Draft EIS Summary

SUMMARY 

INTRODUCTION

This Draft Environmental Impact Statement 

(DEIS) documents the comprehensive analysis 

of alternatives for the planning and management

of public lands and resources administered by

the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Rawlins Field Office (RFO) in Wyoming. The 

BLM RFO administrative area is located in 

south-central and southeastern Wyoming. The 

RFO includes approximately 11.2 million acres 

of land in Albany, Carbon, Laramie, and 

Sweetwater Counties. 

Within that area, the RFO administers 

approximately 3.4 million acres of public land 

surface and mineral estate, 0.1 million acres of 

public land surface where the mineral estate is 

state or private, and 1.2 million acres of federal 

mineral estate where the surface is privately

owned or state owned. 

The public lands and federal mineral estate within

the Rawlins Resource Management Plan Planning 

Area (RMPPA) are the subject of the planning 

effort and this associated EIS document. Neither 

this document nor the RFO’s current land use plan 

applies to lands or minerals within the RMPPA 

that are administered by federal agencies other 

than BLM, such as the U.S. Forest Service, the 

Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Air Force. 

This DEIS provides analysis of potential 

management direction for important resource 

values and resource uses within the RMPPA, and allocates the use of public lands for multiple-uses. The 

DEIS also provides management direction for the protection of certain resources while allowing for leasing 

and development of mineral resources, livestock grazing, and other activities at appropriate levels. 

BACKGROUND

The Great Divide RMP, approved by the Wyoming BLM State Director on November 8, 1990, currently

covers the public lands included in the Rawlins RMP. The Great Divide RMP provides guidance and 

direction for management of BLM-administered public land surface and federal mineral estate. 

The purpose of the Rawlins RMP Revision and EIS is to replace the existing Great Divide RMP, and to 

address the deficiencies described in the Great Divide RMP Evaluation (see Section 1.2.3). The Rawlins RMP

will provide the overall management direction for the public lands and resources administered by the Rawlins

Field Office. Adequate decisions from the Great Divide RMP will be carried forward to the revised plan. 

Rawlins RMP ES-1 
Summary Draft EIS 

The Great Divide RMP includes five Wilderness Study Areas (WSA)—Encampment River Canyon, Prospect

Mountain, Bennett Mountains, Adobe Town, and Ferris Mountains; four Areas of Critical Environmental 

Concern (ACEC)—Jep Canyon, Como Bluff, Shamrock Hills, and Sand Hills; three Wild Horse Herd 

Management Areas (HMA)—Adobe Town, Stewart Creek, and Lost Creek; and three Special Recreation 

Management Areas (SRMA)—Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, North Platte River, and Shirley

Mountain Caves. Major land uses include mineral development, wildlife habitat, wild horse use, livestock 

grazing, and recreation. 

ISSUES AND CONFLICTS

The identified issues are based upon the demands, concerns, conflicts and problems involving the use or 

management of the public lands and resources within the RMPPA. The following planning issues were 

identified through public scoping and other public outreach efforts. Issues were also identified through an 

evaluation of the Great Divide RMP completed by the BLM on July 5, 2001. Planning issues and conflicts 

between various resources and activities addressed in the Rawlins RMP include: 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• 

Energy resource development (i.e., oil & gas, coal, solar, and wind energy) and related 

transportation network conflicts with other land and resource uses and values (wildlife habitats, 

recreation values, sensitive vegetation types & sensitive watersheds). 

There are unique areas or sensitive lands and resources in the RMPPA that meet the criteria for 

protection and management under special management designations. There are also concerns that 

special management area designations may result in too many restrictions on the use of the public 

lands.

Resource accessibility relates to the value or usability of some resources. To be used, resources 

must be accessible (legally and physically) and manageable. 

New demands are being placed on public lands due to growth in and around some cities, town, 

and rural subdivisions in the RMPPA. Considerations include balancing development with the 

desire for open space. 

Attention is needed where development activities may conflict with special status species and 

their habitat requirements.

Federal and state requirements for water quality warrant additional attention as the RMP is 

implemented and updated.

There are conflicting demands for consumptive (livestock, wildlife, and wild horse grazing and 

vegetation removal for development activities) and non-consumptive (watershed protection, soil 

stabilization, wildlife habitat) uses of the vegetation resource. 

Recreation uses and demands are increasing. Certain areas and resources need protection while 

others need to be considered for more public and recreation uses.

