Final EIS Chapter 5 

Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-1 

CHAPTER 5—CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (Forest Service) decision-making process for public lands in 

Wyoming has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 

Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, DOI, 

USDA, BLM, and the Forest Service policies and procedures implementing NEPA. NEPA and the 

associated regulatory/policy framework require that federal agencies involve the interested public in their 

decision-making, consider reasonable alternatives to proposed actions, and prepare environmental 

documents that disclose the potential impacts of proposed actions and alternatives. 

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

to this final environmental impact statement (EIS) and proposed resource management plan (RMP)/land 

and resource management plan (LRMP) (hereafter, land use plan [LUP]) amendment. This was 

accomplished through open and inclusive collaboration, 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 May 28, 2010, to formally announce 

that the BLM Wyoming State Office was preparing RMP amendments and associated EIS. The notice 

invited the affected organizations, members of the general public, and interested parties to participate in 

determining significant issues. These issues are to be addressed in the planning alternatives and analyzed 

in the EIS amendments. A second NOI was published on December 9, 2011 which officially started a 

second public scoping period and announced the addition of the Forest Service participation in the 

amendment process. This chapter describes the public involvement process as well as other key 

consultation and coordination activities conducted for the preparation of the final EIS and proposed LUP 

amendments. 

Table 5-1. Public Involvement, Coordination, and Consultation Events 

Date Location Type

July 19, 2010 Rock Springs, Wyoming

Cooperator Meeting and Public Open 

House Meeting (following cooperators 

meeting)

July 20, 2010 Casper, Wyoming

Cooperator Meeting and Public Open 

House Meeting (following cooperators 

meeting)

August 3, 2010 Pinedale, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

August 4, 2010 Kemmerer, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

August 5, 2010 Rock Springs, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

August 11, 2010 Newcastle, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

August 12, 2010 Casper, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

August 13, 2010 Rawlins, Wyoming Public Scoping Meeting

October 5, 2010 Rock Springs, Wyoming Cooperator Meeting/Goals and 

Objective Workshop

October 12-15, 2010 Rock Springs, Wyoming Cooperator Meeting/Alternative 

Development

November 30-December 2, 

2010 Rock Springs, Wyoming Cooperator Meeting/Alternative Development
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5-2 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

Date Location Type

March 31, 2011 Rawlins, Wyoming Cooperators Meeting/Alternative 

Development

September 27, 2011 Rawlins, Wyoming Cooperators Meeting/Preferred 

Alternative Development 

January 30, 2012 Casper, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

January 31, 2012 Buffalo, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

February 1, 2012 Worland, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

February 2, 2012 Rock Springs, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

February 7, 2012 Douglas, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

February 9, 2012 Newcastle, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

February 15, 2012 Gillette, Wyoming Second Public Scoping including the 

Forest Service

June 14, 2012 Rawlins, Wyoming

Cooperator Meeting/Alternative 

Development including the Forest 

Service

June 3-4, 2013 Rawlins, Wyoming

Cooperator Meeting/Preferred 

Alternative Development Including the 

Forest Service

February 4, 2014 Douglas, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

February 5, 2014 Casper, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

February 6, 2014 Laramie, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

February 11, 2014 Pinedale, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

February 12, 2014 Rock Springs, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

February 13, 2014 Rawlins, Wyoming Draft EIS Public Meeting

5.1 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

This section documents the consultation and coordination efforts undertaken by the BLM and the Forest 

Service while developing the final EIS and proposed LUP amendments. Because of jurisdictional 

responsibilities, the BLM and the Forest Service are required to consult with certain Federally 

Recognized Native American Tribes, and state agencies and entities (40 Code of Federal Regulations 

[CFR] §1502.25) during the NEPA decision-making process. The BLM and the Forest Service are also 

directed to integrate NEPA requirements with other environmental review and consultation requirements 

to reduce paperwork and delays (40 CFR §1500.4-5). 

Title II, Section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) directs the BLM 

to coordinate planning efforts with Federally Recognized Native American Tribes and federal, state, and 

local government agencies as part of its land use planning process. 
Final EIS Chapter 5 

Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-3 

Coordination with other agencies and consistency review with other plans was accomplished through 

frequent communications, meetings, and cooperative efforts between the BLM and the Forest Service 

interdisciplinary teams and involved federal, state, and local agencies and organizations. Coordination 

and consistency for the final EIS were accomplished as described in section 5.1.2. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been involved in the development of the alternatives as 

a cooperating agency, and has been contacted for Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation this 

includes interim reviews of Biological Assessments and Forest Service Biological Evaluations conducted 

as part of this planning effort. 

Coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has occurred throughout the LUP 

amendment process by phone and through various meetings. 

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is participating as a cooperating agency and has provided 

input throughout the LUP amendment process. 

5.1.1 Cooperating Agencies 

The BLM Wyoming State Office extended cooperating agency status to government entities and agencies 

throughout the 17-county planning area. The following is a list of the cooperating agencies that have 

actively attended the cooperators meetings leading to the development of the proposed LUP amendment 

and final EIS: 

• City of Laramie 

• Converse County 

• Crook County 

• The Governor’s Office

• Lincoln County 

• Lincoln County Conservation District 

• Lingle–Fort Laramie Conservation District 

• Little Snake River Conservation District 

• Medicine Bow Conservation District 

• Natrona County 

• Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District 

• South Goshen Conservation District 

• Sublette County 

• Sublette County Conservation District 

• Sweetwater County 

• Sweetwater County Conservation District 

• Uinta County 

• Uinta County Conservation District 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

• U.S. Forest Service 

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

• Weston County 

• Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 

• Wyoming Department of Agriculture 

• Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

• Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office 

• Wyoming State Planning Office 
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5-4 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

The cooperating agencies were formally invited to participate in developing the alternatives; to provide 

data and other information relative to their disciplines. The BLM held meetings with the cooperating 

agencies on July 19, 20 and October 6, 2010, concerning the approach to the planning process and 

development of alternatives. The cooperating agencies were invited to work with the BLM 

interdisciplinary team in developing the alternatives during the weeks of October 25–28, 2010, November 

30–December 2, 2010, and March 31, 2011. The cooperators and BLM met again to develop and finalize 

the preferred alternative on September 27, 2011. 

The draft alternatives were revised in 2012 due to the release of the BLM National Greater Sage-Grouse 

Planning Strategy. The cooperating agencies were invited to work with BLM and the Forest Service 

during additional alternative development meetings on June 14, 2012 and January 16, 2013. Cooperating 

agencies met with the BLM and the Forest Service on June 3–4, 2013 to formulate the preferred 

alternative for the draft LUP amendments. The alternatives were revised further prior to the release of the 

proposed LUP amendment and final EIS, based on public comments and input from the BLM and Forest 

Service. 

The following is a list of interested Government entities that have actively attended the cooperators 

meetings leading to the development of the proposed LUP amendments and final EIS, but are not official 

Cooperating Agencies: 

• Senator Enzi’s Office

• Senator Barrasso’s Office

• Representative Lummis’ Office

• City of Rawlins 

• City of Rock Springs 

• Fremont County 

• USDA Ashley National Forest, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area 

• USDA Shoshone National Forest/Wapati Ranger District 

• DOI Bureau of Indian Affairs 

• DOI Bureau of Reclamation 

• DOI Fish and Wildlife Service, Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge 

• DOI U.S. Geological Survey 

• DOI National Park Service 

• DOI Office of Surface Mining 

• Wyoming State Engineer’s Office

• Wyoming State Forestry Division 

• Wyoming State Geological Survey 

• Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments 

• Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources-State Trail Program 

• Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 

• Wyoming Office of Tourism 

• Wyoming Department of Transportation 

• Meeteetse Conservation District 

• North Platte Valley Conservation District 

• Powell- Clarks Fork Conservation District 

• South Bighorn Conservation District 

• Washakie County Conservation District 

• Natrona County Conservation District 

• Niobrara County 

• Washakie County 

• Weston County Natural Resource Conservation District 
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Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-5 

• Town of Marbleton 

• Town of Medicine Bow 

• Town of Pine Bluffs 

• Town of Pinedale 

• Town of Riverside 

• Town of Rock River 

• Town of Saratoga 

• Town of Sinclair 

• Town of Superior 

• Town of Wamsutter 

5.1.2 Coordination and Consistency 

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

accomplished and evaluated through frequent communications. To ensure coordination and consistency 

review, numerous cooperative efforts were also made between BLM, the Forest Service, and involved 

federal, state, and local agencies. The Wyoming Governor’s Clearinghouse received 20 copies of the draft 

LUP amendments and EIS for consistency review with state plans. The interdisciplinary team reviewed 

county land use plans to evaluate consistency. Meetings were held with the respective county planners 

and commissioners to promote greater understanding of goals, objectives, and resources of the counties, 

BLM, and the Forest Service. Table 5-2 summarizes coordination actions conducted by various federal, 

state, and local agencies for the LUP development process. 

