be 

coordinated with the state highway department and counties, respectively. 

c. Reasonable access will be provided across public lands to landlocked private and state lands, 

consistent with BLM Manual 2801.49. 

d. Access across private lands to isolated public land parcels will be acquired from willing 

landowners. 

e. Common ROW routes will be designated, where appropriate, to minimize environmental impacts. 

Road construction will be planned and implemented to avoid creating unusable islands of wildlife 

habitat. 

f. New developments will be designed to minimize the number and miles of new roads, habitat 

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fragmentation, and main access points to new fields. 

g. OHV designations for restrictions to existing roads and trails will remain in effect until travel 

management planning is completed and designated roads and trails are identified. 

Objective 2. Reclaim or mitigate erosion impacts on transportation corridors. 

Actions 

a. Road or trail closure and abandonment will be based on desired road or trail densities, demands for 

new roads, closure methods, type of access needed, resource development or protection needs, and 

existing uses. 

b. BLM’s roads, trails, and bridges will be maintained in fair or better condition. 

c. Land users are required to use BMPs and operating standards for road maintenance (Appendices 3 

and 5). 

Objective 3. Make public lands available for responsible OHV use where appropriate. 

Actions 

a. OHV designations are established for all lands within the PFO. Periodic adjustments and use 

constraints could be necessary to ensure that sensitive resources are appropriately protected from 

excessive disturbance; road, route, and trail proliferation; and human encroachment. 

b. Motorized vehicle use, except for over-the-snow equipment, is limited to existing roads and trails 

unless otherwise specified. 

c. No open OHV use areas are designated. 

d. The following areas are closed to motorized access (Map 2-35): 

• The Lake Mountain WSA (13,490 acres) 

• The Scab Creek WSA (7,710 acres) 

• Rock Creek ACEC (4,960 acres) 

• The Pinedale Pathway, except for maintenance or repair 

• Select rock alignment sites 

• Native American burial locales 

• Communal big game kill sites 

• Holden Hill 

• Known locations of Special Status Plant Species 

• The East Fork WSR unit (1,130 acres). 

e. Motorized vehicle use, except for over-the-snow equipment, is limited to designated roads and 

trails in the following (Map 2-35): 

• Boulder Lake, Upper Green River, and Scab Creek SRMAs 

• Trapper’s Point ACEC 

• East Fork River/Irish Canyon area 

• Miller Mountain and Ross Butte Management areas 

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•	 Oregon Trail inscription sites, Native American TCPs, Native American burial 

locales, and communal big game kill sites 

•	 Muddy Creek/Badlands area 

•	 Green River WSR unit 

•	 CCC Ponds SRMA 

•	 Red Canyon area. 

f. The Red Dugway road is limited to all-terrain vehicles (ATV), horse, and foot traffic (Map 2-35). 

g. Additional restrictions for seasonal use of over-the-snow recreational motorized equipment apply 

as appropriate in the following areas: 

•	 Big game crucial winter range (except designated routes on Map 2-35) 

(November 15 to April 30) 

•	 Elk feedgrounds (November 15 to April 30) 

•	 CCC Ponds SRMA (closed year round). 

h. OHV use (including over-the-snow) on BLM roads and off-road use in certain areas is limited on a 

seasonal basis as needed (Table 2-28). 

i. Additional restrictions for all motorized equipment apply as follows: 

•	 Approximately 2,500 acres between Silver Creek and Cottonwood Creek are 

closed from November 15 through January 31. 

•	 Roads could be closed seasonally to avoid damage or to protect resource values. 

j. OHV closures and seasonal restrictions are effective immediately upon signing of the ROD for the 

RMP. 

k. OHV designations could be changed to Limited to Designated Roads and Trails if the following 

were to occur: 

•	 There is a presence of a previously unknown resource. 

•	 Resource extent or condition changes. 

•	 Resource damage to the extent that designation of routes is necessary. 

•	 New information leads to a need to change the OHV designation. 

l. OHV use to conduct necessary tasks, as defined in the Glossary, will be permitted. 

2.3.11 Vegetation Management 

Management Goals 

Maintain and/or enhance native vegetation community health, composition, and diversity in conformance 

with Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health. Reclaim disturbed areas to desired plant communities. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Establish and maintain an accurate ecological site and vegetation inventory for the planning 

area. 

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Action 

a. The BLM will collaborate with stakeholders (federal, state, and local agencies; operators; 

landowners) to identify funding mechanisms and methods to complete vegetation inventory. 

Objective 2. Manage permitted actions to control the spread of and/or eradicate noxious weed 

infestations. 

Actions 

a. BLM will collaborate with Sublette and Lincoln counties in the treatment of noxious weeds and/or 

invasive species. 

b. Mitigation will be applied to all activities to control noxious weeds (Appendices 3 and 5). 

c. Weed control will be achieved through chemical, mechanical, and biological methods. 

d. All vegetation treatments will be assessed for the potential to introduce invasive species before a 

treatment method is selected. 

e. BLM will support and cooperate with efforts to manage and control invasive plant species or 

noxious weeds, including collaboration with local plans and control efforts. 

Objective 3. Ensure Special Status Plant Species habitats are maintained at a level sufficient for long-term 

species sustainability. 

Actions 

a. Special Status Plant Species surveys are required on potential habitats before any project or activity 

is approved. If species are found, all new surface disturbing activities will comply with applicable 

species-specific protective measures. If none are established, BLM will follow guidance. For listed 

species, protective measures include those found in programmatic assessments and biological 

opinions provided by the USFWS. 

b. Areas where Wyoming BLM sensitive plant species are known to exist are avoidance areas for 

ROWs. 

c. Known and discovered locations of Special Status Plant Species will be protected and closed to— 

•	 Surface disturbing activities that could adversely affect the plants or their habitat 

•	 Location of new mining claims (withdrawal from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws will be pursued) 

•	 Mineral material sales 

•	 All OHV use, including those vehicles used for geophysical exploration 

activities, surveying, etc. 

•	 Use of explosives and blasting. 

d. In areas where sensitive plant species are known to exist, OHV use is limited to designated roads 

and trails. 

e. Where applicants can demonstrate that proposed activities would not impact sensitive plant species, 

permit authorizations will be allowed. 

f. Vehicle use for fire suppression activities in habitat for Special Status Plant Species is subject to 

consultation with the BLM Fire Resource Advisor. 

g. The appropriate type and level of ESA Section 7 consultation with the USFWS will occur for 

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agency actions that may affect endangered, threatened, and proposed species or their designated or 

proposed critical habitat. USFWS technical advice will be sought on candidate species. The Statewide 

Programmatic Biological Assessments and Biological Opinions for each species, including reasonable 

and prudent measures and terms and conditions, will be implemented. Surveys for endangered, 

threatened, proposed, and candidate species on BLM-administered public lands and mineral estate 

will occur before any federally authorized project or activity is approved. If T&E or proposed species 

or their habitats are found in the area, consultation with the USFWS will be initiated, and activities 

will be curtailed until concurrence is reached between BLM, USFWS, and the operator on which 

activities can be authorized under what terms and conditions. 

h. Federal oil and gas leases or other areas could now, or hereafter, contain plants, animals, or their 

habitats determined to be threatened, endangered, or proposed or candidates for listing as threatened 

or endangered. The BLM will recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to 

change BLM-approved activities that contribute to the need to list a species or its habitat. The BLM 

could require modifications to or disapprove a proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to 

the continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or endangered species or that results in the 

destruction or adverse modification of a designated or proposed critical habitat. The BLM will not 

approve any activity (ground-disturbing or otherwise) that may affect any such species or critical 

habitat until it completes its obligations under applicable requirements of the ESA as amended, 16 

USC §1531 et seq., including completing any required procedure for conference or consultation. 

i. BLM will comply with the terms of the biological assessments and biological opinions for 

management of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species. 

j. Deviation from the restrictions listed in this section for any listed species requires additional sitespecific consultation with the USFWS. 

Objective 4. Conduct vegetation treatments to maintain important vegetation types and meet vegetation 

management goals. 

Actions 

a. Prescribed fire, wildland fire use for resource benefit (WFURB), chemical, biological, and 

mechanical methods, and livestock grazing could be used to achieve vegetation goals. 

b. Vegetation treatments will be designed to reduce erosion, protect Special Status Plant Species, 

enhance vegetation community and watershed health, increase forage production, and enhance 

wildlife habitats. 

c. Treatments will be designed to consider the natural role of fire in ecosystem management and to 

restore the natural range of variability in vegetation community types. 

d. Treated areas will generally be rested from livestock grazing for a minimum of two full growing 

seasons after treatment unless the appropriate level of environmental analysis determines that shorter 

durations are adequate. Analysis could indicate a need for a longer rest period. 

e. Vegetation treatments will be designed and implemented to prevent introduction and reduce the 

spread of invasive species. 

Objective 5. Ensure disturbed areas are reclaimed to the original site plant composition and productivity 

over the long term. 

Actions 

a. Disturbed areas will be reclaimed to native site plant composition. If reclamation of original plant 

composition is impossible or not desirable, reclamation will achieve a native plant community that 

meets the Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health. 

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b. Reclamation will be conducted according to operating standards and mitigation measures in 

Appendix 3, as appropriate. 

2.3.12 Visual Resources Management 

Management Goals 

Manage public lands in accordance with VRM objectives. Minimize the impacts on visual resources. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Manage the public lands in a manner that protects the quality of the scenic values of those 

lands. 

Actions 

a. Projects of all types within established VRM class areas are required to conform to the objectives 

and characteristics of the VRM classification. 

b. BLM will work with project applicants to minimize project visual contrast regardless of VRM 

class. 

c. VRM classifications will be managed according to Map 2-30 (Table 2-29): 21,290 acres will be 

managed as VRM Class I; 239,520 acres as VRM Class II; 419,410 acres as VRM Class III; and 

242,660 acres as VRM Class IV. 

d. VRM Class I areas will be managed to preserve the existing character of the landscape. This class 

provides for natural ecological changes; however, it does not preclude very limited management 

activity. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and must not attract 

attention. 

e. VRM Class II areas will be managed to retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of 

change to the characteristic landscape should be low. Management activities may be seen but should 

not attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes must repeat the basic elements of form, 

line, color, and texture found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape. 

f. VRM Class III areas will be managed to partially retain the existing character of the landscape. The 

level of change to the characteristic landscape should be moderate. Management activities may attract 

attention but should not dominate the view of the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic 

elements found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape. 

g. VRM Class IV areas will be managed to provide for management activities that require major 

modification of the existing character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic 

landscape could be high. These management activities may dominate the view and be the major focus 

of viewer attention. However, every attempt should be made to minimize the impact of these 

activities through careful location, minimal disturbance, and repetition of the basic elements. 

h. All future development in the planning area would adhere to the VRM Management Class 

objectives established in the RMP. For example, VRM Class II objectives require that the existing 

character of the landscape be retained and that the level of change be low. To meet these objectives, 

BLM expects that the level of development in VRM Management Class II would be very minimal. 