Actions taken under the Great Divide RMP created land use patterns and valid existing rights that influence 

options for future management. For example, many of the oil and gas resources in the planning area have been 

leased. The presence of these valid existing rights will affect the management choices available for BLM to 

consider in developing the Rawlins RMP. Alternatives will address potential stipulations to be attached to 

new leases or leases to be re-offered if existing leases are relinquished, the availability of unleased lands for 

future oil and gas leasing, and additional mitigation measures to be considered in reviewing Applications for 

Permits to Drill. 

ES-2 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAFT EIS ALTERNATIVES

Chapter 2 describes four alternative resource management plans: the No Action Alternative (Alternative 

1Continuation of Existing Management direction) and three action alternatives, Alternative 2 (Emphasis on 

the Development of Resources), Alternative 3 (Emphasis on Protection of Resources, and Alternative 4 

(Conservation Alternative – Preferred Alternative). The No Action Alternative (Continuation on Existing 

Management) includes direction provided by the Great Divide RMP (November 1990) as well as new 

direction and policy that have been developed since completion of the Great Divide RMP and resulting 

amendments to the plan. The three action alternatives were developed to present a range of management 

options. Each alternative management plan is intended to minimize adverse impacts on cultural and natural 

resources while providing for compatible resource use and development opportunities, as consistent with 

current law, regulation, and policy.

No Action Alternative 

The No Action Alternative is a continuation of the current management direction. Ongoing programs 

initiated under existing legislation, regulations, and in the Great Divide RMP would continue. Thus, the No 

Action Alternative (Alternative 1) describes the current resource and land use management direction in the 

RMPPA. The No Action Alternative and its impact analysis represent the baseline to which the other 

management alternatives and their associated analyses are compared. Management actions proposed under 

the No Action Alternative are presented in Table 2-1. 

Alternative 2 (Development of Resources) 

Alternative 2 provides expanded opportunities to use and develop resources found within the RMPPA. This 

alternative emphasizes development and intensive management, while placing less emphasis on 

environmental protection. Resources would be protected to the extent required by applicable laws and 

regulations. Development and activities would occur throughout the RMPPA as proposed through 

management actions consistent with existing BLM guidelines. Management actions proposed under 

Alternative 2 (Emphasis on the Development of Resources) are presented in Table 2-1. 

Alternative 3 (Protection of Resources) 

Alternative 3 changes the mix of opportunities to use, develop, and manage resources. The alternative 

emphasizes: the improvement and protection of habitat for wildlife and sensitive plant and animal species; 

improvement of riparian areas and water quality; preservation of unique genetic phenotypes in the Lost Creek 

HMA; increase in designation of ACECs and SMAs; and protection of historic and cultural sites. 

Development of resources within the RMPPA would occur with intensive management of surface disturbing 

activities. Management actions proposed under Alternative 3 (Emphasis on Protection of Resources) are 

presented in Table 2-1. 

Alternative 4 (Conservation Alternative-Preferred Alternative) 

The Preferred Alternative provides a balance for opportunities to use and develop resources within the 

RMPPA while ensuring environmental conservation. The preferred alternative provides the guidance that 

emphasizes neither resource use nor resource protection. This balanced alternative best meets the issues and 

concerns raised during scoping. The preferred alternative represents the management actions recommended 

by the Field Manager to the State Director as the actions that best resolve planning issues within the RMPPA 

and that best promote balanced multiple use objectives. Management actions proposed under the Preferred 

Alternative are presented in Table 2-1. 

Rawlins RMP ES-3 
Summary Draft EIS 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

The environmental consequences that could result from the management prescriptions of the four alternatives 

are described in Chapter 4 and are summarized and compared in Table 2-2, Summary of Impacts. These 

potential consequences are discussed for each resource program, providing an analysis of environmental 

effects resulting from management of all resources and resource uses. This includes an analysis of cumulative

effects, which are defined as the impacts that result from the incremental impact of an action when added to 

other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future actions. 

OVERVIEW OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Key points of the Preferred Alternative are listed below. 

Air Quality 

BLM would minimize, within the scope of its authority, any emissions that may add to atmospheric 

deposition, cause violations of air quality standards, or degrade visibility. The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) would provide oversight responsibility during this process and would approve the State of 

Wyoming SIP. State standards enforced in the RMPPA would be as strict or stricter than federal standards. 