Table 5-2. Key Coordination Actions 

Agency Coordination/Responsibility

FEDERAL AGENCIES

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

Coordinates mineral leasing and other activities that 

affect lands administered by the BOR. Reviews the LUP

amendments and EIS for consistency with BOR 

planning.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Reviews actions affecting threatened or endangered 

species of fish, wildlife, or plants. Performs Section 7 

consultation, coordination, and review.

U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Reviews LUP amendments and EIS for consistency with 

USGS planning.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) Reviews LUP amendments and EIS for consistency with 

MMS planning.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service—Wildlife Services

Coordinates annual management plan for animal 

damage control activities on public lands.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Coordinates with the Forest Service and the Wyoming 

Department of Environmental Quality on monitoring and 

collecting air quality data. Reviews air quality monitoring 

data. Files Federal Register notices.

STATE AGENCIES
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5-6 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

Agency Coordination/Responsibility 

State of Wyoming

Participates in the environmental analysis and 

documentation process by providing information 

concerning environmental issues for which the State of 

Wyoming has jurisdiction by law or special expertise. 

Provides information from state records on matters that 

include LUP/EIS project impacts on air quality and Class 

1 airsheds, fish and wildlife, domestic livestock grazing, 

watershed and water quality, social, and economic 

impacts, minerals, and State of Wyoming permitting 

requirements.

Wyoming Department of Environmental 

Quality

Coordinates and cooperates on water quality, 

development of monitoring for visibility standards and 

guidelines, and collecting of air quality data.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Coordinates and cooperates on vegetation manipulation 

projects, wildlife habitat management, and Special 

Status Species. 

State Historic Preservation Office

Consults on compliance with Section 106 of the National 

Historic Preservation Act in accordance with the 

National Programmatic Agreement, as implemented in 

the Wyoming Protocol to that agreement.

COUNTY AGENCIES

Converse County

Participates in the environmental analysis and 

documentation process by providing information 

concerning environmental issues for which the county 

has jurisdiction by law or special expertise.

Crook County

Fremont County

Lincoln County

Sublette County

Sweetwater County

Uinta County

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

Little Snake River Conservation District

Assists with the conservation of Wyoming’s soil and 

water resources, promotes the control of soil erosion, 

promotes and protects the quality of Wyoming’s waters, 

reduces siltation of stream channels and reservoirs, 

promotes wise use of Wyoming’s water and all other 

natural resources, preserves and enhances wildlife 

habitat, protects the tax base, and promotes the health, 

safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this state 

through a responsible conservation ethic.

Medicine Bow Conservation District

Saratoga Encampment Rawlins 

Conservation District

South Goshen Conservation District

Sublette County Conservation District

Sweetwater County Conservation District

Uinta County Conservation District

The BLM is aware that there are specific state laws and local plans relevant to aspects of public land 

management that are discrete from, and independent of, federal law. However, BLM is bound by Federal 

law. As a consequence, there may be inconsistencies that cannot be reconciled. The FLPMA and its 

implementing regulations require that BLM's land use plans be consistent with officially approved state 

and local plans only if those plans are consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of federal laws 

and regulations applicable to public lands. Where officially approved state and local plans or resourcerelated policies and programs conflict with the purposes, policies, and programs of federal law, there will 
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Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-7 

be an inconsistency that cannot be resolved. If there are no applicable officially approved or adopted 

plans, BLM's plans must be consistent only to the extent practical and then only so long as they are 

consistent with the policies, programs and provisions of federal laws and regulations applicable to public 

lands. While county and federal planning processes, under FLPMA, are required to as integrated and 

consistent as practical, the federal agency planning process is not bound by or subject to state or county 

plans, planning processes, policies, or planning stipulations 

5.1.3 Native American Interests 

The BLM and the Forest Service maintain ongoing communications with relevant Native American 

groups, including: 

• Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation 

• Blackfeet Tribe 

• Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux Tribe 

• Northern Cheyenne Tribe 

• Santee Sioux Tribe 

• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 

• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

• Crow Creek Sioux Tribe 

• Oglala Sioux Tribe 

• Rosebud Sioux Tribe 

• Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe 

• The Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation 

• Eastern Shoshone Tribe 

• Northern Arapaho Tribe 

• Three Affiliated Tribes – Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation 

• Yankton Sioux Tribe 

• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe 

• Crow Tribe 

5.2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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 the following areas: 

• Broadening the information base for decision-making 

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

management decisions 

• Ensuring that public needs and viewpoints are understood by the agencies 

5.2.1 Scoping Period 

The public was provided a scoping period to identify potential issues and concerns associated with the 

LUP amendments. Information obtained by the BLM and the Forest Service during public scoping is 

integrated with issues identified by the agencies to form the scope of the EIS. 
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5-8 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

Publication of an NOI in the Federal Register on May 28, 2010 announced BLM’s intention to amend the 

Casper, Kemmerer, Newcastle, Pinedale, Rawlins, and Rock Springs RMPs and served as a call for input 

and comments for amending the plans. The publication of a second NOI on December 9, 2011 opened the 

second public scoping period and announced the addition of the Forest Service to the planning process to 

amend the LRMPs for the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF), Medicine Bow National Forest 

(MBNF) and Thunder Basin National Grasslands (TBNG). Additional planning criteria were also 

announced. 

Scoping Notice 

The first official 60-day scoping period began when the NOI was published in the Federal Register. The 

notice invited the public to participate in the scoping process and requested comments on issues and 

planning criteria related to the BLM RMP amendments. The first scoping period ran from May 28, 2010 

through August 30, 2010. The scoping notice also included information on the six field offices, the 

reasons for amending the plans, and how to participate in the scoping process. The publication of a 

second NOI on December 9, 2011 officially started the second public scoping period for the addition of 

the National Sage-grouse Planning Strategy to the amendment effort and the amendment of the three 

Forest Service LRMPs. Additional planning criteria were also announced. The second public scoping 

period ended on March 23, 2012. 

Scoping Meetings 

The initial public scoping meetings for amending the six BLM RMPs were held in Pinedale, Kemmerer, 

Rock Springs, Newcastle, Casper, and Rawlins, Wyoming, on August 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13, 2010, 

respectively. During the six scoping meetings, a total of 42 people registered their attendance. The 

meetings were structured in an open-house format, with various information tables representing issues 

such as Greater Sage-Grouse, fish and wildlife habitat, mineral development, and other resource areas. 

Public comments were collected during the scoping meetings and throughout the scoping period through 

mail, e-mail, and the project website. 

Comments were categorized by topic areas for analysis purposes. Special Status Species and general 

(process/policy) were the two categories that received the most comments. The comments in these 

categories related to incorporation of IM No. WY-2012-019 or ways to protect sage-grouse and sagebrush 

habitat. 

Although fewer in number, comments pertaining to livestock grazing, minerals and energy, fish and 

wildlife habitat, lands and realty, and socioeconomics were also received. A summary of all comments 

was compiled in the Scoping Report for the Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments, January 2011, 

which can be viewed on the project website. 

The second series of public scoping meetings associated with the National Sage-grouse Strategy and the 

addition of the Forest Service planning units were held in Casper, Buffalo, Worland, Rock Springs, 

Douglas, Newcastle and Gillette, Wyoming. The dates, in order of the cities listed in the previous 

sentence, were January 30, 31, and February 1, 2, 7, 9, and 15. A total of 98 people attended the seven 

meetings, and the format was similar to the first series of scoping meetings. Public comments were 

collected during the scoping meetings and throughout the scoping period through mail, e-mail, and the 

project website. 

For the second scoping effort, comments were organized into four planning classifications: 

• General comments related to the planning area 
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Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-9 

• Issues that will be addressed through BLM or the Forest Service policy or administrative action 

(Forest Service or BLM policy) 

• Issues that are beyond the scope of the planning effort 

• Planning issues related to the planning effort. 