BLM will utilize visual resource design techniques and BMPs to mitigate the potential visual impacts. 

Visual contrast ratings will be required for all major projects proposed for VRM Management Class I, 

II, and III areas, which have high sensitivity levels. In areas where VRM Management Class 

objectives cannot be met through design techniques and/or BMPs, BLM has the authority to deny the 

project. 

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2.3.13 Watershed and Water Quality (Surface Water and 

Groundwater) Management 

Management Goals 

Minimize adverse impacts on surface water and groundwater resources and recharge areas from public 

land uses. 

Maintain or improve surface water and groundwater quantity and quality consistent with applicable state 

and federal standards and regulations. 

Maintain or reestablish proper watershed, wetland, riparian, and stream channel functions to support 

natural or desired surface water flow regimes and meet state water quality standards and the Wyoming 

Standards for Rangeland Health. 

Prevent, minimize, and/or remediate contributions of nonpoint source pollution from federal lands to all 

receiving waters. 

Prevent, minimize, and/or remediate elevated levels of salinity contribution from federal lands to the 

Colorado River system. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Collaborate with the state to protect designated uses, achieve water quality standards, and 

take appropriate actions in consideration of State of Wyoming established time frames to control causes 

of impairment resulting from BLM-authorized actions and permitted activities and prevent listing of 

additional streams under the Clean Water Act, Section 303(d). 

Actions 

a. The State of Wyoming has primacy with regard to water quality. Adhering to WDEQ standards is 

required by law. Water quality standards, enforcement, and remediation are the primacy of and 

administered by the State of Wyoming. 

b. All actions will comply with EO 11988, Floodplain Management, and EO 11990, Protection of 

Wetlands, and the WDEQ water quality standards, applicable regulations, and permitting 

requirements, including stormwater and other Wyoming Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

(WYPDES) permits. BLM actions and authorizations will conform to WDEQ requirements. In all 

cases, however, BLM will take those actions necessary to ensure that violation of the Clean Water 

Act does not occur. 

c. Consistent with WDEQ and EPA requirements, Hazardous Spill Response Plans are required for all 

projects involving hazardous materials. Spills and releases of chemicals, petroleum products, and 

produced water are reported to WDEQ. 

d. Class 1 waters of the state are protected under state anti-degradation regulations. 

e. Water injection wells for the disposal of produced water will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. 

f. BLM will coordinate all proposed surface discharges of industrially produced water with WDEQ to 

avoid impacts on other resources. 

g. Sources of stream degradation that occur on public lands will be prevented, minimized, and/or 

remediated in cooperation with WDEQ and authorized land users. 

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h. BLM will cooperate with the State of Wyoming, stakeholders, and affected entities, as appropriate, 

to discharge produced water in a manner that causes the least environmental harm and/or contributes 

to beneficial uses. 

i. BLM will participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of watershed 

management plans and/or total maximum daily loads (TMDL) with interested stakeholders and the 

WDEQ. 

j. Use of produced waters to assist in reclamation could be considered on a case-by-case basis and 

will be governed by operating WDEQ standards and appropriate irrigation water quality standards 

(Appendix 3). 

k. Oil and gas operators will be encouraged to develop and implement methods that treat produced 

water. 

l. BLM will continue cooperation with stakeholders in monitoring surface water and groundwater 

resources potentially affected by public land uses. 

m. Produced water from coalbed natural gas (CBNG) wells will be treated and disposed of in 

collaboration and consistent with the requirements of the state. 

n. BLM will take appropriate actions to protect the healthy stream channel form and function. 

Objective 2. Meet the Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health and maintain or enhance wetland and 

riparian vegetation to achieve Proper Functioning Condition. 

Actions 

a. Achieve and/or maintain Proper Functioning Condition as a minimum standard on all riparian and 

wetland areas to control nonpoint source pollution to the extent possible. Wetland and riparian areas 

that show a negative trend and/or do not achieve Proper Functioning Condition will be addressed in 

activity or implementation plans that will move these areas to Proper Functioning Condition. 

b. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas are closed to surface disturbance and new 

permanent facilities (for example, storage tanks, structures, pits). Proposals for linear crossings or 

actions beneficial to the resource in these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ROWs 

necessary to provide access to water rights holders will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

c. Surface disturbing and construction activities (for example, mineral exploration and development 

activities, pipelines, power lines, roads, recreation sites, fences, wells) that could reduce water quality 

or degrade wetlands or riparian habitats will avoid the area within 500 feet of 100-year floodplains, 

wetlands, or perennial streams, and within 100 feet of the edge of the inner gorge of intermittent and 

large ephemeral drainages. Proposals for linear crossings in these areas will be considered on a caseby-case basis. 

d. Riparian areas will be maintained or improved to enhance forage conditions, provide wildlife 

habitat, and improve stream water quality. 

e. Riparian areas providing sensitive wildlife species habitat will be managed for a vegetative or 

successional state appropriate for the benefit of those species, including vertical and horizontal 

vegetation structure and composition. 

Objective 3. Control water runoff from developed sites and maintain soil erosion at appropriate rates for 

natural conditions. 

Actions 

a. BMPs and operating standards will be applied to mitigate surface disturbance and control nonpoint 

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source erosion (Appendices 3 and 5). 

b. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas are closed to surface disturbance or new 

permanent facilities (for example, storage tanks, structures, pits) except those designed and 

implemented to enhance wetland or riparian area condition or function. Proposals for linear crossings 

or actions beneficial to the resource in these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

c. Surface disturbing and construction activities (for example, mineral exploration and development 

activities, pipelines, power lines, roads, recreation sites, fences, wells) that could reduce water quality 

or degrade wetlands or riparian habitats will avoid the area within 500 feet of 100-year floodplains, 

wetlands, or perennial streams, and within 100 feet of the edge of the inner gorge of intermittent and 

large ephemeral drainages. Proposals for linear crossings in these areas will be considered on a caseby-case basis. 

d. Commercial outfitter camps within 200 feet of springs and seeps, streams, and in riparian areas will 

be considered on a case-by-case basis and could be restricted. 

e. Interim reclamation standards will be developed to reduce soil erosion on a project or site-specific 

basis. Emphasis will be placed on areas adjacent to waters and wetlands. 

f. Where threats to Class 1 waters are identified from federal lands or management actions, or 

approved public land uses, BMPs that address the threat will be implemented on all contributing 

federal lands. 

g. Salt loading in the Colorado River system will be controlled by applying BMPs on all highly 

erodible, saline soils potentially affected by management activities. 

Objective 4. Point source pollution will be addressed under the guidance of appropriate State of Wyoming 

and federal agencies, including but not limited to, the WDEQ, Wyoming State Engineer’s Office 

(WSEO), and EPA. 

Actions 

a. BLM will cooperate with the state as it develops Source Water and Wellhead Protection Plans to 

protect drinking water sources. 

b. In areas of concentrated oil and gas development where groundwater has been determined to be of 

'High' and 'Moderately High' priority by WDEQ, a groundwater monitoring program will be 

established in collaboration with WDEQ to detect pollution and ensure that the groundwater resource 

remains unaffected. 

c. BLM will protect groundwater quality and known water recharge areas during BLM activities and 

permitted actions (Appendix 3). 

2.3.14 Wild Horses Management 

Management actions were implemented in the 1988 Pinedale RMP to resolve conflicts for water and 

forage between wild horses and other consumptive users. The decision was made to not manage the 

Desert and LaBarge herd areas (HA) as herd management areas (HMA). These wild horse HAs (Map 2-5) 

will not be used by wild horses but will be retained in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and 

Burro Act of 1971. 

Consistent with the consent decree in State of Wyoming v. Department of the Interior, removal of horses 

that re-enter the Desert and LaBarge HAs will be conducted. 

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2.3.15 Wildland Fire and Fuels Management 

Management Goals 

Protect firefighters, public safety, and private property, working cooperatively with state and local fire 

authorities to ensure that all high-priority areas of mixed ownership have common interagency goals and 

objectives. 

Maintain a landscape of diverse plant communities and successional stages that would have been 

produced by historic fire regimes. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Action 

The 2004 Southwestern Wyoming BLM Fire Plan will support and implement the wildland fire and 

fuels management objectives of this plan. 

Objective 1. No loss of life or improved property losses will occur from wildland fire. 

Actions 

a. Wildland fire mitigation and fuels activities will be managed to provide for firefighter and public 

safety as a first priority. Public lands within intermixed landownership areas will be managed in 

association with the adjoining and nearby private and state lands. 

b. Areas of mixed landownership, communities at risk as identified in the Federal Register, Volume 

66, Number 160, 2001 (Antelope Run, Beaver Creek area, Boulder, Cottonwood Creek, Daniel, Forty 

Rod, Hoback Ranches, New Fork, Pinedale, Pocket Creek, and Upper Green); urban and industrial 

interface areas; and areas containing high-priority resource values have high priority for response to 

wildland fires and/or for fuels reduction and mitigation. Wildland fire suppression activities will be 

based on the appropriate management response (AMR) (see Glossary). 

Objective 2. Use prescribed fire and WFURB to meet vegetation goals and to return the ecosystem to presuppression composition, structure, and function where possible. 