Special requirements to alleviate air quality impacts would be considered on a case-by-case basis in 

processing land use authorizations. BLM would cooperate with the operation of the National Atmospheric 

Deposition Program (NADP)/National Trends Network atmospheric deposition monitoring site, as well as in 

the collection of basic climate and meteorological data from remote automatic weather stations.

Cultural Resources 

Cultural resources would be identified and protected on a case-by-case basis, according to site-specific needs. 

Cultural properties eligible for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listing would be managed for 

preservation of cultural and historic values. Where the setting contributes to NRHP eligibility, actions that 

diminish the visual integrity of the property’s significant historic features would not be allowed within 1⁄4 mile 

of the cultural property or the visual horizon, whichever is closer. Unevaluated portions of the setting would 

be protected until a cultural inventory is completed. 

Fire and Fuels Management 

BLM would conduct wildland fire suppression and fuels 

management activities to first provide for firefighter and public 

safety. Public lands within the checkerboard or other 

intermixed landownership areas would be managed to protect 

private property. This would most often result in fire 

suppression activities. Wildland fire suppression activities in 

the remainder of the RMPPA would be managed for AMR. 

AMRs for SMAs would protect or enhance the relevant and 

important values for the ACEC or SMA. A high priority for 

fire management activities would be given to areas identified 

as: 

•

•

• 

communities at risk (as identified in Federal Register, Volume 66, Number 3, 2001) 

industrial interface areas 

 areas of high priority resource values within the RMPPA 

ES-4 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

Fuels treatments, including prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical, and biological treatments, would be used to 

reduce fuels levels and meet other multiple-use resource objectives, including returning fire to its natural 

ecological role in the ecosystem. Wildland Urban Interfaces and communities at risk would receive priority

for fuels reduction. Rehabilitation and restoration efforts would be undertaken to protect and sustain 

ecosystems, public health, safety, and to help communities protect infrastructure. 

Forestry

Approximately 19,200 acres of commercial forest would be available for commercial timber harvest. All 

forest and woodlands in the planning area would be open to non-commercial harvest of minor wood products, 

such as fuelwood, posts and poles, Christmas trees, and wildings. Forest and woodlands management would 

also include manipulation of aspen, juniper, and other non-commercial tree species to meet forest health 

and/or other multiple use objectives. Forests and woodlands would be managed using natural processes, 

prescribed fire, and chemical, mechanical, and biological treatments. 

Lands and Realty

Existing withdrawals in the planning area 

would remain in place unless it is determined 

they should be terminated. Such determination

(and plan amendment) would be based upon 

full examination of the issues associated with 

withdrawal terminations, including the land 

use, environmental and other factors 

associated with opening public lands now 

closed to entry under the public land laws or 

to mineral location under the mining laws. 

Where appropriate and necessary to protect 

other resource values, new withdrawals would 

be pursued and implemented prior to 

terminating any existing withdrawals. 

Proposed new withdrawals of approximately

14,450 acres would be pursued. 

All coal classifications protecting federal coal 

from mineral location on 671,768 acres in the 

RMPPA would be terminated because the 

classifications are no longer necessary.

Non-federal lands would be considered for 

acquisition to meet the objectives of the 

various resource management programs. The 

criteria for which lands would be considered 

for acquisition include in-holdings within 

WSAs, some SMAs, and HMAs. 

46,000 acres of BLM-administered public 

lands meet the FLPMA criteria and would be available for consideration for disposal. The preferred method 

of disposal is exchange. 

Rawlins RMP ES-5 
Summary Draft EIS 

BLM-administered public lands within 1⁄4 mile of the incorporated boundaries of cities and towns would be 

open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation and closed to locatable mineral entry and mineral material

sales. Existing activities would be intensively managed. 

All BLM-administered public lands, except WSAs and some SMAs, would be 

open to consideration for placement of transportation and utility ROW systems. 

Each system would be located adjacent to existing facilities, when possible. 

Existing major transportation and utility ROW routes would be designated 

corridors. However, major transportation routes within the RMPPA that are 

located east of the Carbon County-Albany County line would not be considered 

for ROW corridor designation because of the scattered public land ownership 

pattern in the area. Mitigation requirements for surface-disturbing and disruptive

activities would be applied to activities related to utility/transportation systemsto

protect important resource values. Sensitive resource values would be avoided. 

Wind energy development would also be considered outside of avoidance areas. 