A summary of all comments was compiled in the National Greater Sage-grouse Planning Strategy Land 

Use Plan Amendments and Environmental Impact Statements Scoping Summary Report, May 2012, 

which can be viewed on the project website. 

5.2.2 Public Review of the Draft EIS and LUP Amendment 

BLM published the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUP 

Amendments and Draft EIS for public review and comment in the Federal Register on December 27, 

2013. This notice initiated the 90-day public comment period. Compact disks (CD) of the draft LUP 

Amendments and draft EIS were provided to cooperating agencies and tribal representatives. The discs 

were also made available to the public. The draft LUP Amendments and draft EIS was made available 

through the project website. The draft LUP Amendments and draft EIS was also available at the Casper, 

Newcastle, Kemmerer, Pinedale, Rawlins, Rock Springs, and Pinedale Field Offices and the Wyoming 

State Office in Cheyenne. 

Public Meetings 

A total of six public meetings were held in Douglas, Casper, Laramie, Pinedale, Rock Springs, and 

Rawlins, Wyoming on February 4, 5, 6 and 11, 12, 13, 2014, respectively. There were approximately 8 

attendees in Douglas, 19 in Casper, 14 in Laramie, 15 in Pinedale, 17 in Rock Springs, and 13 in Rawlins. 

These events consisted of an open-house style meeting with poster boards organized around the room, 

representing various resources and planning issues. Attendees viewed the posters, asked questions, and 

had one-on-one conversations with BLM staff. Handouts of maps and planning issues were available for 

attendees to take with them. All attendees were encouraged to provide written comments at the meeting or 

online at a later date. 

Public Comments 

During the draft EIS and LUP amendment public comment period, a total of 22,877 public comment 

submittals were received via e-mail and hard copy from members of the public, governments, 

governmental agencies, and nongovernmental agencies. Of the total comments received, 22,624 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 O. 

The number of comments received via each source is as follows: 

• 22,863 e-mail comments 

• 14 hard copy comments 

5.2.3 Mailing List 

The mailing list for public scoping started with the cooperating agencies that have participated in past 

planning efforts and was updated throughout the planning process. Scoping meeting participants were 
Chapter 5 Final EIS 

5-10 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

given the option of adding their names to the mailing list. In addition, individuals could visit the project 

website and add themselves to the mailing list or contact the BLM or the Forest Service and ask to be 

placed on the list. 

5.2.4 Newsletters 

A newsletter was developed to keep the public informed of the LUP amendments planning process. The 

July 2010 Wyoming Sage-grouse Management RMP and EIS newsletter provided basic background 

information regarding the project, including the purpose and need for amending the RMPs and issues that 

the project may address. The newsletter also extended an invitation to the public to become involved in 

the process and advertised the project website. 

5.2.5 Website 

The project website can be found at http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/amendments.html. 

The site serves as a virtual repository for documents related to the development of the LUP amendments, 

including announcements, bulletins, draft and final documents. These documents are maintained in PDF 

format to ensure their availability to the widest range of users. The website also provided the opportunity 

for the general public to submit their comments for consideration as part of the scoping process and draft 

LUP amendments comment period and to add themselves to the project mailing list to receive periodic 

newsletters and announcements. 

5.2.6 Future Public Participation 

Public participation efforts will be ongoing throughout the remainder of the EIS process. After the BLM 

and the Forest Service issue the proposed LUP amendments and final EIS, public protest during a 30-day 

period will occur before the record of decision (ROD) is issued. 

5.3 DISTRIBUTION LIST

Tribal Governments 

• Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council 

• Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation 

• Blackfeet Tribe 

• Confederated Salish and Kootenai (Flathead Indian Nation) Crow Tribe 

• Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux Tribe 

• Northern Cheyenne Tribe 

• Santee Sioux Tribe 

• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 

• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

• Crow Creek Sioux Tribe 

• Oglala Sioux Tribe 

• Rosebud Sioux Tribe 

• Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe 

• The Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation 

• Eastern Shoshone Tribe 

• Northern Arapaho Tribe 

• Three Affiliated Tribes – Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation 

• Yankton Sioux Tribe 
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Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-11

• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe 

• Crow Tribe 

Local Governments (counties, cities, towns) 