Actions 

a. The BLM will evaluate and include when possible all BLM lands abutting the Bridger Teton 

National Forest, including the Scab Creek and Lake Mountain WSAs, into WFURB areas, working in 

conjunction with the USFS to maintain a single, integrated WFURB area. 

b. Prescribed fire will be used where possible on all BLM-administered lands to emulate the return 

intervals of natural fire and to restore the vegetation to Condition Class I in Fire Regimes I, II, and III. 

c. Where reintroduction of fire onto the landscape is not feasible because of ecological condition or 

industrial or urban development, mechanical and chemical methods will be used to manage the 

vegetation toward the desired plant community (DPC). 

d. In the wildland urban interface (WUI) or industrial interface, fuels reduction methods best suited to 

the area will be used to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire to these areas. 

Objective 3. Manage wildfire with minimal damage to other resources. 

Actions 

a. Fire and fuels management actions will comply with Wyoming Air Quality State Regulations 

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Chapter 10, Smoke Management requirements. 

b. Vehicles and equipment used for fire suppression are subject to the OHV restrictions applicable in 

the area of the fire. 

c. Use of fire suppression chemicals, including foaming agents and surfactants, are not allowed within 

500 feet of surface water. 

d. Movement of waters from whirling-disease-positive to whirling-disease-negative waters is 

prohibited. 

e. Fire suppression activities in areas of known sensitive species habitat and fragile or erosive soils 

will avoid damage to these other resources. 

2.3.16 Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management 

Management Goals 

Maintain or enhance aquatic and wildlife habitat. 

Maintain functioning big game habitats and migration corridors that allow free movement and use of 

habitats. 

In and adjacent to elk feedgrounds, maintain and improve habitat quality and ensure the continued 

viability of the elk feedgrounds. 

Sustain the sagebrush biome on a landscape scale to provide the amount, continuity, and quality of habitat 

necessary to maintain viable populations of sage-grouse and other sagebrush obligate species. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Maintain sufficient undisturbed or minimally disturbed habitats to maintain persistent, welldistributed, self-sustaining, and productive populations of all native and desirable non-native fish (e.g., 

brook, brown, and rainbow trout) and wildlife species within the planning area. 

Action 

a. The planning area will be divided into three distinct, noncontiguous wildlife management zones for 

the purpose of oil and gas activities (Map 2-9) as follows: 

•	 Intensively Developed Fields (Map 2-9) will be managed for intensive oil and 

gas activities while protecting habitats and minimizing direct, indirect, and 

cumulative impacts to the extent practicable. 

•	 Traditional Leasing Areas (Map 2-9) will be managed for protection of important 

values during oil and gas exploration but will provide opportunity for intensive 

oil and gas development. Should a discovery be made and proceed to 

development, these lands could be moved to Intensively Developed Field status 

under the criteria in Section 2.3.6 and would be subject to mitigation to minimize 

direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of such activities. 

•	 Unavailable Areas (Map 2-9) will be managed for protection of wildlife habitats 

through indefinite postponement of the availability of lands for oil and gas 

leasing. 

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Objective 2. Maintain sufficient undisturbed or minimally disturbed greater sage-grouse source habitats to 

maintain persistent, well-distributed, self-sustaining, productive populations of sage-grouse within the 

planning area. 

Actions 

Intensively Developed Fields 

a. Permitted OHV activities are allowed for the purposes of oil and gas development activities. 

b. Surface disturbing activities are allowed subject to mitigation to minimize direct, indirect, and 

cumulative impacts. 

c. Noise generating activities will be minimized through the application of BMPs such as highefficiency mufflers. 

d. Surface disturbing activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts on greater 

sage-grouse habitats to the extent practicable. 

e. Oil and gas developmental operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

f. New power lines will be buried where technologically feasible to minimize predation of sagegrouse. 

g. Wyoming Executive Order 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core SageGrouse Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 

Traditional Leasing Areas 

a. Vehicular activities are limited to existing roads and trails in accordance with dates established for 

each stage of greater sage-grouse activity as follows: 

• Lekking/strutting (March 1 to May 15) 

• Nesting and early brood rearing (March 15 to July 15) 

• Winter concentration (November 15 to March 14). 

b. Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in suitable nesting and early brood-rearing habitat 

within 2 miles of occupied greater sage-grouse leks from March 15 to July 15. 

c. Human activity will be avoided between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. from March 1 to May 15 within 

one-quarter mile of the perimeter of occupied sage-grouse leks. 

d. Surface disturbing activities are prohibited in suitable habitat within one-quarter mile of occupied 

leks (Map 2-36). 

e. Noise generating activities will be minimized through the application of BMPs, such as highefficiency mufflers. 

f. All surface disturbing activities are prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

from November 15 through March 15. 

g. Oil and gas development operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

h. New power lines will be buried to the extent technologically feasible to minimize predation of 

sage-grouse. 

i. Placement of permanent and high-profile facilities (greater than 15 feet in height) is restricted 

within 1 mile (or the visual horizon, whichever is nearer) of leks, or mitigated with raptor antiperching devices. 

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j. Wyoming Executive Order 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core SageGrouse Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 

Unavailable Areas 

a. Management actions on existing leases within the Unavailable Areas will be designed to protect 

important habitats by excluding surface occupancy and/or disturbance to the extent this restriction 

does not violate the leaseholder’s/operator’s lease rights. Management actions/projects designed to 

maintain or improve wildlife habitat are excluded from this restriction. 

b. Vehicle activities are limited to existing roads and trails in accordance with dates established for 

each stage of greater sage-grouse activity as follows: 

• Lekking (March 1 to May 15) 

• Nesting and early brood rearing (March 15 to July 15) 

• Winter concentration (November 15 to March 14). 

c. Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in suitable nesting and early brood-rearing habitat 

within 2 miles of occupied greater sage-grouse leks from March 15 to July 15. 

d. Human activity will be avoided between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. from March 1 to May 15 within 

one-quarter mile of the perimeter of occupied sage-grouse leks. 

e. Surface disturbing activities are prohibited in suitable habitat within one-quarter mile of occupied 

leks (Map 2-36). 

f. Noise generating activities will be minimized through the application of BMPs, such as highefficiency mufflers. 

g. All surface disturbing activities are prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

from November 15 through March 15. 

h. Oil and gas development operations on preexisting leases are subject to stipulations and mitigations 

provided in Appendix 3. 

i. New power lines will be buried to the extent technologically feasible to minimize predation of sagegrouse. 

j. Placement of permanent and high-profile facilities (greater than 15 feet) is restricted within 1 mile 

(or the visual horizon, whichever is nearer) of leks, or mitigated with raptor anti-perching devices. 

k. Wyoming Executive Order 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core SageGrouse Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 

Objective 3. Maintain and enhance big game habitats to support big game populations at WGFD planning 

objective levels. 

Actions 

Intensively Developed Fields 

a. Elk feedgrounds will be maintained. 

b. Surface occupancy is prohibited on elk feedgrounds, except for authorized activities to maintain 

feedground facilities and manage wintering elk. 

c. No unauthorized human presence is permitted within 2 miles of elk feedgrounds from November 

15 through April 30. Where the feedground location is split estate (private surface ownership and 

federal minerals), this restriction is limited to BLM-permitted mineral activities. 

d. BLM will work with the WGFD and affected parties to improve habitat quality in areas 

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surrounding feedgrounds. 

e. BLM-permitted activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts on big game 

during migration. 

f. BLM-permitted activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts in big game 

parturition areas from May 1 to June 30 to the extent practicable. 

g. Surface activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts in big game crucial 

winter ranges from November 15 to April 30 (Map 3-20) to the extent practicable. 

h. Transportation planning for oil and gas development will be designed and implemented to 

minimize cumulative impacts. 

i. To minimize fragmentation and human presence in winter ranges, access to big game crucial winter 

ranges outside producing gas fields will be limited to existing designated access routes. Exceptions 

could be allowed to provide reasonable access to private and state-owned lands as well as to valid 

existing federal oil and gas leases. 

j. Oil and gas development operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

Traditional Leasing Areas 

a. Elk feedgrounds will be maintained. 

b. Surface occupancy is prohibited on elk feedgrounds, except for authorized activities to maintain 

feedground facilities and manage wintering elk. 

c. No unauthorized human presence is permitted on elk feedgrounds from November 15 through April 

30. Where the feedground location is split estate (private surface ownership and federal minerals), 

this restriction is limited to BLM-permitted mineral activities. 

d. BLM will work with the WGFD and affected parties to improve habitat quality in areas 

surrounding feedgrounds. 

e. Big game migration routes will be protected. Known big game migration bottleneck areas are 

available for oil and gas leasing with NSO restrictions, unless other protection is provided. 

f. BLM-permitted activities are prohibited in big game parturition areas from May 1 to June 30. 

g. No surface disturbing or disruptive activities are permitted in big game crucial winter ranges from 

November 15 to April 30 (Map 3-20). 

h. To minimize fragmentation and human presence in winter ranges, access to big game crucial winter 

ranges outside producing gas fields is limited to existing designated access routes. Exceptions could 

be allowed to provide reasonable access to private and state-owned lands as well as to valid existing 

federal oil and gas leases. 

i. Transportation planning will be implemented to avoid creating unusable islands of wildlife habitat 

and proliferation of access points (usable patch size varies by species). 

j. Oil and gas developmental operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

Unavailable Areas 

a. Management actions on existing leases within the Unavailable Areas will be designed to protect 

important habitats by excluding surface occupancy and/or disturbance to the extent this restriction 

does not violate the leaseholder’s/operator’s lease rights. Management actions/projects designed to 

maintain or improve wildlife habitat are excluded from this restriction. 

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b. Elk feedgrounds will be maintained. 

c. Surface occupancy is prohibited on feedgrounds, except for authorized activities to maintain 

feedground facilities and manage wintering elk. 

d. No unauthorized human presence is permitted on elk feedgrounds from November 15 through 

April 30. Where the feedground location is split estate (private surface ownership and federal 

minerals), this restriction is limited to BLM-permitted mineral activities. 

e. BLM will work with the WGFD and affected parties to improve habitat quality in areas 

surrounding feedgrounds. 

f. Big game migration routes will be protected. 

g. BLM-permitted activities are prohibited in big game parturition areas from May 1 through June 30. 

h. No surface disturbing or disruptive activities are permitted in big game crucial winter ranges from 

November 15 through April 30 (Map 3-20). 

i. To minimize fragmentation and human presence in winter ranges, access to big game crucial winter 

ranges outside producing gas fields is limited to existing designated access routes. Exceptions could 

be allowed to provide reasonable access to private or state-owned lands as well as to valid existing 

federal oil and gas leases. 

j. Transportation planning will be implemented to avoid creating unusable islands of wildlife habitat 

and proliferation of access points (usable habitat patch size varies by species). 

k. Oil and gas developmental operations on preexisting leases are subject to stipulations and 

mitigations provided in Appendix 3. 