Certain scattered parcels of land withdrawn for Seminoe Reservoir (2,000 acres) 

and the Savery-Pothook area (1,205 acres), currently managed by BOR, are being considered for revocation 

because they are no longer needed for the purpose for which they were withdrawn. BLM determined that the 

lands are suitable for return to public domain status. When returned to BLM administration, these lands would 

be managed the same as adjacent public lands. 

Livestock Grazing 

Current livestock grazing uses would be continued until monitoring indicates an adjustment is necessary.

Monitoring would include coordination, consultation, and negotiation with grazing permittees. Requests for

changes in season-of-use or kind-of-livestock would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and reviewed to 

determine range suitability and to evaluate potential impacts to both riparian and upland vegetation and other

land resource uses. Grazing systems and range improvements would be designed to achieve and maintain 

healthy rangelands. New fence construction would be authorized to BLM standards. Existing fences would 

be modified according to current BLM standards where needed or as older fences are reconstructed. 

Livestock grazing would be managed to provide for protection or 

enhancement of all resource values. The Wyoming Standards for Healthy

Rangelands and Guidelines for livestock Grazing Management would be 

implemented when authorizing livestock grazing use and related activities 

within the RMPPA. BLM would work closely with operators to 

determine the most appropriate methods to achieve Standards and desired

plant community. 

Designated camping areas, wetland/riparian spring exclosures, sensitive 

plant species exclosures, some cooperative wildlife management areas, 

coal mines, and some oil and gas production facilities are closed to 

grazing. Domestic sheep and goats would not be authorized within nine 

miles of identified wild bighorn sheep habitat unless a natural or topographic feature provides an effective 

barrier. Conversions from cattle or sheep to domestic bison would not be allowed in areas of blocked federal 

surface land ownership. 

ES-6 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

Minerals 

Oil and Gas 

BLM is integrating the results of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act Inventory into its RMPs. EPCA 

inventory data is integrated into the Reasonably Foreseeable Development (RFD) scenario that predictsfuture

mineral development within the RMPPA. RMP actions that apply to mineral resource development are 

evaluated to: 

•

•

•

Clearly present mitigation requirements necessary to reduce impacts of oil and gas operations on 

other resource. 

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 would be monitored to determine if more or less restrictive measures 

might accomplish the same goal. 

Oil and Gas Reasonably Foreseeable Development for the 20 Year Planning 

Period. 

Action Total

Wells Projected to be Drilled 8,822 

Miles of New Oil and Gas Roads 2,676 

Acres Disturbed in the Short Term 57,545 

Wells Abandoned 1,184 

Well Sites Reclaimed 1,066 

Miles of Roads Closed (Reclaimed) 500 

Acres Disturbed in the Long Term 15,472 

Oil and gas opportunity for leasing, exploration and development on 4,578,900 acres of subsurface fluid 

mineral within the Rawlins RMPPA subject to the following constraints: 

Oil and Gas Classifications for Mineral Estate (4.59 million acres). 

Classification Acres 

Open to leasing consideration and subject to standard lease form stipulations 853,690 

Open to leasing consideration and subject to minor lease constraints such as 

seasonal restrictions 3,279,670 

Open to leasing consideration and subject to major lease constraints such as no 

surface occupancy 377,590 

Closed to leasing 76,950 

Rawlins RMP ES-7 
Summary Draft EIS 

Oil and Gas Constraints for Mineral Estate in High, Moderate and Low EPCA Gas 

Potential Areas (3 million acres) 

Closed No Surface 

Occupancy

TOTAL 64,630 220,150

High Oil & Gas 

Potential 1 16

Moderate Oil & Gas 

Potential TOTAL (%) 53 29

Low Oil & Gas 

Potential 46 55

Total of all mineral estate having either Closed 

or NSO constraints 

284,780 

(10%) 

Oil and gas lease stipulations may be modified or eliminated using 

the exception, waiver, or modification criteria outlined in this 

RMP. Stipulations that do not accomplish the desired resource 

protection would be changed based on monitoring or new 

scientific data. 

All lands open to oil and gas leasing consideration also would be 

open to geophysical exploration, subject to appropriate resource 

surveys, surface protection measures, adequate bonding, and 

adherence to State of Wyoming standards for geophysical 

operations. Vehicular use for geophysical exploration purposes, including project survey and layout, is subject

to OHV designations (see definition of OHV necessary tasks in the glossary.