• City of Casper 

• City of Cheyenne 

• City of Green River 

• City of Laramie 

• City of Lusk 

• City of Newcastle 

• City of Rawlins 

• City of Rock Springs 

• City of Sundance 

• Carbon County, Wyoming 

• Converse County, Wyoming 

• Converse County Conservation District 

• Crook County, Wyoming 

• Crook County Natural Resource District 

• Laramie County, Wyoming 

• Laramie Rivers Conservation District 

• Lincoln Conservation District 

• Lincoln County, Wyoming 

• Lingle-Fort Laramie Conservation District 

• Little Snake River Conservation District 

• Medicine Bow Conservation District 

• Natrona County, Wyoming 

• Natrona County Conservation District 

• Niobrara County, Wyoming 

• Niobrara County Conservation District 

• Platte County, Wyoming 

• Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District 

• South Goshen Conservation District 

• Sublette County, Wyoming 

• Sublette County Conservation District. 

• Sweetwater County, Wyoming 

• Sweetwater County Conservation District 

• Uinta County, Wyoming 

• Uinta County Conservation District 

• Weston County, Wyoming 

• Weston County Natural Resource Conservation District 

Wyoming State Agencies 

• Office of the Governor 

• Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 

• Wyoming Department of Agriculture 

• Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office 

• Wyoming Department of Transportation 

• Wyoming Legislature 

• Wyoming Office of Information, Planning, and Coordination 
Chapter 5 Final EIS 

5-12 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

• Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments—Office of Federal Land Policy 

• Wyoming Office of Tourism 

• Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

• Wyoming State Clearinghouse—Office of Federal Land Policy 

• Wyoming State Engineer’s Office

• Wyoming State Forestry Division 

• Wyoming State Geologic Survey 

Wyoming State Boards/Commissions 

• Natural Gas Pipeline Authority 

• Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 

Congressional Delegations (House and Senate) 

• Senator Mike Enzi 

• Senator John Barrasso 

• Representative Cynthia Lummis 

Department of the Interior (non-Bureau of Land Management) Offices 

• National Park Service 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

• Bureau of Indian Affairs 

• Office of Surface Mining 

• U.S. Geological Survey 

• Bureau of Reclamation 

Non-Department of the Interior Federal Agencies 

• Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 

• Department of Agriculture 

– Forest Service 

– Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

• Army Corps of Engineers 

• Natural Resources Conservation Service 

• Department of Energy 

5.4 LIST OF PREPARERS

As required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR §1502.17), Table 5-3 lists the people primarily responsible for 

preparing the LUP amendment and EIS and presents their qualifications. Booz Allen Hamilton, a 

contractor selected to prepare the EIS, as directed by BLM, has, in accordance with 40 CFR §1506.5(c), 

certified that it does not have any financial or other interest in the outcome of decisions to be made 

pursuant to the EIS. In addition to the specific responsibilities listed, many BLM and Forest Service 

employees contributed substantial time consulting with other agency personnel in preparing the EIS. 
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Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-13

Table 5-3. List of Preparers and Contributors 

Name Education Project Role

Bureau of Land Management

Spencer Allred BS, Rangeland Management Kemmerer Field Office, Range Specialist

Alison Barnes

BS, Geosciences

MS, Forest Resources, Natural 

Resources Recreation and Tourism

Newcastle Field Office, Outdoor Recreation 

Planner

Ranel Capron

BA, Anthropology 

MS, Archaeological Resource 

Management

Wyoming State Office, Archaeologist

Stephanie Connolly BS, Forest Management High Plains District, District Manager

Tom Foertsch BS, Geological Engineering High Desert District, Resource Advisor 

Minerals and Lands

Angela Foster BS, Forest Resources Wyoming State Office, Fire and Fuels 

Specialist

Kimberlee Foster BS, Biochemistry

Field Manager, Rock Springs Field Office

High Desert District, Resource Advisor

Mark Goertel BS, Zoology

MS, Animal and Range Sciences

Wyoming State Office, Rangeland 

Management Specialist

Caleb Hiner BS, Geology

Wyoming State Office, Planning, 

High Desert District, Resource Advisor

Chris Hite

BS, Geology

MS, Geology/Hydrogeology

Branch Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals 

Adjudication 

Wyoming State Office, Physical Scientist

Rusty Kaiser

BS, Agricultural Education

MS, Zoology and Physiology

Pinedale Field Office, Wildlife Biologist

Kathleen Lacko Paralegal

Assistant Field Manager, Minerals and 

Lands, Casper Field Office

Casper Field Office, Planning

Kelly Lamborn - Kemmerer Field Office, Lands and Realty

Gary McNaughton BS, Geology Kemmerer Field Office, Range Specialist

Carol Montgomery -

Rock Springs Field Office, RECO Project 

Manager (Assistant Project Manager for 

Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse EIS)