Objective 4. Maintain sufficient, undisturbed, or minimally disturbed sensitive species habitats to ensure 

persistent, well-distributed, self-sustaining, and productive populations of sensitive species within the 

planning area. 

Actions 

a. The purpose of BLM Manual 6840, Special Status Species Management, is to provide policy and 

guidance, consistent with appropriate laws, for the conservation of Special Status Species of plants 

and animals, and the ecosystem upon which they depend. These species are proposed for listing, 

officially listed as threatened or endangered, or are candidates for listing as threatened or endangered 

under the provisions of the ESA; those listed by a state in a category such as threatened or endangered 

implying potential endangerment or extinction; and those designated by each State Director as 

sensitive. Conservation of Special Status Species means using all methods and procedures that are 

necessary to improve the condition of Special Status Species and their habitats to a point where their 

special status recognition is no longer warranted. The objectives of the Special Status Species policy 

are to (A) conserve listed species and the ecosystems on which they depend and (B) ensure that 

actions requiring BLM authorization or approval are consistent with the conservation needs of Special 

Status Species and do not contribute to the need to list any Special Status Species, either under 

provisions of the ESA or other provisions of this policy. 

b. The appropriate type and level of ESA Section 7 consultation with the USFWS will occur for 

agency actions that may affect endangered, threatened, and proposed species or their designated or 

proposed critical habitat (Appendix 9). USFWS technical advice will be sought on candidate species. 

The Statewide Programmatic Biological Assessments and Biological Opinions for each species, 

including reasonable and prudent measures and terms and conditions, will be implemented. Surveys 

for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species on BLM-administered public lands and 

mineral estate will occur before any federally authorized project or activity is approved. If T&E or 

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proposed species or their habitat are found in the area, consultation with the USFWS will be initiated, 

and activities will be curtailed until concurrence is reached between BLM, USFWS, and the operator 

on which activities can be authorized. 

c. Federal oil and gas leases or other areas could now, or hereafter, contain plants, animals, or their 

habitats determined to be threatened, endangered, or proposed, or candidates for listing as threatened 

or endangered. The BLM will recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to 

change BLM-approved activities that contribute to the need to list a species or its habitat. The BLM 

could require modifications to or disapprove a proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to 

the continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or endangered species or result in the 

destruction or adverse modification of a designated or proposed critical habitat. The BLM will not 

approve any activity (ground-disturbing or otherwise) that may affect any such species or critical 

habitat until it completes its obligations under applicable requirements of the ESA as amended, 16 

USC 1531 et seq., including completion of any required procedure for conference or consultation. 

d. BLM will comply with the terms of the biological assessments and biological opinions for 

management of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species. 

e. Deviation from the restrictions listed in this section for any listed species requires additional sitespecific consultation with the USFWS. 

Intensively Developed Fields 

a. Surveys for Special Status Species will be conducted on BLM-administered public lands and 

mineral estate before any federal project or federal activity is approved. 

b. Oil and gas operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in Appendix 3. 

Traditional Leasing Areas 

a. Oil and gas exploration activities will be intensively managed and mitigated. No exceptions to 

seasonal restrictions for exploration will be permitted. 

b. Permitted activities potentially affecting the habitat of Special Status Species will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 

c. Surveys for Special Status Species will be conducted on BLM-administered public lands and 

mineral estate before any federal project or federal activity is approved. 

1. Mountain plover: Surveys demonstrating presence could result in surface disturbing 

activities being prohibited from April 10 to July 10 on a case-by case-basis. 

2. Pygmy rabbits: Surveys identifying pygmy rabbit burrows require avoidance of the 

burrow by 50 feet. Pipeline crossings and surface disturbing activities through ephemeral 

drainages and in basin, Wyoming, and big sagebrush communities will be minimized. 

3. White-tailed prairie dogs (WTPD): WTPD habitats will be managed to protect prairie 

dogs and their habitat, while allowing for compatible multiple use. 

•	 Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in WTPD towns greater than 12.5 

acres in size. 

•	 Above-ground facilities within one-quarter mile of WTPD towns greater than 

12.5 acres in size will be equipped with anti-raptor perching devices. 

•	 Motorized vehicle use in all WTPD towns and complexes is limited to designated 

roads and trails. 

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•	 Prairie dog poisoning is prohibited in all WTPD towns and complexes except for 

demonstrated human health and safety needs or for other demonstrated 

emergency reasons. 

•	 Surveys identifying WTPD burrows require avoidance of the burrow by 50 feet. 

4. Other Sensitive Species: If surveys conducted within areas not subject to timing 

limitations identify sensitive species’ life-cycle activities, surface disturbing activities 

will be delayed until wildlife activity is completed. 

d. Oil and gas development operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

Unavailable Areas 

a. Management actions on existing leases within Unavailable Areas will be designed to protect 

important habitats by excluding surface occupancy and/or disturbance to the extent this restriction 

does not violate the leaseholder’s/operator’s lease rights. Management actions/projects designed to 

maintain or improve wildlife habitat are excluded from this restriction. 

b. Permitted activities potentially affecting the habitat of Special Status Species will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 

c. Surveys for Special Status Species will be conducted on BLM-administered public lands and 

mineral estate before any federal project or federal activity is approved. 

1. Mountain plover: Surveys demonstrating presence could result in surface disturbing 

activities being prohibited from April 10 to July 10 on a case-by case-basis. 

2. Pygmy rabbits: Surveys identifying pygmy rabbit burrows require avoidance of the 

burrow by 50 feet. Pipeline crossings and surface disturbing activities through ephemeral 

drainages and in basin, Wyoming, and big sagebrush communities will be minimized. 

3. White-tailed prairie dogs: WTPD habitats will be managed to protect prairie dogs and 

their habitat, while allowing for compatible multiple use. 

•	 Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in WTPD towns greater than 12.5 

acres in size. 

•	 Motorized vehicle use in all WTPD towns and complexes is limited to designated 

roads and trails. 

•	 Prairie dog poisoning is prohibited in all WTPD towns and complexes, except for 

demonstrated human health and safety needs or for other demonstrated 

emergency reasons. 

•	 Surveys identifying WTPD burrows require avoidance of the burrow by 50 feet. 

4. Other Sensitive Species: If life-cycle activities of sensitive species are identified during 

a survey in an area not protected by timing limitations, surface disturbing activities will 

be delayed until wildlife activity is completed. 

d. Oil and gas developmental operations on preexisting leases are subject to stipulations and 

mitigations provided in Appendix 3. 

Objective 5. Conserve functioning sagebrush habitats on a landscape scale sufficient to support identified 

wildlife objectives. 

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Actions 

a. Large contiguous patches of sagebrush habitat will be protected through NSO stipulations and 

Unavailable Areas (Map 2-9). 

b. Common ROW routes and corridors will be designated, where appropriate, to minimize 

environmental impacts. 

c. Surface disturbing activities and interim and final reclamation will be designed and implemented to 

minimize impacts, maximize and increase habitat patch sizes, and reduce habitat fragmentation for 

sagebrush-obligate species, for example: 

•	 Condensate and produced water will be transported from well locations by 

pipelines rather than by trucks when feasible. 

•	 All surface disturbing activities will be subject to interim and final reclamation 

procedures to reestablish sagebrush habitat function and value. 

•	 Transportation planning will be required in all areas to optimize access; minimize 

development footprint, human presence, and habitat fragmentation; and reduce 

road density, duplication of routes, and unnecessary routes. 

d. Oil and gas developmental operations on preexisting leases are subject to stipulations and 

mitigations provided in Appendix 3. 

Objective 6. Collaborate with state and local governments to identify areas for offsite mitigation. 

Objective 7. Provide suitable habitat to ensure long-term species sustainability and widely distributed 

functioning habitats to support the Conservation Agreement and Strategy (CAS) for Colorado River 

Cutthroat Trout (CRCT) in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming; the “Three Species” CAS; and to 

support all other sensitive fish species. 

Actions 

a. To protect spawning CRCT, redds, and fry, instream disturbing activities are prohibited between 

June 1 and August 15. 

b. Projects in CRCT and other sensitive fish species habitats will be evaluated on a case-by-case 

basis. Projects could be approved if no impacts on CRCT or other sensitive fish species are caused, or 

if impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated. 

c. Chemical use for the purpose of fisheries management to enhance native fish populations or to 

remove unwanted fish species in streams or lakes is allowed. 

d. New or widened stream crossing (roads, pipelines, etc.) are not allowed in waters with genetically 

pure populations of native cutthroat trout. 

e. Projects that could impact habitats of roundtail chubs, flannelmouth suckers, and bluehead suckers 

(the “Three Species” designated in the CAS) will be designed to avoid or mitigate impacts to these or 

other sensitive fish species. Specific dates for avoidance of instream activities to protect spawning, 

redds, and fry vary by species, stream, and elevation and will be determined case by case and in 

coordination with the WGFD. 

Objective 8. Maintain raptor habitats and territories within the planning area to ensure long-term species 

sustainability and widely distributed functioning habitats in accordance with the MBTA. (See Appendix 

18 for management and conservation measures for bald eagles.) 