Oil and Gas Disturbance 

Private Wells Private 

Acreage 

Federal Wells Federal 

Acreage 

Total # 

Wells 

Total

Acreage 

5,111 35,400 3,711 22,145 8,822 57,545

Coal 

New applications for leasing federal coal are not expected during the 20-year analysis period for this EIS. 

Existing leases may be developed. The first two steps of the coal screening process (Appendix 8) were 

completed for federal coal lands in the planning area. Approximately 5,029 acres (containing an estimated 

70.1 million tons of surface mineable federal coal) were unsuitable for surface coal mining. Approximately

56,240 acres (containing an estimated 2,388.8 million tons of surface mineable federal coal) were identified as

acceptable for further leasing consideration. Applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis and 

the remaining steps of the coal screening process would be completed. 

There are seven existing coal leases that are exempt from the coal screening process that are subject to 

existing lease terms. Development of existing coal leases within the Carbon Basin would be addressed in the

cumulative impact section. 

ES-8 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

Other Leasables 

With the exception of WSAs, the RMPPA would be open to consideration for leasing of oil shale and nonenergy leasable minerals. 

Locatable Minerals 

Approximately 1,572,563 acres would be closed to locatable mineral entry. The remainder of the planning 

area would be open to locatable mineral entry. 

Saleable Minerals 

Mineral material sales are discretionary actions. Disposal would be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Stipulations to protect important surface values would be based on interdisciplinary review of individual 

proposals. 

OHV Use 

The RMPPA is generally open to use of motorized over-the-snow vehicles. Checkerboard lands would 

remain primarily limited to existing roads and trails. OHV travel in Limited to Designated Areas (LDAs) 

would remain limited to existing roads and trails until a site specific analysis and transportation plan is 

completed for each LDA. Those areas that are defined as ‘limited’ may have seasonal restrictions or travel 

limitations to either existing or designated roads and trails, or any combination of these. Travel on parcels of 

public land not having legal public access would remain limited to existing roads and trails. 

Off-Highway Vehicle Classifications 

Classification ACRES 

Limited to either designated or existing roads and vehicle route 2,201,510 

Limited to existing roads and vehicle routes (within checkerboard or other 

inter-mixed land ownership) 1,285,500 

Limited to designated roads and vehicle routes and closed to over-the-snow

vehicles 13,180 

Seasonally closed to OHV use 14,060 

Closed to OHV use 33,500 

Motorized vehicle use in the Dune Ponds Cooperative Management Area (3,730 acres) would be limited to 

existing roads and vehicle routes on vegetated portions of the area and open to vehicle use on active dunes. 

The Encampment River Canyon Area (about 6,010 acres) would be closed to motorized vehicle use, including

over-the-snow vehicles, December 1 to April 30, to reduce stress on wildlife wintering in the canyon area. 

The Encampment River Trail would be closed to all types of motorized vehicle use year-round. 

The Pennock Mountain (7,770 acres) and Wick Beumee (280 acres) wildlife habitat management areas would 

be closed to motorized vehicle use and human presence between November 15 and April 30, to reduce stress 

on wildlife wintering in the area. 

OHV use to retrieve big game kills and to access camping sites would be allowed within 300 feet of existing 

roads and vehicle routes, except where roads and vehicle routes are closed. 

Rawlins RMP ES-9 
Summary Draft EIS 

Paleontology

Paleontological resources would be managed to protect 

their important scientific values. Area closures, restrictions

or other mitigation requirements for the protection of 

paleontological values would be determined on a case-bycase basis. Collecting of scientifically significant 

vertebrate fossils by qualified paleontologists would be 

allowed by permit only. The paleontological and historical

values for which the Como Bluff area was designated a 

National Natural Landmark would be protected.

Recreation Resources 

Existing recreation sites would be maintained or improved to assure continued availability and use to the 

recreating public. Additional recreation sites would be considered for development based on demand and 

available opportunities. Developed and undeveloped recreation sites and the surrounding 1⁄4-mile area (17,590 

acres) would be open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. 

Developed and undeveloped recreation sites (9,660 acres) would 

be closed to locatable mineral entry, mineral material disposal, 

and operation of the public land laws, including sale. Within the 

1⁄4 mile surrounding these sites (7,930 acres), surface-disturbing 

activities would be intensively managed. Above ground facilities 

would be avoided. 

The entire RMPPA would be open to dispersed recreation with 

the exception of specific areas that must be excluded to protect 

public health and safety or special resource values. 