Jennifer Morton BS, Natural Resources Management Wyoming State Office, Wildlife Biologist

Larry Neasloney BS, Business Administration Wyoming State Office, GIS Specialist

Brenda Neuman BS, Geological Engineering Wyoming State Office, Branch Chief, Solid 

Minerals

Erik Norelius BS, Fisheries and Wildlife 

Management Kemmerer Field Office, Wildlife Biologist

Timothy Novotny BS, Fish and Wildlife Biology and 

Management

Rawlins Field Office, Assistant Field 

Manager, Resources

Ken Peacock

BS, Forest Management, 

MS, Water Resources

Wyoming State Office, Planning and NEPA 

Lead

Tracy Pinter BS, Wildlife Biology Newcastle Field Office, Wildlife Biologist

Kellie Roadifer BS, Fisheries and Wildlife 

Management

Pinedale Field Office, Supervisory Range 

Management

Pinedale Field Office, Planner
Chapter 5 Final EIS 

5-14 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

Name Education Project Role

Mike Robinson BA, International Studies High Plains District Office, Resource 

Advisor, Energy, Lands and Minerals

Johnathan Sheeler BS, Range Science Newcastle Field Office, Range Management 

Specialist

Lesly Smith BA, Journalism Wyoming State Office, Recreation, Travel 

Management

Mark Snyder BS, Wildlife Resources Rock Springs Field Office, Supervisory 

Wildlife Biologist

George Soehn BS, Wildlife Biology High Plains District, Advisor, Renewable 

Resources

Lisa Solberg Schwab

BS, Biology

MS, Biology

Wyoming State Office, Project Lead

Pete Sokolosky BS, Geology Wyoming State Office, Geologist

Dean Stilwell

BS, Geology

MS, Geology

Wyoming Certified Geologist

Wyoming State Office, Geologist, Oil and 

Gas Reasonably Foreseeable Development

Charis Tuers BS, Environmental Engineering Wyoming State Office, Air Quality Specialist

Patrick Walker BA, Archaeology, Minor in Geology Rawlins Field Office, Archaeologist

William West

BS, Range and Forest Management 

MS, Ecology Rock Springs Field Office, Project Manager

Forest Service

Shawn Anderson BS, Ecology Medicine Bow National Forest, Wildlife and 

Fisheries

Frank Angele BS, Forestry Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Forestry

Nancy Arkin

BS, Natural Resources Management

MLA, Landscape Architecture

Bridger-Teton National Forest, Recreation 

and Travel Management

Bernadette Barthelenghi BS, Environmental Planning and 

Design

Bridger-Teton National Forest, Visual 

Resources

Pam Bode BS, Landscape Architecture Bridger-Teton National Forest, Special 

Areas

Travis Bruch BS, Forest Management Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Forestry

Jan Burke BS, Forestry Medicine Bow National Forest, 

Socioeconomics

Tim Byer BS, Wildlife Management

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Wildlife and 

Fisheries

Mary Cernicek BS, Biological Sciences

Bridger-Teton National Forest, Analysis of 

the Management Scenario Team Project 

Leader and Socioeconomics

Dave Cottle BS, Range Ecology Bridger-Teton National Forest, Range and 

Vegetation

Greg Eaglin

AS, Oceanographic Tech

BS, Physical Geography

MS, Zoology and Physiology, 

Fisheries

Medicine Bow National Forest, Air Quality

Tom Florich BS, Forest Management Medicine Bow National Forest, Lands and 

Realty and Minerals
Final EIS Chapter 5 

Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 5-15

Name Education Project Role

Wendy Haas

BS, Wildlife Biology

MS, Wildlife Ecology

Medicine Bow National Forest, Range and 

Vegetation

Allen Hambrick BS, Forestry Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Socioeconomics

Gary Hanvey BS, Natural Resource Management Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wildlife and 