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Actions 

Intensively Developed Fields 

a. Prior to initiating surface disturbing activities within potential raptor habitat, surveys will be 

conducted for nesting, roosting, and foraging activity within a 1-mile radius of the proposed activity. 

b. Migratory bird exclusion devices are required on sediment, evaporation, or other types of pits 

containing harmful substances or chemicals. 

c. The following seasonal restrictions for surface disturbing and disruptive activities near active raptor 

nest, roosting sites, and foraging areas will be imposed: 

• February 1 through July 31, within one-half mile of all active raptor nests 

• April 1 through August 15, within one-half mile of burrowing owl nesting habitat 

• March 1 through July 31, within 1 mile of all active ferruginous hawk nests 

• February 1 through August 15, within 1 mile of bald eagle nests. 

d. Surface occupancy (permanent structures) is prohibited within 1,000 feet of an active raptor nest, 

within 1,400 feet of an active ferruginous hawk nest, or within 2,600 feet of an active bald eagle nest. 

e. Oil and gas developmental operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

Traditional Leasing Areas 

a. Prior to initiating surface disturbing activities within potential raptor habitat, surveys will be 

conducted for nesting, roosting, and foraging activity within a 1-mile radius of the proposed activity. 

b. Migratory bird exclusion devices are required on sediment, evaporation, or other types of pits 

containing harmful substances or chemicals. 

c. The following seasonal restrictions for activities near active raptor nest, roosting sites, and foraging 

areas will be imposed: 

• February 1 through July 31, within one-half mile of all active raptor nests 

• April 1 through August 15, within one-half mile of burrowing owl nesting habitat 

• February 1 through July 31, within 1 mile of all active ferruginous hawk nests 

• February 1 through August 15, within 1 mile of bald eagle nests. 

d. Surface occupancy (permanent structures) is prohibited within 1,000 feet of an active raptor nest, 

within 1,400 feet of an active ferruginous hawk nest, or within 2,600 feet of an active bald eagle nest. 

e. Oil and gas developmental operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations provided in 

Appendix 3. 

Unavailable Areas 

a. Management actions on existing leases within Unavailable Areas will be designed to protect 

important habitats by excluding surface occupancy and/or disturbance to the extent this restriction 

does not violate the leaseholder’s/operator’s lease rights. Management actions/projects designed to 

maintain or improve wildlife habitat are excluded from this restriction. 

b. Before any surface disturbing activities are initiated within potential raptor habitat, surveys will be 

conducted for nesting, roosting, and foraging activity within 1 mile of the proposed activity. 

c. The following seasonal restrictions for all activities near active raptor nests, roosting sites, and 

foraging areas will be imposed: 

• February 1 through July 31, within one-half mile of all active raptor nests 

• April 1 through August 15, within one-half mile of burrowing owl nesting habitat 

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• February 1 through July 31, within 1 mile of all active ferruginous hawk nests 

• February 1 through August 15, within 1 mile of bald eagle nests. 

d. Surface occupancy (permanent structures) is prohibited within 1,000 feet of active raptor (golden 

eagle, osprey, Swainson’s hawk, goshawk, prairie falcon, northern harrier, great horned owl, redtailed hawk, burrowing owl, and other raptors) nests, within 1,400 feet of active ferruginous hawk 

nests, or within 2,600 feet of active bald eagle nests. 

e. Migratory bird exclusion devices are required on sediment, evaporation, or other types of pits 

containing harmful substances or chemicals. 

f. Surface disturbing activities and placement of permanent and high-profile facilities are restricted 

within 1 mile of active raptor nests. 

g. To minimize impacts on raptors, actions that prohibit raptors from successfully fledging offspring 

are prohibited. 

h. Oil and gas developmental operations on preexisting leases are subject to stipulations and 

mitigations provided in Appendix 3. 

Objective 9. Water developments will be constructed to avoid inadvertent injury to wildlife. 

Action 

a. Water developments will be designed to protect animals from injury, and water will be made 

accessible for wildlife use with sufficient protective cover to the extent available. 

2.3.17 Special Designations and Management Areas 

The values described for each SD/MA in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS are the rationale for their inclusion 

in the Approved RMP. 

SRMAs are discussed in Section 2.3.8. 

Management plans will be written for all ACECs as needed. 

The following SD/MAs are retained, modified, or established. 

Management Goals 

Rock Creek ACEC Management Goals. Protect the Rock Creek drainage to enhance wildlife habitat, 

ensure quality aquatic habitat for the sensitive CRCT, provide crucial winter range for a portion of the 

Piney elk herd, and protect visual resources to maintain VRM class characteristics. 

Beaver Creek ACEC Management Goals. Enhance wildlife habitat, ensure quality aquatic habitat for 

the sensitive CRCT, and protect elk calving habitat. 

Trapper’s Point ACEC Management Goal. Preserve the viability of the big game migration bottleneck, 

cultural and historic resources, and important livestock trailing use. 

New Fork Potholes ACEC Management Goal. Protect unique pothole wildlife habitat for trumpeter 

swans and other migratory waterfowl, elk and deer parturition areas, and geologically unique areas. 

Miller Mountain Management Area Management Goal. Protect the open space, natural landscape 

values, and crucial big game winter ranges in the Miller Mountain area. 

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Ross Butte Management Area Management Goal. Protect fragile soils and watersheds, sensitive plant 

species and communities, paleontological and archeological sites, unique geology, and visual values in 

the Ross Butte area. 

Wind River Front Management Area Management Goal. Maintain the visual, recreation, and air 

quality resources in the management area, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect the integrity of the U.S. 

Air Force Detachment 489 Seismic Monitoring Station. 

WSA Management Goal. Protect wilderness characteristics in all WSAs. 

Wild and Scenic River Areas Management Goals. Maintain or enhance the outstandingly remarkable 

scenic, recreation, fishery, ecological, and other values. Maintain the primitive, pristine, rugged, and 

unaltered character of the WSR units. 

Management Objectives and Actions 

Objective 1. Provide suitable habitat within the Rock Creek ACEC to ensure long-term species 

sustainability and functioning habitats and support the CAS for CRCT in the States of Colorado, Utah, 

and Wyoming. Ensure crucial elk winter ranges are available for use by wintering elk. 

Actions 

a. The Rock Creek ACEC (Map 2-33e) is reduced in size to 4,960 acres by aligning the boundary 

with the Lake Mountain WSA boundary (eliminating the remainder areas outside the Rock Creek 

drainage area). 

b. The ACEC is unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

c. The ACEC will be managed as a ROW exclusion area. No ROWs will be permitted except to 

benefit the CRCT or elk habitat. 

d. The area will be managed as a Class I VRM area and will remain closed to OHV use, including 

over-the-snow vehicles. 

e. Geophysical exploration activities will comply with nonimpairment criteria for lands under 

wilderness review. 

f. Livestock grazing and related improvements are allowed, provided they meet the Wyoming 

Standards for Rangeland Health and the nonimpairment criteria for lands under wilderness review. 

g. Forest management activities will comply with nonimpairment criteria for lands under wilderness 

review. 

Objective 2. Provide suitable habitat in the Beaver Creek ACEC to ensure long-term species sustainability 

and functioning habitats and to support the CAS for CRCT in the States of Colorado, Utah, and 

Wyoming. Ensure elk parturition areas are available for use by calving elk. 

Actions 

a. The Beaver Creek ACEC (3,590 acres) is retained (Map 2-33f; Table 2-30) and will be managed to 

maintain, improve, or restore riparian and elk parturition habitat conditions. 

b. The ACEC is available for mineral leasing and related activities. 

c. All vehicle use, including geophysical exploration vehicles, is limited to designated roads and 

trails. 

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d. The use of surface and/or above-ground (Poulter shot) explosive charges for geophysical 

exploration will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. 

e. The ACEC encompasses Class III and IV VRM areas (Map 2-30). 

f. No surface disturbance or clearcutting is permitted within 1,000 feet of streams or on slopes of 25% 

or greater. Partial timber cutting is allowed if adverse impacts on the CRCT could be mitigated. 

g. Roads and ROWs will follow existing alignments unless design and implementation preclude 

adverse impacts on trout and elk calving habitat. 

h. No water diversion ROWs will be permitted unless they benefit CRCT. 

Objective 3. Ensure that no obstruction to the big game migration bottleneck within the Trapper’s Point 

ACEC occurs, facilitate livestock trailing and gathering, and provide interpretation of cultural sites for the 

public. 

Actions 

a. The Trapper’s Point ACEC (9,540 acres) is designated (Map 2-33g; Table 2-30). 

b. Surface disturbing activities are prohibited except those to enhance the viability of the big game 

migration and operations of the Green River Drift, or activities to interpret or enhance understanding 

of the cultural site. 

c. A portion of the ACEC (4,160 acres) is closed to land disposal and mineral location. A withdrawal 

will be pursued (Map 2-34). 

d. No additional fences will be constructed in the ACEC area except to enhance the viability of the 

big game migration. 

e. The ACEC is unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

f. OHV use is limited to designated roads and trails and is closed from November 15 to April 30. 

Objective 4. Provide high-quality wildlife habitat values in the New Fork Potholes area. 

Actions 

a. The New Fork Potholes ACEC (1,820 acres) is designated (Map 2-33h; Table 2-30). 

b. Surface disturbing activities are prohibited except those that benefit wildlife habitat, vegetation, or 

watershed values. 

c. The area is closed to land disposal and mineral location. Withdrawal would be pursued. 

d. The ACEC is unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

e. OHV use is limited to designated roads and trails, with seasonal closures during crucial winter 

periods. 

Objective 5. Maintain open space, natural landscapes, and crucial big game winter ranges in the Miller 

Mountain area. 

Actions 

a. The Miller Mountain Management Area is designated (approximately 66,440 acres) (Map 2-33i; 

Table 2-30). 

b. Forest management activities, (for example, harvest, planting, or stand improvement) will be 

implemented, consistent with the HFRA and other objectives for this area. 

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c. The Management Area is available for oil and gas leasing subject to mitigation. 

d. OHV use is limited to designated roads and trails. 

e. No net increase in miles of road is allowed. 

f. Surface disturbance is prohibited on slopes greater than 15%. 

g. Road construction is prohibited on talus slopes. 

Objective 6. Maintain sensitive plant communities and control soil erosion in the Ross Butte area. 

Actions 

a. The Ross Butte Management Area (35,670 acres) is designated (Map 2-33j; Table 2-30). 

b. No new communication sites are permitted in the Management Area. Additional facilities could be 

installed at the existing site on Ross Butte. 

c. The Management Area is unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

d. OHV use is limited to designated roads and trails (Map 2-35). 

e. COAs will be applied on existing oil and gas lease activities to mitigate impacts on erosive soils 

and sensitive plant species habitat. 

f. The Management Area is classified VRM Classes II and III (Map 2-30). 

Objective 7. Maintain and improve wildlife habitats, big game migration corridors and bottlenecks, scenic 

quality, and recreation values and uses in the Wind River Front area. 