The west end of the Ferris Mountains (5,270 acres) would be 

closed to oil and gas leasing, locatable mineral entry, mineral 

material disposal, operation of the public land laws, and managed 

as VRM Class II in order to preserve naturalness and 

opportunities for primitive, unconfined recreation. Surfacedisturbing activities would be intensively managed within the 

Adobe Town fringe (31,510 acres) and the area would be designated as VRM Class II to retain scenic quality 

of the area. 

Special Management Areas 

Wilderness Study Areas (Encampment River Canyon, 

Prospect Mountain, Bennett Mountains, Adobe Town, and 

Ferris Mountains) are closed to all mineral development. 

Existing mining claims must meet the “non-impairment 

mandate” for WSAs. WSAs are managed according to the 

Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness 

Review, until Congress makes decisions on WSAs. OHV 

use within the Adobe Town WSA would be limited to 

ES-10 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

designated roads and vehicle routes. All other WSAs would be closed to

OHV use. 

ACECs (Sand Hills/JO Ranch, Blowout Penstemon, and Shirley

Mountain Bat Cave) and Special Recreation Management Areas 

(Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, North Platte River, and the 

Rawlins OHV Area) would be managed to protect their intrinsic values 

which include unique, stabilized sand dune vegetation communities and 

wildlife habitat and habitat for an endangered plant and a cave system

utilized by a variety of bat species. Management actions have been 

tailored to the specific needs of the above-mentioned areas and the 

resources present. 

Special Management Areas 

SMA ACRES PURPOSE 

WSAs 67,730

To protect wilderness characteristics, WSAs managed to meet the nonimpairment mandates of FLPMA - Manage lands in a manner so as to not 

impair the suitability of such areas for preservation as wilderness. 

ACECs 16,960

To protect a unique vegetation complex and wildlife habitat and maintain 

balanced recreational opportunities 

Protect habitat for the endangered Blowout Penstemon 

Protect cave system utilized as habitat by a variety of bat species 

WHMAs 160,710 To maintain the cooperative management of a variety of wildlife habitats 

while providing for other compatible multiple uses 

SRMAs 5,060 To promote recreational values and enhance opportunities for public use 

NNLs 2,660 To protect the geologic and paleontologic values for which the areas were 

designated 

Surface-disturbing activities in Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs) would be intensively managed 

to protect their intrinsic wildlife values. The majority of the WHMAs contain private land purchased by the 

Wyoming Game and Fish Department as well as federal lands and are managed jointly by the WGFD and the

BLM. In some cases, seasonal closures to OHV use and human activity would protect unique habitats and big 

game crucial winter ranges. 

Lands totaling 800 acres in the Big Hollow NNL and 160 acres in the Sand Creek NNL would be considered 

for disposal to individuals, organizations, agencies, or institutions that would manage these areas in 

accordance with their NNL status. Como Bluff NNL (1,700 acres) would be managed to protect the 

paleontological and historical values for which it was designated an NNL. 

The Encampment River Potential WSR would be managed to maintain or enhance the outstanding remarkable

values and classification. This WSR falls entirely within the Encampment River WSA, which limits 

consideration of developed recreation features. 

Transportation and Access 

The public land transportation system would be maintained or modified to provide for public health and 

safety and adequate access to public lands. Consistent with Wyoming BLM access policy, existing access 

would be maintained or expanded, new access would be pursued, and excess access facilities would be 

abandoned following consultation with local governments and interested parties. 

Rawlins RMP ES-11 
Summary Draft EIS 

Vegetation 

The Wyoming Standards for Healthy Rangelands (Standards) 

apply to all resource uses on BLM-administered public lands. 

These standards are the minimum acceptable conditions for the 

health, productivity, and sustainability of the rangeland. The 

standards direct the management of public lands and focus 

implementation toward the maintenance or attainment of healthy

rangelands. Rangeland areas would be managed to achieve 

desired plant community. 

Populations of special status species would be fenced to protect 

them from grazing, trailing, or other disturbance. Known 

populations of special status plant species would be closed to locatable mineral entry and operation of the 

public land laws, including sale. Intensive management actions would be taken to protect unique plant 

communities. Unique plant communities would be closed to mineral material sales. 

The fenced Gibben’s beardtongue (Penstemon gibbensii) site (approximately 15 acres) would be maintained

to protect the population from disturbance. Surface-disturbing activities would be intensively managed in 

mesic or wet meadows of floodplain areas in Laramie County, Wyoming, that contain habitat for the 

Colorado butterfly plant. 