Fisheries

Misty Hays BS, Range Science Medicine Bow and Thunder Basin National 

Grassland, Project Leader

Rob Hoelscher BS, Wildlife and Fisheries 

Management

Bridger-Teton National Forest,

Interdisciplinary Team Leader

Mick Hood BS, Forestry Medicine Bow National Forest, Wildland Fire

Kolleen Kralick

BA, Business Administration 

BS, Anthropology 

MA, Anthropology 

PhD, Anthropology

Medicine Bow National Forest, Cultural 

Resources

Melissa Martin

BS, Psychology

MS, Forest Sciences

Medicine Bow National Forest, AMS Team 

Project Leader; Medicine Bow National 

Forest and Thunder Basin National Forest, 

Special Areas

Rachel McGee

BS, Biology

MS, Rangeland Science and 

Management

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Range and 

Vegetation

Felipe Moreno BS, Environmental Science Forest Service, Writer-Editor

Bob Mountain BS, Wildlife Biology

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Range and 

Vegetation

Amy Ormseth BS, Civil Engineering

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Minerals Program 

Manager

Carol Purchase

BS, Hydrology

MS, Water Resources

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Water Resources

Mark Randall BS, Animal Science Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wildland Fire

Marcia Rose-Ritchie BA, Religion and Psychology

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Recreation and 

Travel Management

Jamie Schoen BS, Anthropology Bridger-Teton National Forest, Cultural 

Resources

Michael Schrotz BS, Anthropology Bridger-Teton National Forest, Lands and 

Realty

Ronna Simon

BS, Geological Sciences

MS, Water Resources Management

MS, Physical Geography

Bridger-Teton National Forest, Soils and 

Water Resources

Terry Svalberg BS, Soil Science Bridger-Teton National Forest, Air Quality

Randy Tepler BS, Water Resources Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Soils

Jeff Tupala

BS, Forest Management

MLA, Landscape Architecture

Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Visual Resources

Shane Walker BS, Environmental StudiesGeography Bridger-Teton National Forest, Minerals
Chapter 5 Final EIS 

5-16 Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment 

Name Education Project Role

Brian Waugh BS, Wildlife Ecology Medicine Bow National Forest, Recreation 

and Travel Management

Clay Westerbrook BS, Agricultural Economics Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder 

Basin National Grassland, Wildland Fire

Booz Allen Hamilton

Kristin Altieri

BS, Biology

MPA, Master of Public Affairs

MSES, Environmental Science

Resource Specialist—Livestock Grazing, 

Wild Horses

Kim Bibbs BS, Business Information Technology 

(Global Concentration) Public Participation, Website Specialist

Vincent Bonifera Jr.

AS, Technical Management

BS, Chemical Engineering

MS, Chemical Engineering

MS, Technical Management

Resource Specialist—Air Quality

Gretchen Campbell BS, Biology Resource Specialist—Air Quality

Russell Franklin

BS, Wildlife Science

MS, Natural Resources (in progress)

Resource Specialist—Vegetation, Forestry, 

Wildland Fire

Jared Gunnerson

BA Political Science

MPA, Natural Resource and 

Environmental Management

Resource Specialist—Cultural, 

Paleontology, Travel Management

Bryan Klyse

BA, Social Science (Environment)

MESM, Environmental Science and 

Management

Project Manager

Technical Reviewer

Resource Specialist—Lands and Realty 

Pamela Middleton

BA, Biology (Botany Emphasis),

Minor in Environmental Studies and 

Planning

MAS, Environmental Policy and 

Management

Deputy Project Manager, Technical 

Reviewer

Resource Specialist—Wildlife and Fisheries, 

Special Status Species

Tymeri Schleicher

BS, Environmental Science

MPA, Natural Resource Management

MS, Environmental Science

Resource Specialist—Water, Soils 

Richard Pinkham

BA, Geography

MS, Natural Resources 

Policy/Resource Economics

Resource Specialist—Socioeconomics 

Mike Sumner BS, Recreation Resource 

Management

Document Coordination, ePlanning

Resource Specialist—Visual Resource 

Management, Recreation, Special 

Designations, Minerals and Energy

Caitlin Willoughby

BA, Geology (Environmental Science 

Minor)

MLS, Library and Informational 

Science

Geographic Information System Analyst