Actions 

a. The Wind River Front Management Area (201,240 acres) is designated (Map 2-33k; Table 2-30). 

b. Surface disturbing activities (gravel pits, campgrounds, and new roads) will be mitigated to meet 

management area objectives. 

c. Forest management activities will be consistent with the HFRA and management area objectives. 

d. The Management Area is unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

e. Geophysical operations on BLM-administered surface in the Wind River Front Management Area 

are restricted to designated roads and trails or to nonvehicle-based methods. The use of surface and/or 

above-ground (Poulter shot) explosive charges for geophysical exploration will be analyzed on a 

case-by-case basis. 

f. Public access to key recreation areas will be pursued as opportunities arise. 

Objective 8. Maintain the wilderness characteristics of the WSAs. 

Actions 

a. The Lake Mountain (13,490 acres; Map 2-33l) and Scab Creek (7,710 acres; Map 2-33m) WSAs 

are retained. WSAs will be managed under the Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands 

under Wilderness Review (USDI 1995). Congressional decisions on the Lake Mountain and Scab 

Creek WSAs will be incorporated into the Pinedale RMP when made. In accordance with the IMP, 

WSAs are closed to mineral leasing. 

b. Discretionary uses within or adjacent to WSAs will be reviewed to ensure they do not create 

conflicts with management and preservation of wilderness values. 

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c. The Lake Mountain and Scab Creek WSAs are closed to OHV use. 

d. If necessary, in the course of incorporating Congress’ wilderness designation decisions into the 

RMP, the RMP will be amended. 

Objective 9. Maintain the outstandingly remarkable characteristics of areas determined suitable for 

inclusion in the WSR System. 

Actions 

a. WSR units are unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

b. The East Fork River unit will be managed as suitable for inclusion in the WSR System (tentative 

classification: wild (1,130 acres) (Map 2-29). 

1. Surface disturbing activities in the East Fork River unit are prohibited except for those 

activities that reestablish and/or enhance the outstandingly remarkable values. 

2. The unit is closed to commercial timber sales or harvesting, salable mineral 

development, and OHV use. 

3. The unit is an exclusion area for ROWs. 

4. A withdrawal from land disposal, mineral location, and entry will be pursued. 

5. Water impoundments, diversions, or hydroelectric power facilities are prohibited. 

Diversions necessary to access an adjudicated water right will be considered on a caseby-case basis and designed to maintain the outstandingly remarkable characteristics of 

the area. 

6. Increases in active grazing preferences are prohibited. 

7. Construction of new range improvements could be considered for purposes such as 

grazing protection from fire, insects, or disease, as well as rehabilitation or stabilization 

of damaged resources, provided the area would retain its natural appearance; and the 

practices or structures are compatible and in harmony with the environment. Any 

improvements will be unobtrusive and will not have a significant direct and adverse 

effect on the natural character of the river area. 

8. The unit would be open only to vegetation treatment or manipulation that would 

reestablish and/or enhance the outstandingly remarkable scenic and ecological values and 

be compatible with a wild waterway classification. 

c. The Scab Creek and Silver Creek units (1,350 acres/860 acres respectively) within the Scab Creek 

WSA will be managed as suitable for inclusion in the WSR System (tentative classification: wild) 

(Map 2-29). 

1. Increases in active grazing preferences are prohibited. 

2. Construction of new range improvements could be considered for purposes such as 

grazing protection from fire, insects, or disease, as well as rehabilitation or stabilization 

of damaged resources, provided the area will retain its natural appearance and the 

practices or structures are compatible and in harmony with the environment. Any 

improvements will be unobtrusive and will not have a significant direct and adverse 

effect on the natural character of the river area. 

3. The units will be open to vegetation treatment or manipulation that reestablishes and/or 

enhances the outstandingly remarkable scenic and ecological values, is compatible with a 

wild waterway area, and complies with IMP for lands under wilderness review. 

2-58 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

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d. The Green River unit will be managed as suitable for inclusion in the WSR System (tentative 

classification: scenic (7,100 acres) (Map 2-29). 

1. The unit is closed to land disposal actions. 

2. The unit is an avoidance area for ROWs. 

3. Increases in active grazing preferences in the unit are prohibited. 

4. Geophysical exploration is prohibited unless adverse impacts could be adequately 

mitigated. 

5. Recreation developments and wildlife and range improvements are allowed if there 

would be no substantial adverse effects to the natural-like appearance of the lands within 

the waterway corridor and the lands’ immediate environment. 

6. OHV use is limited to designated roads and trails. 

7. Development of hydroelectric power facilities, flood control dams and levees, water 

supply dams, and major diversions is prohibited. Maintenance of existing facilities and 

construction of some new structures are permitted if the outstandingly remarkable 

characteristics of the river segment would be maintained or enhanced. 

2.3.18 Offsite Mitigation 

Offsite mitigation proposed by oil and gas or other operators could be considered and analyzed in future 

environmental documents as possible mitigation for proposed activities within the planning area. 

Proposed offsite mitigation will be described and analyzed for effectiveness in detail on a project-specific 

basis. Planning for offsite mitigation will be performed in coordination with local government agencies. 

The need for offsite mitigation will be determined in conformance with current BLM policy, as updated. 

An example of an instance where offsite mitigation could be used is oil and gas field developments where 

offsite mitigation activities to address loss of habitat effectiveness would help BLM achieve the goals and 

objectives of the applicable RMP, given the impacts on wildlife habitats at the site of development and 

the anticipated effects of reclamation, BMPs, and onsite mitigation measures. Offsite mitigation could 

also include the implementation of mitigation measures for socioeconomic impacts, or impacts on 

livestock grazing permittees resulting from industrial development of grazing allotments. 

The order of use of mitigation methods from most to least preferred is as follows: 

•	 Onsite mitigation directly resolving impacts created by the action 

•	 Offsite mitigation to the resources affected by the action that cannot be resolved onsite 

•	 Offsite mitigation to similar or related resources affected by the action that cannot be resolved 

onsite. 

The following stipulations apply to offsite mitigation measures: 

•	 Offsite mitigation will be used as a last choice when developing mitigation measures. 

•	 Offsite mitigation proposals will describe the replacement or substitution activities or methods 

that are used to address potential impacts on specific resources or environments or both. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 2-59 
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•	 Offsite mitigation must be as close to “in-kind” in replacement or substitution of resources, 

habitat function, or environments as practicable (e.g., elk habitat for elk habitat, historical 

properties for historical properties). 

•	 Offsite mitigation practices must last as long as the impacts are expected to occur. 

•	 Offsite mitigation practices are to be developed, conducted or performed, and funded by the 

project proponent. 

•	 Offsite mitigation activities must be conducted subject to BLM review and approval that the 

mitigation will actually address the impacts occurring on the public lands. 

The priority order for mitigating resource impacts onsite or offsite is as follows: 

•	 Onsite Mitigation – Onsite (avoid, minimize, rectify, or reduce in time) 

•	 Offsite Mitigation – Local (unless greater resource benefits can be achieved through regional or 

interstate mitigation) 

•	 Offsite Mitigation – Regional (unless greater resource benefits can be achieved through interstate 

mitigation) 

•	 Offsite Mitigation – Interstate 

•	 The preferred area for conducting offsite mitigation is as near (local offsite mitigation) to the 

project or impacted area as possible or as scientific information and impact analysis suggests. 

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2.4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 

The Approved RMP will be implemented as funding and workforce allow. Most of the land use plan 

decisions are effective upon approval of this document. However, some decisions will take a number of 

years to implement on the ground. Implementation monitoring will track which decisions have been 

implemented and when. 

2.4.1 Public Involvement 

Some of the decisions contained in this document will require preparation of detailed, project-level NEPA 

analyses prior to implementation. Tribal consultation and public involvement opportunities, including 

further protest or appeal opportunities, may be provided. Other decisions have been addressed to a 

sufficient level of detail to be implemented over time without further NEPA analysis or public 

involvement opportunities. 

2.4.2 Operation and Maintenance Actions 

Projects and maintenance of existing and newly constructed facilities will occur; however, the level of 

maintenance could vary based on annual funding. Normally, routine operation and maintenance actions 

are categorically excluded from NEPA analysis. Such activities could include, but are not limited to, 

routine maintenance of existing roads, ditches, culverts, water control structures, recreation facilities, 

reservoirs, wells, pipelines, waterholes, fences, cattleguards, seedings, fish and wildlife structures, and 

signs. These types of actions are part of implementation of the RMP and should not require further 

analysis to implement. 

2.4.3 Requirements for Further Environmental Analysis 

Land use plan decisions that are implemented upon approval of the RMP do not require any further 

environmental analysis or documentation until modified through an RMP amendment or revision. 

Whenever implementation level plans (e.g., ACEC management plans) are prepared, additional 

environmental analysis and documentation would be required. Individual management actions or projects 

requiring additional site-specific project planning, as funding becomes available, would require further 

environmental analysis. 

Site-specific environmental analyses and documentation (including the use of categorical exclusions and 

determinations of NEPA adequacy where appropriate) may be prepared for one or more individual 

projects in accordance with management objectives and decisions established in the approved land use 

plan. In addition, BLM will ensure that the environmental review process includes evaluation of all 

critical elements, including cultural resources and T&E species, and completes required USFWS Section 

7 consultations and coordination with the SHPO in accordance with the BLM Cultural Resources 

National Programmatic Agreement and Wyoming BLM-SHPO protocols. 

Interdisciplinary impact analysis will be based on the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and other applicable EISs. 

If the analysis prepared for site-specific projects finds potential for significant impacts not already 

described in an existing EIS, another EIS or a supplement to an existing EIS may be warranted. 

Upon providing public notice of a decision, supporting environmental documentation would be sent to all 

affected interests and made available to other public on request. Decisions to approve implementationRecord of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 2-61 
Approved Resource Management Plan 

level plans or to implement site-specific projects are subject to administrative review at the time such 

decisions are made. 

The BLM will require project-specific analysis of environmental impacts associated with future energy 

development projects. 

2.5 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN AND ACTIVITY PLAN 

WORKING GROUPS 

2.5.1 Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 

Management actions identified for the Pinedale RMP planning area are based on studies and the best 

scientific information currently available. However, conditions could change during the life of the RMP. 