Aspen stands would be managed to increase distribution and improve seral structure. 

Informal conferencing and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would occur for authorized 

activities that would potentially affect the habitat for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate plant 

species within the Rawlins Field Office. 

Visual Resources 

Visual Resource Management would maintain scenic value by managing impacts and intrusions through 

mitigation. 

Visual Resource Management Classes (Acres)

CLASS I CLASS II CLASS III CLASS IV 

67,730 589,530 2,275,080 619,140

Water Quality, Watershed and Soils Management 

Activities that would cause new water depletion within the Colorado River system would comply with the 

Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Activities that 

cause existing or new water depletion within the North Platte River system would comply with Intra-Service

Consultations covering the recovery of endangered species in the Platte River. Intensive management of 

surface disturbing activities would be implemented in watersheds contributing to water bodies listed on the 

State’s 303d list of water bodies with water quality impairments or threats. 

Surface discharge of produced water would not be allowed in the Colorado River Basin. Existing methods of

produced water disposal in the Colorado River Basin, approved under existing land use plan decisions, would 

be allowed to continue as long as they do not exceed approved water quality or quantity limits. 

ES-12 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

Surface-disturbing activities would be avoided in; 1) identified 100-year flood plains, 2) areas within 500 feet 

of perennial waters, springs, wells, and wetland/riparian areas, and 3) areas 100 feet from the inner gorge of 

ephemeral channels. 

Wild Horses 

Periodic, (not annual) gathers will be the primary tool for 

population management in the Adobe Town, Lost Creek, 

and Stewart Creek HMAs. Appendix 12 contains a 

detailed description of the development, application, and 

interpretation of AMLs for the Rawlins HMAs. 

AMLs in the HMAs would remain at: Adobe Town HMA 

- 700 adults; Lost Creek - 70 adults; and Stewart Creek – 

150 adults. These AML levels were established in 1994 by 

extensive monitoring and evaluation (Map 2-21 and 

Appendix 11). 

Through genetic testing and analysis, document the total 

extent of the “New World Iberian” (Spanish) genotype 

within the meta-population that includes the Lost Creek HMA. Implement the necessary management 

practices (including adjustment of the AML) to achieve the goal of maintaining the “New World Iberian” 

traits. 

Wildlife and Fisheries 

BLM would cooperate with the WGFD and FWS in 

considering and planning for the introduction, transplant, 

re-establishment, augmentation, and/or stocking of all 

wildlife and fish species regardless of threatened or 

endangered status. 

Best Management Practices would be applied to surfacedisturbing and disruptive activities to maintain or enhance

waterfowl species and their habitats. 

Impoundments and instream structures would be designed to minimize impacts on special status fish species 

and their habitats. Road crossings would be designed to simulate natural stream processes. 

To protect amphibian species and their habitats, linear crossings, such as pipelines or roads across the above 

areas, would be considered on a case-by-case basis with intensive management to protect the above areas. 

Informal conferencing and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would occur for authorized 

activities that potentially affect the habitat for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species within 

the Rawlins Field Office. The Statewide Programmatic Biological Assessments and Biological Opinions 

authorized for each species, including all the reasonable and prudent measures and terms and conditions 

would be implemented for the RMPPA. For example: 

• All white-tailed prairie dog towns/complexes greater than 200 acres in size and black-tailed 

prairie dog towns/complexes greater than 80 acres in size would be avoided, unless appropriate 

mitigation occurs. 

Rawlins RMP ES-13 
Summary Draft EIS 

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Where applicable, key linkage riparian travel corridors that may be used by Canada lynx would 

be enhanced or maintained. 

Fire suppression and forest conversion practices in areas adjacent to Canada lynx habitat would 

consider the habitat requirements for the lynx. 

Surface-disturbing and other activities located in potential mountain plover habitat are prohibited 

during the reproductive period of April 10 to July 10 for the protection of breeding and nesting 

mountain plover. 

The RFO would implement recent BLM management direction regarding greater sage-grouse habitat and is 

consistent with the recent “Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan” which was developed by the 

Wyoming Game and Fish Department with a broad range of stakeholders. The plan proposes to maintain and 

enhance sage-grouse habitat through an implementation, monitoring, and evaluation approach. Best 

management practices would be considered to reduce both the direct loss of habitat and disturbance to sagegrouse during the critical breeding and nesting period. Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would not 

be allowed within 1⁄4 mile of delineated sage-grouse leks. Human activity within 1⁄4 mile of delineated active 

sage-grouse leks would be avoided between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. Surface-disturbing and other 

activities potentially disruptive to sage-grouse would be avoided in identified nesting and early brood-rearing 

habitat between March 15 – July 15. 

Surface-disturbing and other activities potentially disruptive to nesting raptors would be prohibited within 

distances and time periods necessary to allow raptors to complete breeding and nesting activities. Distances 

and time periods vary between 3⁄4 and 1 mile and between February 1 and August 31, respectively, for 

different raptor species. Facilities requiring a repeated human presence would not be allowed with 825 feet 

(ferruginous hawks, 1200 feet) of active raptor nests. 

Surface-disturbing and other activities potentially disruptive to big game crucial winter range would not be 

allowed during the period of November 15 to April 30. Surface disturbing and disruptive activities within big 

game crucial winter range would require the use of best management practices designed to reduce the amount 

of human presence and activity during the winter months. 

Animal damage control (APHIS) activities, including the use of poisons lethal to vertebrate animals, would be

considered. 

COOPERATING AGENCY SUMMARY

The RFO extended cooperating agency status to the State of Wyoming, other federal agencies, County

governments, and various Conservation Districts for the Rawlins RMP planning effort. These agencies were 

invited to participate because they have jurisdiction by law or could offer special expertise. A list of actively 

participating cooperators is included below. 

Carbon County

Albany County

Sweetwater County

State of Wyoming 

Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District 

Medicine Bow Conservation District 

Little Snake River Conservation District 

Sweetwater County Conservation District 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ES-14 Rawlins RMP 
Draft EIS Summary

COORDINATION WITH NATIVE AMERICANS

As part of the scoping process, letters were sent to the Arapaho, Comanche, Crow, Eastern Shoshone, 

Shoshone-Bannock, and Ute tribes. The letters requested information to be considered in the planning 

process. As a result of these letters, the BLM received comments from the Ute tribe requesting that the BLM 

consider and protect cultural resources and sites sensitive to Native Americans in the planning document. 

Following the scoping process, a second letter was sent to all of the tribes listed above and additionally to the

Northern Cheyenne. This letter more specifically requested information regarding any concerns the tribes 

might have within the RMPPA and presented the opportunity for meetings or field trips with representatives 

from the tribes. These letters were followed up with telephone calls. The need for the tribes to review and 

comment on the Draft EIS was also stressed in the letters and during the follow-up telephone calls. The 

Eastern Shoshone expressed concerns that the BLM consider cultural resources in the planning process and 

requested that the BLM continue to contact the tribes on a project specific level so that the tribes could 

provide input to sacred sites that might be impacted at that time. 

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) on February 25, 2002 announced BLM’s intention to revise the Great

Divide Resource Management Plan. A formal 60-day scoping period began on January 31, 2003 with release 

of the scoping notice. The notice announced the availability of the Management Situation Analysis (MSA) 

and invited input on issues, alternatives, and resource data. Public scoping meetings were held in Rock 

Springs, Rawlins, Baggs, and Laramie, Wyoming, on March 3, 4, 5, and 6, 2003, respectively. During the 

four scoping meetings, more than 80 people attended. Comments from the public were collected during the 

scoping meetings and throughout the scoping period through a variety of methods - mail, fax, email, and 

through the project website. Approximately 26,745 comments were received through the various methods. 

Comments were categorized by topic for analysis purposes. The category receiving the most comments was 

“Mining and Oil and Gas Development”. A large number of comments expressed a desire for preservation 

over continued development. A major concern identified in the comments was disruption of big game

migration corridors and the degradation of environmentally sensitive areas. The second category receiving the 

most comments was “Wildlife and Fisheries.” A summary of all comments was then compiled and made 

available as the “Rawlins RMP Scoping Report, May 2003,” which can be viewed at: 

http://www.rawlinsrmp.com.

The Rawlins RMP/EIS project website can be found at http://www.rawlinsrmp.com. The site serves as a 

virtual repository for documents related to RMP development, including announcements, bulletins, and draft 

and final documents. These documents were maintained in .pdf format to ensure that they were available to 

the widest range of users. The Web site also provides the opportunity for the general public to submit 

comments for consideration as part of the review process for the Rawlins RMP Draft EIS as well as add 

themselves to the project mailing list to receive periodic newsletters and announcements. 

Rawlins RMP ES-15