Implemented management actions could be improved as new technology and new information become 

available. It is also possible that changes in land use will require a different management action to protect 

the resources. To address changing conditions and provide management flexibility that uses BMPs, the 

PFO will use a monitoring and evaluation strategy. 

A monitoring and evaluation strategy will apply to all activities that occur throughout the planning area. 

Reasons for adopting a monitoring and evaluation strategy approach to decisionmaking include (1) 

enhancing the ability to achieve plan goals; (2) getting the most out of the NEPA/planning process; (3) 

providing plan flexibility; and (4) validating impact predictions, ensuring mitigation is effective, and 

being able to adapt for unintended consequences. Monitoring and evaluation management policies and 

procedures should enhance the ability to achieve management goals. 

This process measures the effectiveness of existing actions through monitoring and application of new 

scientific research. It analyzes current resource conditions resulting from implemented actions and 

identifies and recommends alternatives or modified actions as necessary to reach established goals. This 

process provides the optimum means for checking the effectiveness of management actions. Because the 

capability to conduct the process at the optimum level can vary from year to year, monitoring will be 

prioritized. Appendix 11 presents a description of the monitoring and evaluation strategy to be 

implemented. 

2.5.2 Activity Plan Working Groups 

RMP decisions establish goals, objectives, and management actions for activities on public lands. 

Standards or BMPs are identified in land use plans. Activity-level actions include implementation plans 

and analyses such as allotment or habitat management plans, oil and gas field development plans, 

recreation management plans, and coordinated activity plans. These activity-level plans analyze the need 

to modify existing decisions and practices in light of proposed or projected resource use or activity. 

Activity Plan Working Groups (APWG) consisting of local, state, and federal governments will be 

formed for new projects when circumstances dictate. Cooperating agencies in these working groups will 

assist BLM in preparing environmental analyses for activity-level actions or modifications to current 

plans. BLM or potential cooperating agencies could identify the need for activity planning and the 

associated APWG formation. This approach is similar to the process used by BLM and its cooperating 

agencies to develop this land use plan. 

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Chapter 4 of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS analyzes the impacts associated with each of the alternatives 

considered. This analysis includes an estimate of the social and economic impacts that are anticipated as a 

result of the alternatives considered. It may also provide a suitable starting point for local governments to 

use in local planning efforts. 

Further, BLM anticipates that site-specific implementation or project analysis will occur in accordance 

with governing law and regulations as the RMP allocation decisions are implemented. This analysis 

process will provide an opportunity for the BLM, State of Wyoming, and the affected counties and 

communities to collaborate in disclosing the socioeconomic impacts associated with the site-specific 

action being analyzed. 

BLM PFO acknowledges that state and local governments may collect or develop more refined social and 

economic data and that local plans may be developed by the impacted counties, municipalities, or 

communities that attempt to address social and economic matters affecting them. This planning effort by 

local governments may address some or all of the social and governmental services within its purview and 

may contain the detailed budgetary requirements necessary to carry the plan forward. 

The objectives of APWGs include— 

•	 Minimizing analysis and decisionmaking controversy by being proactive rather than reactive to 

public land use and resource conflicts 

•	 Providing effective and cost-efficient, collaboratively based mitigation of resource conflicts 

•	 Improving resource conditions by recommending practices and mitigation measures appropriate 

to special situations 

•	 Streamlining public land authorizations, increasing implementation flexibility, and notifying 

public land users of required practices. 

BLM will meet with potential cooperating agencies before scoping for major activity plans or RMP 

amendments to establish the level and extent of the APWGs’ activity. Examples include— 

•	 OHV use escalating to a significant issue 

•	 Impact level approaching that documented in the impact analyses made from reasonably 

foreseeable actions in an RMP or previous activity plan analysis 

•	 Proposals for oil and gas surface location densities or acres disturbed above a certain amount per 

unit area 

•	 Identification of the need to prepare a RAMP 

•	 A need to prepare a wildlife habitat management plan and habitat mitigation plan 

•	 Formulation of a travel management plan 

•	 Resolution of resource use conflicts, such as for livestock grazing and other uses. 

Examples of resource locations or management situations where activity or use could trigger working 

group formation include— 

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•	 Instances where crucial or important wildlife habitats overlap areas of high potential for surface 

disturbance. For example, where crucial deer winter range or other important habitats and high 

intensity oil and gas development areas overlap 

•	 WUIs 

•	 Instances where two or more resources of interest to cooperating agencies are in conflict. For 

example, significant surface disturbance in identified habitats for T&E or State Sensitive Species 

or livestock grazing allotment. 

When an APWG is convened, objectives for the first meeting will include— 

•	 Establishing working group membership and organization. Existing examples that may be used 

include the Continental Divide/Wamsutter II Wildlife Protection Plan (ROD, page 15, and 

Appendix D, May 2000) or the Powder River Basin Interagency Work Groups (ROD, page 11, 

April 2003). 

•	 Identifying issues, practices, and management actions the working group will address. 

•	 Establishing mechanisms and processes for communicating recommendations to the BLM. 

•	 Identifying public involvement and notification needs associated with working group activities. 

Other attributes and functions of APWGs include— 

•	 APWGs will be specific to the activity plan. 

•	 APWGs will provide suggestions and recommendations for studies and development of 

monitoring protocols to evaluate mitigation, reclamation, and habitat management practices to the 

BLM. Examples of these topics include offsite mitigation and a mitigation account, in addition to 

specific practices. 

•	 APWGs will serve in an advisory capacity only. BLM cannot relinquish its decisionmaking 

authority or responsibility. 

2.6 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 

Supplemental information supporting decisions in this Approved RMP is provided in the following 

sections and includes tables, maps, and appendices. The tables, maps, and appendices have retained the 

original numbering from the Proposed RMP/Final EIS to avoid confusion of new numbering between the 

Proposed RMP and the Approved RMP. The tables and appendices also have been modified, in some 

cases, to reflect actions and decisions included in the Approved RMP. 

2.6.1 Tables 

Table 2-26. Proposed Withdrawal Areas 

Proposed Withdrawal Area1 Acres 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 1,820 

Trapper's Point ACEC 4,000 

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CCC Ponds SRMA 1,040 

East Fork River Unit WSR 1,090 

Special Status Plant Species 920 

Sensitive cultural sites (burials, rock 

alignments, rock inscriptions) 4,620 

Total Affected Area (in acres) 13,770 

1

Withdrawal from mineral entry and the public land laws. 

Table 2-27. ROW Avoidance and Exclusion Areas 

ROW Avoidance Areas1 

Lander Trail 

Sublette Cutoff Trail 

USAF Seismic Monitoring Station (6-mile radius) 

Known paleontological sites 

All SRMAs 

Highly erodible and/or fragile soils 

Known locations of Special Status Plant Species 

Potential habitat for Special Status Plant Species 

Floodplains, riparian areas, and wetlands2 

Lynx analysis units 

Active raptor nests (within 1 mile) 

Big game migration routes 

Active sage-grouse leks (within one-quarter mile) 

All ACECs 

Green River WSR Unit 

Total Affected Area: 487,370 acres 

ROW Exclusion Areas3 

Communal big game kill sites, Oregon Trail inscription sites, rock shelters and 

alignments, Native American burial locales, Native American TCPs, and rock art 

sites 

Elk feedgrounds 

Active greater sage-grouse leks (within 200 feet) 

Rock Creek ACEC 

All WSAs 

WSR management units: Scab Creek, East Fork, and Silver Creek 

Total Affected Area: 41,500 acres 

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1

Areas with sensitive resource values where ROWs and Section 302 permits, leases, and 

easements would be strongly discouraged. Authorizations made in avoidance areas would 

have to be compatible with the purpose for which the area was designated and not be 

otherwise practicable or technologically feasible on lands outside the avoidance area. 2

Acreage calculated reflects 500 feet from perennial surface waters, wells, springs, and 

wetland/riparian areas. 

Those avoidance areas not calculated and acres not mapped would be assessed on a 

case-by-case basis. 

3

Areas where future ROWs may be granted only when mandated by law. 

Table 2-28. Summary of OHV Use Designations 

Areas Closed to OHV Use 

Lake Mountain WSA 

Scab Creek WSA 

Rock Creek ACEC 

Native American Burial Locales 

Communal Big Game Kill Sites 

Select Rock Alignments 

Holden Hill 

East Fork WSR Unit 

Known Locations of Special Status Plant Species 

Pinedale Pathway 

Total Affected Area: 26,320 acres 

Areas Open to OHV Use 

Total Affected Area: 0 acres 

Areas Limited to Designated Roads and Trails 

Scab Creek SRMA (outside the WSA) 

Boulder Lake SRMA 

Upper Green River SRMA 

CCC Ponds SRMA 

Trapper’s Point ACEC 

Beaver Creek ACEC 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 

Ross Butte Management Area 

Miller Mountain Management Area 

East Fork River/Irish Canyon Area 

Muddy Creek/Badlands Area 

Red Canyon 

Wyoming Front Area 

Hoback Area 

Soap Holes Area 

WTPD Towns 

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Green River WSR Unit 

Known Locations of Special Status Plant Species 

Oregon Trail Inscription Sites 

Native American TCPs 

Native American Burial Locales 

Communal Big Game Kill Sites 

Total Affected Area: 139,000 acres 

Areas Limited to Existing Roads and Trails 

Remainder of the Planning Area 

Total Affected Area: 754,480 acres 

Areas With Seasonal Limitations 

Trapper’s Point ACEC 

Approximately 2,500 acres between Silver Creek and Cottonwood Creek 

Big Game Crucial Winter Ranges 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 

Elk Feedgrounds 

Total Affected Area: 518,860 acres 

Areas With Special Limitations 

Total Affected Area: 7,230 acres 

Table 2-29. Visual Resource Management Classification and Acreage 

VRM Classification Acres 

I 21,290 

II 239,520 

III 419,410 

IV 242,660 

Note: All lands in the planning area were rated; however, only BLM-administered lands are 

managed within the VRM system, and only BLM lands are included in the above acreages. 

(BLM 2004) 

Table 2-30. Summary of Special Designations and Management Areas 

SD/MA Area Acres 

AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN (ACEC) 

Rock Creek ACEC 4,960 

Beaver Creek ACEC 3,590 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 1,820 

Trapper’s Point ACEC 9,540 

Total Acres 19,910 

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SD/MA Area Acres 

MANAGEMENT AREAS (MA) 

Miller Mountain Management Area 66,440 

Ross Butte Management Area 35,670 

Wind River Front Management Area 201,240 

Total Acres 303,350 

SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREAS (SRMA) 

Boulder Lake SRMA 5,790 

Scab Creek SRMA 18,460 

Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA 32,560 

CCC Ponds SRMA 1,040 

Total Acres 65,030 

WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS (WSR) 

East Fork River Unit 1,130 

Green River Unit 7,100 

Scab Creek Unit 1,350 

Silver Creek Unit 860 

Total Acres 10,440 

Table 2-32. Areas of Fluid Mineral Lease Conditional Requirements 

by Hydrocarbon Potential (Approximate Federal Subsurface Acres) 

for Conventional Oil and Gas 

Hydrocarbon Potential 

(Federal Subsurface Acres)1 

Area—Conventional Oil and Gas 

Very 

High High Moderate Low None 

Total 

UNAVAILABLE FOR LEASING2 

CCC Ponds SRMA 0 0 0 1,040 0 1,040 

Deadline-Graphite elk winter range 0 0 5,040 2,400 13,530 20,970 

Lake Mountain WSA 0 0 0 50 13,530 13,580 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 0 0 0 1,820 0 1,820 

Rock Creek ACEC 0 0 30 40 4,550 4,620 

Trapper’s Point ACEC 0 0 1,280 2,710 0 3,990 

WSR Units 0 0 0 7,300 3,340 10,640 

Oil and Gas Unavailable Area 10 7,590 142,960 240,730 62,410 453,700 

Total Affected Area (in acres)5 10 7,590 144,550 240,790 62,410 455,340 

NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY3,4 

100-year floodplains of perennial 

channels 110 1,520 17,500 10,460 750 30,350 

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Hydrocarbon Potential 

(Federal Subsurface Acres)1 

Area—Conventional Oil and Gas 

Very 

High High Moderate Low None 

Total 

Beaver Creek ACEC (within 1,000 feet 

of streams) ND ND ND ND ND ND 

Beaver Creek ACEC (slopes of 25% or 

greater) ND ND ND ND ND ND 

Developed recreation sites (within onequarter mile) 0 0 80 1,210 430 1,720 

Elk feedgrounds 0 2,620 10,970 5,580 5,550 24,720 

Green and New Fork Rivers SRMA 130 210 1,700 3,830 0 5,870 

Lander Trail (within one-quarter mile) 0 950 6,420 7,160 0 14,530 

NSO one-half-mile buffer area 560 2,170 85,420 56,350 0 144,500 

NADP acid rain monitoring site (within 

one-half mile) 0 0 0 340 0 340 

Raptor nests (within one-quarter mile) 1,950 2,480 8,800 8,980 180 22,390 

Sage-grouse leks (within one-quarter 

mile in the oil and gas Traditional 

Leasing and Unavailable Areas) 

120 510 4,550 4,460 150 9,790 

Sensitive cultural sites 0 50 1,200 2,880 300 4,430 

Sublette Cutoff (within 1 mile) 0 0 3,270 5,200 0 8,470 

Unincorporated municipalities or zoned 

rural subdivisions 0 1,570 5,000 14,110 730 21,410 

Upper Green River bottleneck area 0 0 450 710 0 1,160 

Active raptor nests (within 1,000 feet in 

the oil and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

30 480 1,940 4,040 100 6,590 

Active ferruginous hawk nests (within 

1,400 feet in the oil and gas Traditional 

Leasing and Unavailable Areas) 

0 60 420 2,340 0 2,820 

Total Affected Area (in acres)5 900 11,930 115,120 82,050 0 210,000 

CONTROLLED SURFACE USE3,4 

100-year floodplains of intermittent 

channels 1,530 2,170 4,850 4,280 60 12,890 

Beaver Creek ACEC 0 0 3,590 0 0 3,590 

Bench Corral winter OHV closure area 0 0 41,890 0 0 41,890 

Class II VRM areas 960 14,090 84,980 258,680 39,730 398,440 

Cora Stock Driveway 0 0 0 3,350 0 3,350 

Known locations of Special Status Plant 

Species 50 50 280 550 0 930 

Lander Trail—South Piney Canyon 

area (within one-quarter mile to 1 mile) ND ND ND ND ND ND 

Lynx analysis units 0 11,090 89,050 63,430 37,770 201,340 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 2-69 
 

 

 

Approved Resource Management Plan 

Hydrocarbon Potential 

(Federal Subsurface Acres)1 

Area—Conventional Oil and Gas 

Very 

High High Moderate Low None 

Total 

Miller Mountain Management Area 0 0 0 57,210 0 57,210 

Raptor nests (within 1 mile in the oil 

and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

800 8,560 40,360 75,810 2,700 128,230 

Soap Holes Basin 0 0 7,500 2,890 0 10,390 

Total Affected Area (in acres)5 2,610 13,960 83,360 110,520 0 210,450 

SEASONAL LIMITATIONS3,4 

Big game crucial winter range (in the oil 

and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

0 8,050 292,940 249,760 52,090 602,840 

Big game parturition range (in the oil 

and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

0 2,270 54,470 42,040 13,740 112,520 

Raptor nests (within 1 mile in the oil 

and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

800 8,560 40,360 75,810 2,700 128,230 

Active ferruginous hawk nests (within 1 

mile) 2,950 310 0 4,020 0 7,280 

Greater sage-grouse nesting habitat (in 

the oil and gas Traditional Leasing and 

Unavailable Areas) 

690 21,060 124,980 148,510 6,540 301,780 

Greater sage-grouse concentration 

areas (in the oil and gas Traditional 

Leasing and Unavailable Areas) 

ND ND ND ND ND ND 

Elk feedgrounds 0 2,100 6,470 3,080 4,140 15,790 

Cora Stock Driveway 0 0 0 3,350 0 3,350 

Total Affected Area (in acres)5 3,880 33,520 378,440 382,000 54,340 852,180 

1

Lease parcels are designed on aliquot parts. The actual acreage for the lease may vary. 2

Although closed to leasing and related oil and gas activity, any other surface disturbing or disrupting use would follow the 

surface disturbance prescriptions. 

3

All activities would be subject to intensive mitigation, including offsite placement of facilities; remote control monitoring; 

restricted or prohibited surface use, including road construction; multiple wells from a single pad; central tank batteries and
 

facilities; pipelines and power lines concentrated in specific areas, etc., based on site-specific analysis. 4

Refer to Appendix 3. These requirements apply to all surface disturbing activities. 5

Acres may not add because of overlap of land resources and land restrictions. 

*ND—Non-Determinable—Do not have data at this time. 

2.6.2 Maps 

The following maps (except those identified by letter) are included in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and 

are pertinent to and therefore included in the ROD/Approved RMP. The following lettered maps were 

developed subsequent to the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and are also included in the ROD/Approved RMP. 

Map 1-1 Pinedale Planning Area 

Map 1-2 Surface Ownership 

Map 1-3 Mineral Ownership and Federal Leases 

2-70 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved Resource Management Plan 

Map 2-4 Oil and Gas Leasing Categories 

Map 2-5 Wild Horse Herd Areas 

Map 2-9 Oil and Gas Management Areas 

Map 2-29 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Map 2-30 Visual Resource Management Classes 

Map 2-31 Land Tenure Adjustments 

Map 2-32 Rights-of-Way 

Map 2-33 Special Designations and Management Areas 

Map 2-33a Scab Creek Special Recreation Management Area 

Map 2-33b Green and New Fork Rivers Special Recreation Management Area 

Map 2-33c Boulder Lake Special Recreation Management Area 

Map 2-33d CCC Ponds Special Recreation Management Area 

Map 2-33e Rock Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

Map 2-33f Beaver Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

Map 2-33g Trapper’s Point Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

Map 2-33h New Fork Potholes Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

Map 2-33i Miller Mountain Management Area 

Map 2-33j Ross Butte Management Area 

Map 2-33k Wind River Front Management Area 

Map 2-33l Lake Mountain Wilderness Study Area 

Map 2-33m Scab Creek Wilderness Study Area 

Map 2-34 Land Withdrawals 

Map 2-35 OHV Designations 

Map 2-36 Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting and Brood Rearing Habitats 

Map 3-1 Historic Interpretive Sites and Historic Trails 

Map 3-6 Developed Recreation Resources 

Map 3-10 Transportation Routes, Communication Sites, and Corridors 

Map 3-14 100-year Floodplain 

Map 3-20 Big Game Crucial Winter Range 

Map A17-1 OHV Priority Areas 

Map A17-2 Transportation Routes 

2.6.3 Appendices 

The following appendices (except Appendix 28) are included in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and are 

pertinent to and therefore included in the ROD/Approved RMP. Appendix 28 was developed subsequent 

to the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and is also included in the ROD/Approved RMP. 

Appendix 1 Cultural Resources Management 

Appendix 3 Mitigation Guidelines and Operating Standards Applied to Surface Disturbing and 

Disruptive Activities 

Appendix 5	 Fluid Mineral Best Management Practices 

Appendix 6	 Characteristics of Old-Growth Forests—BLM Pinedale Field Office 

Appendix 7 Lease Stipulations and Standard Lease Terms (BLM Form 3100-11) 

Appendix 8	 Exception and Waiver Criteria 

Appendix 9 Special Status Species 

Appendix 11	 Monitoring and Evaluation 

Appendix 12 Seasonal Wildlife Stipulations for All Surface Disturbing Activities 

Appendix 13	 Land Tenure Adjustment Criteria 

Appendix 14	 Lands Suitable for Consideration for Disposal, Exchange, and Acquisition 

Appendix 16	 Natural Resource Recreation Settings 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 2-71 
Approved Resource Management Plan 

Appendix 17 Off-Highway Vehicle Travel Management Planning Schedule 

Appendix 18 Threatened, Endangered, and BLM Sensitive Species with the Potential to Occur in the 

Pinedale Planning area 

Appendix 28	 Biological Opinion for the Pinedale Resource Management Plan 

2-72 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan