Mission Statement 

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain 

 the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands 

for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 
Final Summary 

of the 

Analysis of the Management 

Situation 

for the 

Wyoming Sage-Grouse Management 

Resource Management Plan 

Amendments 

for 

Public Lands Administered 

by the 

Bureau of Land Management 

Wyoming State Office 

August 2011 
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Final Summary of the AMS Table of Contents 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments i 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER 1 —INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1

1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE BLM PLANNING PROCESS.............................................................................................. 1-2

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT SITUATION...................................... 1-3

CHAPTER 2 —AREA PROFILE AND CURRENT MANAGEMENT .................................................................. 2-1

2.1 AIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.2 Management Issues and Concerns ..................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.3 Current Management Practices .......................................................................................................... 2-2

2.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................ 2-3

2.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.2.2 Casper Field Office ............................................................................................................................ 2-3

2.2.3 Kemmerer Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-4

2.2.4 Newcastle Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-4

2.2.5 Pinedale Field Office ......................................................................................................................... 2-5

2.2.6 Rawlins Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-7

2.2.7 Rock Springs Field Office ................................................................................................................. 2-8

2.3 FORESTRY .................................................................................................................................................... 2-9

2.3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 2-9

2.3.2 Casper Field Office ............................................................................................................................ 2-9

2.3.3 Kemmerer Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-9

2.3.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-10

2.3.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-12

2.3.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-13

2.3.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-14

2.4 LANDS AND REALTY .................................................................................................................................. 2-15

2.4.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-15

2.4.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-15

2.4.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-16

2.4.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-18

2.4.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-19

2.4.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-21

2.4.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-24

2.5 MINERAL RESOURCES/RENEWABLE ENERGY ............................................................................................ 2-27

2.5.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-27

2.5.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-28

2.5.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-31

2.5.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-34

2.5.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-38

2.5.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-42

2.5.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-44

2.6 RANGELAND MANAGEMENT/LIVESTOCK GRAZING ................................................................................... 2-51

2.6.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-51

2.6.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-52

2.6.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-52

2.6.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-53

2.6.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-53

2.6.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-55

2.6.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-56

2.7 RECREATION .............................................................................................................................................. 2-57

2.7.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-57

2.7.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-58
Table of Contents Final Summary of the AMS 

ii Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.7.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-58

2.7.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-59

2.7.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-60

2.7.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-60

2.7.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-63

2.8 SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................... 2-64

2.8.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-64

2.9 SOILS ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-65

2.9.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-65

2.9.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-65

2.9.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-65

2.9.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-66

2.9.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-66

2.9.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-66

2.9.7 Rock Springs Office......................................................................................................................... 2-66

2.10 SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS AND MANAGEMENT AREAS ............................................................................ 2-67

2.10.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-67

2.10.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-68

2.10.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-72

2.10.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-75

2.10.5 Pinedale Field Office ....................................................................................................................... 2-76

2.10.6 Rawlins Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-78

2.10.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................... 2-85

2.11 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES ...................................................................................................................... 2-93

2.11.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2-93

2.11.2 Casper Field Office .......................................................................................................................... 2-94

2.11.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................... 2-98

2.11.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-103

2.11.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-103

2.11.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-110

2.11.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-112

2.12 TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS .......................................................................................................... 2-119

2.12.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-119

2.12.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-120

2.12.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-121

2.12.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-122

2.12.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-122

2.12.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-124

2.12.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-126

2.13 VEGETATION ....................................................................................................................................... 2-128

2.13.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-128

2.13.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-128

2.13.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-129

2.13.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-131

2.13.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-132

2.13.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-133

2.13.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-134

2.14 VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................... 2-136

2.14.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-136

2.14.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-136

2.14.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-137

2.14.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-138

2.14.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-138

2.14.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-139

2.14.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-140

2.15 WATER RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................ 2-141
Final Summary of the AMS Table of Contents 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments iii 

2.15.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-141

2.15.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-141

2.15.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-142

2.15.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-143

2.15.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-143

2.15.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-144

2.15.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-145

2.16 WILD HORSES ..................................................................................................................................... 2-147

2.16.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-147

2.16.2 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-147

2.16.3 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-148

2.16.4 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-148

2.17 WILDLAND FIRE .................................................................................................................................. 2-150

2.17.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-150

2.17.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-150

2.17.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-151

2.17.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-152

2.17.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-152

2.17.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-152

2.17.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-153

2.18 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES .................................................................................................................... 2-154

2.18.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2-154

2.18.2 Casper Field Office ........................................................................................................................ 2-155

2.18.3 Kemmerer Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-156

2.18.4 Newcastle Field Office .................................................................................................................. 2-157

2.18.5 Pinedale Field Office ..................................................................................................................... 2-158

2.18.6 Rawlins Field Office ...................................................................................................................... 2-159

2.18.7 Rock Springs Field Office ............................................................................................................. 2-161

CHAPTER 3 —RELEVENT STATUTES, LIMITATIONS, AND GUIDELINES ................................................. 3-1

3.1 13BENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ............................................................................................................................ 3-1

3.2 14BLAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ................................................................................ 3-1

3.3 15BAIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.4 16BWATER QUALITY ......................................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.5 17BPROTECTION OF WETLANDS (EO 11990) ..................................................................................................... 3-6

3.6 18BCULTURAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................ 3-7

3.7 19BHAZARDOUS MATERIALS ............................................................................................................................. 3-9

3.8 WILDLIFE ................................................................................................................................................... 3-10

3.9 21BWILD HORSES ............................................................................................................................................ 3-12
Table of Contents Final Summary of the AMS 

iv Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

LIST OF MAPS

Map 1: Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments Planning Area 

Map 2: Surface Ownership 

Map 3: National Historic Trails 

Map 4: Federal Mineral Estate and Existing Oil and Gas Leases 

Map 5: Major Oil and Gas Field Locations 

Map 6: Developed Recreation Sites 

Map 7: Special Designations and Management Areas 

Map 8: Sage-grouse Leks 

Map 9: Transportation System 

Map 10: Vegetation Communities 

Map 11: Visual Resource Management Classifications 

Map 12: Watersheds and Surface Water Features 

Map 13: Wild Horse Herd Management Areas 

Map 14: Elk Habitat Locations 

Map 15: Mule Deer Habitat Locations 

Map 16: White-tailed Deer Habitat Locations 

Map 17: Pronghorn Habitat Locations 

Map 18: Bighorn Sheep Habitat Locations 

Map 19: Moose Habitat Locations 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 1 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 1-1 

CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION 

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office has initiated a planning effort to prepare 

Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendments with an associated environmental impact statement 

(EIS) for the Casper, Green River, Kemmerer, Newcastle, Pinedale, and Rawlins RMPs. The purpose of 

the RMP amendments is to address needed changes in the management and conservation of greater sagegrouse habitats within the six BLM field offices to support sage-grouse population management 

objectives for the State of Wyoming. Amending the existing RMPs will provide consistency in managing 

sage-grouse habitat on BLM-administered lands in Wyoming.

The need for the RMP amendments is to address the recent “warranted, but precluded” Endangered 

Species Act listing decision from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (75 FR 13909). 

The listing decision specifically discussed habitat loss and fragmentation concerns that have, along with 

other factors, caused continued decline in greater sage-grouse populations throughout their range. In 

accordance with BLM Sensitive Species Manual 6840 and responsibilities under Section 7(a)(1) of the 

Endangered Species Act, the BLM is mandated to utilize their authority in furtherance of the purposes of 

the Endangered Species Act.

The planning area for the Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments comprises the Wyoming BLM 

Casper, Kemmerer, Newcastle, Pinedale, Rawlins, and Rock Springs Field Offices, including all public 

lands and federal mineral estate managed by the BLM within these six field offices (Map 1). The planning 

area encompasses approximately 11 million acres of public land and 20 million acres of federal mineral 

estate in Albany, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Goshen, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara, 

Platte, Sublette, Sweetwater, Uinta, and Weston counties in Wyoming. Of the 20 million acres of federal 

mineral estate, approximately six million acres are split estate (BLM-administered minerals that underlie 

nonfederal lands). Surface ownership within the planning area is illustrated on Map 2. 

Sage-grouse data collection and research efforts across Wyoming began to increase in the early 1990s due 

to growing concerns for sage-grouse populations and their habitats (Heath et al. 1996, 1997). Monitoring 

results suggest sage-grouse populations in Wyoming were at their lowest recorded levels in the mid1990s. Between 1997 and 1999, sage-grouse numbers increased with some individual leks increasing 

three-fold in the number of males counted. This increase was synchronous with increased spring 

precipitation. Drought conditions returned in the early 2000’s, which may have led to decreases in chick 

production and survival, and therefore population declines. However, the population did not decline to 

mid-1990s levels. Improved habitat conditions, as a result of timely precipitation in 2004, are believed to 

have led to high chick production and survival; resulting in 2006 counts and surveys recording the highest 

average males per lek since 1978. A return to dry spring and summer conditions in 2006 and 2007 

reduced recruitment, and the average males per lek declined in 2007 and 2008 (Wyoming Game and Fish 

Department [WGFD] 2008 JCR). 
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Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 1 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 1-3 

The hierarchy of documents that BLM decisionmakers consider for planning and project implementation 

is— 

 Land Use Plans. The highest level of decisionmaking specific to land use is the management 

plan. The RMP is BLM’s management plan. RMPs generally make land allocations, and provide 

goals and objectives for managing specific areas of land. They provide the framework for 

managing all natural resources under BLM authority for the planning area. Plan decisions are 

based on a public NEPA disclosure process, usually an EIS. 

 Activity Plans. For BLM, mid-level decisions are provided in activity plans. These plans contain 

more detailed management decisions than do RMPs. Activity plans address management of 

specific programs or areas. Examples include grazing allotment management plans (AMPs), 

recreation area management plans, and habitat management plans. An activity plan usually selects 

and applies best management practices (BMPs) to meet land use plan objectives. Decisions that 

cover major (often geographically widespread) proposals lead to coordinated activity plans that 

cover all programs in an integrated manner. Activity plans can be assessed through either an EIS 

or an environmental assessment (EA) level of NEPA analysis. 

 Project Plans. BLM analyzes individual projects proposed in a specific location for localized or 

site-specific effects. For example, BLM would evaluate a range improvement proposal with a 

site-specific environmental analysis including NEPA, Endangered Species Act consultation, and 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultation. 

Once finalized, the Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments will prescribe land allocation and future 

management direction for BLM-administered land and resources within the planning area. Future BLMpermitted activities and/or projects must conform to land use plan decisions. 

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE 

MANAGEMENT SITUATION

As part of the RMP amendment process, the BLM prepares an Analysis of the Management Situation 

(AMS) to analyze available inventory data and other information to characterize a particular resource, 

portray its existing management situation, and identify management opportunities to respond to identified 

issues. The primary function of the AMS is to provide baseline information and data for all resource 

values and uses for use in developing management alternatives and other chapters of the RMP 

Amendment/EIS document. The AMS is part of the RMP planning process as described in 43 CFR 1600 

and planning program guidance in the Land Use Planning Handbook (BLM Handbook H-1601-1). 

The summary of the AMS is intended to condense data and information contained in the AMS into a userfriendly document. It is designed to give the reader an overview of the current management situation in 

the planning area. This Summary of the AMS provides important information regarding existing resource 

conditions, current management practices, and identified issues and concerns. 
Chapter 1 Final Summary of the AMS 

1-4 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

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Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Air Quality 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-1 

CHAPTER 2—AREA PROFILE AND CURRENT 

MANAGEMENT 

2.1 AIR QUALITY

2.1.1 Overview 

Regional air quality is influenced by the interaction of meteorology, climate, the magnitude and spatial 

distribution of local and regional air pollutant sources, and the chemical properties of emitted air 

pollutants, all of which can affect air quality, including visibility. Air quality and climate are the 

components of air resources, which include applications, activities, and management of the air resource. 

Therefore, the BLM must consider and analyze the potential effects of BLM-authorized activities on air 

resources as part of the planning and decision making process. Surface disturbing activities will be 

managed to prevent violation of air quality regulations. 

The basic framework for controlling air pollutants in the United States (U.S.) is mandated by the 1970 

Clean Air Act (CAA) and its amendments, and the 1999 Regional Haze Regulations. The CAA addresses 

criteria air pollutants, state and national ambient air quality standards for criteria air pollutants, and the 

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. The Regional Haze Regulations address visibility 

impairment in Class I national parks and wilderness areas. 

The Wyoming Ambient Air Quality Standards (WAAQS) and National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

(NAAQS) are legally enforceable standards that set the absolute upper limits for criteria air pollutant 

concentrations. Concentrations above the WAAQS and NAAQS represent a risk to human health or 

welfare. State standards must be equally as strict as, or stricter than, federal standards. WAAQS/NAAQS 

have been established for the following criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide 

(NO2), ozone (O3) particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5); and sulfur dioxide (SO2). PSD increments for 

Class I areas (wilderness areas with protected air quality status due to their pristine condition) and Class II 

areas (wilderness areas with protected air quality status due to their sensitive condition) have also been 

established. All NEPA analysis comparisons to the PSD increments are intended to evaluate a threshold 

of concern and do not represent a regulatory PSD Increment Consumption Analysis. 

Air quality regulation in Wyoming is under the direct administration of Wyoming Department of 

Environmental Quality-Air Quality Division (WDEQ-AQD) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) Region 8. Therefore, the BLM will continue to coordinate with these agencies regarding air quality 

data and air quality pollution analysis within the planning area. The WDEQ-AQD determines background 

air quality levels. Because information collected from the nearest applicable monitoring station indicates 

that current concentrations comply with applicable standards, air quality in the planning area is 

considered good. However, current and complete data on the concentrations of criteria air pollutants for 

the planning area are not available. The State of Wyoming has used monitoring to determine that the 

region is in compliance with WAAQS and NAAQS. 

2.1.2 Management Issues and Concerns 

Surface-disturbing activities and industrial development (particularly mineral and energy development, 

pipeline construction, recreation use, and off-highway vehicle [OHV] use) increase emission levels and 

directly, and/or indirectly, affect air quality within the planning area. 
Chapter 2–Air Quality Final Summary of the AMS 

2-2 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Although PSD Class I areas do not occur in the planning area, potential air quality impacts in other areas 

are of concern. The most important of these are wilderness areas, wilderness study areas (WSA), and nonattainment areas. Federal land managers have an affirmative duty to protect these areas from deterioration 

of air quality from human-caused sources. 

2.1.3 Current Management Practices 

There are no current air quality management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Cultural Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-3 

2.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES

2.2.1 Overview 

BLM is legally mandated to identify, evaluate, and manage cultural resources as part of its multiple-use 

management practices. Cultural resources include any prehistoric or historic district, site, structure, 

landscape and object considered important to a culture, subculture, or community for traditional, 

religious, scientific, or other purposes. Cultural resources include archeological resources, historic 

architectural and engineering resources, and traditional resources. Archeological resources are areas 

where prehistoric or historic activity measurably altered the earth or where deposits of physical remains 

(e.g., arrowheads, pottery) have been discovered. Architectural and engineering resources include 

standing buildings, districts, bridges, dams, and other structures of historic or aesthetic significance. 

Traditional resources can include archeological resources, structures, topographic features, habitats, 

plants, wildlife, and minerals that Native Americans or other groups consider essential for the 

preservation of traditional culture. The locations of historic trails are included on Map 3. 

Native American traditional resources include traditional cultural properties (TCPs) and sites of cultural 

concern that may not be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), but are identified as 

significant by Native American groups and may be protected under the American Indian Religious 

Freedom Act (AIRFA). In general, Native American traditional resources can include archeological sites; 

stone alignments; petroglyphs and pictographs; plant, wildlife, and lithic resource collection areas; 

spiritual sites; and locations that may have spiritual or cultural meanings to Native Americans. BLM 

communicates with Native American tribes associated with planning efforts and consults with potentially 

affected tribes to identify sites of cultural concern found on BLM-administered land. To protect 

traditional resources, the locations of such are confidential and not released to the public. 

2.2.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

More than 3,500 cultural resource inventories have been conducted on BLM-administered lands in the 

Casper Field Office. These inventories examined less than 10 percent of the entire field office, mostly in 

areas where extensive oil and gas exploration and development have occurred during the past 30 years. 

More than 8,000 cultural resources have been documented to date on BLM-administered lands within the 

Casper Field Office. Recorded cultural resources include prehistoric sites that represent human activities 

in the area for approximately 12,000 years prior to the beginning of the historic period in the 19th century; 

historic sites related to the fur trade, emigration, early settlement and ranching; communications and 

transportation networks; and natural resource extraction industries. Historic sites include trails that were 

associated with overland migration, frontier military activities, and early transportation and 

communications. BLM lands in the Casper Field Office contain about 22.5 miles of congressionallydesignated National Historic Trails (Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express trails). The 

field office also includes segments of other historic trails, roads, and railroad lines. One TCP, the Cedar 

Ridge Site, has been identified in the field office. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Cultural Resources Final Summary of the AMS 

2-4 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for cultural resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.2.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

More than 4,400 cultural resource surveys have been conducted on BLM-administered lands in the 

Kemmerer Field Office. These inventories examined only about 10 percent of the entire field office, 

predominantly in the central portion of the field office, where extensive oil and gas exploration and 

development have occurred during the past 30 years. Most cultural resource inventories and site 

evaluations within the Kemmerer Field Office are in direct response to a specific land use proposal. 

More than 8,000 cultural resources have been documented to date on BLM-administered lands within the 

Kemmerer Field Office. Approximately 84 percent of the recorded cultural resources are prehistoric sites 

that represent human activities in the area for approximately 12,000 years prior to the beginning of the 

historic period in the 19th century. The remaining 16 percent of recorded cultural resources are historic 

sites related to the fur trade, emigration, early settlement and ranching, communications and 

transportation networks, and natural resource extraction industries. Historic sites include trails that were 

associated with overland emigration, frontier military activities, early transportation and communications, 

and early oil field industrial sites in Wyoming. More than 400 miles of designated National Historic 

Trails pass through the Kemmerer Field Office, and over 200 miles of these trails cross BLM lands 

including the primary route of the Oregon-California Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express Route, Slate 

Creek Cutoff, Dempsey-Hockaday Trail, Sublette Cutoff, and Lander Road. These trails are protected 

based on their physical condition and related viewshed. TCPs have not been identified on BLM lands 

within the Kemmerer Field Office. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Class III cultural surveys are required prior to authorizing any proposed surface disturbing activities. The 

potential exists for surveys that are conducted during sensitive timeframes for sage-grouse to disrupt birds 

during critical periods. 

2.2.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Cultural resources in the Newcastle Field Office span at least 12,000 years of prehistory, a short 

protohistoric period of about 200 years, and an even shorter historic period. Remains from all periods are 

found throughout the field office. Through December 1989, approximately 500 historic sites have been 

recorded in the Newcastle Field Office. Because a Class I overview of historic period resources has never 

been conducted in the Newcastle area, the number of cultural sites and their significance is not known. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Cultural Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-5 

A total of 1,656 prehistoric sites were on record for the field office at the end of 1989. The kinds of 

prehistoric sites known to occur in the field office include occupations and campsites, tipi rings, quarries, 

lithic workshops, rock art, kill and processing sites, rock shelters, hunting camps, overlooks, vegetable 

processing camps, and burials. Of the 1,656 prehistoric sites in the area, 866 (52%) lack evaluations, 230 

(14%) are designated as eligible for the NRHP, and 560 (34%) are considered not eligible. The 

evaluations for many of these sites are based on inadequate data and may not be reliable. No prehistoric 

or historic sites on BLM-administered lands in the field office are listed on the NRHP. Two sites have 

been nominated for the NRHP, but the nominations were returned by the Keeper of the Register because 

inventory data were inadequate. During a seven-year period (fiscal years 1983 through 1989) for which 

data are available, a total of 32,541 acres were surveyed for BLM-administered projects. This area 

represents 1.5 percent of the combined BLM-administered surface and federal mineral estate in the field 

office. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for cultural resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.2.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The Pinedale Field Office contains a diverse range of cultural resources. Cultural resources are not 

distributed evenly across the field office. Different areas contain different densities, types, and 

sensitivities of sites as a function of the differences of geographic location, topographic and ecological 

context, and other factors. TRC Mariah Associates (2006) defined 15 cultural resource subregions to more 

adequately characterize the nature and sensitivity of the resource base within different portions of the 

field office. They are the Anticline South, Bench Corral, Deer Hills, Jonah, LaBarge Uplift, River-related, 

Ryegrass, South Desert, South LaBarge/Miller Mountain, Square Top, The Mesa, Trappers Point/Cora 

Butte, Upper Green/Beaver Ridge, Wind River Front, and Wyoming Range Front subregions. 

A variety of classes of prehistoric archeological remains are represented in the field office. Locations 

containing one or more cultural features such as fire pits, remains of structures, stone alignments, and/or 

two or more artifacts, typically are classified as archeological sites, whereas individual artifacts scattered 

across the landscape typically are recorded as isolates. Different site types typically are defined by the 

types of remains that they contain and/or the topographic contexts in which they occur, both of which 

may be indicative of different prehistoric uses, different prehistoric time periods, or a variety of other 

factors. They range in size, complexity, and sensitivity from large complexes covering many acres and 

containing dense, diverse, and sensitive remains to a couple of individual surface artifacts. 

Cultural resources within the field office that are considered sensitive and potentially sacred to modern 

Native American tribes include burials, rock art, rock features and alignments (such as stone circles, 

cairns, and medicine wheels), trails, and certain religiously significant natural landscapes and features. 

These resources may be formally designated as TCPs. Other sites may be considered sacred, sensitive, or 

of importance (e.g., collecting areas) to modern Native Americans. TCPs are recognized as places rooted 

in a tribe’s history or are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of a tribe, and 
Chapter 2–Cultural Resources Final Summary of the AMS 

2-6 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

therefore, they meet the criteria for NRHP eligibility. Ceremonial areas used by Native American 

practitioners are one class of locales that may qualify as a TCP. Native American groups consider several 

areas within the field office as qualifying as TCPs. At least 10 prehistoric/Native American burial sites, 

mostly of single individuals, are known in the Upper Green River Basin region. Both scaffold burials and 

shallow pit burials have been reported in the field office. 

Prehistoric sites can have scientific, conservation, and traditional values and uses. The time period, 

location, integrity, and structure of a particular site influence the degree of its scientific value. For the 

same reasons that these sites have high scientific values, they can also have high conservation values. 

Conservation of prehistoric archeological sites also may result in better determination of areas of 

traditional cultural importance to affiliated tribes or TCPs. TCPs that manifest as prehistoric archeological 

sites may include petroglyphs, select rock alignment sites, vision quest sites, archeological ancestral sites, 

gathering and procurement areas, human burial areas, or places that hold sacred or religious importance to 

the affiliated tribe or tribes. Sacred significance is placed on or is derived from ideological beliefs about 

the residing of human spirits in given locations. EO 13007, Indian Sacred Sites, directs federal agencies 

to avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of sacred sites to the extent practicable. As detailed 

below, BLM consults with all Native American tribes that have aboriginal territories within or cultural 

affiliation with the field office as part of the Sections 106 and 110 processes to identify places of 

traditional cultural and sacred significance and determine potential impacts that could adversely affect 

areas within a proposed project area. 

Native American consultation has resulted in a tribal desire to preserve the physical integrity of TCPs as 

much as possible. Native Americans stress the interrelatedness of many of these locales and emphasize 

that BLM should consider them more holistically, as cultural landscapes. Frequently, the disturbances 

resulting from energy development, especially those associated with wildcat exploration in previously 

undeveloped areas, create direct conflict with the tribal position of preserving unspoiled cultural 

landscapes associated with TCPs and other sites and locales considered sensitive, sacred, or of concern to 

modern day traditional Native American practitioners. 

Prehistoric rock art sites include petroglyphs, which are inscriptions incised, carved, or pecked onto a 

rock surface (usually sandstone), and pictographs, which are images painted onto a rock surface. The field 

office has both types of rock art. Rock art sites are extremely fragile and, unfortunately, highly 

susceptible to vandalism. To protect rock art sites, their locations are kept confidential. (Sites 48SU1863 

and 48SU4112 are two such sites.) Because disturbance near rock art sites is also of concern to Native 

Americans, activities near such sites usually trigger Native American consultation. 

Within the field office, congressionally designated historic trails include portions of the Sublette Cutoff 

and Lander Road/Trail, both components of the Oregon/California National Historic Trails system. 

Protection of the National Historic Trails in the field office involves coordination with the National Park 

Service (NPS), which operates in an oversight capacity for these trails under the National Trails System 

Act. Management of these trails is augmented by the Comprehensive Management and Use Plan for the 

California, Pony Express, Oregon, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails prepared by the NPS in 

1999. Although many protection measures are in place, development activities (e.g., roads, pipelines, and 

power lines) can cross trails in areas where the trail has lost its NRHP characteristics and would no longer 

be considered a contributing segment to the trail because previous disturbance has occurred. 

Historic sites, which are defined as sites 50 years or older, include fur trade/rendezvous-related sites; 

historic trails and related campsites, river crossings, graves, and inscription sites; homestead remains, 

cabins, barns, other outbuildings and ranching materials, and stock maintenance camps; early oil- and 

gas-related sites and artifacts; mines; timber-industry-related sites; and artifacts, roads, and trails. Many 

historic sites are highly visible, such as cabins and historic inscriptions. As highly visible sites, they are 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Cultural Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-7 

subject to vandalism, but several methods can be used to protect these sites. In addition, the architectural 

elements for some of these sites (walls, floors, etc.) are also subject to weathering and deterioration. 

When time and money allow, efforts are made to stabilize such sites. Efforts are made to balance 

development and preservation and to determine a means of protecting them from human and natural 

harm, except in the Scab Creek and Lake Mountain WSA. The known historic cabins in the Scab Creek 

WSA are decaying naturally. The cabins need to be evaluated for NRHP eligibility and can be further 

managed by BLM. BLM’s Interim Management Policy (IMP) in WSAs indicates that such resources can 

be further rehabilitated, stabilized, or restored as long as BLM’s non-impairment criteria are met. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Existing cultural resource concerns in the Pinedale Field Office involve prehistoric archeological sites, 

TCPs, rock art, trails, and other places or properties considered sensitive to Native Americans. 

2.2.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Archeological investigations in the Rawlins Field Office indicate that prehistoric people have inhabited 

the field office for at least 12,000 years, from Paleoindian occupation to the present. Although prehistoric 

sites represent the largest percentage of cultural resource sites within the field office, historic-age sites 

including expansion-era trails, freight roads, and stage stations are common throughout the field office. 

As of December 2005, approximately 18,839 cultural resource sites had been documented. These sites 

include prehistoric and protohistoric archeological sites, historic sites, linear historic sites, and properties 

that are sacred to Native American cultures (e.g., TCPs). The majority of cultural resource sites have been 

documented during compliance-related activities resulting from federal management actions. The largest 

number of federal management actions within the Rawlins Field Office is related to oil and gas 

development, which is centered in the western portion of the field office. 

The entire field office is within the larger Northwestern Plains cultural area (Frison 1991). Prehistoric 

sites throughout the field office exhibit numerous similarities with respect to artifact assemblages, feature 

types, and function, but can also exhibit differences based on ecological setting and cultural influences 

from surrounding regions. The field office has been segmented geographically into 14 subregions. These 

subregions are identified by geographic features and allow for a better understanding of how prehistoric 

inhabitants used the greater region. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for cultural resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
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2-8 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.2.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The Rock Springs Field Office straddles a section of Wyoming with the demonstrably highest densities of 

archaeological sites and districts in the State. Known cultural resources number in the tens of thousands, 

despite the low percentage of lands inventoried to a Class III level. Historic sites, prehistoric sites, and 

TCPs are widespread throughout the field office. The areas managed by the field office also contain more 

linear miles of contributing National Historic Trails, National Historic Trail candidates, and historical 

wagon roads than any other field office in Wyoming. Tribes have identified a host of important cultural 

sites and landscapes important to the survival of their cultures and life ways. One of these sites, the White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, has become a major tourist attraction, attracting more people annually than the 

BLM Trail Interpretive Center in Casper. Important historic resources such as the South Pass National 

Historic Landmark draw thousands of visitors each season. 

Conditions have remained stable for cultural resources identified through compliance activities associated 

with Section 106 of the NHPA and the State Protocol Agreement between the Wyoming BLM and the 

Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The number of proposed, large-scale ground 

disturbing projects (i.e. renewable energy, oil and gas, coal) in the field office has increased greatly over 

the past decade. With increased development, an increase in the number of adverse impacts to cultural 

resources has occurred. While these adverse effects are being properly mitigated through compliance with 

the NHPA, the overall impact to cultural resources has resulted in a net loss of the numbers of intact 

significant resources for future generations, thereby making the surviving resources more valuable. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current cultural resource management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Trails and their settings are being rapidly impacted due to development. Large scale renewable energy 

projects (i.e., wind energy development) that dominate the landscape have the potential to compromise 

the historic setting of important trails over a large area. 

Cultural resources are suffering a downward trend in condition for those resources that are not associated 

with formal surface disturbing proposals. Illegal removal of artifacts, recreational activity (e.g., OHV 

use), limited available law enforcement, intensive grazing practices, time, weather, wildfires, and neglect 

all contribute to the downward trend. 

Based on current management practices, the potential for illegal removal of, or damage to, cultural 

resources will likely increase. This is due to projected increases in recreational access to more remote 

areas, commercial activities throughout the field office, and limited law enforcement presence. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Forestry 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-9 

2.3 FORESTRY

2.3.1 Overview 

The condition or health of forest stands varies by location. Some of the BLM field offices support forest 

and woodland ecosystems that provide multiple benefits and uses (personal and commercial). Woodland 

species include limber pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, and quaking aspen. Woodland species are 

occasionally used for firewood and decorative or hobby applications, but are not important commercially. 

Ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine are the major commercial timber species. Douglas fir and subalpine fir 

also occur, but are not commercially important. 

The general absence of large fires over the past 80 years has made forests more susceptible to disease, 

such as dwarf mistletoe, mountain pine beetle infestations, and newly introduced diseases such as white 

pine blister rust. This has increased the mortality rate and the amount of dead standing timber in federal 

forests. In addition, species such as lodgepole pine have not experienced the natural regenerative 

properties of fire. Conifers are encroaching on aspen stands, limiting aspen regeneration. Along with 

conifer encroachment, disease and insect damage are also playing a major role in the increasing mortality 

rate of older mature aspen clones. There has also been a decline in timber harvesting over the past decade, 

allowing for additional buildup of overall biomass. 

2.3.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

The Casper Field Office administers approximately 61,000 acres of forest and woodland communities. 

Approximately 8,000 acres of the forestland is identified as commercial timberland, and the remaining 

26,000 acres is identified as non-commercial timberland. Most of the commercial timberlands are located 

in Natrona and Converse counties. Ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine are the major commercial species. 

Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and quaking aspen also occur but are not commercially important. Woodland 

species include limber pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, and quaking aspen. 

Current Management Practices 

Woodland encroachment is treated in grassland, sagebrush, aspen, and other vegetative communities 

where it is determined to be detrimental to other resource values or uses. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for forestry resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.3.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

The Kemmerer Field Office administers 22,008 acres of forestland and approximately 15,000 acres of 

woodland. Forestlands are comprised of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and subalpine fir. Woodlands 

include quaking aspen, Rocky Mountain juniper, and Utah juniper. Sawtimber-sized trees are found on 

approximately 56 percent of the forestlands (BLM 1982). The 19,000 acres of forestland available for 
Chapter 2–Forestry Final Summary of the AMS 

2-10 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

forest management contain approximately 7,000 acres of mature sawtimber, with a full average annual 

allowable sale quantity of 600 thousand board feet (MBF). 

Since 1984, about 8 million board feet (MMBF) of sawtimber has been harvested from 500 acres of 

lodgepole pine forestlands throughout the Kemmerer Field Office. All of these forestlands have 

successfully regenerated, and approximately 350 acres are ready for pre-commercial thinning to optimize 

growing conditions. Approximately 250 cords of fuelwood, 50 Christmas trees, and 1,000 post and poles 

are sold annually from forestland within the Kemmerer Field Office. Virtually no forest products are 

harvested from the aspen and juniper woodlands (Schiche 2003). 

Mountain Pine Beetles are present and causing mortality throughout the entire range of forest lands with 

epidemic levels in various locations including the Commissary Ridge, Dempsey Ridge, and Uinta North 

Slope areas. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current forest management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

The following management issues and concerns have been identified for forest, grassland, and shrubland 

communities: 

 Loss of historical wildlife habitat (particularly sage-grouse), may limit opportunities for future 

vegetation treatments 

 Limit vegetation disturbance and treatments to protect habitat for special status species (such as 

sage-grouse) 

 Improve livestock grazing management and implement rotational grazing systems to improve 

sage-grouse habitat 

 Identify and implement appropriate mitigation strategies for sage-grouse when vegetation is 

disturbed for energy development or other significant activities 

 Require successful reclamation of sites disturbed for energy development. 

2.3.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Commercial forestlands are defined as being capable of producing at least 20 cubic feet (CF) of growth 

per acre per year of a tree species suitable for commercial wood products. Noncommercial forestland is 

land that has less than 20 CF of growth per acre per year or is capable of growing only noncommercial 

tree species. An inventory of the forested land within the Newcastle Field Office was completed in 1980. 

From the analysis of this inventory, eight percent of the field office (25,300 acres) is classified as 

forestlands. Within the forestlands, 62 percent (15,800 acres) is classified as commercial, and the 

remaining 38 percent (8,693 acres) is classified as nonproductive. On the commercial forestlands, the 

seedlings/saplings class accounts for two percent (374 acres), the pole class accounts for 29 percent 

(4,686 acres), while the remaining 69 percent (10,747 acres) is sawtimber. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Forestry 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-11 

Forested public lands are concentrated along the Wyoming/South Dakota state line in Weston and Crook 

counties. Small, isolated, scattered tracts of public forestlands intermixed with private land are along the 

west and northwestern portion of the Black Hills in Crook County. In the Hat Creek Breaks and the 

German Hills areas in Niobrara County, small tracts of forested public lands occur. Ponderosa pine is the 

primary commercial sawtimber species found in the field office. Noncommercial species that may be 

found in association with ponderosa pine include Rocky Mountain juniper, paper birch, bur oak, plains 

cottonwood, and quaking aspen. 

The 25,300 acres of forestland are classified to one of four forest management categories: 

 Lands available for intensive management of forest products are areas where forest 

management is the primary use and where other resource uses or values occur but are not 

emphasized (0 acres). 

 Lands available for restricted management of forest products are areas where multiple use or 

other resource values are emphasized, but timber harvest occurs (15,800 acres). 

 Lands where the forest management is for the enhancement of other uses are areas where 

forest management activities are specifically for the benefit of other identified resource uses or 

values (9,083 acres). 

 Forestlands not available for management of forest products are areas where no forest 

management is planned (417 acres). 

During the past decade, approximately 600 acres (10%) of the commercial forest acres have been 

harvested using two- or three-cut shelterwood harvest, commercial, and precommercial thinning. This is 

the accepted silvicultural practice in harvesting ponderosa pine. The harvest of trees is done with rubbertired skidders or whole tree mechanical harvesters. The major wood product users in the field office 

include sawmills located in Newcastle and Hulett, Wyoming and Spearfish, South Dakota. These mills 

receive most of their supply of timber from the Black Hills National Forest with the remaining supply 

coming from private, state, and BLM-administered public lands. 

Minor forest products (fuelwood, post and poles, and Christmas trees) are sold on a public demand basis. 

The demand for these forest products in the past has been low to nonexistent and has been met by the 

Forest Service (USFS) or private landowners. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current forest management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for forestry resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Forestry Final Summary of the AMS 

2-12 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.3.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The planning area contains approximately 31,590 acres of forestland and an additional 15,280 acres of 

woodland for total forest acreage of 46,870. The forestlands have commercial conifer tree species that are 

in economic demand for milling into salable lumber and that could be managed for sustained yield. The 

commercial conifer species include lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir. 

Forestlands also include nonstocked areas that have supported or are capable of supporting one or more of 

the commercial conifer tree species. The primary woodland species are aspen and limber pine. 

The average annual historical harvest of forest products within the planning area is as follows: 

 Years 1995–1999 

– Timber sales: 495 MBF or 990 hundred CF (CCF), covering 105 acres 

 Years 1998–2006 

– Christmas trees: 312 

– Wildings: 4 

– Firewood: 20 CCF 

– Posts and poles: 6 CCF 

– Personal Use saw timber: 400 board feet (BF) or 80 CF. 

Much of the forest acreage is concentrated along the northern, eastern, and western boundaries of the 

planning area and occurs on north and east slopes as narrow, stringer-like stands that originate from larger 

blocks of timber at higher elevation on USFS lands. For analysis purposes, the area has been divided into 

four individual management units: 

 The Deadline-Pinegrove Unit, which lies between South Piney Creek and LaBarge Creek, 

includes the Graphite elk winter range, Riley Ridge elk winter range, and Rock Creek Area of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The unit contains an estimated 13,448 acres of 

forestland and 3,510 woodland acres, of which 1,322 acres of forestland and 180 woodland acres 

are in the Rock Creek drainage, 2,117 acres of forestland and 840 woodland acres are in the 

Graphite winter range, and 1,028 acres of forestland and 153 woodland acres are in the Riley 

Ridge winter range. 

 The North Piney Unit, which lies between the Maki Creek drainage and South Piney Creek, 

includes two elk feed grounds: Finnegan and North Piney. The unit contains approximately 5,158 

acres of forestland and 4,451 woodland acres, of which 708 acres of forestland and 354 woodland 

acres are in the feed grounds. 

 The Miller Mountain Unit, which lies between LaBarge Creek and Fontenelle Creek, includes the 

Fort Hill-Fontenelle elk winter range. The unit contains 8,191 forested acres (4,241 acres of 

forestland and 3,950 acres of woodland), of which 277 acres of forestland and 145 woodland 

acres are in the elk winter range. In addition to the forest resource, the Miller Mountain Unit 

provides yearlong habitat for 200 to 400 elk. 

 The Eastside-Hoback Unit consists of scattered parcels and blocks of forested land along the 

eastern and northern boundaries of the planning area. The unit contains the Scab Creek area and 

the Franz elk feed ground. The unit is composed of 8,743 acres of forestland and 3,369 woodland 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Forestry 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-13 

acres. The Franz feeding ground has roughly 127 acres of trees (75 acres of forestland and 52 

acres of woodland). The Scab Creek area has 184 acres of forestland and 271 woodland acres. 

Conditions of the forestlands vary from young, healthy, relatively insect- and disease-free stands to those 

that are quite old with high levels of insect and disease activity and high mortality rates. Most forestland 

stands in the planning area are starting to exhibit a reduction in vigor and growth and increases in disease 

and insect susceptibility are resulting in mortality. Inventory data indicate that current mortality rates vary 

from zero volume loss in young seedling and sapling stands to 18.4 CF per acre per year in the spruce-fir 

saw timber stands. The average mortality rate for all stands is approximately 7.7 CF per acre per year or a 

total yearly loss level of nearly 1.64 MMBF. About 98 percent (1.61 MMBF) of the mortality is 

commercial conifers. Primary insects or diseases include bark beetles, dwarf mistletoe, root diseases, and 

several varieties of rusts. 

Analyses of the Stage II inventory data in the 2005 Wyoming BLM Forest and Woodland Management 

Action Plan using the Fire Regime and Condition Class guidelines show that 7,900 acres of the forested 

lands are in Condition Class 1; 20,500 acres are in Condition Class 2; and 3,200 acres are in Condition 

Class 3. Condition Class 1 considers that the vegetation and fuel conditions are within the natural range of 

variability that occurred under the natural fire regime with all the ecological components intact. Condition 

Classes 2 and 3 are uncharacteristic moderate to high departures from the reference condition and 

components of the natural vegetation may be or are at risk for loss from the ecosystem in the event of a 

disturbance. 

Current Management Practices 

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

Mechanical surface disturbing activities are prohibited and no forest products will be removed from 

WSAs. In addition, up to 700 acres of woodlands could undergo vegetation treatment per year. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for forestry resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.3.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Forested areas within the Rawlins Field Office are mainly located within several mountainous areas: 

Shirley Mountain, located in the north-central part of the field office; Elk Mountain, located in the southcentral part of the field office; Ferris Mountains WSA, located in the north-central part of the field office; 

Seminoe Mountain; Bennett Mountain; Powder Rim; and the Laramie Peaks area. There are also a 

number of forested areas on the fringe of the national forest boundaries. The total acreage of forested land 

managed by BLM within the field office is 196,934 acres, or approximately one percent of the total land 

surface within the field office. The majority of commercial timber in the Rawlins Field Office is located 

within the Shirley Mountain and Elk Mountain areas. 

The condition or health of forest stands varies by location. The general absence of large fires over the past 

80 years has made forests more susceptible to disease such as dwarf mistletoe, mountain pine beetle 
Chapter 2–Forestry Final Summary of the AMS 

2-14 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

infestations, and newly introduced diseases, such as white pine blister rust, which has increased the 

mortality rate and the amount of dead standing timber in federal forests. In addition, species such as 

lodgepole pine have not experienced the natural regenerative properties of fire. Conifers are encroaching 

on aspen stands, limiting aspen regeneration. Along with conifer encroachment, disease and insect 

damage are also playing a major role in the increasing mortality rate of older mature aspen clones. There 

has also been a decline in timber harvesting over the past decade, allowing for additional buildup of 

overall biomass. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current forest management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for forestry resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.3.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The Rock Springs Field Office contains about 7,900 acres of commercial forest land. Total estimated 

standing volume is 13,972,439 CF or 62,875,974 BF of trees that are five inches diameter breast height or 

larger. Sawtimber accounts for 4,037 acres or 51 percent of the total commercial forest land. This timber 

type is mature to over mature. Many of these stands are decadent and exhibit considerable mortality. Lack 

of past management actions has resulted in unhealthy stand conditions. Pole timber accounts for 3,549 

acres and many of these stands are as old as the sawtimber stands. However, these trees are smaller in size 

because of over stocking and resulting growth stagnation. The 357 acres of seedlings/saplings is a result 

of past harvest activities or previous burns. 

Current Management Practices 

Approximately 1,436 acres of commercial timber within big game winter ranges are closed to logging 

activity, usually from November 15 to April 30. If the logging unit encompasses big game parturition 

habitats, the area is closed to timber harvest activities usually from May 1 through June 30. Logging 

activity within grouse nesting sites and raptor nesting sites is prohibited from February 1 to July 31. 

Woodland forest acreage will be maintained. Treatments may be implemented that influence successional 

stages, but such treatments will not permanently convert the areas to another vegetation type. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Issues to be addressed for forest management include determining the current management levels that are 

to be maintained and enhanced to promote the health, productivity, and biological diversity of forest and 

woodland ecosystems. Future planning must also create a balance of forest resource benefits and uses 

(personal and commercial). Various levels of management practices and harvesting will need to be 

determined and monitored to assure sustainability while providing both commercial and personal 

opportunities. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-15 

2.4 LANDS AND REALTY

2.4.1 Overview 

The BLM Lands and Realty Program includes rights-of-way (ROW) and corridor management, land 

acquisition and disposal, easement acquisition, withdrawals, land use authorizations, and trespass 

identification and abatement. ROW and corridor management includes a broad range of projects, such as 

pipelines, utilities, and roads. The land acquisition and disposal activities include exchanges, purchases, 

sales, donations, and condemnations. Withdrawals are formal actions that set aside, withhold, or reserve 

federal lands for specific public purposes. These public purposes may include military reservations, 

administrative sites, National Parks, National Forests, reclamation projects, recreation sites, and stock and 

power site reserves. The Recreation and Public Purposes Act allows for communities or others to obtain 

leases and patents for public land for such uses as parks or other recreation sites. 

BLM-administered lands are used for a wide variety of purposes and conflict among competing uses is 

common. The FLPMA is the primary statute governing management of public lands and the primary 

authority for activities within the lands program. The Mineral Leasing Act is the authority for oil and gas 

pipeline projects. Generally, RMP decisions cover all BLM-managed federal surface lands and federal 

mineral estate. 

Resources and uses of the land are diverse, ranging from oil and gas development to grazing, wildlife 

habitat, and recreation. The current land use environment is characterized by an increase in oil and gas 

development and private and urban development. The expected increase in oil and gas production, as well 

as the potential for development of alternative energy sources, such as wind energy, is likely to have a 

greater impact on land distribution and use in the near future. Changes in the ownership of surrounding 

private land also have an impact on the development of public lands. The most important characteristic of 

such ownership changes may be the resultant fragmentation and isolation of segregated parcels of public 

land. 

2.4.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Within the Casper Field Office, the lands and realty program objectives are to manage the public lands to 

support goals and objectives of other resource programs, respond to public requests for land use 

authorizations, and acquire administrative and public access where necessary. 

Leases, permits, and easements under FLPMA are also issued to authorize uses of public land ranging 

from long-term (leases) to a few days (filming permits). Although the Casper Field Office currently has 

no leases or easements under this section of FLPMA, there have been permits in the past and there are 

likely to be permits in the future. 

ROWs are granted on a case-by-case basis, and the majority of those granted over the past 20 years have 

been for oil and gas gathering systems, power lines, and roads. ROWs are authorized to meet public or 

commercial demands. The preferred method of land disposal is by exchange. 

Current Management Practices 

There are 224,834 acres of public lands identified as potentially suitable for disposal. At the 

implementation stage, site-specific analysis with public participation will be conducted. Based on the 
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2-16 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

analysis and public comments received, a determination will be made on whether disposal of the parcel is 

in the public’s best interest. If it is not in the public’s best interest, the parcel will be retained in public 

ownership. 

Renewable wind energy development is allowed in areas identified as having outstanding/superb potential 

(power classes 6 and 7) or fair/good/excellent potential (power classes 3, 4, and 5). These areas are 

estimated to contain 1,145,597 acres of public surface. Solar energy development will be evaluated on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Avoidance and exclusion areas include the areas identified as necessary for the protection of specific 

resource values or uses. Avoidance and exclusion areas for ROWs contain 539,799 and 442,040 acres of 

public land, respectively. Avoidance and exclusion areas for renewable wind energy development contain 

458,006 and 363,578 acres of public surface, respectively. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Land disposals and acquisitions could provide improved access and manageability of public lands. 

Scattered small parcels are difficult to manage. Acquisitions of parcels that can provide access to large 

blocks of public land or to public land with unique resources are desirable. Land exchanges have been 

used to acquire and protect lands adjoining high-value public lands. 

Increases in population and mineral development will result in the need for additional ROW for utilities to 

support community and industrial infrastructures. Telecommunications technology is resulting in 

expansion of telephone and fiber optic systems and wireless communication sites to provide optimum 

coverage. 

2.4.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

The Kemmerer Field Office contains approximately 1.5 million acres of private land, 840,000 acres of 

other federal (Bureau of Reclamation [BOR], USFWS, USFS, and NPS) land, 155,000 acres of state land, 

and 1.4 million acres of BLM-administered surface land. 

ROW activities and access efforts include a broad range of projects, such as pipelines, utilities, and roads. 

The land acquisition and disposal activities include exchanges, purchases, donations, and land sales. 

Withdrawals are formal actions that set aside, withhold, or reserve federal lands for public purposes. 

These public purposes may include military reservations, administrative sites, national parks, national 

forests, reclamation projects, recreation sites, and stock and power site reserves. 

ROWs are granted on a case-by-case basis and the majority of those granted over the past 20 years have 

been for oil and gas gathering systems, power lines, and roads. Historically, most pipeline ROWs within 

the field office are buried. The preferred method of land disposal is exchange.

Current Management Practices 

The field office conducts reviews of withdrawals, and determines whether the withdrawal is still 

necessary. Only lands that will enhance multiple-use management and protection of nationally significant 

resource values and do not create a liability or burdensome management cost to the BLM will be 

considered for revocation. New withdrawals will be considered as the need arises. New requests will be 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-17 

processed for protection of resources prior to lifting existing withdrawals when those withdrawals are in 

the same location. Areas that contain withdrawal conflicts will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

At the implementation stage, site-specific analysis with public participation would be conducted. Based 

on the analysis and public comments received, a determination will be made on whether disposal of the 

parcel is in the public’s best interest. If it is not in the public’s best interest, the parcel will be retained in 

public ownership. 

Lands identified for potential disposal (35,500 acres) and additional parcels will be considered on a caseby-case basis. Lands identified for disposal under Sections 203 and 206 of the FLPMA and identified as 

such in this plan are hereby classified for disposal under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, as 

amended (43 USC 315f). 

Designate utility corridors based on use (i.e., power lines, pipelines, and fiber optic lines). 

Preferred utility corridors are two miles wide (width is determined based on resource values) and 

designated as follows, but variances are allowed based on application where conflicts with other resources 

are minimal or can be mitigated through resource-specific stipulations: 

 New intrastate pipeline authorizations are established linking the Jonah Gas/Pinedale Anticline 

fields to existing plant sites in the field office. New interstate pipeline authorizations are to follow 

the existing California and Pacific Coast States pipelines (Kern River/Colorado Interstate Gas 

corridor and the Ignacius/Sumas pipelines west to Muddy Creek Compressor area). 

 Gathering pipelines for individual wells, usually six inches or less in diameter, are to follow 

access roads associated with well pads. 

 High-voltage power line corridors are established north of, and parallel to, I-80 and along 

Wyoming SH 89 from the junction of I-80 and the Wyoming state line. 

 Fiber optic and low-voltage power line corridors are to be located along currently established 

road systems (e.g., interstate or state highways and paved county roads). 

The federal lands within the boundary of the following archeological sites are exclusion areas to ROW 

placement: 

 Emigrant Spring/Slate Creek (87 acres) 

 Emigrant Spring/Dempsey (11 acres) 

 Johnston Scout Rock (2 acres) 

 Alfred Corum and Nancy Hill emigrant gravesites (0.5 acre) 

 Pine Grove emigrant camp (14 acres) 

 Rocky Gap trail landmark (15 acres) 

 Bear River Divide trail landmark (3 acres). 

Consider communication sites by type in the following designated areas: Aspen Mountain, Boulder 

Ridge, Carter Creek, Cokeville Ridge, Fontenelle, Granger, Kemmerer Site, Medicine Butte, Quealy 

Peak, Robertson, Thomas Fork, Waterfall, Big Hill, Butcher Knife, Church Buttes, Dempsey Ridge, 

Fossil Ridge, Hickey Mountain, Leroy, Pine Knoll, Road Hollow, Sage Junction, and Twin Butte/Nugget. 

Renewable energy projects (other than wind energy) will be considered throughout the field office on a 

case-by-case basis. 
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2-18 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

The Kemmerer Field Office is available for consideration of wind energy projects where conflicts with 

other resource values are limited or can be mitigated. The following portions of the field office are 

unavailable for wind energy development projects: 

 Raymond Mountain WSA (32,808) 

 Emigrant Spring/Slate Creek (87 acres) 

 Bear River Divide management area (74,954 acres) 

 Emigrant Spring/Dempsey (11 acres) 

 Rock Creek/Tunp management area (45,863 acres) 

 Johnston Scout Rock (2 acres) 

 Bridger Butte ACEC (727 acres) 

 Rocky Gap trail landmark (15 acres) 

 Bridger Antelope Trap (640 acres) 

 Pine Grove emigrant camp (14 acres) 

 Bear River Divide trail landmark (3 acres) 

 Alfred Corum and Nancy Hill emigrant gravesites (0.5 acre) 

 Within the restricted zones for surface disturbance around National Historic Trails. 

Available portions of the field office are recommended for wind energy development due to reduced 

resource conflicts. Wind energy development is preferred in the following areas: the public lands west of 

U.S. Highway 30 to the Wyoming/Idaho state line (also known as Boundary Ridge); the public land south 

and east of U.S. Highway 189 (excluding Oyster Ridge) to the checkerboard land pattern; the 

checkerboard lands (excluding the federal section that contains the Bridger Antelope Trap, the federal 

sections within three miles of the Bridger Antelope Trap, and the federal sections in which the Class 1 

National Historic Trail segments exist); the blocked BLM-administered lands north of I-80 and west of 

SH 412; the BLM- administered lands south of I-80 and east of SH 412/414 outside of the checkerboard; 

the blocked BLM- administered lands outside of a corridor extending approximately three miles 

southwest of SH 414 to a corridor extending three miles southeast of SH 410/County Road 283 (780,714 

acres of BLM- administered surface). 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns include the following: 

 Conflicts with land tenure adjustments (disposal) and sage-grouse key habitat areas 

 Conflicts with overhead power line ROWs and sage-grouse key habitat areas 

 Conflicts with wind energy development areas identified in the 2010 RMP and sage-grouse key 

habitat areas 

 Potential acquisition of sage-grouse key habitat areas. 

2.4.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

The Newcastle Field Office is comprised of approximately five million acres in Crook, Niobrara, and 

Weston counties. The BLM administers about 291,000 acres (60%) of federal surface underlain by federal 

minerals. The BLM also administers 1.4 million acres of split estate (nonfederal surface underlain by 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-19 

federal minerals). The public lands in the field office consist primarily of small, isolated tracts. There are 

few areas of concentrated public lands. Of the public lands in the field office, 60 percent have legal access 

although only 38 percent have practical legal vehicle access. 

Land disposals in the field office have been completed for both exchanges and sales. There were 13 land 

sales, totaling 616 acres, from 1985 through 1989. There were three land exchanges, totaling 2,016 acres, 

from 1985 through 1990. Local demand for land disposal actions has been low because of high market 

value, processing timeframes, lower workload priority, and lack of funding for processing small parcels 

(1 to 120 acres) of public land. If these current practices continue, the demand for disposal actions would 

not be expected to increase significantly. 

All public lands, except some withdrawals and the Whoopup Canyon ACEC, have been available for 

ROWs and temporary use permits. There are 317 ROWs and two temporary use permits affecting 

approximately 4,000 acres of public lands in the field office. The majority of ROWs are granted for 

access roads, pipelines, and electrical distribution lines associated with oil and gas wells and production 

facilities. These ROWs may be temporary (six months to two years) for wells that are dry holes or used 

for an extended period (more than two years) when wells produce oil or gas. 

The number of ROWs granted averages from 10 to 15 annually and may fluctuate depending on the level 

of oil and gas activities in the area. ROWs are located next to existing facilities whenever possible; 

common use is required whenever feasible. Utility corridors have not been designated because of the 

scattered public land pattern in the Newcastle Field Office. Only existing utility and transportation ROWs 

have the potential to decrease the need for new ROW routes; for example, power lines or buried telephone 

cables that use existing road ROWs. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current lands and realty management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for lands and realty as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.4.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The Pinedale Field Office includes only those lands within Sublette and Lincoln counties that are 

administered by the BLM (approximately 922,880 surface acres and 1,199,280 acres of federal mineral 

estate). Although BLM administers the leasing of the mineral estate underlying USFS and BOR 

withdrawn lands, mineral management decisions on these lands are made by the surface management 

agency. On many of the private lands, the mineral estate (either all of the minerals or portions of the 

minerals) is reserved to the U.S. Government. In these cases, the mineral estate is administered by BLM, 

although the private landowners administer the surface estate. 

Current Management Practices 

Proposals for land tenure adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Before any land tenure 

adjustments are made, the appropriate level of environmental analysis will be conducted on the proposal. 
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2-20 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

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. 

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. 

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. 

New power lines will be buried to the extent practicable. 

Exceptions to ROW avoidance areas will be considered if the activity is within the corridors identified 

above or if the activity meets the following criteria: 

 Does not create substantial surface disturbance 

 Is located in areas with a high potential for successful reclamation 

 Has impacts that would be temporary 

 Is compatible with other resource values being protected 

 Is beneficial to the resources being managed. 

ROWs for communication sites will be processed on a case-by-case basis with the following criteria: 

 Emphasis will be on development on already-existing multiple use sites rather than on 

establishing new sites. 

 Towers on all sites will be restricted to heights not requiring lighting. 

 All new and replacement towers will be self-supporting and non-guyed. 

 New users on all sites will be responsible for notifying existing users of frequencies and for 

resolving any interference problems with existing facilities. 

 Proposals for alternative energy development will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

 Alternative energy development will be avoided in sensitive areas, including: 

– Raptor concentration areas 

– Neotropical bird migration routes, as determined by site-specific monitoring 

– Within three miles of occupied sage-grouse leks 

– Sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

– WSAs, Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMA), ACECs, and other Special 

Designations/Management Areas (SD/MA) 

– Lander Trail, Sublette Cutoff Trail, and sensitive Native American and cultural sites 

identified for No Surface Occupancy (NSO) stipulations or unavailable for oil and gas leasing 

– Crucial big game winter ranges. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-21 

No new centralized compression facilities will be permitted in the Wind River Front MA (approximately 

201,240 acres). Wellhead compression for individual wells will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for lands and realty as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.4.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

The Rawlins Field Office manages approximately 3.5 million acres of public land. Resources and uses of 

the land are diverse, ranging from oil and gas development to grazing, wildlife habitat, and recreation. 

The current land use environment is characterized by an increase in development by the oil and gas 

industry and in private and urban development. The expected increase in oil and gas production, as well 

as the potential for development of alternative energy sources such as wind energy, is likely to have a 

greater impact on land distribution and use in the near future. Changes in the ownership of surrounding 

private land also have an impact on the development of public lands. The most important characteristic of 

such ownership changes may be the resultant fragmentation and isolation of segregated parcels of public 

land. 

Over the past 20 years there has been a trend of selling private lands to realtors, who then sell 40 acre 

tracts to willing buyers seeking to “own a piece of the West.” As this ownership and land use changes in 

the future, there is potential for management of the public lands to become much more complicated, with 

potential conflicts and increased impacts to BLM-administered areas. Over the past 12 years, Carbon 

County has developed a land use plan and zoning regulations to guide land development for preserving 

values such as open space and crucial wildlife habitat, protecting private property rights, and maintaining 

efficient services by promoting rural expansion closer to existing communities and infrastructure. Where 

similar values exist, BLM management prescriptions and permitted action should facilitate the planning 

and zoning implemented by Carbon County. Values on adjacent public lands benefit from these policies 

but would be better protected while ensuring that private land values are maintained if further land surface 

exchanges were to occur. 

Land Ownership Adjustment 

Under the disposal criteria of the FLPMA, about 63,460 acres were identified for consideration of 

disposal. However, that acreage figure was reduced to 46,230 because parcels that contain legal access 

across them were eliminated from consideration for disposal. 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 Grazing Act of 1934 as amended (43 USC 315f) under EO 6910, and under 43 CFR 2400. 

Exchanges are subject to the procedures outlined in CFR 43, Chapter II, Part 2200, Sections 0–6. 

The Rawlins Field Office staff considers land exchanges on a case-by-case basis, as they are proposed. 

All lands considered for disposal through FLPMA sale must meet one or more of the criteria outlined in 

Section 203(a) of FLPMA. These criteria characterize lands for potential disposal as lands that are 

difficult or uneconomical to manage; lands acquired for a specific purpose but no longer required for that 

or another federal purpose; or lands that will serve important public objectives, including but not limited 

to expansion of communities and economic development that outweigh other public objectives and 

values. 
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2-22 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Withdrawals/Classifications 

Withdrawals and classifications are typically placed on land or minerals to protect resource values or 

existing facilities, although they can selectively prohibit some management actions that would otherwise 

protect additional resource values. Most of the withdrawals and classifications that have been 

implemented have prohibited mineral and agricultural entry and disposal, but some have also prohibited 

nonmetalliferous mineral entry and disposal of coal, limited rather than prohibited mineral entry, or 

protected water sources. Withdrawals and classifications are periodically reviewed to determine whether 

they are serving their intended purpose and may be revoked if they are not. 

Current withdrawals of public land comprise approximately 935,530 acres within the field office 

(Valentine 2002). In the past, the largest withdrawals have been made for coal, oil shale, and stock 

driveways, with coal representing the largest withdrawal at over 600,000 acres. BOR lands and public 

water reserves constitute more than 120,000 acres. The remaining acres that have been withdrawn include 

wildlife refuges, air navigation sites, power sites, and administrative sites. 

Utility/Transportation System 

Leases and ROW grants occur throughout the field office. The majority of leases and grants within the 

field office are for oil and gas development. Wind energy development ROWs on BLM-managed land 

comprise approximately 12,400 acres and 35 wind turbines (as of mid-2010) on public land. Additionally, 

there are 34 meteorological tower authorizations covering approximately 636,700 acres of public land and 

two wind energy development project proposals (currently under NEPA review/analyses) that comprise 

124,000 acres and approximately 1,000 wind turbines. 

Transportation and Utility Right-of-Way Corridors 

Existing major transportation and utility ROWs provide an adequate net (de facto corridor) for the 

placement and development of future ROWs. However, current ROW width may not be sufficient to meet 

the offset requirements for interstate transmission of telephone communication, electric power, fluid 

mineral resources, and interstate commercial and private travel. These facilities include— 

 The state and interstate highway system (I-80 and I-25), Federal Highway 287, and State Routes 

789 and 230. 

 Major natural gas delivery systems (i.e., Sinclair pipeline system from Sinclair, Wyoming, to 

Billings, Montana; CIG pipeline from Greasewood, Colorado, to Wamsutter, Wyoming; Lost 

Creek pipeline from Crooks Gap to Wamsutter; Exxon/Frontier Pipeline in the northwest portion 

of the Rawlins Field Office; Pioneer/Conoco pipeline from Croydon, Utah, to Sinclair, Wyoming, 

along the I-80 corridor; and I-80 and I-25 highway routes utilized for major natural gas pipeline 

transportation routes). 

 Electric transmission lines (i.e., Wyoming Area Power Administration [WAPA] electric power 

delivery system corridor from Seminoe Reservoir to Cheyenne; the power line located in the 

northwest portion of the Rawlins Field Office, from I-80 heading north-northeast to the Rawlins 

Field Office boundary; the Spence-Bairoil-Jim Bridger 230 kV transmission line; and the electric 

transmission line running northeast from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Nebraska). 

These corridors, with the exception of the WAPA line, Federal Highway 287, and State Route 789, 

satisfied future needs for energy transmission as identified by the 1993 Western Utility Group (WUG) 

Western Regional Corridor Study. Recent requests for new energy transmission facilities initiated 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-23 

primarily by the need to meet the increasing demand for “green energy” in the West, and offset spacing 

requirements between existing and new high voltage lines (up to 500MW capacity lines) will need to be 

considered where new transmission lines proposed to cross greater-sage grouse key habitat areas. 

Land Consolidations 

Land is consolidated through fee or easement acquisition, exchange, condemnation, and donation 

processes. Currently, there are no active efforts to consolidate land within the field office. However, 

proposals are currently being evaluated and field office staff members will consider any proposal in 

relation to land exchange criteria. 

Current Management Practices 

The Rawlins Field Office is open to operation of the public land laws and/or to locatable mineral entry 

(Mining Law of 1872) except for 935,530 acres of existing withdrawals. 

In compliance with Section 204(1) of FLPMA, reviews of withdrawn lands in the Rawlins Field Office 

will be completed to determine whether existing withdrawals are serving or are needed for their intended 

purposes. The existing withdrawals in the field office will remain in place unless or until it is determined 

they should be terminated and, if necessary, a plan amendment to the Rawlins RMP is made. Such 

determination or amendment will be based on 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 will be pursued and 

implemented prior to terminating any existing withdrawals. 

Coal classifications on 671,768 acres in the field office are no longer necessary because (1) the Federal 

Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 requires competitive leasing on all, not just known, deposits of 

federal coal; and (2) the Multiple Mineral Development Act of 1954 established procedures to regulate 

conflicts between coal leases and mining claims. Existing withdrawals will be reviewed and terminated, 

as appropriate. 

All BLM-administered public lands, except WSAs and some SD/MAs (including ACECs), are open to 

consideration for placement of transportation and utility ROW systems. Each transportation system and 

utility ROW will be located adjacent to existing facilities, when possible. Areas with important or 

sensitive resource values will be avoided. Existing major transportation and utility ROW routes will be 

designated corridors. However, major transportation routes within the Rawlins Field Office that are 

located east of the Carbon County-Albany County line will not be considered for ROW corridor 

designation because of the scattered public landownership pattern in the area. All corridors will be 

designated for power lines (above ground and buried), telephone lines, fiber optic lines, pipelines, and 

other linear type ROWs. Specific proposals will require site-specific environmental analysis and 

compliance with established permitting processes. Activities generally excluded from ROW corridors 

include mineral materials disposal, range and wildlife habitat improvements involving surface disturbance 

and facility construction, campgrounds, and public recreation facilities and other facilities that would 

attract public use. ROW facilities will not be placed adjacent to each other if issues with safety, 

incompatibility, or resource conflicts are identified. The designated width, allowable uses, and excluded 

uses for each corridor may be modified during implementation of the Approved RMP. All designated 

ROW corridors will avoid, to the extent possible, these areas. Mitigation requirements will be applied to 

activities related to utility/transportation systems to protect important resource values. 
Chapter 2–Lands and Realty Final Summary of the AMS 

2-24 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Certain lands withdrawn for Seminoe Reservoir (2,000 acres) are currently managed by BOR. The BOR 

identified these lands for revocation—to date, this revocation is not finalized. Certain lands withdrawn for 

the Savery-Pot Hook Project (1,205 acres) were revoked by Public Land Order (PLO) 7680 (72 FR 

52386) dated September 13, 2007 (these lands are now under BLM jurisdiction). The lands considered for 

revocation have been reviewed by BOR and a determination made that the lands are suitable for return to 

public domain status because they are no longer needed for the purpose for which they were withdrawn. 

Lands considered for revocation have been reviewed by BLM for management options and a 

determination made that these lands will be managed the same as adjacent public lands. 

About 46,230 acres of BLM-administered public lands meet the FLPMA disposal criteria and are 

available for consideration for disposal. Before taking any disposal action, consideration will be given to 

each individual tract and will include public involvement. The preferred method of disposal, 

consolidation, or acquisition of lands by BLM is through exchange. 

The area within one-quarter mile of the incorporated boundaries of all cities/towns (1,500 acres) is open 

to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. Existing oil and gas leases will be intensively managed. 

Areas with important resource values will be avoided (569,500 acres) or excluded (98,440 acres) in 

planning for new wind energy facility placement. If it becomes necessary for facilities to be placed within 

avoidance areas, effects will be intensively managed. 

Areas with important resource values will be avoided where possible in planning for new facility 

placement (600,290 acres). If it becomes necessary for facilities (i.e., linear ROWs) to be placed within 

avoidance areas, effects will be intensively managed. The location of new communication sites will be 

evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for lands and realty as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.4.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The majority of surface land and mineral estate within the Rock Springs Field Office is owned by the 

federal government. Principal non-federal landowners are the Anadarko Corporation, Rock Springs 

Grazing Association, and the State of Wyoming. The checkerboard land pattern that resulted from early 

railroad grants made by the federal government to the Union Pacific Railroad Company crosses the field 

office from east to west (now owned by Anadarko Company). Nearly every odd-numbered section within 

20 miles each side of the railroad mainline ROW is under private ownership. This ownership pattern 

creates a major impact on resource management. Lands north and south of the checkerboard are 

predominantly solid blocked public lands. Two major cities (Green River and Rock Springs), one 

incorporated town (Superior), and several unincorporated populated areas (Reliance, Eden-Farson, 

Jamestown-Rio Vista, Point of Rocks, Table Rock, Bitter Creek, Burntfork, Lonetree, and McKinnon) are 

located within the field office. 

Current Management Practices 

Areas designated as utility windows, ROW concentration areas, and existing communication sites will be 

preferred locations for future grants. Five windows have been identified: two east-west, and three north-
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Lands and Realty 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-25 

south. Windows one-half mile in width have been identified for the placement of utilities. The northern 

east-west window will be for underground facilities only, and the southern east-west window will be for 

both above and below ground facilities. A one-half mile wide north-south window on the west side of 

Flaming Gorge, a window south along Highway 430, and a north-south window along the east side of 

Flaming Gorge have been identified for above and below ground utilities. 

Easements will be pursued where practical, to provide access to public lands for recreational, wildlife, 

range, cultural/historical, mineral, special management area, and other resource management needs (about 

300 acres). 

The remainder of the field office will be open to geophysical exploration, with application of appropriate 

mitigation. ROW limitations in the field office apply to on- and off-road vehicle traffic used for 

geophysical activities. Exploration activities will be allowed in sensitive resource areas only if they can be 

performed with acceptable mitigation of impacts. 

The field office, with the exception of defined exclusion and avoidance areas, will be open to considering 

grants for ROWs if area objectives can be met. Exclusion areas are closed to ROWs. Avoidance and 

special management areas not identified as exclusion areas will be open to consideration only after sitespecific analysis demonstrates area objectives can be met. The extent of ROW exclusion and avoidance 

areas is based on the location of specific sensitive resources. 

Development levels may be adjusted and/or additional mitigation may be applied to proposed activities as 

appropriate and necessary to protect resource values. Adjustments could be made to ensure that additional 

ROWs will not cause fragmentation and abandonment of wildlife habitat and will still meet stated 

management objectives, safeguard sensitive resources, and not result in significant or irreversible adverse 

effects. Proposals will be analyzed in subsequent NEPA or other documents (such as site-specific NEPA 

analysis for well sites) in accordance with law and policy. Changes will be based on consideration of 

several factors including: 

 Data trends for indicators on the viability of potentially impacted wildlife and other sensitive 

resources, including impacts on indicators from other causes such as disease, drought, or hunting. 

 Fragmentation of habitat and migration pathways due to surface disturbance. 

 Net amount of surface disturbance, including approved development activities or ROWs that will 

be implemented in nearby areas, and planned reclamation of existing surface disturbances. 

 Amount and location of actual land use activity. 

The transportation plan also applies to the transport of gas, condensate, or water via pipelines and electric 

power transmission (buried power lines) within the field office. Pipelines and buried power lines 

generally will be located adjacent to roads to reduce new surface disturbance. 

To the extent possible, utility and transportation ROWs will be located to coincide with existing roads, 

trails, and other ROW or easement concentration areas where they will not create safety hazards or 

conflict with other resource objectives. Linear ROWs will be considered as part of transportation planning 

and included as part of travel management plans. 
Chapter 2–Lands and Realty Final Summary of the AMS 

2-26 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for lands and realty as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-27 

2.5 MINERAL RESOURCES/RENEWABLE ENERGY

2.5.1 Overview 

Mineral resources include the individual resources of leasable, locatable, and salable (common variety) 

minerals. 

Leasable Minerals 

Leasable minerals include energy and non-energy minerals regulated under the Mineral Leasing Act of 

1920 as amended and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Such minerals include, but are not limited to, 

oil and gas, coal, oil shale, phosphate, and sodium brine. Leasable minerals are available through a system 

of competitive and non-competitive leases. 

Oil and Gas 

Wyoming is the number one producer of federal onshore oil and the number two producer of federal 

onshore gas in the United States. The oil and gas program can be broadly categorized into the following 

four functional areas: (1) lease operations, (2) inspection and enforcement of lease operations, (3) 

planning and policy related to oil and gas actions, and (4) geophysical exploration. Federal mineral estate 

and existing oil and gas leases are included on Map 4 and major oil and gas field locations are shown on 

Map 5. 

Coal 

The BLM manages coal leasing and other administrative duties related to coal production on federal coal 

lands throughout the U.S. Wyoming has the largest federal coal program within the BLM, and is also the 

nation’s largest producer of coal, producing about 34 percent of the nation’s coal. The majority of 

Wyoming coal is used for steam generation in the electrical utility industry. Coal production in Wyoming 

has increased dramatically since the early 1970s. 

Locatable Minerals 

Locatable minerals include all minerals subject to exploration, development, and production under the 

provisions of the Mining Law of 1872. They include metallic and non-metallic minerals such as gold, 

silver, specialty clays, and zeolites. Locatability is determined by a case-by-case validity examination. 

Unlike leasable minerals (e.g., oil, gas, or coal) or salable minerals (e.g., sand and gravel) where issuance 

of a lease or permit is at the BLM’s discretion, the discovery and location of a locatable mineral claim is 

at the discretion of the claimant. 

Salable (Common Variety) Minerals 

Disposal of common variety minerals is discretionary and is addressed under the Materials Act of 1947, 

as amended by the Acts of 1955 and 1962. These acts authorized that certain mineral materials be 

disposed of either through a contract of sale or a free use permit (FUP) (for state and local governments or 

eligible nonprofit organizations). Salable minerals include common variety materials such as sand, gravel, 

stone (e.g., decorative stone, limestone, and gypsum), clay (e.g., shale and bentonite), limestone 

aggregate, borrow material, clinker (scoria), leonardite (weathered coal), and petrified wood. These 

materials are typically used in various construction, agriculture, and decorative building or landscaping 

applications. Under the BLM mineral materials program (43 CFR 3600), the exploration, development, 

and disposal of salable minerals is managed either by sales contracts or FUPs. Recreational collecting of 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-28 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

this material is also allowed, but the removal of volumes exceeding a specified threshold requires a 

mineral materials sale. The BLM does not dispose of salable minerals at less than fair market value. 

Renewable Energy 

Renewable energy is generally defined as energy derived from sources continuously replenished by 

natural processes. These sources include wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. Wind energy refers to the 

kinetic energy generated from wind produced by power-generating turbines. Solar energy is the use of the 

sun’s energy to produce electricity, often through the use of photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight 

directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. Biomass (also called bioenergy) is the process of 

converting forestry and agricultural crops, crop-processing wastes and residues, animal manures, and 

landfill methane gas into electricity. These waste products are either burned directly or converted into 

fuels that can be burned to produce energy. Geothermal energy is heat in the form of hot water, steam, or 

rocks near the surface of the Earth’s crust used for direct heating and cooling, or for the generation of 

electricity (Energy Atlas 2004). 

Wyoming represents one of the strongest potential wind resources in the country and presently is an 

exporter of wind power to several surrounding states. The state also has some potential for solar, biomass, 

and geothermal energy; however, the demand for these renewable energy sources is not as strong as 

demand for wind energy. Currently, the installed renewable energy capacity in Wyoming is 284.65 

megawatts (MW) of wind energy, 0.05 MW of solar energy, and 0 MW of biomass and geothermal 

energy (Energy Atlas 2004). A recent study, “Assessing the Potential for Renewable Energy on Public 

Lands,” presented a nationwide overview of renewable resources on BLM lands. In this study, Wyoming 

was determined to have a high potential for wind energy development and a low potential for solar, 

biomass, and geothermal energy development (BLM 2003a). 

2.5.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Leasable Minerals 

Oil and Gas 

Presently and historically, almost all of the oil and gas produced in the Casper Field Office comes from 

Natrona and Converse counties. Goshen and Platte counties have minimal oil and gas production. Based 

on production records from the State of Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for 2002, 14 

percent of the state’s oil and five percent of the state’s gas were produced from Natrona and Converse 

counties. This is significant because Wyoming is the number one producer of federal onshore oil and the 

number two producer of federal onshore gas in the United States (BLM 1992). The federal mineral estate 

in the Casper Field Office is about 4.7 million acres, and the federal government owns 79 percent of the 

mineral estate in Natrona County and 50 percent of the mineral estate in Converse County. The 2,978 

federal oil and gas leases within the field office cover 1,956,236 acres. Within sage-grouse key habitat 

areas, 881 leases cover 696,482 acres. 

Other Leasable Minerals 

Currently, there are no federal leases for any other leasable minerals within the Casper Field Office. In 

some areas where the federal government has acquired the land, BLM may lease bentonite and uranium. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-29 

Locatable Minerals 

Potentially locatable metallic (gold, silver, lead, platinum, copper, uranium, and chromite), and 

nonmetallic (talc, mica, white marble, building stone, fluorspar, chemical-grade limestone, gypsum, and 

bentonite) minerals exist in the planning area. Precious and semiprecious stones that exist or potentially 

exist include jade, diamond, iolite, ruby, sapphire, helidor beryl, and kyanite. 

The 12 permitted mining operations on federal mineral estate include uranium (five mines in Natrona and 

Converse counties), chemical-grade limestone (Bass and Brush Creek quarries in Platte County), marble 

(White Marble and Silvergreen quarries in Platte County), bentonite (two mines in Natrona County), and 

jade (Lone Tree Mine in Natrona County). Converse County with 3,954 claims has most of the 5,766 

active claims (as of February 2006). Natrona County has 1,972, Platte County has 45, and Goshen County 

has 16. In fiscal year 2004, claimants filed six notices and 18 plans of operation to work on their claims. 

There are two active in-situ leaching operations (CAMECO’s Highland/Morton Ranch and Smith Ranch 

Operations) in the planning area with a combined production of 1,323,530 pounds of uranium oxide 

(yellowcake) in 2004. Numerous mining claims for uranium recently have been staked due to the 

threefold increase in the price of yellowcake. 

Bentonite, a sodium montmorillonite clay, is a major component of drilling mud. It has numerous other 

uses and can be found in foundry molds, pet litter, and geotextile liners for landfills and water 

impoundments. Most bentonite production in the planning area is from east central Natrona County. 

Reported production in 2002 was 653,738 tons of bentonite, almost 20 percent of the 3,454,582 tons 

produced in Wyoming that year (BLM 2004a). 

Gold deposits have been identified in the Rattlesnake Hills portion of the planning area. Historically, 

copper deposits have been mined in the Hartville Uplift near Geurnsey, Casper Mountain, South Bighorn 

Mountains, and the Deer Creek Copper District and La Prele in Converse County. Chromite was mined in 

the northern Laramie Mountains and iron in the Hartville Uplift. All these operations are now abandoned. 

Additional information on these and other locatable minerals can be found in the Mineral Occurrence and 

Development Potential Report (BLM 2004a). 

Salable Minerals 

The Casper Field Office conducts exclusive mineral material disposals when a party wants to use material 

from a specific location for exclusive use by the applicant. This can be conducted either as an FUP (given 

to non-profit organizations or city, county, and state government entities) or as a private party sale. There 

are currently 18 FUPs in effect totaling approximately 73 acres of disturbance. Much of the mineral 

material that is sold in the Casper Field Office is from established negotiable exclusive sale pits to private 

parties. There are currently twenty mineral material sales contracts in effect totaling approximately 217 

acres of disturbance. 

Two community pits are open to the public to obtain mineral materials at a reasonable price, which 

include a sand site and a moss rock site. These sites remain a convenient source of material but are 

infrequently used by the public. At the moss rock site, no mechanical equipment is allowed to harvest the 

rock and disturbance is minimal. The sand site totals approximately one acre of disturbance. 
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2-30 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Casper Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. Any stipulations 

attached to these parcels will be the least restrictive needed to protect other resource values. Stipulations 

to protect important resource values will be based on interdisciplinary review in conformance with land 

use planning decisions. 

The Casper Field Office is open to mineral leasing, including solid leasables and geothermal, unless 

specifically identified as administratively unavailable for the life of the plan for mineral leasing. These 

open areas are managed on a case-by-case basis. Acquired mineral estate administered by the BLM will 

be open to mineral leasing for other leasables including phosphate, sodium, potassium, sulfur, gilsonite, 

bentonite, and uranium, unless specifically closed to mineral leasing. Where possible, the routing of 

access roads will be made in conjunction with the surface owner. 

BLM-administered mineral estate, except areas identified as necessary for the protection of specific 

resource values or uses, is open to leasing of other solid leasable minerals. Under the Casper RMP, 

1,080,935 acres of federal oil and gas lease mineral estate are open to leasing consideration and subject 

only to the terms and conditions of the standard lease form; 2,506,530 acres of federal oil and gas lease 

mineral estate are open to leasing consideration and subject to the terms and conditions of the standard 

lease form, as well as moderate constraints; 843,139 acres of federal oil and gas lease mineral estate are 

open to leasing consideration and subject to the terms and conditions of the standard lease form, as well 

as major constraints; and 226,568 acres of federal oil and gas lease mineral estate are administratively 

unavailable for leasing for the life of the plan. 

Those lands currently open to oil and gas leasing will continue to be open to geophysical operations. 

Those lands open to oil and gas leasing, but subject to an NSO restriction, may be open to geophysical 

operations if site specific NEPA analysis disclose a finding of no significant impact. No geophysical 

operations are allowed in areas administratively unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

Locatable Minerals 

BLM-administered mineral estate, except areas identified as necessary for the protection of specific 

resource values or uses, is open for prospecting for and development of locatable minerals. Under the 

Casper RMP, 458,661 acres are withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. Of these acres, 409,707 acres are 

BLM withdrawals and 48,954 acres are other federal agency withdrawals. 

Salable Minerals 

BLM-administered mineral estate, except areas identified as necessary for the protection of specific 

resource values or uses, is open to the disposal of mineral materials. Under the Casper RMP, 257,017 

acres are unavailable for disposal of mineral materials. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Leasable Minerals 

Management issues and concerns regarding leasable minerals include the following: 

 What areas are suitable or not suitable, particularly NSO areas, for oil and gas development 

activity? Should these existing areas be changed? 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-31 

 Are the current timing limitation stipulations effective in protecting resource values (i.e., wildlife, 

soil, and watershed)? Should they be changed? Are current decisions regarding those public lands 

that are currently available for leasing and development still appropriate? 

 What special operating and reclamation requirements, if any, should be allowed? 

 What areas should be open, closed, or unavailable to oil and gas leasing? 

 What types of databases and mapping capabilities will be needed to properly manage the minerals 

programs in the future? 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for locatable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. Changes in the management of locatable minerals are not anticipated 

as a result of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. Locatable minerals management is 

adequately addressed in the current Casper RMP. 

Salable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for salable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.5.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Leasable Minerals 

Coal 

The Kemmerer Field Office manages minerals on approximately 1.6 million acres of federal mineral 

estate. Coal has been mined in the Kemmerer Field Office since the late 1800s, primarily in the Evanston 

and Kemmerer areas. Coal was originally extracted in underground mines that eventually closed, largely 

because of reduced demand as a result of the conversion of railroad locomotives from coal to diesel fuel. 

Surface coal mining began around 1950 in the Kemmerer Field Office and has been active since that time. 

The primary coal reserves include the Adaville, Evanston, Frontier, Cokeville, and Sage Junction 

formations. The reserves in the Adaville Formation are estimated at one billion tons, based on 13 of the 

formation’s coal seams. One seam in the Adaville exceeds 100 feet in thickness, and another 17 seams 

appear to be greater than six feet thick. Frontier Formation coals, not presently being mined, have a higher 

British Thermal Unit (BTU) value than the Adaville coals and contain beds up to 20 feet thick (Glass 

1976). Outcrops of coal-bearing formations in the Kemmerer Field Office are confined to the Overthrust 

portion of the area and occur mainly in three north-south-trending belts. 

The major surface mining company in the Kemmerer Field Office is Chevron Mining, Inc., which 

operates a mine west of Kemmerer. Chevron has a total of 8,679 acres of federal coal leases and produced 

roughly 3,500,000 short tons of coal from these leases for the years 2005-2009 from multiple seams in the 

Adaville formation. Kiewit Mining Company has proposed a new surface coal mine and the project is 

currently in the surveying and permitting phase. Kiewit Mining Company has applied for a Federal coal 

lease in connection with the project. 
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2-32 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Oil and Gas 

Oil and gas reserves in the Kemmerer Field Office have been the focus of industry attention since 

commercial discoveries began around the year 1900. Of the approximately 1.6 million acres of oil and gas 

mineral estate managed by the Kemmerer Field Office, approximately 1,070,000 acres are currently 

leased for oil and gas development. The largest active gas field in the Kemmerer Field Office is the Moxa 

Arch field. Some of the oil and gas fields in the Kemmerer Field Office overlap with the Pinedale Field 

Office and/or with the Rock Springs Field Office. The BLM predicts that there will be approximately 

1,010 future oil and gas wells in the field office within the next 20 years (BLM 2008). Currently, the 

Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission does not anticipate any coal bed natural gas (CBNG) production in 

the field office. 

Trona 

The world’s largest known deposit of trona (sodium) is located in southwestern Wyoming and extends 

into the eastern portion of the Kemmerer Field Office. Identified trona reserves in the area total 114 

billion tons (BLM 1985). Sites where trona is known to exceed four feet in thickness are part of the 

Known Sodium Leasing Area (KSLA), which in total covers about 1,100 square miles, half of which is in 

the Kemmerer Field Office. 

Other Leasable Minerals 

Other leasable minerals in the Kemmerer Field Office include oil shale and geothermal resources. The 

Green River Basin contains an estimated 244 billion barrels of shale oil in the Tipton Shale Member, 

Wilkins Peak Member, and Laney Member of the Green River Formation. Hot springs (geothermal 

resources) occur at Auburn in the Star Valley portion of the Kemmerer Field Office. Auburn Hot Springs 

contains numerous vents producing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gas and saline water ranging 

from about 68 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). 

Locatable Minerals 

Potential locatable mineral deposits in the Kemmerer Field Office include uranium, copper, titanium, 

vanadium, diamonds, bentonite, and fire clay. Exploration and mining of locatable mineral deposits in the 

field office have occurred periodically. A placer claim for building stone is currently being mined south 

of Kemmerer, and other building stone claims for diamonds and fire clay have also been staked in the last 

10 years and have experienced some exploration activity. 

Salable Minerals 

The Kemmerer Field Office contains various salable commodities including common sand and gravel, 

building stone (e.g., moss rock), limestone, shale, and decorative stone. An active market has developed 

for moss rock (lichen-covered sandstone) that is primarily found on hogback ridges in the Overthrust Belt 

portion of the Kemmerer Field Office. Moss rock is used for decorative stone, particularly in the Jackson, 

Wyoming area. Numerous BLM material sale permits are issued each year for moss rock. 

Deposits of sand and gravel are generally found in the Kemmerer Field Office area in elevated terraces 

along streams and rivers. Currently, Lincoln and Uinta counties have permits for gravel pits in the 

Kemmerer Field Office for public road maintenance. Numerous older gravel pits occur throughout the 

area, many of which were originally issued to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). 

WYDOT also has current permits for gravel pits associated with Federal Aid Highway projects. 

Some older geologic formations contain beds of conglomerate that are suitable for crushing and 

screening, such as the Hams Fork Conglomerate of the Evanston Formation. Building stone is found in 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-33 

many of the more resistant ridges, especially in the Overthrust Belt. Local sandstone from the Frontier 

Formation was historically used for buildings in Kemmerer. BLM has two active community pits in the 

field office, which include the Giraffe Creek pit in Salt Creek Canyon north of Cokeville and the Dry 

Hollow pit west of Cokeville. Other talus deposits in the northwest portion of the Kemmerer Field Office, 

including Nugget Sandstone talus in Pine Creek, have been utilized for roadwork. 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Kemmerer Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. Areas that 

contain known deposits of oil shale are available for oil shale lease consideration where it is not 

inconsistent with existing laws and regulations, EOs, and ACECs. Oil shale leasing will not be considered 

in areas where it would jeopardize the safe operation of existing trona mines. 

In addition to existing withdrawals, the following areas are withdrawn from operation of the mining laws: 

 Developed campgrounds (3 acres) 

 The federal section that contains Bridger Antelope Trap (640 acres) 

 Areas with special status plant species (886 acres of federal mineral estate) 

 Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (427 acres). 

Among the areas available for leasing, approximately 95,722 acres of federal mineral estate are 

administratively available to oil and gas leasing subject only to the terms and conditions of the standard 

lease form; 967,635 acres of federal mineral estate are administratively available to oil and gas leasing 

subject to the terms and conditions of the standard lease form, as well as moderate constraints; 333,848 

acres of federal mineral estate are administratively available to oil and gas leasing subject to the terms and 

conditions of the standard lease form, as well as major constraints; and the remaining 181,775 acres of 

federal mineral estate are administratively unavailable for oil and gas leasing. 

Fluid mineral leasing is allowed on areas within potential habitats for federally listed species, areas 

containing National Historic Trail segments, and areas within large, contiguous blocks of federal land 

containing sagebrush, mountain shrub, and aspen habitat. Federal land within the proposed Haystack 

project area is determined acceptable for further consideration for coal leasing and development. 

All public lands (outside of the Raymond Mountain WSA and exceptions identified below) within the 

field office are available for sodium leasing consideration. Exploration for sodium will be considered on a 

case-by-case basis. Limited surface occupancy criteria contained in the Sodium Mineral Development 

Environmental Assessment will be applied on a case-by-case basis. All public lands within the field office 

are available for phosphate leasing consideration. Exploration for phosphate will be considered on a caseby-case basis. The Kemmerer Field Office allows for geophysical exploration on lands throughout the 

field office subject to identified conditions of approval (COA). 

Locatable Minerals 

The field office is available for locatable mineral entry, with the exception of some withdrawn areas. 

Salable Minerals 

Collecting surface rock in commercial quantities requires a mineral material contract. Operations are 

evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the waiver requirements in 43 CFR 3601.14 on unpatented 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-34 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

mining claims, the field office is available for consideration of mineral materials sales and/or FUPs. The 

area within the viewshed of the Fossil Butte National Monument is available for consideration of mineral 

materials sales and/or FUPs. Mineral material sales and/or FUPs can be authorized in areas with special 

status plant or wildlife species on a case-by-case basis; except mineral materials sales and/or FUPs in 

actual special status plant species locations are not allowed. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Leasable Minerals 

Determining what conflicts exists between new coal lease areas and sage-grouse key habitat areas and 

what the potential and impact for no leasing in sage-grouse key habitat areas are the current management 

issues and concerns. 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for locatable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. Changes in the management of locatable minerals are not anticipated 

as a result of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. Locatable minerals management is 

adequately addressed in the current Kemmerer RMP. 

Salable Minerals 

The management issue and concern for salable minerals is determining what the potential and impact of 

no leasing in sage-grouse key habitat areas will be. 

2.5.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Leasable Minerals 

The Newcastle Field Office covers the eastern Powder River Basin, which is the most prolific oilproducing basin in the Rocky Mountains. The United States owns 2.12 million acres of federal mineral 

estate within the field office. Within the field office, BLM administers approximately 290,000 acres of 

public land surface. Other federal agencies administer approximately 420,000 surface acres. 

In May of 2010, the field office contained 4,445 oil and gas leases covering 839,491 acres. During 2000 

through 2009 an average of 28 federal wells were drilled annually in the field office, with an annual 

abandonment of 15.4 federal wells. In 2009, oil production from the field office produced about 2.9 

million barrels, which represented approximately 5.75 percent of the state’s oil production. 

Locatable Minerals 

All public lands are open to exploration for locatable minerals except those withdrawn to protect other 

resource values and uses or those lands with acquired minerals status. Acquired minerals are subject to 

leasing under 43 CFR 3500. The only areas under BLM jurisdiction in Newcastle Field Office area which 

are currently closed to the operation of the mining laws are BOR lands at Keyhole Reservoir in Crook 

County. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-35 

There are approximately 1,800 active placer mining claims in the area with bentonite, uranium, and 

gypsum being the principal locatable minerals. Presently, only bentonite is being mined. 

Bentonite 

There are two principle bentonite mining areas in the field office, the northern Black Hills, or Colony 

Mining District, and the Clay Spur Mining District. The northern Black Hills bentonite mining district 

comprises an irregularly shaped area of about 980 square miles extending about 60 miles along the north 

side of the Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota into Montana. Within this district, many beds of 

bentonite occur interspersed with sedimentary strata of Cretaceous age that have an average thickness of 

about 3,000 feet and consist chiefly of marine shale, marl, and argillaceous sandstone (Knechtel and 

Patterson 1962). 

In the northern Black Hills mining district, the important commercial beds are the Clay Spur bed at the 

top of the Mowry Shale and the E and F beds in the lower part of the Belle Fourche Shale. These beds 

average two and one-half to three feet thick. The Clay Spur District is located in the south-central part of 

Crook County and the north-central part of Weston County extending from Keyhole Reservoir on the 

Belle Fourche River south to Osage, Wyoming. The mining area is a narrow sinuous belt approximately 

30 miles long encompassing about 100 square miles, which is mostly confined to the outcrop area of the 

Upper Cretaceous Belle Fourche Shale. It is five miles across its widest point north of Upton, Wyoming. 

Outcropping Cretaceous formations dip gently southwestward at two to three degrees throughout the 

district. At the northern and southern ends of the district, they dip abruptly increases to 20 degrees or 

more, making mining unfeasible. Nearly all bentonite production in the Clay Spur District comes from the 

Clay Spur bed of the Mowry Shale. Another bentonite bed in the lower part of the Belle Fourche Shale 

(bed E) has produced a small quantity of bentonite. A very minor amount of bentonite has been mined 

from the Newcastle Formation, but none of the operations were commercially successful (Davis 1965). 

Some bentonite mining out of the Belle Fourche and Mowry shales has also occurred in the extreme 

southeast corner of Weston County and the extreme northeast corner of Niobrara County. The Black Hills 

region, which includes both of these districts, accounts for about 45 percent of total United States sodium 

bentonite production (Allison 1988). 

Exploration for and development of new bentonite reserves is a continuing process in Crook and Weston 

counties. Exploration activities are scattered throughout Crook County with the exception of the 

southeastern quarter. In Weston County most exploration activity is primarily in the north-central part of 

the county, with a little occurring in the southeastern corner near the South Dakota border. Bentonite 

deposits in the planning area generally occur at depth, but often can crop out in the area. 

Active claims for bentonite are spread throughout Crook, Weston, and Niobrara counties. A detailed 

listing of these claims with respect to location, type, and claimant name is contained on microfiche on the 

Geographic Index in the Newcastle Field Office and is updated quarterly. The primary bentonite 

claimants in the area are American Colloid Company and Bentonite Corporation (formerly NL Baroid 

Company). Active mining of bentonite is occurring mainly on private surface and private minerals in 

Crook and Weston counties. There is one mining operation (by American Colloid Company) near Upton, 

which is on public land with acquired mineral status administered under a mining lease by BLM, Casper 

Field Office. American Colloid Company and Bentonite Corporation both have bentonite mills at Upton 

and Colony. 

Since about half of the bentonite produced in Wyoming is sold to the drilling mud industry, the bentonite 

industry has been in a slump in recent years due to the decrease in oil and gas exploration activity. 

Pelletizing and foundry sandbonding make up the bulk of the remainder of uses. 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-36 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

It is estimated that there is at least 100 million tons of bentonite reserves in the Black Hills region 

(Allison 1988). Total bentonite production out of Crook and Weston counties in 1989 was 1,123,151 tons. 

Under current management conditions, activity in the bentonite segment of the locatable minerals 

program can be expected to remain about the same in the foreseeable future (five to ten years). Lifting the 

withdrawal status of lands at the west end of Keyhole Reservoir in Crook County could result in some 

exploration and mining activity out of some 30-year-old pits, which may have some minable quantities of 

bentonite left. Another boom in the oil and gas industry in the future could cause a significant increase in 

activity. 

Gypsum 

Gypsum beds 10 to 30 feet thick occur in the Spearfish Formation and crop out almost continually around 

the Black Hills. Gypsum in beds 25 to 40 feet thick occur in the Minnelusa Formation in eastern Crook 

County and have only been used for fabrication into objects. In the past, short-lived plaster mills have 

been operated in several Black Hills towns including Sundance, Wyoming. At present, production is only 

occurring near Rapid City, South Dakota (Gries 1974). 

Uranium 

The only other known significant locatable mineral in the planning area is uranium, but there is no active 

mining of uranium taking place. Past commercial mining has occurred in Crook and Niobrara counties. 

The primary uranium mining district is the Black Hills mining district. Located in Crook County, it 

contains five sub-districts: Elkhorn Creek, Hulett Creek (New Haven), Barlow Canyon, Carlile, and 

Aladdin. 

All uranium produced in Crook County has come from fluvial sandstones and conglomerates of the lower 

Cretaceous Lakota Formation and in marginal marine sandstones and siltstones of the overlying Fall 

River Formation. All of the major mining districts in Crook County are located near paleochannels, which 

may have acted as conduits for mineralizing solutions. Where the fine-grained materials have eroded, 

groundwater has migrated through fluvial sandstones into a reducing environment conducive to 

deposition of uranium minerals. Production from Niobrara County has been from stream-deposited, 

conglomeratic sandstone lenses of the Tertiary White River Group (BLM 1981). 

In Weston County, minor amounts of uranium have been extracted from two prospect areas about 10 

miles southeast of Newcastle from sandstones of the Fall River Sandstone. Surface outcrops of the Fall 

River and Lakota sandstones occur throughout the planning area, but little or no active exploration for 

uranium is occurring. Most, if not all, of the claims located for uranium are inactive at this time. 

Exploration in the northern Black Hills during the uranium boom of the late 1970s identified additional 

ore deposits, which could be developed in the future (Chenoweth 1988). Although the potential for 

discovery and development of significant new uranium deposits in Crook and Weston counties is fairly 

high, the amount of activity in uranium exploration cannot be expected to increase in the foreseeable 

future (five to ten years). 

Metallic Minerals 

Three metallic mineral districts, made up of Tertiary alkalic igneous complexes, are located in Crook 

County. Their names and types of deposits are as follows: 

 Bear Lodge Mountains - low-grade gold and rare earth deposits 

 Black Buttes complex - galena, silver, lead, zinc, and traces of gold 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-37 

 Mineral Hill - anomalous amounts of gold, cassiterite, magnetite, and columbite-tantalite (Hausel 

and Sutherland 1988). 

All of these districts are located on USFS lands, and no commercial production is known to be occurring. 

Stream sediment samples testing uranium potential of Cretaceous sandstones along the western margin of 

the Black Hills uplift compiled by Albert (1986) revealed anomalous gold values in western Crook 

County and northeastern Weston County. Gold content ranged between 0.20 to 0.41 parts per million 

(ppm). The original source of the gold is believed to be volcanic ash falls. It is not known whether any of 

this gold is present in commercial quantities. 

Salable Minerals 

Historically, salable minerals have been used in the planning area for building materials, road surfaces, 

and tools. Today, mineral materials are used primarily for building and maintaining roads and activities 

associated with the oil and gas industry. 

In the Newcastle area there are several different forms of stone aggregate materials, which are used for 

construction projects: sand and gravel, sandstone, shale, limestone and dolomite, and igneous and 

metamorphic rocks (granitic gneiss). Sources of mineral materials for aggregate are more readily 

available in Weston and Crook counties than in Niobrara County. Deposits of sand and gravel, limestone, 

and shale are scattered throughout Weston and Crook counties and are used primarily as aggregate 

materials for road surfacing by state and county agencies. A few gravel deposits are present in terraces 

along drainage and in some sandstone outcrops in the northern part of Niobrara County. In the southern 

part of the county a large amount of limestone is present, which could be quarried and crushed for 

aggregate use. A granite outcrop at Bald Butte in southern Niobrara County contains material which could 

be used as railroad ballast. 

At the field office level, disposal of mineral materials is on a case-by-case basis. Applications for salable 

minerals are reviewed and processed on a case-by-case basis as they are received. Appropriate surface 

disturbance mitigation requirements are included in the permits. Regular field monitoring inspections of 

salable mineral permit areas are conducted biannually to ensure compliance and to check for unauthorized 

use. Material sites average between three and five acres, and sites may be active under various (or 

successive) permits for from one to ten years. Site reclamation is initiated after the mineral material is 

removed. 

It is the field office's policy to provide sand, gravel, and stone from federal mineral deposits as necessary 

to meet the needs for construction and maintenance projects in the planning area (BLM 1981). Although 

demand for mineral material in Crook, Weston, and Niobrara counties is low, the maintenance and 

construction of roadways are necessary to create and maintain a viable economic base for the resource 

area. 

Activity in the mineral material program in the Newcastle Field Office area has been limited in recent 

years due to the downswing in the economy, locally and statewide. The location of a good portion of the 

mineral deposits is on private surface. 

The primary uses of federal minerals are in the form of FUPs issued to county road and bridge 

departments. The majority of the FUPs issued are in Crook and Weston counties. There are currently no 

community pits or common use areas in the resource area. 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-38 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Newcastle Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. Federal oil and 

gas leases are issued with appropriate stipulations for protection of other resource values. 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no current locatable mineral management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Salable Minerals 

There are no current salable mineral management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Leasable Minerals 

Under IM WY-2010-012 restrictions are placed on the density disturbance and well density. Some areas 

within the Newcastle Field Office sage-grouse key habitat areas are above existing surface disturbance 

well levels and well densities. The proposed IM may impact the ability of operators to develop leases not 

held by production and therefore interfere with existing lease rights. IM WY-2010-102 also states that 

areas need to be identified that will not be available for leasing. These areas have not been identified 

under the current Newcastle Field Office RMP. Areas eligible to be withdrawn from leasing under IM 

WY-2010-013 need to be identified. 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for locatable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. Changes in the management of locatable minerals are not anticipated 

as a result of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. Locatable minerals management is 

adequately addressed in the current Newcastle RMP. 

Salable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for salable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.5.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The Pinedale Field Office contains approximately 1,199,280 acres of federal mineral estate underlying 

922,880 acres of federally owned surface and 276,400 acres of private and state lands. As part of the 

Pinedale RMP revision effort, the Pinedale Mineral Occurrence and Development Potential Report 

(Mineral Report) was prepared (ENSR and Booz Allen Hamilton 2002). As confirmed by the Pinedale 

Mineral Occurrence and Development Potential Report (ENSR and Booz Allen Hamilton 2002), 

hydrocarbons are the most important mineral resources in the field office. Gas from geologic formations 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-39 

other than coal beds has the greatest development potential; gas from coal beds, also referred to as 

CBNG, is of lesser importance in the field office. 

Leasable Minerals 

Oil and gas drilling activity in the field office is concentrated in three main areas: 

 La Barge Platform. A number of fields in this vicinity have grown into one large producing area 

with a cumulative completion of more than 1,900 wells. To date, these fields have produced most 

of the oil and gas in the field office. Production of carbon dioxide for use in secondary oil 

recovery operations also takes place in this region. 

 Jonah Field. More than 1,400 wells have been completed in this field. Most of these wells are 

producing. 

 Pinedale Anticline. More than 1,200 active production wells are currently on the anticline. 

Production from this field is increasing rapidly. 

Development of CBNG in the field office is at a very early stage. To date, nine CBNG wells have been 

drilled into coal beds all in the Riley Ridge Field area. Directional drilling or drilling multiple gas wells 

from a single, larger pad is taking place in the Jonah and Anticline fields and to a lesser extent in the Big 

Piney-LaBarge area. 

Locatable Minerals 

Locatable minerals, such as copper and gold, have been found only in very small, noncommercial 

concentrations in the field office. Activity related to the extraction of these minerals does not currently 

exist and is not anticipated in the future. There are currently no producing mines and historically there has 

been little mining in the field office. The potential for mining of any locatable mineral is low because the 

geologic environment within the field office is not favorable for such deposits. 

Salable Minerals 

Salable minerals known to occur within the field office are limited to aggregates (e.g., sand and gravel, 

common-variety limestone) and decorative stone (moss rock and boulders). These commodities are 

classified as industrial minerals and have a low per-unit valuation. As long as the development potential 

remains limited and the unit valuation remains low, non-fluid minerals are not expected to be significant 

contributors to the economic minerals sector of the local economy. 

Extensive deposits of sand and gravel are found along major drainages in the field office. Past use of 

aggregate has been associated with highway construction and, to a much lesser extent, surfacing of drill 

roads and pads in the rapidly developing gas fields in the area. 

Decorative building stone is found in the foothills on both sides of the field office. The most extensive 

production has come from lichen-covered granite boulders in glacial moraines on the east side and from 

platy sandstone of the Nuggett Sandstone in the Miller Mountain/LaBarge Creek area on the west side. 

“Moss rock” located in the Lake Mountain WSA is currently unavailable for sale under the IMP for lands 

under wilderness review. 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-40 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Pinedale Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. New oil and gas 

leases will include standard lease stipulations and appropriate NSO and controlled surface use (CSU) 

stipulations. 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. This exception will not be applied to seasonal (timing limitation) 

protection measures for threatened and endangered (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. 

BMPs and other mitigation measures will be applied to mitigate impacts on sensitive habitats and other 

resources to the extent possible and practicable. 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. Accelerated reclamation will be implemented to reestablish habitats. 

The unavailable for oil and gas leasing designation could be reevaluated in site-specific situations under 

the following circumstances: 

 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. 

 Surface resource values (wildlife, cultural, vegetation, visual, livestock grazing, recreation, etc.) 

can be adequately mitigated. 

 A plan amendment is completed for the conversion. 

 Existing oil and gas leases (118,190 acres) will be managed under their existing lease terms and 

stipulations. 

 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. 

 BMPs and operating standards will be applied to mitigate impacts on sensitive habitats and other 

resources. 

 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. 

 On-lease water disposal pits are not allowed. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-41 

Oil and gas operators have the right to explore, develop, and produce existing leases. As prescribed 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. 

Geophysical data gathering methods that involve only casual use of the surface (as defined in 43 CFR 

§3150) are permitted throughout the field office. Vehicle-based geophysical activities will be assessed on 

a case-by-case basis. The use of surface and/or above-ground (Poulter shot) explosive charges for 

geophysical exploration will be assessed case-by-case. Geophysical projects, including projects proposed 

in areas with a NSO restriction, will be analyzed and mitigation developed on a case-by-case basis. 

Geophysical operations are allowed on BLM-administered surface within the Wind River Front MA and 

the Beaver Creek, Trapper’s Point, and New Fork Potholes ACECs if the operations are conducted using 

non-vehicular methods or on designated roads and trails. 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. 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. Geophysical 

activities that are considered casual use actions are allowed within one-quarter mile of active sage-grouse 

leks provided that— 

 Operations are conducted on designated roads and trails. 

 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. 

 A 150-foot wide strip of undisturbed sagebrush is maintained around the perimeter of the lek for 

hiding and escape cover. 

 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. 

New mineral withdrawals (13,770 acres) will be pursued to protect cultural, wildlife, and recreational 

values. The field office is open to mineral material disposals with the exception of WSAs (21,200 acres). 

Should interest in other leasable minerals materialize in the future, leasing will be considered on a caseby-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). 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no current locatable mineral management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Salable Minerals 

Salable mineral activities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for mineral resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-42 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.5.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Leasable Minerals 

Oil and Gas 

The majority of the oil and gas fields are located in the western portion of the Rawlins Field Office. Based 

on production figures through the year 2000, three of the 25 highest producing gas fields in Wyoming and 

two of the 25 highest producing oil fields are within or partially within the field office. Drilling activity 

has been concentrated in three regions of the field office. The most heavily drilled region is in the eastern 

Greater Green River Basin, including the Great Divide Basin, the Wamsutter Arch, and the Washakie 

Basin. This region is located in the westernmost part of the field office. The two other regions of 

concentrated activity lie in the eastern and central portions of the field office. These regions have been 

less heavily explored and developed than the region in the west. 

As of October 2003, the field office contained 2,690 wells (WOGCC 2003). Since 1980, 37 percent of the 

wells drilled in the field office have been abandoned. Abandoned wells are either unproductive (dry 

holes) or have become depleted and are no longer economical. 

An ongoing issue is how to dispose of produced water from coal beds, as well as other formations. 

Options considered include dumping the water in drainages that do not contact the Colorado River 

system, treating the produced water to adjust its chemical ratios, and injecting the water into formations 

that contain water of poorer quality. Despite these concerns, there is sufficient confidence in the coal bed 

reservoirs’ economic viability and, as a result, major drilling proposals have been initiated. These 

proposals are being evaluated through the preparation of EISs (for example, an EIS is being prepared for 

the collective proposals in Atlantic Rim). 

The large structures in the central portion of the field office may have applicability for CO2 sequestration. 

This is a positive environmental factor with disposal of the greenhouse gas. In the case of productive 

structures, CO2 sequestration could increase oil recovery. Coal is also known to allow for CO2

sequestration and to have the added benefit of enhancing CBNG recovery because the coal preferentially 

replaces methane from the coal structure with CO2. Studies show that low-rank coals have the highest 

replacement factor. CO2 is readily available from large reserves to the west of the field office, and a CO2

pipeline is already in place. 

Coal 

There are six identified coalfields within the field office. Of these, the Hanna Field has been the most 

significant in terms of historic and projected coal production. Most activity within the remaining fields 

has typically been of small scale, and in some cases the coal resource has yet to be economically 

exploited. Approximately 27 million tons of federal coal have been recovered using strip mining. An 

additional 16 million tons of federal coal have been extracted using underground mining methods. Within 

the field office, there are six significant coalfields containing coal resources of sub-bituminous to 

bituminous rank (Berryhill et al. 1950): Hanna Basin, Carbon Basin, Great Divide Basin, Rock Creek, 

Kindt Basin, and Little Snake River. 

Locatable Minerals 

The field office contains sedimentary uranium deposits in the Shirley Basin, Great Divide Basin, Red 

Desert area, and around Baggs in the Poison Buttes area. There is currently one uranium in situ recovery 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-43 

(ISR) project in the early development stage. Drilling activity continues in the Red Desert Basin, 

specifically on properties where claims have been located by Lost Creek ISR. There are no active notices 

for uranium anywhere else in the Rawlins Field Office. Lost Creek ISR has indicated to the public their 

intention to begin construction activity for an ISR operation in early 2011. However, DEQ and the 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are still reviewing groundwater and other issues for technical 

adequacy. The BLM has made the decision that a separate EIS will be required to meet BLM’s needs 

prior to approving a Plan of Operations for the project. 

In addition to uranium, the field office contains deposits of titaniferous magnetite, stratabound gold, 

copper-gold deposits, and diamonds hosted in kimberlite pipes. Commercial development of the 

sedimentary uranium and titaniferous magnetite deposits has occurred over the past 50 years. Only 

limited exploration and production of the other locatable mineral deposits has occurred. 

Salable Minerals 

Common variety minerals that occur within the field office include sand and gravel, limestone, granite, 

moss rock, cinders (clinker), clay, and petrified wood. The aggregates resource base is generally present 

as windblown, terrace, and alluvial deposits; however, coarser, gravel-type materials are present to a 

lesser degree. Where gravel is present, it is generally an older gravel (conglomeratic) deposit, often 

situated beneath surficial deposits. The Wyoming Geologic Survey has identified aggregate deposits in 

the field office near Fort Steele (T21N, R85W), Elmo (T22-23N, R81W), and Creston Junction (T21N, 

R92W) and in the Red Desert Basin (T21-23N, R95-97W). 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Rawlins Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. Existing oil and gas 

or other mineral rights will be honored. When an oil and gas lease is issued, it constitutes a valid existing 

right, and BLM cannot unilaterally change the terms and conditions of a lease. The lessee is subject to 

stipulations attached to the lease; restrictions deriving from specific, nondiscretionary statutes; and such 

reasonable measures needed to minimize impacts to other resources and resource users. Oil and gas lease 

stipulations may be modified or eliminated using the exception, modification, or waiver criteria. BLM 

may impose reasonable measures (COAs) to operational aspects of oil and gas development, including 

modification of sites or design of facilities, timing of operations, and specifying interim or final 

reclamation measures to control the manner and pace of development. 

All lands open to oil and gas leasing consideration will also 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 “necessary tasks,” such as geophysical 

exploration including project survey and layout, will be permitted except where specifically prohibited 

(e.g., various SD/MAs). With the exception of WSAs and some other SD/MAs, the remainder of the field 

office is open to consideration for leasing of geothermal resources and nonenergy leasable minerals. 

Mineral material disposals are discretionary actions. Disposal will be considered on a case-by case basis. 

Surface disturbing activities will be intensively managed and will be subject to reclamation practices. 

Leases will be issued with stipulations to protect resource values. Oil and gas stipulations for each oil and 

gas classification are as follows: 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-44 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 Oil and Gas Classification A. Areas open to leasing, subject to the terms and conditions of the 

standard lease form. Under classification A, 803,070 acres of federal oil and gas leasable lands 

are open to leasing and subject to standard lease stipulations. 

 Oil and Gas Classification B. Areas open to leasing, subject to moderate constraints such as 

seasonal restrictions. These are areas where it has been determined that moderately restrictive 

lease stipulations may be required to mitigate impacts on other land uses or resource values. 

Under classification B, 3,070,180 acres of federal oil and gas leasable lands are open to leasing 

and subject to lease stipulations such as seasonal restrictions. 

 Oil and Gas Classification C. Areas open to leasing, subject to major constraints such as NSO 

stipulations on an area more than 40 acres or more than one-quarter mile wide. In these areas, it 

has been determined that highly restrictive lease stipulations are required to mitigate impacts on 

other lands or resource values. This classification also includes areas where overlapping moderate 

constraints would severely limit development of fluid mineral resources. Under classification C, 

605,860 acres of federal oil and gas leasable lands are open to leasing and subject to lease 

stipulations such as NSO. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for mineral resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.5.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Leasable Minerals 

Coal 

Coal mines within the field office include three active open pit surface mines, one active underground 

mine, and one inactive underground mine. The coal is used to supply local industry and power plant needs 

and is shipped to other eastern and western markets. These low sulfur coals are important locally and in 

eastern markets; however, projections for demand and supply of southwestern Wyoming coal are 

dependent on world oil prices, transportation costs, availability of alternate fuels, and changes in federal 

laws and regulations. New low emission regulations are creating higher demands for Wyoming coals. 

Federal coal lands within the Coal Occurrence and Development Potential area (approximately 422,000 

acres) are open to further consideration for coal leasing and development (i.e., new competitive leasing, 

emergency leasing, lease modifications, and exchange proposals, under the Federal Coal Management 

Program) with appropriate and necessary conditions and requirements for protection of other land and 

resource values and uses. 

Oil and Gas 

BLM-administered lands in the field office are open to oil and gas leasing and exploration except for 

721,919 acres that are administratively unavailable for oil and gas leasing. Many producing oil and gas 

fields are aligned along two major anticlinal structures. These structures are the Moxa Arch in the Green 

River Basin and the Rock Springs Uplift. Fields in the Washakie Basin, Great Divide Basin, and on the 

low relief Wamsutter Arch separating these two basins are predominantly stratigraphically trapped. Other 

fields are being developed outside these major producing areas. Approximately 1,745,950 federal acres 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-45 

are leased for oil and gas development in the field office. The field office has 44 fluid units held by 

production and 18 units not held by production; and there are 2106 wells for inspection, 1879 active 

wellbores, and 525 plugged and abandoned wells. There are currently 85 operators producing oil and gas 

resources in the field office. As of October 2010, federal oil and gas leases cover 1,722,313 acres or 48 

percent of the entire of the field office. 

Trona 

The world’s largest known deposit of trona (sodium) is located in southwestern Wyoming and extends 

into the western portion of the field office. The most likely area for any future sodium leasing is within 

and around the KSLA, and near the Eden-Farson area for black trona water. Presently, there are five 

active companies mining trona, one company that processes sodium products only, and several companies 

and individuals that hold undeveloped sodium leases within the field office. Average annual combined 

trona production from the four mines averages 16 million tons per year. 

Oil Shale 

Oil shale areas of interest in southwestern Wyoming lie within the Green River and the Washakie Basins. 

These areas are presently withdrawn from locatable mineral entry to protect the oil shale resource. The oil 

shale deposits of Wyoming are located predominantly within Sweetwater County, and to a lesser extent 

within Uinta, Lincoln, Sublette, and Carbon counties. The oil shale beds are found almost exclusively in 

the Upper Eocene Age rocks of the Green River Formation in the Green River Basin, the Washakie Basin, 

and the Fossil Basin of southwestern Wyoming. 

The Green River and the Washakie Basins contain approximately 476 billion barrels of in-place oil within 

the shale. These oil shale deposits have not been leased, nor have they received major attention from 

industry, primarily due to the marginal quality of the material and to the high development costs 

associated with underground and surface mining methods. 

Locatable Minerals 

Locatable mineral deposits within the field office can occur in specific locations over a wide geographical 

area involving highly diverse and variable geologic settings. The most significant locatable mineral at this 

time is placer gold, with mining claims mostly concentrated on stream-laid deposits in the northern 

portion of the field office. Other minerals that have shown some level of interest in the past include 

diamonds found within scattered kimberlite pipes located in the southern portion of the area, semiprecious stones found in the volcanic deposits of Sweetwater County, zeolite minerals found in the 

Tertiary age rocks of the Washakie Basin, and uranium minerals found mostly in the northern and the 

eastern parts of the area. 

Salable Minerals 

Sand and gravel deposits are found scattered along various drainage channels throughout the field office, 

but are mostly concentrated along the Green River and its major tributaries. Pockets of sand and gravel 

can also be found in the outwash material that originated from the glaciations and erosion of the Wind 

River and the Uinta Mountains. Smaller gravel deposits occur on buttes and plateaus scattered throughout 

the area that are capped by the Bishop Conglomerate. 

Several other types of salable minerals are common throughout the field office, including decorative stone 

(“moss rock” and landscape boulders), dimension stone (flagstone), and to a much lesser extent, topsoil 

and petrified wood. Decorative and dimension stone are commonly found on many of the more resistant 

ridges that occur in the area, and are typically composed of sandstone, granite or limestone slabs partially 

covered with colorful lichens (not moss), or in some instances, not covered at all. Landscape boulders 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-46 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

usually consist of large blocks of granitic rocks found in the vicinity of the South Pass area in the Wind 

River Mountains. Currently, the BLM maintains a common use (non-exclusive sale) area for decorative 

and dimension stone on Aspen Mountain located south of Rock Springs. There is also a small common 

use area for topsoil material located near Highway 191 South in the Miller Mountain area. 

Current Management Practices 

Leasable Minerals 

The Rock Springs Field Office reviews parcels nominated for potential oil and gas leasing. BLMadministered public lands not specifically closed are open to consideration of oil and gas leasing. Public 

lands closed to leasing include lands within the Red Creek ACEC and portions of the Wind River Front. 

Where maximum protection of resources is necessary, an NSO requirement will be imposed. Timing 

limitations (seasonal restrictions) will be applied when activities occur during crucial periods or would 

adversely affect crucial or sensitive resources. Such resources include, but are not limited to, soils during 

wet and muddy periods, crucial wildlife seasonal use areas, and raptor nesting areas. Where controlled use 

or restrictions on specific activities are needed, but do not necessarily exclude activities, CSU or surface 

disturbance restrictions will be designed to protect those resources. Development actions will be analyzed 

on a case-by-case basis to identify mitigation needs to meet RMP objectives, provide for resource 

protection, and provide for logical development. Limitations on the amount, sequence, timing, or level of 

development may occur. This may result in transportation planning and in limitations in the number of 

roads and drill pads, or deferring development in some areas until other areas have been restored to 

previous uses. 

Geothermal resources are open to leasing consideration in areas that are open to oil and gas leasing 

consideration. Areas closed to oil and gas leasing are also closed to geothermal leasing. Exploration and 

development of geothermal resources are subject to application of mitigation requirements for surface 

disturbing activities and other activities in the same manner as they are applied to oil and gas exploration 

and development activities. Active grouse leks (sage- and sharptail- grouse) and the area within a onequarter mile radius of active leks are avoidance areas for surface disturbing activities and are open to 

consideration for Federal coal leasing and development with the following requirements: 

 Surface disturbing activities associated with such actions as surface coal mining methods, 

exploration drilling, construction of roads and other types of ROWs, etc., will be avoided in these 

areas, if possible. In cases where it is not possible to avoid these areas, intensive mitigation of the 

surface disturbing activities will be emphasized. 

 Permanent and high profile structures, such as buildings, overhead power lines, other types of 

ancillary facilities, etc., are prohibited in these areas. 

 During the grouse mating season, surface uses and activities are prohibited between the hours of 

6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., within a one-half mile radius of active leks (i.e., those leks occupied by 

mating birds). 

Grouse nesting areas (sage- or sharptail- grouse) are open to consideration for Federal coal leasing and 

development, with certain requirements. Exploration activities and ancillary facilities will be allowed with 

the following requirement: If an occupied grouse nest may be adversely affected by coal mining and 

related surface disturbing activities, surface uses and activities will be delayed in the area of influence for 

the nest until nesting is completed. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-47 

BLM-administered public land surface overlaying state-owned coal are open to further consideration for 

coal development with appropriate and necessary conditions and requirements for protection of the public 

land surface and surface resource values and uses, including big game crucial winter range, grouse leks, 

cultural values, geologic features, and ROW. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

The Rock Springs Field Office allows fluid mineral leasing, exploration, and development in the Jack 

Morrow Hills (JMH) area, provided mitigation measures to protect specific resources are implemented. 

The JMH area is divided into three implementation management areas. Area 1 is open to fluid mineral 

leasing with appropriate stipulations applied to protect sensitive resources; as leases expire within Area 1, 

they will be considered for subsequent lease offerings. Area 2 is open to leasing considering such factors 

as operational need, resource recovery, geology, and ability to mitigate impacts and with stipulations 

applied to protect sensitive resources. BLM may request potential lessees to share data (such as reservoir 

data or geologic data) or plans related to the development of the potential oil and gas resource prior to 

leasing; sharing of these data is voluntary. As leases expire within Area 2, they will be considered for 

subsequent lease offerings. Approximately 35,500 acres along the perimeter of Area 3 are available for 

leasing with an NSO stipulation. This acreage represents a distance of one-half mile within portions of the 

boundary of Area 3. Although current technologies suggest that the one-half mile distance is adequate at 

this time, these NSO areas may be expanded to include additional adjacent acreage provided the field 

office resource objectives can be met. 

The lease stipulations will notify the leaseholder that development activities may be limited, prohibited, 

or implemented with mitigation measures to protect specific resources. The stipulations will allow the 

leaseholder’s development activities while providing BLM with the authority for substantial delay or site 

changes or the denial of operations with the terms of the lease contract. The types of lease stipulations 

include CSU through limitation on the amount and type of surface disturbance, CSU through avoidance 

of other resources, timing limitations on development activity, and NSO. Standard lease terms and 

conditions may also apply. 

An interdisciplinary BLM team, in coordination with the working group, stakeholders, and other 

members of the public, will evaluate monitoring data and determine changes in management. Twelve 

basic sensitive resources and uses will be used to evaluate these lands and ensure that the appropriate 

mitigation is provided. These sensitive resources and uses may be adjusted in the future based on the 

implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategy. If an evaluation concludes that field office 

management objectives are not being met, the analysis of actions will include application of strategies that 

ensure continuity between activities and the land use plan. 

Monitoring of sensitive resource indicators will determine the effectiveness of lease stipulations and 

COAs and provide guidance for adopting new or modified stipulations, exception criteria, or COAs 

needed to meet resource objectives. Indicators could include, but are not limited to, wildlife population 

trends, reproduction rates, observed ranges, and habitat integrity. Development levels may be adjusted or 

new stipulations may be applied to new leases when offered. COAs may be applied to proposed activities 

as appropriate and necessary to protect resource values. Adjustments could be made to ensure that further 

activity will not cause fragmentation and abandonment of habitat and will still meet stated management 

objectives, safeguard sensitive resources, and not result in significant or irreversible adverse effects. 

Proposed changes will be analyzed in subsequent NEPA or other documents (such as site-specific NEPA 

analysis for well sites) in accordance with law and policy. Changes will be based on several factors 

including the following: 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-48 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 Data trends for indicators on the viability of potentially impacted wildlife and other sensitive 

resources, including impacts from other causes such as disease, drought, hunting pressure, 

introduction of nonnative species, and recreation activities. 

 Fragmentation of habitat and migration pathways due to development activities. 

 Net amount of surface disturbance, including approved development activities that will be 

implemented in nearby areas and planned reclamation of existing surface disturbances. 

 Amount and location of actual land use activity. 

Any surface disturbing and disruptive activities involved with development of existing leases will be 

subject to extensive review and mitigation that will allow appropriate levels of activity while meeting 

resource objectives and protecting sensitive resources in the area. BLM specialists will review sensitive 

resources with lease operators to develop and implement measures to allow for effective development 

operations where impacts could be avoided or mitigated. BLM has and will continue to apply and enforce 

necessary COAs identified through a site-specific NEPA or other analysis. Exceptions to lease 

stipulations and COAs will be allowed when site-specific analyses shows impacts to sensitive resources 

are within acceptable limits. Timing of activities will be considered where consistent with lease rights. 

Well spacing requirements for resource protection will defer to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation 

Commission guidance, with consideration for surface resource values. The Wyoming Oil and Gas 

Commission is responsible for establishing down-hole spacing for the State of Wyoming, which does not 

include an assessment of surface resources. BLM is responsible for managing all aspects of the public 

lands under its jurisdiction, including the appropriate surface use or “spacing,” giving consideration to the 

design, location, and placement of well sites and facilities and potential impacts on surface resources. 

Surface spacing for wells is evaluated based on appropriate NEPA or other analysis that considers 

impacts to all resources. The resultant surface spacing may not be the same as the down-hole spacing 

established by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission. 

Withdrawals will be revoked for lands classified as prospectively valuable for oil shale (oil shale is a 

leasable mineral). Upon revocation, the area will be open to the filing of mining claims, exploration, and 

development of locatable minerals. The White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC, located in the oil shale 

classification lands, will be withdrawn from mineral location prior to the revocation. Other areas that will 

be withdrawn from mineral location prior to the revocation of the coal classification include Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC (western portion), special status plant sites, Crookston Ranch, public water reserves, TriTerritory Marker, and South Pass Summit. 

Surface disturbing exploration activities of five acres or less on mining claims will require a notice to 

BLM. A plan of operations will be required for exploration-related surface disturbances greater than five 

acres; all mining-related surface disturbances greater than casual use; and disturbances of any size in 

ACECs, WSAs, areas closed to OHV use, and any lands or waters known to contain federally proposed or 

listed T&E species or their proposed or designated critical habitat. A plan of operations will specify how 

the operator intends to manage the mining operation and location of surface disturbing activities, 

including pits, adits or shafts, placement of waste rock and mine tailings, mills, conveyors, and surface 

impoundments (43 CFR 3809). 

The field office will be open to mineral material disposals where required to meet planning objectives, 

such as construction and maintenance of roads in the approved transportation plan, construction of 

recreational facilities, or other construction related to approved development activities. Mining and 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-49 

reclamation plans will be prepared for each use of salable mineral materials to provide protection for 

sensitive resources and to restore disturbed areas. 

Areas currently closed to mineral material disposals will remain closed. These include Crookston Ranch, 

Oregon Buttes ACEC, Native American burial sites, Boars Tusk, White Mountain Petroglyphs, Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC (visible portion), South Pass summit (5,260 

acres), raptor nesting sites, WSAs, and special status plant species. Other areas closed to mineral 

materials disposals will include the lava rock portion of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the Pinnacles 

Geologic Feature, and greater sage-grouse leks and one-quarter mile around the lek perimeter. 

The remainder of Steamboat Mountain ACEC and the Steamboat Mountain MA will be available for 

salable mineral development only when required to meet other planning objectives within the field office. 

The objectives for the Steamboat Mountain ACEC and the Steamboat Mountain MA must also be met. 

Greater sage-grouse nesting habitat will be open to mineral material disposals only if related disturbance 

and reclamation can occur during one field season (August 1 to November 15) and the site could be 

returned (through reclamation efforts) to a condition usable by greater sage-grouse prior to the next 

strutting season. Nesting habitat reclamation would require stockpiling and redistribution of top soil and 

planting of containerized stock (sagebrush, grass, forbs) of sufficient size and density to meet the nesting 

requirements of the birds. 

The field office will be open to alternative energy development projects, such as wind or solar farms, 

consistent with the resource protection requirements and the transportation plan. Permits or leases that 

will allow these developments to occur will include mitigation requirements to protect sensitive resources 

and will meet the location requirements for utility lines and roads required in the transportation plan. Sitespecific assessments will be required to identify potential impacts from construction activity and 

operation noise on wildlife, heritage resources, and visual resources. 

Locatable Minerals 

There are no current locatable mineral management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Salable Minerals 

There are no current salable mineral management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Leasable Minerals 

Current management issues and concerns are how to identify mitigation needs to meet RMP objectives, 

provide for resource protection, and provide for logical development and how to address an increase in 

national demand for oil and gas resources. 

Locatable Minerals 

Current management issues and concerns are how to provide opportunities to explore, locate, and develop 

mining claims while protecting other resource values, how to implement special operating and 

reclamation requirements for locatable minerals and establish additional locatable mineral withdrawal 
Chapter 2–Mineral Resources/Renewable Energy Final Summary of the AMS 

2-50 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

areas, and how to develop additional databases and mapping capabilities to properly manage the minerals 

programs. 

Salable Minerals 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for salable minerals as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Renewable Energy 

The Rock Springs Field Office is in the southern ‘wind corridor’ area of Wyoming, with wind resources 

of class 5 and above. The proper level and location of wind resource development and the effects on other 

resources, incorporation of the national programmatic EISs for Wind Energy and Transmission Corridors, 

and the identification of BMPs for renewable resources will be important considerations. Other renewable 

resources such as geothermal also should be considered and allocated in the field office, as appropriate. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Rangeland Management/Livestock Grazing 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-51 

2.6 RANGELAND MANAGEMENT/LIVESTOCK GRAZING

2.6.1 Overview 

The livestock grazing on BLM-managed public lands are primarily cattle, but also include sheep, and to a 

lesser extent horses and bison. Over 1,500 allotments occur within the planning area, providing 

approximately 1.2 million animal unit months (AUMs) of livestock forage. Grazing use on public lands is 

also administered through cooperative agreements between the various field offices. Some grazing 

allotments are operated under AMPs, coordinated RMPs, or management agreements. These plans 

typically prescribe more intensive grazing systems in an effort to improve or maintain healthy range 

conditions on the allotment. 

The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 established grazing districts and set restrictions on livestock stocking 

rates on public land. In the 1960’s the BLM in southwest Wyoming conducted vegetation surveys to 

determine the amount of forage available for livestock grazing. From these surveys, grazing capacity was 

adjudicated for the allotments in the area. In most cases this meant a reduction in the number of livestock 

allowed to utilize public land. This was conducted in an effort to make livestock grazing sustainable, and 

to meet a multiple-use sustained-yield objective. 

The BLM manages domestic livestock in accordance with the Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health 

and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management (1997). The standards are used to enhance sustainable 

livestock grazing and wildlife habitat while protecting watersheds and riparian ecosystems. Monitoring of 

rangelands is conducted primarily by BLM field office rangeland management staff, which generally 

documents use levels, conditions, and trends in rangeland attributes in coordination with current processes 

such as the Wyoming Standards for Rangeland Health and grazing permit renewals. Allotment-specific 

appropriate actions are implemented to improve rangeland conditions in areas not meeting the standards. 

Livestock use typically varies due to forage conditions, market prices, and changes in livestock 

operations. Since most of these operations have existed for three to four generations, adjusting to varying 

climate conditions, including drought, is a normal aspect of annual grazing management. In addition to 

modifying livestock numbers and use, other practices include locating additional pasture, weaning and/or 

shipping early, and increasing the use of irrigated, private lands. 

Several other recent factors that influence livestock numbers and management include high numbers of 

wild horses that exceeded appropriate management levels (AML), large increases in elk populations 

across Wyoming and neighboring states, and expansion of invasive poisonous plants due to surfacedisturbing activities related to oil and gas development. 

Range improvements within the planning area include water developments (wells, springs, reservoirs, and 

pipelines), livestock management facilities (fences, cattle guards, and corrals), and vegetation 

manipulation projects (prescribed burns, herbicide sprays, and mechanical treatments). BLM works 

closely with conservation districts and local Wyoming grazing districts to facilitate management of 

rangelands, monitoring of rangeland health, and planning for projects to enhance rangeland condition on 

public and private lands. 
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2-52 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.6.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

The Casper Field Office manages lands for livestock grazing in Converse, Goshen, Natrona, and Platte 

counties. The majority of the public lands are within Natrona County. Approximately 1.4 million surface 

acres of public land is available for grazing within 528 grazing allotments. The Casper Field Office 

administers 462 grazing leases, allowing approximately 200,000 AUMs of livestock forage. Through 

cooperative management agreements with other BLM field offices, the Casper Field Office administers 

grazing use on adjacent public lands. 

The types of livestock within the Casper Field Office include cattle, sheep, horses, and a small number of 

goats and bison. Of the 462 grazing leases, 76 percent (353 leases) authorize cattle only, nine percent (41 

leases) authorize both cattle and sheep, three percent (14 leases) authorize cattle, sheep and horses, one 

percent (6 leases) authorize sheep only, one percent (5 leases) authorize horse only, and less than one 

percent authorize bison/goats. Horse use for ranch operations is common and has been authorized on 12 

percent (39 leases) of the leases. 

A total of 18 allotments are operated under AMPs, coordinated RMPs or management agreements. Three 

allotments are currently in the planning stages for AMPs. Approximately 10 percent of the public lands in 

the Casper Field Office are to be assessed annually for rangeland health. At the end of the 2009 fiscal 

year, 76 allotments had been evaluated for rangeland health, with 31 of these not meeting one or more of 

the rangeland health standards. In these 31 allotments, specific guidelines are implemented to improve 

rangeland conditions. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current rangeland management/livestock grazing management practices that will be 

amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for rangeland management/livestock grazing as 

part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.6.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

BLM administration of livestock grazing within the Kemmerer Field Office encompasses Lincoln and 

Uinta Counties (WY), and parts of Sweetwater County (WY), Bear Lake County (ID), and Rich County 

(UT). The Kemmerer Field Office administers grazing on 221 allotments ranging in size from 40 acres to 

467,059 acres, which accounts for a total of 156,152 AUMS across all allotments. These allotments occur 

within the former Pioneer Trails and Star Valley Planning Units and include allotments that cross the 

Wyoming State line into Utah and Idaho. A total of 301 permittees and lessees use these allotments. 

Livestock that graze within land administered by the Kemmerer Field Office consist of cattle, sheep, and 

horses. Cattle account for 96,806 AUMs (62%), sheep account for 58,825 AUMs (38%), and horses 

account for 521 AUMs (less than 1%). Cattle are grazed on 186 allotments, sheep are grazed on 74 

allotments, and 42 allotments are grazed by both cattle and sheep. Ten of these allotments are also utilized 

by horses. Currently, there are 19 allotments that have established AMPs. There are two allotments that 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Rangeland Management/Livestock Grazing 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-53 

have Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMPs). These plans typically prescribe more intensive 

grazing systems in an effort to improve or maintain healthy range conditions on the allotment. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current rangeland management/livestock grazing management practices that will be 

amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for rangeland management/livestock grazing as 

part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.6.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

There are 312 ranch operators that graze livestock on public lands in the Newcastle Field Office. These 

ranchers generally have a low percentage of public land in their total operation. Many have 5,000 to 

10,000 acre ranches with scattered 40 to 80 acre tracts of public land. Only 65 operators have leases 

containing more than 1,000 acres of public land. Approximately 282,000 acres of public land and 48,000 

AUMs are leased for livestock grazing. Cow-calf operations are the norm in the area, but there are some 

sheep and yearling cattle operations. Generally, the season-of-use varies from year-long to five to six 

months (mid-May through October) in all counties. 

Lease periods vary in the field office; however, some ten year grazing leases have been issued. As on-theground monitoring of ranch units generates data on the types and numbers of livestock and seasons of use, 

more ten year leases may be issued. Exceptions to this procedure will be made when private leased land is 

involved. In such cases, the term of the federal lease will match the private lease term. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current rangeland management/livestock grazing management practices that will be 

amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for rangeland management/livestock grazing as 

part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.6.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Cattle and horses graze BLM-administered lands within the Pinedale Field Office. Of the 219 allotments, 

197 are cattle operations and 16 have only horses or both horses and cattle. Cattle are allotted 97 percent 

of the permitted AUMs, which total 107,536 AUMs. 

Range improvements in the field office include water developments (wells, springs, reservoirs, and 

pipelines), livestock management facilities (fences, cattle guards, and corrals), and vegetation 
Chapter 2–Rangeland Management/Livestock Grazing Final Summary of the AMS 

2-54 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

manipulation projects (prescribed burns, herbicide sprays, and mechanical treatments). Range 

improvements are designed and constructed to minimize adverse environmental impacts and maximize 

grazing function and cost effectiveness (BLM 1988). BLM works closely with conservation districts and 

local Wyoming grazing districts to facilitate management of rangelands, monitoring of rangeland health, 

and planning for projects to enhance rangeland condition on public and private lands. 

The last ecological condition inventory in the field office occurred in the mid-1980s. Results indicated 

that 5,609 acres were at the potential natural community; 479,170 acres were in late seral stage; 420,571 

acres were in midseral; 16,751 acres were in early seral stage; and 9,529 acres were undetermined. In 

many cases, vegetation communities are stable and may require a disturbance event, such as change in 

grazing regime, fire or mechanical treatment, to change the current seral status or state. 

About 65 percent of the field office has been evaluated for compliance with the Wyoming Standards for 

Rangeland Health (BLM 1997). These assessments indicate that 122 allotments are meeting the standards, 

20 allotments (283,508 acres) are not meeting one or more standards as a result of grazing, and 72 

allotments have not been assessed. 

Current Management Practices 

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. 

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. 

Livestock grazing in areas of crucial big game winter ranges will be managed to maintain or enhance 

vegetation condition and forage availability for wildlife, as appropriate. 

Livestock water developments on crucial elk winter ranges will be designed, located, and managed to 

maintain winter elk forage. 

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 plan with accompanying NEPA documentation. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

In recent years, additional focus has been placed on riparian habitat. Vegetation within riparian areas is 

influenced by the close proximity of the water table to the surface and tends to be more abundant and 

palatable to wildlife and livestock for longer periods of time than the surrounding upland vegetation. As a 

result, riparian areas are often the focus of grazing impacts. Willows and cottonwood found in these areas 

also provide shade. 

Another area of concern is the diversity of plant species in sagebrush steppe and the effects from livestock 

grazing on this vegetation type. Sage-grouse literature suggests that intact sagebrush ecosystems are 

essential during all sage-grouse seasonal periods, and a sagebrush canopy in conjunction with robust 

herbaceous understory is critical to maintaining quality breeding and summer seasonal habitats (Cagney 

et al. 2010). Management of cattle grazing (utilization and season of use) affects the height, density, and 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Rangeland Management/Livestock Grazing 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-55 

diversity of herbaceous materials used by grouse. Continuous spring grazing or season-long grazing on 

sagebrush/bunchgrass communities allows for potential transition of the sagebrush steppe system to a 

sagebrush/rhizomatous state that lacks an herbaceous understory to provide forage, nesting, and cover for 

sage-grouse. Due to geographic, climatic, and economic constraints, much of the rangeland throughout 

the Pinedale Field Office is continuously spring grazed. 

2.6.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

A total of 582 grazing allotments exist within the Rawlins Field Office. These are distributed across 

3,492,744 acres of public land (52.9%), other federal land (0.8%), state land (5.3%), and private land 

(40.9%). Allotments range in size from 20 acres to 291,954 acres. There are 222 allotments that contain 

640 acres (one section) or less of public land, 160 allotments that contain between 640 and about 2,500 

acres of public land, 115 allotments that contain between 2,500 and 10,000 acres, and 80 allotments each 

containing more than 10,000 acres of public land. These 80 allotments make up 76 percent of the public 

land in the Rawlins Field Office. The public and other federal lands on which the BLM administers 

grazing provide 469,575 AUMs for grazing use. The number of AUMs continues to fluctuate for various 

reasons. Reductions occur as a result of such actions as sheep-to-cattle conversions or following changes 

in season or duration of use. 

Of the 582 allotments in the field office, 87 percent are used by cattle alone, nine percent are used by 

cattle and sheep, and 1.4 percent are used by sheep alone. Cattle share five allotments with licensed 

domestic horses; there is one allotment with cattle and bison; four allotments are used by horses alone; 

and one is used by goats. Small numbers of horses used in ranching operations are also licensed in other 

allotments. Nine allotments currently do not have permitted livestock use. Two of these are wildlife 

management units where the private lands are controlled by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

(WGFD) and grazing use is authorized on a temporary, non-renewable basis in conjunction with WGFD. 

Other private lands with attached public land grazing have been purchased by individuals who are not in 

the livestock business. The public lands in these allotments are relatively small, and may be managed for 

other resource or uses (i.e., wildlife habitat or recreation), incorporated into a neighboring allotment, or 

identified for sale or exchange. 

Within the field office, 56 percent of allotments are used on a permit-long basis, 20 percent are managed 

with a deferred rotation system, and 16 percent are managed with a rotation system. Four percent of 

allotments are permitted for year-long use and often are used as utility pastures when needed. Dormant 

season, split season, and rest rotation management systems make up the balance of the allotments, in 

order by their percentage of use. 

Current Management Practices 

New fence construction will be authorized according to BLM standards unless modified following 

consultation with affected parties. Existing fences will be modified according to current BLM standards 

and according to wildlife and livestock management needs. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for rangeland management/livestock grazing as 

part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Rangeland Management/Livestock Grazing Final Summary of the AMS 

2-56 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.6.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Livestock grazing is authorized in 79 grazing allotments on approximately 3.5 million acres of BLMadministered public lands in the Rock Springs Field Office. In addition, there are about 15,100 acres of 

unallocated BLM-administered lands scattered throughout the field office. Some allotments contain lands 

unsuitable for livestock grazing. Other areas are suitable only for certain classes of livestock. 

The rangeland program emphasizes management of forage for livestock and wild horses, and incorporates 

needs for wildlife habitat and protection of riparian and watershed values. The specific goals and 

objectives of the program have and are being accomplished through careful planning at the activity level, 

with attention given to proper placement of rangeland improvements, distribution of livestock, kind and 

class of livestock, season of use, suitable grazing systems, plant and animal requirements, and vegetative 

land treatments. 

A number of range improvement projects have been constructed both for the enhancement and protection 

of watershed and wildlife values and for the management of domestic livestock grazing. Some of these 

projects are water developments, vegetative manipulations, and fences. All projects have been authorized 

under cooperative agreements or permits, depending on overall benefits and objectives and private 

investment levels. 

Current Management Practices 

All developed and some semi-developed recreation areas are closed to livestock grazing and will be 

fenced to reduce conflicts between uses. 

Site specific analyses will be conducted where necessary to help determine how to alleviate conflicts 

between wildlife use, livestock grazing, and development activities. A site specific plan that considers 

wildlife needs will be developed for the Pine Canyon, Long Canyon, Cedar Canyon, and Table Mountain 

area to alleviate conflicts between oil and gas production and exploration, wildlife needs, and livestock 

grazing. 

Salt or mineral supplements for livestock are prohibited within 500 feet of water, wetlands, or riparian 

areas unless analysis shows that watershed, riparian, and wildlife objectives and values would not be 

adversely affected. Salt or mineral supplements are prohibited on areas inhabited by special status plant 

species or other sensitive areas. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

A predicted increase in development of mineral resources will increase the presence of energy 

development and related infrastructure and machinery (e.g. roads, pipelines, well pads processing 

facilities and a variety of vehicular traffic). Forage may be reduced or change states, and may increase 

upon reclamation. 

Other likely impacts on livestock grazing will come from evaluations of grazing management, 

management for wildlife, T&E species, the presence of cultural resources, recreation activities, fire 

management, WSAs, wild horses, soil and watershed protection, invasive species, land sales and 

exchanges, ROW, air and atmospheric values (air quality) protection, and hazardous materials control. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Recreation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-57 

2.7 RECREATION

2.7.1 Overview 

Recreation 

Outdoor recreation is recognized as an important land use that provides social and economic benefits on 

national, regional and local levels and is more frequently being considered the dominant use on many 

public lands. The BLM provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism under the 

concept of multiple-use management. Recreational activities on public lands are multi-faceted and are 

both consumptive and non-consumptive. BLM-administered lands provide a broad spectrum of outdoor 

recreation opportunities, affording visitors the freedom of recreational choice with minimal regulatory 

constraints. Dispersed recreation uses on BLM-administered lands include, but are not limited to, sightseeing, touring, hiking, mountain biking, OHV use, photography, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, and 

hunting (with the latter two categories accounting for the majority of visitor days). These recreational 

opportunities are offered to the public on all BLM administered lands where legal access is available. 

Developed recreation sites are shown on Map 6. 

In addition to managing lands for general dispersed recreation activities, BLM administers a number of 

Special Recreational Permits (SRP) for specific nonexclusive commercial or competitive recreational 

activities. These permits are issued to provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational use, 

protect natural and cultural resources, and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational 

uses. The six general categories of SRPs are commercial, competitive, vending, individual or group use in 

special areas, organized group activity, and event use. 

Several SRMAs area also managed throughout the planning area. A SRMA is an area with a commitment 

to provide specific recreational activities and opportunities. These areas usually require a high level of 

recreational management. 

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) 

The national objectives for OHV management are to protect the resources of public lands, promote the 

safety of all users of those lands, and minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands. For 

legislative purposes, OHVs are defined as “any motorized vehicle capable of or designated for, travel on 

or immediately over land, water, or other terrain.” To meet national objectives each federal agency is 

required to designate areas and trails for OHV use or restriction. Area and trail designations are 

completed during the RMP planning process in accordance with BLM regulations and are limited to the 

following three management categories: 

 Open: Areas used for intensive OHV use where there are no compelling resource needs, user 

conflicts, or public safety issues to warrant limiting cross-country travel. 

 Limited: Areas or trails where BLM must restrict OHV use in order to meet specific resource 

management objectives. These limitations may include: limiting the number or types of vehicles; 

limiting the time or season of use; permitted, licensed use only; limiting to existing roads and 

trails; and limiting use to designated roads and trails. The BLM may place other limitations, as 

necessary, to protect other resources, particularly in areas that motorized OHV enthusiasts use 

intensely or where they participate in competitive events. 
Chapter 2–Recreation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-58 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 Closed: This designation is used if closure to all vehicular use is necessary to protect resources, 

ensure visitor safety, or reduce conflicts. 

2.7.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Dispersed recreation uses within the Casper Field Office include, but are not limited to, sight-seeing, 

touring, hiking, mountain biking, OHV use, photography, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, and hunting 

(with the latter two categories accounting for the majority of visitor days). These recreational 

opportunities are offered to the public on all BLM-administered lands within the Casper Field Office 

where legal access is available. 

Two travel routes in the field office have been included in the National Scenic Byway System: the South 

Bighorns/Redwall Backcountry Byway and a portion of the Seminoe to Alcova Backcountry Byway. The 

Seminoe to Alcova Backcountry Byway is jointly administered by the Rawlins and Casper Field Offices. 

Recreation developments along the South Bighorn-Redwall Backcountry byway include two BLM 

campgrounds and interpretive kiosks. Developed recreation sites near the Seminoe to Alcova 

Backcountry are managed by Natrona County and Wyoming State parks. 

In addition to managing lands for general dispersed recreation activities, BLM administers a number of 

SRP for specific nonexclusive commercial or competitive recreational activities. These permits are issued 

to provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational use, protect natural and cultural 

resources, and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational uses. The six general 

categories of SRPs are commercial, competitive, vending, individual or group use in special areas, 

organized group activity, and event use (BLM 2003b). The Casper Field Office administers 

approximately 27 SRPs annually, 22 of which are authorized for professional outfitter and guide services. 

Two SRMAs are designated in the Casper Field Office: the North Platte River SRMA and Middle Fork 

SRMA. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current recreation management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Public access is the primary management issue and concern related to recreation. 

2.7.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Dispersed recreation uses within the Kemmerer Field Office include, but are not limited to, sight-seeing, 

touring, hiking, mountain biking, OHV use, photography, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, and hunting 

(with the latter two categories accounting for the majority of visitor days). Additional recreation activities 

in the Kemmerer Field Office include rock and mineral collecting, boating, paddling, downhill and crosscountry skiing, and snowmobiling. Recreational opportunities are offered to the public on all BLMadministered lands within the Kemmerer Field Office where legal access is available. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Recreation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-59 

In addition to managing lands for general dispersed recreation activities, BLM also administers a number 

of SRPs for specific nonexclusive commercial or competitive recreational activities authorized by the 

Land and Water Conservation Fund. These permits are issued as a means to manage visitor use, protect 

natural and cultural resources, and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational uses. 

The six general categories are commercial, competitive, vending, individual or group use in special areas, 

organized group activity and event use (BLM 2003b). The Kemmerer Field Office currently administers 

eight hunting SRPs for commercial outfitters. 

Four SRMAs are designated in the Kemmerer Field Office: Pine Creek Canyon SRMA, Raymond 

Mountain SRMA, Class 1 portions of the Oregon-California National Historic Trail SRMA, and Dempsey 

Ridge SRMA. 

Current Management Practices 

The Kemmerer Field Office allows dispersed recreation and permits special recreational activities (e.g., 

outfitting and guiding permits and OHV events permitted on an annual basis after evaluation) on all 

BLM-administered lands. OHV use in the Pine Creek Canyon SRMA is limited to the designated road. 

The Kemmerer Field Office will maintain and enhance existing facilities in improved campground areas, 

as well as maintain and enhance other existing permanent recreational facilities and develop additional 

recreational facilities where appropriate. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for recreation as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.7.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Recreation activities on public land in the Newcastle Field Office are unstructured and dispersed in 

nature. The predominant recreational activity is hunting, primarily for mule deer and pronghorn. The 

Mallo Trail is the only developed recreation site in the field office on BLM-administered surface. The 

goal of the recreation program is to provide a diverse array of resource-dependent outdoor recreational 

opportunities while providing for resource protection, visitor services, and the health and safety of public 

land users. The varied land tenure within the field office has resulted in few contiguous parcels with 

public access. Of the BLM-administered public land in the field office, 60 percent has legal access; 

however, only 38 percent has reasonable vehicle access. The field office issues 11 SRPs. The only SRMA 

managed in the field office is the Stateline SRMA. 

Since 2005, visitation in the Newcastle Field Office has increased by approximately 35.8 percent, from 

8,266 visitor days to 11,229 visitor days in fiscal year 2010 (BLM 2011). Activities with the most notable 

increases in participation include camping, driving for pleasure, big game hunting, wildlife viewing, 

hiking, horseback riding and OHV use. Visitation is expected to remain relatively constant or to slightly 

increase over the next five years, unless additional public access is acquired in the field office. 

Current Management Practices 

The Newcastle Field Office will develop a recreation project plan, livestock water development, and 

wildlife habitat management plan (WHMP) for the development of the proposed Meadow Draw 

Reservoir Recreation Area. 
Chapter 2–Recreation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-60 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Management Issues and Concerns 

The current RMP calls for the construction of a livestock water/recreation reservoir. Construction of the 

proposed Meadow Draw Reservoir is no longer in the best interest of the public. A 35 acre reservoir has 

been constructed approximately five miles east of the proposed site with public fishing and access. 

2.7.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Recreational activities available within the Pinedale Field Office include big game hunting (e.g., elk, mule 

deer, moose, and pronghorn), small game hunting (e.g., grouse and waterfowl), fishing, river rafting, 

canoeing, lake boating, camping, backpacking, horsepacking, cross-country skiing, OHV use (including 

snowmobiling), rock collecting, sightseeing of historic trails and other scenic places, wildlife viewing, 

and photography. 

Specific recreational resources in the field office include SRMAs, extensive recreation management areas 

(ERMA), and developed recreation sites. An ERMA is an area not specifically designated as a SRMA and 

includes all BLM-administered lands outside SRMAs where dispersed recreation activities generally 

occur. Five SRMAs and eight developed recreation sites are managed within the field office. The SRMAs 

include the Boulder Lake SRMA, Scab Creek SRMA, Upper Green SRMA, Green and New Fork Rivers 

SRMA, and CCC Ponds SRMA. 

Other designated recreational areas include the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail system and the 

National Historic Oregon Trail (Lander Trail). Interpretive sites along the Lander Trail and at other 

locations inform visitors about the fur trapping era and western explorers and area settlement. Trapper’s 

Point and the DeSmet Monument are two interpretive sites on public lands that depict significant 

information relative to the “rendezvous” of the mountain men on the Upper Green River. 

Current Management Practices 

The Pinedale Field Office will develop recreation facilities, 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. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for recreation as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.7.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Recreation is one of the major resource uses within the Rawlins Field Office. Recreation resources 

include recreation sites and dispersed public lands, wildlife resources, visual resources, waterways, lakes, 

and other resources (physical, historical, etc.); each of which provides different recreational opportunities. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Recreation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-61 

A wide variety of recreational opportunities exist within the field office, primarily for dispersed use 

requiring undeveloped open space. These activities include wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, 

backpacking, OHV use, fishing, bicycling, photography, camping, orienteering, and floating. 

A large portion of the Rawlins Field Office is managed as Middle Country, which is greater than one-half 

mile from improved roads and in which the landscape appears to be natural, except for obvious primitive 

roads. The second most abundant class is Front Country, where improved roads are within one-half mile. 

Front Country is the predominant class in areas developed for oil and gas due to the prevalence of 

improved roads, particularly in the western area of the field office. Lands within one-half mile of 

highways and lands dominated by agriculture or industrialization are designated as rural. The small 

amount of acreage in proximity to and including towns or cities is classified as urban. 

In areas where recreation resources receive heavy use, developed recreation sites are often constructed to 

aid in managing impacts. Consequently, developed recreation sites are primarily located near high-use 

recreation attractions. There are six developed recreation sites, four undeveloped recreation sites, and 

seven recreation areas within the field office. These include the following: 

 Developed Recreation Sites: 

– Rim Lake Recreation Site 

– Teton Reservoir Recreation Site 

– Dugway Recreation Site 

– Prior Flat Campground 

– Wheatland Reservoir #3 

– East Allen Lake 

 Undeveloped Recreation Sites: 

– Nine-Mile Hill 

– Shirley Basin Reservoir 

– Little Sage Reservoir 

– Little Robber Reservoir 

Three SRMAs are managed in the field office: the Shirley Mountain SRMA, North Platte River SRMA, 

and a portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail that passes through BLM-administered 

land. 

Current Management Practices 

The Rawlins Field Office will maintain or improve existing recreation sites to ensure continued 

availability to the recreating public. Additional recreation sites will be considered for development based 

on need or demand, site suitability, and legal public access. The entire Rawlins Field Office is open to 

dispersed recreation with the exception of specific areas that must be excluded to protect public health 

and safety or special resource values. 

Developed and undeveloped recreation sites (9,660 acres) and the surrounding one-quarter mile area (an 

additional 7,930 acres) are open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. Lands within one-quarter 

mile of developed and undeveloped recreation sites (17,590 acres) are closed to locatable mineral entry, 

mineral material disposals, and operation of the public land laws, including sale. Withdrawals will be 

pursued. Buried utilities will be allowed with adequate reclamation of the surface. Above-ground 

facilities will be avoided unless adequately mitigated to protect the recreation site viewshed. 
Chapter 2–Recreation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-62 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail SRMA 

The one-quarter mile wide corridor is open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. Existing oil 

and gas leases will be intensively managed. 

Public lands (600 acres) are open to locatable mineral entry and closed to mineral material disposal. 

North Platte River SRMA 

The SRMA is open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. Existing oil and gas leases will be 

intensively managed. 

The SRMA is open to locatable mineral entry and closed to mineral material disposals. Surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities will be restricted to maintain the quality of the visual resource. 

OHV SRMA 

Develop OHV areas when needs are identified to promote educational programs in cooperation with 

partners on riding ethics and regulations. 

Shirley Mountain SRMA 

Develop primitive camping sites to disperse camping, ensuring compatibility with a middle country 

setting. 

Pursue land tenure adjustments to reduce trespass on private property. 

The SRMA is open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. Existing oil and gas leases will be 

intensively managed. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns are presented below: 

 OHV users often leave existing roads and vehicle routes and create new two-tracks, thereby 

contributing to vegetation loss, soil compaction, soil erosion, and wildlife harassment. 

 Use of existing roads and vehicle routes when they are muddy causes rutting and erosion whether 

the roads/vehicle routes are two-tracks or improved, and such use creates public safety hazards to 

drivers. 

 OHV use in the Sand Hills and Dune Ponds areas is of special concern because of the fragile 

nature of these areas. The Dune Ponds area receives a number of visitors because of its proximity 

to the Seminoe Reservoir and the population center of Rawlins. 

 A lack of understanding of land use ethics has increased inappropriate uses of OHVs on federal 

lands. 

 Shortage of law enforcement personnel and a rapid increase in OHV use throughout the Rawlins 

Field Office make it difficult to enforce OHV designations. This situation generally occurs more 

often in areas of higher recreational use, but there is evidence of rapid route proliferation 

throughout the Rawlins Field Office. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Recreation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-63 

2.7.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Recreation activities available on BLM-administered lands in the Rock Springs Field Office are many and 

varied. A brief listing includes stream and river fishing; big game hunting for elk, deer, pronghorn, and 

bear; small game, upland bird, and waterfowl hunting; river rafting and canoeing; swimming; camping; 

backpacking; horsepacking and riding; cross-country skiing; snowmobiling; dirt bike and other OHV use 

(dune buggies, etc.); mountain biking; rock and petrified wood collecting; sightseeing of historic trails 

and places; wild horse viewing; wildlife viewing; and general photography. 

The recreation resources of the field office are mostly dispersed. The major recreational boundaries of the 

field office include the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Green River, and Wind River Front. 

Major recreation locations include the Greater Sand Dunes Area, Oregon Buttes, Little Mountain, Blucher 

Creek, Three Patches Picnic Area, Pine Mountain, Wild Horse Loop Tour, and the Oregon Trail and its 

variant routes. 

Seven SRMAs are managed in the field office: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail SRMA, 

Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail SRMA, Green River SRMA, Wind River Front SRMA, Killpecker 

Sand Dunes SRMA, and Oregon and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails SRMA. 

Current Management Practices 

Most public lands in the Rock Springs Field Office are open to consideration of all individual, 

commercial, and competitive outdoor recreation uses. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, 

Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail, Green River, and Wind River Front are designated SRMAs to 

place management emphasis on enhancing recreation opportunities and to focus management on areas 

with high recreation values or areas where there are conflicts between recreation and other uses. The 

former SRMA designations (Killpecker Sand Dunes and Oregon and Mormon Pioneer National Historic 

Trails) are retained. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

In the JMH area management of recreation resources will comply with applicable regulations (43 CFR 

8300, et al.) for functions and activities, such as OHV, visitor services, special recreation use permits, and 

commercial operations. All management actions and recreation uses will focus on the health and safety of 

the user and provide for recreational opportunities and experiences while protecting sensitive resources. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for recreation as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Socioeconomic Conditions Final Summary of the AMS 

2-64 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.8 SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS

2.8.1 Overview 

Socioeconomics includes the existing circumstances for social and economic conditions, health and 

safety, and environmental justice. Social conditions often are based on a wide range of community and 

demographic characteristics and involve broad topics of community interests. The rural nature of the 

communities in the planning area causes them to be affected by public land management decisions. Land 

use, resource development, community values, and economic development are closely intertwined in the 

planning area. Community values with respect to land and resource management are central to social 

issues in the study area because they are closely tied to issues of economic development, custom and 

culture, and quality of life. Understanding the social and economic development, culture, and history of 

the area provides valuable insight into how changes to the study area might impact the livelihood and 

quality of life of residents. BLM’s resource management decisions can impact social and economic 

conditions for all of the communities in the area. 

Economic conditions relate to the analyses of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and 

services. Economic conditions describe how individuals and communities participate in the exchange of 

goods and services by earning a living and consuming products and services they need and want. 

Economic activities on BLM-administered land and mineral estate contribute to the fiscal well-being of 

local governments, as well as to state and federal governments. 

In discussions regarding health and safety, the BLM is required to address hazards that create safety risks 

to visitors on BLM-administered lands. 

BLM does not manage environmental justice resources; rather, it manages public lands and the resources 

and uses that occur on them. Analysis of environmental justice impacts and meaningful involvement of 

minority and low-income populations in the planning process are required by federal regulations and 

policies. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Soils 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-65 

2.9 SOILS

2.9.1 Overview 

Soils of the planning area have formed from a wide variety of geologic material, ranging from in situ 

geologic parent material rock (residuum) to material transported by wind (aeolian deposits), water 

(alluvium), gravity (colluvium), and ice (glacial till). These parent materials, along with variable climate, 

topography, vegetation, and management, produce soils with diverse characteristics. The soils in the 

planning area are classified into one of five groups, as applicable. The soils in the planning area possess 

several limitations that reduce the potential for establishing vegetation following a disturbance. Soils with 

limitations include highly erodible, saline, sodic, and sandy soils. 

Soils are affected by a variety of surface uses that loosen topsoil and damage or remove vegetation or 

other ground cover, which may result in accelerated erosion. Managing soils within the planning area 

emphasizes maintaining soil and landscape integrity through efforts to minimize accelerated erosion, 

avoiding or minimizing destruction of biological soil crusts, establishing successful site reclamation, and, 

in some cases, improving soil health through implementing grazing management plans. Reclamation of 

surface-disturbing activities and improving grazing management have been successful in sustaining soil 

productivity in most cases. 

2.9.2 Casper Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns related to management of soil resources include considering ways to 

improve reclamation of disturbed areas. The field office should continue to focus management on 

maintaining soil integrity, successful reclamation, reducing erosion, and in some cases improving soil 

health through implementation of grazing management plans. 

2.9.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for soils as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Soils Final Summary of the AMS 

2-66 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.9.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for soils as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.9.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for soils as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.9.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for soils as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.9.7 Rock Springs Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current soils management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Various issues are being addressed to protect soils. These measures include considering ways to improve 

reclamation of disturbed areas, focusing management actions on maintaining soil integrity, successful 

reclamation, reducing erosion, and in some cases, improving soil health through implementation of 

grazing management plans. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-67 

2.10 SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS AND MANAGEMENT AREAS

2.10.1 Overview 

The SD/MAs discussed in this section include ACECs, WSAs, and other MAs. Areas managed under 

special designations are regulatory or congressionally mandated and are designed to protect or preserve 

certain resource qualities or uses. Locations of SD/MAs are included on Map 7. The environment in the 

SD/MAs is unique in some respects, and it is therefore desirable to apply different management 

prescriptions to these areas compared to surrounding areas. 

Pursuant to the FLPMA of 1976, Section 103(a), an ACEC is defined as an area “within public lands 

where special management attention is required to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important 

historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes, or to 

protect life and safety from natural hazards.” While an ACEC may emphasize one or more unique 

resources, other existing multiple-use management can continue within an ACEC, provided the uses do 

not impair the values for which the ACEC was established. 

ACECs contain one or more resources that require special management and protection for maintaining the 

value of the resource and the area. Areas designated as ACECs may contain resources such as rare or 

sensitive archeological resources; habitat for endangered, sensitive, or threatened species; or rare geologic 

features. ACEC designations indicate areas for which special management attention is necessary for 

protecting and preventing irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, and scenic values; for 

protecting fish or wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or for protecting human life 

and safety from natural hazards. Management is considered special if it is unique to the area and includes 

terms and conditions designed specifically to protect the values in the ACEC. 

BLM recognizes that an ACEC has significant values and establishes special management measures to 

protect those values. The designation is a reminder that significant values exist that must be 

accommodated when future management actions and land use proposals are considered in the ACEC. 

Designation may also support a funding priority. The designation of ACECs is achieved only through the 

resource management planning process, either in an RMP or in a plan amendment. 

In 1964, the Congress passed the Wilderness Act, establishing a national system of lands for the purpose 

of preserving a representative sample of ecosystems in a natural condition for the benefit of future 

generations. Until 1976, most land considered for and designated as wilderness was managed by the 

USFS and NPS. With the passage of FLPMA in 1976, the Congress directed BLM to inventory, study, 

and recommend which public lands under its administration should be designated wilderness. 

In the interim, between the inventory that identifies suitable and eligible areas appropriate for wilderness 

designation and the actual congressional designation of a wilderness, BLM must manage the potential 

wilderness. BLM manages these potential wilderness areas as WSAs (BLM 1990). During the time that 

the Congress considers an area for wilderness, which can be many years, designated WSAs require 

special management practices to preserve the wilderness characteristics that make the areas appropriate 

for designation. WSAs, established under the authority of Section 603(c) of FLPMA, are managed to 

preserve their wilderness values according to the IMP and will continue to be managed in that manner 

until the Congress either designates them as wilderness or releases them for other uses. Only the Congress 

can designate or release Section 603 WSAs. 
Chapter 2–Special Designations Final Summary of the AMS 

2-68 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.10.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

This section identifies the various SD/MAs within the Casper Field Office and addresses the qualities or 

uses that have resulted in their designation. Three ACECs and five MAs are managed within the Casper 

Field Office. 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Jackson Canyon ACEC 

The Jackson Canyon ACEC is in south-central Natrona County at the western end of Casper Mountain. 

The ACEC encompasses 14,025 acres, of which 3,938 acres are public surface and 11,104 acres are 

federal mineral estate. Most private lands within the ACEC are subject to easements held by The Nature 

Conservancy, generally designed to preserve resources in a natural state and limit development. 

Salt Creek Hazardous ACEC 

BLM designated the 235,325 acre Salt Creek Hazardous ACEC under the natural hazards criterion of 

ACEC designation under Section 103(a) of the FLPMA of 1976. Hazards associated with the Salt Creek 

ACEC resulted from human activity associated with oil and gas extraction. Since the designation of the 

ACEC, operators have reduced the amount of environmental hazards in the area by taking their own 

initiatives and working with BLM and local communities on a case-by-case basis. Operators also have 

taken steps to improve the visual quality in the area by reclaiming surface disturbance associated with 

past oil and gas development. BLM management challenges will continue in the area because of 

environmental hazards associated with ongoing and future oil and gas development. 

Alcova Fossil ACEC 

The Alcova Fossil Area near Alcova Reservoir in southwest Natrona County was designated an ACEC 

based on the paleontological resources known to exist within the proposed boundaries. Values associated 

with the site include the Alcova Pterodactyl Trackway locality which one of only four such trackway 

occurrences known worldwide. The individual tracks in the ACEC are larger than any others found in 

North America and suggest the animals had a wingspan of 10 feet. Recent research has revealed the 

presence of additional trackways in the area. Also, exposed outcrops of the Morrison and Sundance 

formations in the area contain numerous fossilized remains of marine and terrestrial species, including 

plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, Allosaurus, and Camarasaurus from the Triassic and Jurassic periods. The 

potential for discovery of additional paleontological resources in the area is high. The BOR has developed 

the Dinosaur Trail, a hiking trail with interpretive signs explaining the geology and paleontology, on 

adjacent lands. 

Several instances of theft and vandalism aimed at the paleontological resources have occurred in the past, 

including theft of the flagstone-type rock preserving the tracks at one trackway. Numerous mining claims 

also exist in the area. Recreationalists heavily use the Alcova Reservoir area. 

Management Areas 

Bates Hole MA 

Bates Hole is a collective term for the area with boundaries of the Bates Creek and North Platte RiverBolton Creek watersheds. The area is located in southwestern Natrona County and extends into northern 

Carbon County beyond the Casper Field Office; however, management decisions in this document apply 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-69 

only to the 375,221 acres within the field office, not the portions of the watersheds that are located 

outside. Approximately 288,504 acres of public land, including 158,023 public surface acres, fall within 

the MA boundary. 

The Bates Hole MA will protect highly erosive soils, fragile watersheds, and crucial wildlife habitats 

within the proposed boundary. Approximately 26,924 acres of highly erosive soils occur on public lands 

soils on BLM-administered surface in the planning area. Soils with a high wind-erosion potential within 

the MA are not a significant feature (1,330 acres) and comprise less than one percent of the high wind 

erosion potential soils on public land in the planning area. The dominant vegetation types in the area 

include sagebrush, forests, woodlands, and shrublands. Sagebrush complexes comprise nearly 40 percent 

of the area and represent the best quality greater sage-grouse habitats within the field office and some of 

the finest habitats in Wyoming. There are 30 identified greater sage-grouse leks, 111 identified raptor 

nests, and 122,799 acres of crucial wildlife habitats present on public land within the MA boundary. 

Crucial wildlife habitats occupy approximately 43 percent of all public land within the MA. Some lands 

within the MA have been converted to agriculture, urban, and industrial uses. 

Portions of the North Platte River also fall within the boundary and include some of the highest quality 

recreation and fishing opportunities in the field office including 17 miles of Class I and 88 miles of Class 

II waters. The MA currently encompasses portions of the Jackson Canyon Alcova Fossil ACECs. 

Ninety-six percent of the MA is located in a very low oil and gas development potential area, with the 

other four percent rated as having no development potential. Oil and gas leases on 3,478 acres of federal 

mineral estate (approximately 1% of the MA) are held by production at Government Bridge, Schrader 

Flats, and Bates Creek oil and gas fields. An additional 13,174 acres (approximately 3.5% of the MA) are 

presently leased. The remaining portion of the MA is presently unleased. These three fields combined to 

produce 17,241 barrels of oil and 2,265 thousand metric feet of natural gas during 2004 and appear to be 

fully developed. This production represents less than one percent of oil and gas production in the Casper 

Field Office during 2004. 

The Bates Hole MA has high potential for locatable minerals, such as uranium, bentonite, limestone, and 

jade. Numerous mining claims exist in the area, as well as numerous active mineral material pits. 

Salt Creek MA 

The Salt Creek MA falls completely within the boundary of the existing Salt Creek Hazardous ACEC and 

facilitates oil and gas exploration and development in the Salt Creek oil field area. The drilling of the No. 

1 Salt Creek (or No. 1 Dutch) in October 1908 opened Salt Creek as one of the most productive fields in 

the Rocky Mountains. Based on data from the WOGCC, the Salt Creek oil field has produced about 671-

million barrels of oil and 723-billion CF of gas as of October 2003 (BLM 2005). Salt Creek is the oldest 

and largest oil field in the southern Powder River Basin, the largest sweet oil-producing field in the world, 

and is currently the third largest oil producer in Wyoming (BLM 2005). In 2002, Salt Creek produced 36 

percent of the oil produced in the planning area, and well over half of the original oil-in-place in Salt 

Creek is still there (BLM 2005). In addition, the implementation of a carbon dioxide flood began in the 

Salt Creek field in 2002 and will continue for the next 10 years. 

After a century of oil and gas development, the Salt Creek oil field area provides important grazing 

resources and habitats for nesting raptors, black-tailed prairie dogs, mule deer, pronghorn, and other birds 

and small mammals. The area contains prehistoric archeology sites, historic oil field sites, the Bozeman 

Trail, and provides for limited recreational hunting opportunities. 
Chapter 2–Special Designations Final Summary of the AMS 

2-70 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Sand Hills MA 

The approximately 17,633 acre Sand Hills area in east central Natrona and west central Converse 

Counties is identified for special management to maintain the integrity of soils and vegetation and to 

protect highly erosive soils. Soils in the area are susceptible to moderate to severe wind and water 

erosion. Ninety-five percent of the MA has been identified as having high wind-erosion potential, which 

is nearly one quarter of all high wind-erosion soils on public surface in the field office. Sand dunes are a 

dominant feature in the area and provide visual relief from the surrounding landscape. Although the area 

contains examples of both active and inactive dunes, the majority of the area is stabilized by vegetation. 

The sand dunes vary in length from 100 to 500 yards; some reach a height of 300 feet. Pioneer native 

grasses can be observed on many of the dunes. 

While a number of sand hills and sand dunes occur in other areas of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain 

system, the Sand Hills area occurs in close proximity to Casper and mostly comprises public lands (both 

surface and federal mineral estate) within the boundary of the MA. The Sand Hills area is a system that 

provides habitats for big game and nongame species. Approximately 13 percent of the area is considered 

to be a crucial wildlife habitat. No greater sage-grouse leks and only one raptor nest have been identified 

within the MA. A segment of the Bozeman Trail passes through the center of the proposed MA. Sand 

dunes within the Sand Hills MA may meet habitat requirements for the blowout penstemon, which is 

adapted to blowout dunes habitat caused and maintained by wind erosion. One management requirement 

for recovery of blowout penstemon is creating favorable conditions for colonization of new sites. 

Livestock grazing is a traditional and historic land use in the area and oil and gas development has 

occurred in this area since the late 1950s. The area has low-to-moderate development potential for oil and 

gas. No roads provide legal public access to the Sand Hills. Bladed and gravel roads, as well as 

unimproved two-track roads, are present in the Sand Hills and serve oil facilities and local ranches. Oil 

and gas leases in a portion of the area (3,172 acres) are held by production from development at Cole 

Creek and South Cole Creek. Other portions of the area are leased (10,265 acres); approximately 42 

percent is unleased (7,368 acres). 

Ninety-eight percent of the MA is identified as having low oil and gas development potential; however, a 

multimillion-dollar three-dimensional geophysical project was recently completed in this area, which 

could lead to further development and leasing of the area. No known mining claims occur within the area; 

however, numerous mining claims for uranium have recently been filed adjacent to the MA along the 

northeastern boundary. 

South Bighorns/Red Wall MA 

The South Bighorns/Red Wall complex includes wildlife habitats, unique vegetation, cultural and historic 

values, and a high-value recreational area. The area encompasses mule deer crucial winter range, elk 

crucial winter range, and greater sage-grouse habitats. The Red Wall/Gray Wall provides nesting habitats 

for a variety of raptor species and contributes to the visual quality of the area. The area also contains a 

unique plant community, curl-leaf mountain mahogany, which is a component of big game crucial winter 

ranges. Curl-leaf mountain mahogany is also an important fall and winter forage for deer and elk and is 

utilized by livestock. Forests and woodlands provide hiding, escape, and thermal cover for wildlife; as 

well as provide a small commercial source of wood products. Mountain big sagebrush communities in the 

area support a wide variety of wildlife species, as an important food source and as hiding and nesting 

cover. In addition, the area provides habitats for a variety of wildlife, such as the mountain lion, swift fox, 

marmot, greater sage-grouse, Hungarian partridge, and various migratory bird species. 

The South Bighorns/Red Wall area exhibits a dense and diverse range of cultural and historical resources 

rivaling that found anywhere in Wyoming including portions of the Cedar Ridge TCP and the Hole-in-
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-71 

the-Wall region. Evidence that supports Native American use in the South Bighorns includes numerous 

temporary camps, stone-tool manufacturing localities, and food preparation and processing sites. Native 

American religious practitioners have identified stone circles found on exposed ridges as having religious 

significance. The South Bighorns provided several important travel routes used by Native Americans, 

pioneers, and outlaws. 

The area is traversed by the South Bighorns/Red Wall National Back Country Byway, designated in 1990 

and originating from two important stock driveways, the Arminto and 33-Mile. These stock driveways are 

still used today by the local ranching community, are two of the longest stock driveways in the west, and 

were the first to be established in Wyoming. A sheepherder’s monument is located at the intersection of 

these two stock driveways. The National Back Country Byway provides access to the area, which offers 

numerous recreational opportunities, such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing. There are 

two BLM campgrounds within the area accessed by the national back country byway. Recreational OHV 

use is increasing and is intensive during the hunting season. 

The South Bighorns/Red Wall area has high scenic values. The Chugwater Formation interrupts gentle 

flowing lines with steep vertical escarpments. The most prominent attribute of the Chugwater Formation 

is its striking crimson color. Buffalo Creek and Badwater Creek canyons, as well as numerous lesser 

canyons, dissect the area and add important diversity and richness to the visual quality. 

Oil and gas leases in a small portion of the area (1,102 acres) are held by production from development at 

the Madden (Deep) oil and gas field primarily in Fremont County, which is administered by BLM’s 

Lander Field Office. Approximately 20,179 acres, of which 12,539 acres are public surface and 7,640 

acres are federal mineral estate, are administratively unavailable for oil and gas leasing. The majority of 

the area rates as having low-to-no oil and gas production potential. 

Numerous mining claims occur in the area. An increased interest in uranium has increased filings of new 

mining claims in the area. There are three active sand and gravel permits in the area; two are free-use 

permits and the other is a negotiated contract. In addition, there are talc and soapstone claims, with some 

copper exploration, in the area west of Grave Springs Campground along the EK Trail. 

Wind River Basin MA 

Improvements in hydraulic fracturing technology have encouraged extensive oil and gas development in 

parts of the Wind River Basin lying within the field office. The Wind River Basin MA lies in the western 

portion of Natrona County and the Casper Field Office manages it to facilitate oil and gas production. 

Although gas production in the planning area declined from 100- to 63-billion CF per year since 1999, 

drilling in the eastern Wind River Basin portion of the planning area may reverse or at least flatten the 

decline during the next few years. In addition, the eastern portion of the Wind River Basin is prospective 

for additional discoveries of natural gas (BLM 2005). 

Estimates for the gas-in-place resource, for the portion of the MA lying within the field office, range from 

approximately 228-trillion CF to 268-trillion CF. The estimate for deep gas-in-place is approximately 72-

trillion CF present within that part of the Wind River Basin that lies within the planning area (BLM 

2005). 

The Wind River Basin provides a diversity of habitats for numerous plant and wildlife species, including 

mule deer, pronghorn, and various special status species, such as the mountain plover, white-tailed prairie 

dog, raptors, and the greater sage-grouse. Portions of the Wind River Basin contain crucial winter ranges 

for both mule deer and pronghorn. The basin also contains sagebrush habitats for the greater sage-grouse 
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2-72 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

and other sagebrush obligates, as well as a large number of prehistoric archeology sites and the Bridger 

Trail. 

The Wind River Basin MA is managed for energy development. By not applying discretionary timing 

restrictions for big game crucial winter ranges, and raptor, mountain plover, and greater sage-grouse 

nesting habitats within the proposed boundaries of the proposed MA, larger windows of time are provided 

not only for drilling of new wells but also for reclamation operations. Compliance with federal laws, such 

as the ESA and MBTA, are still required throughout the MA area. 

Currently, the greater sage-grouse and mountain plover are recognized as Wyoming BLM sensitive 

species. This designation requires the BLM to ensure that actions on public surface and federal mineral 

estate consider the welfare of these species and do not contribute to the need to list the species under the 

ESA. 

Current Management Practices 

Bates Hole MA 

Surface-disturbing activities and disruptive activities are subject to a CSU stipulation, restricting or 

prohibiting surface occupancy unless the proponent and surface management agency arrive at an 

acceptable plan for mitigation for impacts. To meet watershed management goals, the Bates Hole MA is 

intensively managed. 

No new corridor designations will be made in Bates Hole. When placement of a major ROW facility 

within a designated corridor is not possible, and for smaller ROW and other linear facilities, placement 

will be adjacent to existing facilities or disturbances. Cross-country placement of ROW and other linear 

facilities will be allowed only when placement in a designated corridor or adjacent to an existing facility 

is not practical or feasible. The extent of all surface disturbances will be minimized. Management actions 

to conserve and/or improve greater sage-grouse habitats are described in the special status species section. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for SD/MAs as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.10.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

This section identifies the various SD/MAs within the Kemmerer Field Office and addresses the qualities 

or uses that have resulted in their designation. Four ACECs, one WSA, and two Areas of Significant 

Resource Concern (ASRC) are managed within the Kemmerer Field Office. 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Raymond Mountain ACEC 

The Raymond Mountain ACEC includes 12,667 acres of BLM-administered surface and mineral estate 

along the northwestern edge of the planning area and lies wholly within the area managed by the Thomas 

Fork Habitat Management Plan (BLM 1979). The Raymond Mountain ACEC designation is based on a 

recommendation within the Thomas Fork HMP to designate aquatic and riparian habitats of the Thomas 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-73 

Fork drainage as an ACEC to amplify management needs of the Bear River (Bonneville) cutthroat trout 

(BLM 1982), a BLM sensitive species. 

Cooperative management strategies developed with local livestock permittees/lessees have provided 

additional protections for sensitive resources in the area through livestock reductions and season of use 

restrictions. Livestock grazing currently is permitted within the Raymond Mountain ACEC. 

BLM manages the Raymond Mountain watershed to protect the needs of the sensitive Bonneville 

cutthroat trout, which is in danger of being extirpated from the drainage. The Raymond Mountain ACEC 

provides yearlong habitats for all life stages of the Bonneville cutthroat trout and other native nongame 

aquatic species (WGFD 2004a). 

Bridger Butte ACEC 

The Bridger Butte ACEC is located south of I-80 between Lyman and Evanston and is intended to protect 

sensitive cultural values, including National Historic Trails and associated sites. Historical accounts and 

emigrant diaries repeatedly refer to Bridger Butte as an important landmark that signified their approach 

to Fort Bridger, an important rest stop on the journey west. In addition, several Native American tribes 

have identified Bridger Butte as an area of tribal significance. 

The area includes habitats for special status plant species populations, including tufted twinpod, prostrate 

bladderpod, Maybell locoweed, and Payson beardtongue. Rare animals inhabiting the area include the 

Uinta ground squirrel and Idaho pocket gopher. In addition, the area of the Blacks Fork River includes 

populations of roundtail chub and flannelmouth suckers (WGFD 2004a). The ACEC exhibits low oil and 

gas development potential and low occurrence potential for coal, phosphate, and trona. 

Special Status Plants ACEC 

The ACEC includes known populations for any, or all, of eight special status plant species known to exist 

in the planning area. Particular species of concern include Trelease’s racemose milkvetch, entire-leaved 

peppergrass, large fruited bladderpod, Western bladderpod, prostrate bladderpod, Beaver Rim phlox, 

tufted twinpod, and Dorn’s twinpod. 

Special status plant species habitats are located in multiple locations within the planning area including 

areas subject to OHV use, mineral development, and livestock grazing. The majority of the ACEC areas 

exhibit low or moderate oil and gas development potential and none of the areas exhibit high oil and gas 

development potential. Occurrence potential for coal within the ACEC areas is low and most of the areas 

are classified as having a low to moderate occurrence potential for phosphate. The occurrence potential 

for trona within ACEC areas is also low. 

Cushion Plant Communities ACEC 

The ACEC and areas comprise known populations and seven endemic species. Cushion plant 

communities are sparsely vegetated areas with low-growing, mat-like tufts of vegetation with bare soil 

and gravel between the individual plants. Cold winters, little rainfall, and strong winds contribute to the 

development of these specialized communities. The communities are vulnerable to surface disturbance 

and have a slow recovery time. Usually 50 years or more are required to restore the communities to their 

original native state after disturbance. The cushion plant communities frequently contain uncommon and 

regional endemic plant species. Species composition varies from one community to another. Typical 

associates found in these areas include different species of phlox, twinpod, bladderpod, and legumes. 
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2-74 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

The area northeast of Kemmerer within the ACEC includes active livestock grazing and oil and gas 

development. The ACEC area exhibits moderate oil and gas development potential and low occurrence 

potential for coal, phosphate, and trona. 

Wilderness Study Areas 

Raymond Mountain WSA 

One WSA exists within the planning area. The Raymond Mountain WSA is located in the Sublette 

Mountain Range (Raymond Mountains). The WSA is approximately 19 miles long, four miles wide at its 

widest point, and includes approximately 32,880 acres. The WSA has diverse vegetation and step 

topography. A major portion of the area is forested with Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and other coniferous 

trees, as well as aspen. The southern end of the WSA contains stands of big sagebrush and rock outcrops. 

Current management of the Raymond Mountain WSA is subject to the provisions of the Interim 

Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands Under Wilderness Review: Update Document H-8550-1, 

11/10/87 (BLM 1995a). Management emphasizes preservation of wilderness values until wilderness 

determination is made by Congress. The Raymond Mountain WSA exhibits very low oil and gas 

development potential, moderate-to-high phosphate occurrence potential, and most of the WSA is 

classified as having low occurrence potential for coal and trona. 

Areas of Significant Resource Concern (ASRC) 

Rock Creek/Tunp ASRC 

The ASRC is located northwest of Kemmerer and is intended to protect sensitive overlapping wildlife 

habitats, cultural values, National Historic Trails and associated sites, and special status plant species. The 

area includes significant physical traces of the Oregon-California National Historic Trail that retain 

historic scenic qualities. This area also provides habitats for, and identified locations of, several special 

status plant species. 

This area is within the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish’s Strategic Habitat Plan Priority Area 1 

for both the Green River Regional Wildlife Division and the Pinedale Regional Fish Division. The area 

contains overlapping big game crucial winter ranges and a north-south migration corridor for mule deer, 

as well as migration corridors for elk, pronghorn, and moose. Currently, the area is closed during the 

winter season to motorized vehicles to protect wintering big game. The area supports yearlong and 

seasonal habitats for greater sage-grouse, other sensitive sagebrush obligate species, and all local big 

game species. In addition, the northeast portion of the proposed MA contains designated elk parturition 

habitats. The area also contains a raptor migration corridor and potentially provides habitats for 

Bonneville cutthroat trout, bluehead suckers, and leatherside chub. Roundtail chub and flannelmouth 

suckers also may utilize the Willow Creek drainage. 

The entire ASRC exhibits low oil and gas development potential. Most of the area exhibits low 

occurrence potential for coal; however, approximately 5,000 acres exhibit moderate occurrence potential. 

Phosphate occurrence potential within the ASRC is mostly moderate with less than 10,000 acres 

classified as low and less than 1,000 acres classified as high occurrence potential. The entire area has low 

occurrence potential for trona. 

Bear River Divide ASRC 

The ASRC is located southwest of Kemmerer and directly south of the Rock Creek/Tunp ASRC. The two 

areas are connected by underpasses that allow movement of big game from one side of U.S. Highway 30 

to the other. The Bear River Divide MA is intended to protect and enhance critical wildlife habitats, 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-75 

cultural values, and paleontology resources. The area includes traces of the Oregon-California National 

Historic Trail, Bear River Divide Trail Landmark, Fossil Butte National Monument viewshed, and 

internationally renowned fossil fish paleontological resources. 

This area is within the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish’s Strategic Habitat Plan Priority Area 1 

for both the Green River Regional Wildlife Division and the Pinedale Regional Fish Division (WGFD 

2004b). The WGFD reports that the area, “...contains crucial big game winter range for the Wyoming 

Range mule deer, Uinta mule deer, West Green River elk, Carter Lease pronghorn, and Bear River Divide 

moose herd units” (WGFD 2004b). The area also contains a north-south migration corridor for mule deer, 

as well as migration corridors for elk and pronghorn. Currently, the area is closed during the winter 

season to motorized vehicles to protect wintering big game. The area supports yearlong and seasonal 

habitats for greater sage-grouse, other sensitive sagebrush obligate species, and all local big game species. 

The area also contains a raptor migration corridor. In addition, the river potentially provides habitats for 

Bonneville cutthroat trout, bluehead suckers, and leatherside chub. Roundtail chub and flannelmouth 

suckers also may utilize area drainages. 

The eastern portion of the ASRC is located over the Fossil Basin paleontological feature, and the 

northeast portion is part of the viewshed area of Fossil Butte National Monument. This area will protect 

and highlight the paleontological deposits in the area, as well as scenery and views from Fossil Butte 

National Monument. 

A number of gas plants, including Carter Creek, Road Hollow, and Whitney Canyon, occur in the area, 

including associated surface pipelines. The ASRC exhibits low to high oil and gas development potential. 

Coal and phosphate occurrence potentials within the area primarily have low to moderate oil and gas 

development potential. Trona occurrence potential within the ASRC is low. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current special designation management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for SD/MAs as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.10.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

The Newcastle Field Office manages one SD/MA, which is the Whoopup Canyon ACEC. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current special designation management practices that will be amended as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for SD/MAs as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 
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2-76 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.10.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

This section identifies the various SD/MAs within the Pinedale Field Office and addresses the qualities or 

uses that have resulted in their designation. Four ACECs, three MAs, and two WSAs are managed within 

the Pinedale Field Office. 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Rock Creek ACEC 

The management objective for the 5,270 acre Rock Creek ACEC is to protect the Rock Creek drainage to 

ensure quality aquatic habitat for the Colorado River cutthroat trout and to provide crucial winter range 

for a portion of the Piney elk herd. This ACEC was designated in the 1988 RMP. Because oil and gas 

leases are issued in aliquot parts, the boundary stretches beyond the actual hydrologic unit of the Rock 

Creek drainage. Land management actions within the drainage are more restrictive than those applied to 

the area that falls outside the watershed. 

Beaver Creek ACEC 

The objectives for managing the approximately 3,590 acre Beaver Creek ACEC are to ensure quality 

aquatic habitat for the sensitive Colorado River cutthroat trout and to protect elk calving habitat. Beaver 

Creek was designated as an ACEC during the 1988 RMP planning process. 

Trapper’s Point ACEC 

Trapper’s Point is a major funnel, or bottleneck, for mule deer and pronghorn in their migrations to and 

from winter range. The bottleneck is formed by the Green River to the west and the New Fork River 

agricultural lands to the east. A recent upswing in residential development to the east compounds the 

definition and constriction of the bottleneck. The Upper Green River Cattle Association relies on this area 

for movement of cattle from desert to forest allotments and back. This tradition has occurred for almost 

100 years. Going back further in time, one of the most significant archaeological sites within the planning 

area is in the heart of the bottleneck, attesting to its long tradition with pronghorn. The Trapper’s Point 

Site, 48SU301, is a pronghorn kill and butchering site more than 6,000 years old. Numerous other cultural 

sites are concentrated in the area. 

New Fork Potholes ACEC 

This unique subsection of the Wind River Front contains nearly 100 glacial potholes, which are 

depressions formed by huge blocks of ice stranded in a field of glacial outwash materials. Upon melting, 

these blocks left depressions in the landscape, which today remain in the form of small lakes. Abundant 

waterfowl use the ecosystem for nesting and brood rearing and as a stopover point in their migrations. 

Reintroduction efforts for the trumpeter swan have been attempted in the past. Riparian vegetation 

surrounds the potholes, providing habitat for various wildlife, including neotropical birds, elk, deer, and 

moose. A portion of the region serves as crucial elk winter range. The area is accessible for semiprimitive motorized recreational activities. 

Management Areas 

Miller Mountain MA 

This ecosystem is a remote, largely roadless landscape consisting of steep foothills with a combination of 

sagebrush, aspen, and conifer vegetation types. This area is an extension of the Lake Mountain WSA 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-77 

viewshed and contains Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class II values. It is identified as elk 

parturition and crucial winter range, contains lynx analysis units, and is widely used for big game hunting. 

It also contains potential Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat in Miller and Coal Creeks. Numerous 

small perennial streams and sensitive riparian habitats occur throughout the area. The area offers 

recreational opportunities for semi-primitive motorized activities. Miller Mountain is rich in cultural 

history and includes an ancient pictograph site, historic Fort Hill, and more recent stone sheepherder 

cairns that signified range boundaries. 

Ross Butte MA 

This ecosystem is dominated by a badlands landscape that is virtually roadless and offers wide scenic 

vistas similar to the Painted Desert of Arizona. The soils, which are barren and unstable, provide unique 

habitat for Wyoming BLM sensitive endemic plant species. Within this area is winter habitat for sagegrouse and mule deer. The area contains abundant archeological materials and unique sites considered 

important and sensitive to Native Americans. One TCP is known, and the landform types found in this 

system frequently contain other sensitive cultural resources. The area offers recreational opportunities for 

semiprimitive motorized activities and is currently experiencing uncontrolled OHV use, resulting in 

increased erosion that causes visual intrusions and can destroy sensitive plant habitat. This landscape, 

which is unique to the Pinedale Field Office area, offers substantial recreation potential, including hiking, 

mountain biking, wildflower viewing, and other activities. Reardon Draw, an ephemeral drainage within 

the proposed Ross Butte SD/MA, is listed as “impaired” under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. 

According to the list of impaired or threatened water bodies, the cause of this impairment is physical 

degradation, and the silt resulting from this condition is considered a threat to wildlife and agriculture. 

Several important cultural sites, including the Wardell Buffalo Trap (48SU301), are in the vicinity of 

Ross Butte. An overview study has been conducted that ties Ross Butte directly to the Wardell buffalo 

trap as a lookout and sacred site. Uncontrolled OHV use in the region may be affecting VRM and site 

integrity of many cultural resources, including NRHP-listed properties. The badlands formation is known 

to hold many fossils in the Wasatch and Green River formations. 

Wind River Front MA 

This landscape was formed by Pleistocene glacial events that formed world-class geologic features, 

including terminal and lateral moraines and potholes. Unique to this landscape are huge boulders 

randomly scattered across a backdrop of rolling sagebrush foothills. Several streams intersect this area 

with Wild and Scenic River (WSR) values, including three that meet the criteria for inclusion as WSR 

segments (see related section below). Semi-primitive motorized and non-motorized recreation 

opportunities include hunting, rock climbing, wilderness trailheads, sightseeing, antler hunting, hiking, 

mountain biking, and fishing. The Wind River Front, which is in the foreground of the Bridger 

Wilderness and its Class I airshed, encompasses migration corridors for big game and for crucial winter 

ranges for moose, elk, and mule deer. It also supplies wintering and breeding habitats for sage-grouse. 

Wilderness Study Areas 

Scab Creek WSA 

This area was originally established and managed as a primitive area in 1975. In April 1985, the Scab 

Creek Instant Study Area was proposed by former president Ronald Reagan for addition to the National 

Wilderness Preservation System. The Scab Creek WSA adjoins the Bridger Wilderness in the BridgerTeton National Forest, which lies to the east. Scab Creek WSA offers extraordinary natural wilderness 

features and ample opportunity for solitary wilderness experiences. The area was withdrawn from 

locatable mineral availability in 1970. 
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2-78 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Lake Mountain WSA 

Lake Mountain WSA contains important elk winter range, as well as Colorado River cutthroat trout 

habitat. This WSA also contains a 100 acre area designated for collecting moss rock. However, a 

documented analysis has not been performed to determine whether this type of activity would be 

compatible with the IMP. Therefore, permits to extract moss rock will not be issued until such analysis is 

conducted or the WSA is designated as wilderness or released for other multiple uses. Lake Mountain 

WSA was determined to be difficult to manage as wilderness; therefore, it was not recommended for 

designation as wilderness in the Final Rock Springs Wilderness EIS (BLM 1990). Nonetheless, BLM 

must manage the area as a WSA until such time as the Congress does or does not designate it as 

wilderness. 

Current Management Practices 

Surface disturbing activities (gravel pits, campgrounds, and new roads) will be mitigated to meet 

management area objectives. Discretionary uses within or adjacent to WSAs will be reviewed to ensure 

they do not create conflicts with management and preservation of wilderness values. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for SD/MAs as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.10.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

This section identifies the various SD/MAs within the Rawlins Field Office and addresses the qualities or 

uses that have resulted in their designation. Three ACECs, five WSAs, nine WHMAs, and two other MAs 

are managed within the Rawlins Field Office. 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Blowout Penstemon ACEC 

The Blowout Penstemon area contains 17,050 acres of potential and occupied habitat for the endangered 

blowout penstemon. This area has increased in size from 4,020 acres in the RMP DEIS to 17,050 acres in 

the RMP FEIS to incorporate additional populations of the plant found in 2004 through 2006. This area 

encompasses unique sand dunes that contain steep sandy slopes deposited at the base of granite or 

sedimentary mountains. The blowout penstemon plant is restricted to sparsely vegetated, early 

successional shifting sand dunes created by wind erosion. 

Cave Creek ACEC 

The Cave Creek Cave area is located within the Shirley Mountain SRMA area and contains Cave Creek 

Cave. Ground water near Cave Creek provides unique humidity and temperature conditions that support 

hibernating and breeding bats. This cave provides for a hibernaculum and roost site for several bat 

species, including those on the BLM sensitive species list, because temperatures remain stable and the 

area is generally undisturbed. In addition to containing unique biological and geological resources, Cave 

Creek Cave provides unique recreational opportunities for spelunkers, which constitutes the majority of 

use by people during the late-spring, summer, and fall time period. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-79 

Sand Hills/JO Ranch ACEC 

The Sand Hills/JO Ranch ACEC protects about 12,680 acres of public land for its unique vegetation 

complex, wildlife habitat values, and recreational opportunities. The bitterbrush/big sagebrush plant 

community, which is interspersed with patches of serviceberry, chokecherry, and aspen and occurs on a 

deep sand soil, is the only representation of this vegetative mix within the State of Wyoming. This area 

provides crucial winter range for mule deer and elk, and nesting and foraging habitat for raptors, greater 

sage-grouse, and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse populations. 

The JO Ranch includes the historic JO Ranch and the Rawlins-to-Baggs Freight Road. The JO Ranch is a 

unique example of continuous ranching activities of over 100 years in the Washakie Basin. This property 

includes a flood irrigation system along the valley bottom, which has resulted in a very high-quality 

habitat for wildlife. This system will require maintenance and planning to sustain it for the future. The JO 

Ranch also served as a stage stop along the Rawlins-to-Baggs Freight Road, a historic route that 

connected northern Colorado with the Union Pacific Railroad line in Rawlins. 

The JO Ranch area includes only the surface rights. The mineral rights are retained by the current owner, 

which may limit the potential management actions that can be considered for the property. 

Wilderness Study Areas 

Adobe Town WSA 

The Adobe Town WSA consists of a single study area within the Rawlins and Rock Springs Field Office 

administrative boundaries. This WSA includes 32,650 acres of BLM-managed lands within the Rawlins 

Field Office. The WSA is located in southeastern Sweetwater County, 25 miles south of Wamsutter. It is 

bounded on the north by the checkerboard land pattern and the Manual Gap Road, on the west by the 

Adobe Town Rim Road, on the south by a fading two-track, and on the east by the Willow Creek Road. 

Bennett Mountains WSA 

The Bennett Mountains WSA includes 5,950 acres of BLM-managed public lands, with no inholdings or 

split-estate lands. The WSA is located in north-central Carbon County, east of Seminoe Dam, and lies 

about 35 miles northeast of Rawlins. It is part of the Seminoe Mountain range, a small, rugged range that 

rises abruptly from the surrounding lowlands. The WSA is bounded on the north and east by private and 

state lands, on the south by a power line road, and on the west by the Bennett Mountain Road. 

Encampment River Canyon WSA 

The Encampment River Canyon WSA includes 4,500 acres of BLM-managed lands, with no inholdings 

or split-estate lands. The WSA is located in southern Carbon County, approximately two miles south of 

Encampment and one mile north of the USFS Encampment River Wilderness. It lies in the foothills of the 

Sierra Madre. The Encampment River bisects the WSA. 

Ferris Mountains WSA 

The Ferris Mountains WSA includes 21,880 acres of BLM-managed public lands and one privately 

owned inholding of 160 acres. The WSA is located in northwestern Carbon County, about 40 miles north 

of Rawlins. The Ferris Mountains are a small mountain range, rising abruptly from the gently rolling 

plains that surround the WSA. The WSA is bounded on the north by the rolling plains of the Sweetwater 

Valley, on the south by the level expanses of Separation Flat, on the west by Muddy Gap, and on the east 

by Miners Canyon. 
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2-80 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Prospect Mountain WSA 

The Prospect Mountain WSA includes 1,140 acres of BLM-managed public lands, with no inholdings or 

split-estate lands. The WSA is located in southern Carbon County, approximately 16 miles southeast of 

Encampment and eight miles north of the Colorado-Wyoming border. It is situated along the 

southwestern flank of the Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow Mountains. 

Wildlife Habitat Management Areas 

Chain Lakes WHMA 

Management of the Chain Lakes WHMA is coordinated with WGFD by Memorandums of Understanding 

(MOU) signed by BLM and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (owner of adjacent property in the 

checkerboard landownership pattern) in 1970 and 1976. The MOU objectives include the use of livestock 

grazing as a management tool, maintenance of an optimum population of pronghorn, maintenance of 

public ownership, administration of the area practically and economically, and discouragement of new 

fences. The southwestern portion of the WHMA has moderate potential for oil and gas development and 

currently is being developed in the western portion. The rest of the WHMA has a low potential for oil and 

gas development. Locatable mineral potential is low. Different laws, organizational goals and objectives, 

and management opportunities govern BLM, responsible for public land, and WGFD, responsible for 

private land. This area encompasses one livestock grazing allotment (Chain Lakes), and is currently used 

by sheep in the winter. 

The Chain Lakes area is located north of I-80, northeast of Wamsutter, and north of Creston Junction. It 

contains 30,560 acres of public land and occurs in a checkerboard ownership pattern where approximately 

54 percent of the lands are either owned or leased by WGFD, and the remaining 46 percent are federal 

lands administered by the Rawlins Field Office. The area contains migration corridors and seasonal 

ranges for pronghorn, along with raptors, greater sage-grouse, and other wildlife. It also contains a 

majority of the Chain Lakes, a unique desert alkaline wetland community. Management actions would 

continue to protect and identify components of the alkaline desert lake system, including historic mud 

pots and other geologic features and wildlife habitat. 

Cow Butte/Wild Cow WHMA 

The Cow Butte/Wild Cow area, located between Rawlins and Baggs, was developed to promote 

management of upland and riparian habitats for wildlife and other multiple-uses. It encompasses 63,697 

acres of mostly BLM-administered public land (49,570), along with 4,768 acres of private land and 8,697 

acres of state land, and it borders the Upper Muddy Creek Watershed area to the north and the Sand Hills 

ACEC to the northwest. Of special concern in the area are the steep slopes and gullies that have the 

potential to accelerate erosion that would lead to increased habitat degradation. The moderate and steep 

slopes on south and west aspects are the principal areas used by elk during critical winter periods. This 

area encompasses a significant portion of elk crucial winter range. Impediments to wildlife movements 

from existing fences and habitat fragmentation have resulted in a loss of usable elk crucial winter range. 

The area has a combination of diverse upland habitat conditions intertwined with perennial and ephemeral 

stream systems and riparian habitat, which combine to support an abundance of wildlife species, 

including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and raptors. The most 

important factor of the area is the mosaic mix of these wildlife habitats resulting from the diversity of 

plant communities, topography, soils, and climate. Vegetation communities within this area include 

aspen, four types of sagebrush, mountain shrub, and riparian/wetland communities which provide for the 

array of habitat. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Designations 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-81 

There are seven different grazing allotments either wholly or partially contained with the area, including 

the portion of the Grizzly allotment that lies outside the upper Muddy Creek watershed. The WGFD 

established the 38,091 acre Grizzly Habitat MA in 1992. In conjunction with the acquisition of the 

Grizzly allotment, an MOU, habitat management plan, and AMP were developed between the WGFD and 

BLM to guide management of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and fisheries habitat. 

Jep Canyon WHMA 

The Jep Canyon WHMA protects about 13,810 acres of public land for elk crucial winter range as well as 

for raptor nesting habitat. There is a Raptor Concentration Area within the boundaries of the WHMA, 

with a high concentration of raptors including but not limited to red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, 

golden eagles, and prairie falcons. The high relief topography and wind deposition of snow provide a 

diversity of vegetation communities, including aspen. Windswept south- and west-facing slopes provide 

open foraging areas for elk at critical times. 

Laramie Peak WHMA 

The Laramie Peak area consists of approximately 18,662 acres of BLM-administered land, 11,500 acres 

of private land owned by the WGFD, and 6,700 acres of state land. There are 20 grazing allotments 

within the Laramie Peak area, all of which are licensed for cattle grazing. The area is to be assessed as 

part of the 2006 watershed assessment report for Standards and Guidelines. Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, 

lodgepole pine, aspen, mountain shrubs, and grasslands dominate the vegetative communities. The area 

has steep granitic rock outcrops that drop into flat grasslands and vertical canyons, especially in the 

Laramie River and Duck Creek drainages. 

The area has a wide variety of wildlife species including bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, 

raptors, and fish species such as the hornyhead chub. The area has crucial winter range habitat for bighorn 

sheep, elk, and mule deer. One of the last remaining populations of the hornyhead chub in Wyoming 

occurs in this area. The area also contains habitat for the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse and 

potential habitat for Laramie columbine, a BLM sensitive species. 

The Laramie Peak area falls within the existing the Laramie Peak Bighorn Sheep Habitat MA that directs 

management of BLM-administered lands in cooperation and coordination with USFS, WGFD, BLM 

(both the Rawlins and Casper Field Offices), and public interest groups (such as the Foundation for North 

American Wild Sheep (FNAWS). The main objective of the Laramie Peak Habitat MA is to restore, 

improve and enhance habitat conditions for bighorn sheep and other wildlife species. There are 15 sitespecific identified projects that are proposed in the Laramie Peak Bighorn Sheep Habitat MA. The habitat 

objectives of these projects are to remove forest canopy and increase grass production in order to improve 

summer forage, lambing areas and improve movement corridors for bighorn sheep. 

Laramie Plains Lakes WHMA 

The Laramie Plains Lakes area is located southwest of Laramie and contains Lake Hattie and Twin Buttes 

Reservoir as well as 1,600 acres of public land. The area has potential habitat for the endangered 

Wyoming toad, which is currently found in Mortenson Lake and Moeboer Lake, both located within close 

proximity. Although this area contains only potential habitat, it is highly possible that the toads can travel 

through the wetland corridors to Lake Hattie and Twin Buttes Reservoir. Recreationists use this area 

heavily. Shortgrass species dominate upland areas, whereas wetland areas consist of a combination of 

emergent aquatic vegetation and bare bank areas. 

Pennock Mountain WHMA 

WGFD first established the 9,806 acre Pennock Mountain Elk Winter Range, located east of Saratoga, in 

1962. The area contains crucial winter habitat for both elk and mule deer. BLM reserves all grazing 
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preference for wildlife on 6,284 acres of BLM-administered public land, including 1,530 AUMs of forage 

for wintering elk. This area is closed to human presence and motorized vehicle use, including over-thesnow vehicles, from November 15 through April 30. The area contains mountain big sage, mountain 

shrub, aspen, cottonwood, and willow habitats. 

Red Rim-Daley WHMA 

The Red Rim-Daley Potential ACEC (11,100 acres) is a WGFD Cooperative WHMA and is located 

approximately 15 miles southwest of Rawlins. The Red Rim area contains both the Daley Ranch 

allotment and the Daley Ranch Pasture. The area contains scenic values throughout the red sandstone 

uplift. There are historic carvings in the rocks, with names and dates of people that traveled through the 

area. The area provides crucial winter range for pronghorn, giving this winter habitat national importance. 

The area may require additional management to maintain unique scenic and wildlife values. 

Upper Muddy Creek Watershed/Grizzly WHMA 

The Upper Muddy Creek Watershed/Grizzly ACEC includes 127,430 acres. The area contains those 

portions of the Muddy Creek watershed above the Weber headcut stabilization structure, as well as those 

portions of the Savery Creek watershed within the Grizzly allotment. The Grizzly allotment is currently 

managed as a WHMA in cooperation with WGFD. The area contains unique fish habitats that support a 

rare community of native Colorado River Basin fish, including Colorado River cutthroat trout, bluehead 

sucker, flannelmouth sucker, roundtail chub, mountain sucker, and speckled dace. Elk crucial winter 

range is located in this area. The high relief topography and wind deposition of snow provide a diversity 

of vegetation communities, including aspen. 

Wick-Beumee WHMA 

WGFD established the Wick Elk Winter Area, located on both sides of I-80 and between the towns of Elk 

Mountain and Arlington, in 1965. The area contains elk winter/crucial winter range and year-round 

habitat for wildlife. In conjunction with WGFD’s purchase of the Wick Brothers Ranch, an MOU 

between BLM and WGFD was developed that reserves grazing use on the 280 acres of BLMadministered public land for elk and other wildlife. The terrain ranges from rugged foothills in the south 

to gently rolling plains in the north. Vegetative communities consist of sagebrush, mountain shrub, and 

aspen. The area is closed to human presence and motorized vehicle use, including over-the-snow vehicles, 

from November 16 through May 31. 

Other Areas of Concern 

Shamrock Hills Raptor Concentration Area 

Shamrock Hills Raptor Concentration Area protects about 18,400 acres of public land for its habitat and 

productivity of nesting raptor pairs. Shamrock Hills has one of the highest known nesting populations of 

ferruginous hawks in the United States. 

Stratton Sagebrush Steppe Research Area 

The Stratton Sagebrush Steppe Research Area is 5,530 acres that includes five small watersheds that have 

been used for research in the past. Currently, a portion of the Stratton area is withdrawn from locatable 

mineral entry. There is existing infrastructure that was put in place for past research objectives. Examples 

of this infrastructure include weirs for measuring stream flows, snow fences, vegetation plot markers, and 

precipitation gauge sites. The current management allows for grazing on three pastures within the 

research area, which is part of the Middlewood Hill allotment. 
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Current Management Practices 

Blowout Penstemon ACEC 

The Blowout Penstemon area contains 17,050 acres of potential and occupied habitat for the endangered 

blowout penstemon. This area encompasses unique sand dunes that contain steep sandy slopes deposited 

at the base of granite or sedimentary mountains. The blowout penstemon plant is restricted to sparsely 

vegetated, early successional shifting sand dunes created by wind erosion. 

The Blowout Penstemon ACEC is open to locatable mineral entry and closed to mineral material 

disposals. Plans of operations are required for locatable federal mineral exploration and development 

(except casual use), regardless of the number of acres that may be disturbed. 

Fire suppression activities will be utilized to maintain early succession plant communities, and land 

tenure adjustments, including acquisition of lands, easements, or exchange, will be actively pursued to 

meet the ACEC management goals. 

Cave Creek Cave ACEC 

The Cave Creek Cave ACEC is open to oil and gas leasing. Surface disturbing activities will be 

intensively managed to meet the objectives of the ACEC. Off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary 

tasks” (as defined in the Glossary) is allowed. 

Sand Hills/JO Ranch ACEC 

The area is open to federal oil and gas leasing. Surface disturbing activities on oil and gas leases will be 

intensively managed to meet the objectives of the ACEC, and off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary 

tasks” is allowed. 

New fence construction will be authorized to BLM standards. Existing fences will be modified to current 

BLM standards. 

Chain Lakes WHMA 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry, mineral materials disposals, and open to operation of 

public land laws, including sale. The area is also open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management 

of surface disturbing and disruptive activities, and off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” (as 

defined in the Glossary) is allowed. 

Cow Butte/Wild Cow WHMA 

New fence construction will be authorized to BLM standards. Existing fences will be modified to current 

BLM standards. 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry, and off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is 

allowed. 

High Savery Dam and Reservoir Site 

The area will be cooperatively managed for recreational and multiple-use objectives and irrigation water, 

consistent with the June 2003 MOU between Wyoming Water Development Council (WWDC) and 

BLM. The area is open to mineral leasing with an NSO stipulation. 
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Public lands are open to operation of public land laws, including sale, where consistent with the intent and 

purpose of the MOU. 

Jep Canyon WHMA 

The area is open to oil and gas leasing. Surface disturbing activities on oil and gas leases will be 

intensively managed to meet the objectives of the WHMA. 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry and mineral material disposal. Plans of operations are 

required for locatable mineral exploration and development (except casual use), for surface disturbance of 

five acres or more. 

Off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is allowed. And, as opportunities arise, acquisition of 

adjacent lands or easements to improve public access will be considered and evaluated. 

Laramie Peak WHMA 

The area is open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management of surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities. Plans of operations are required for locatable mineral exploration and development (except 

casual use) for disturbances of five acres or more. 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry and mineral material disposals. 

Laramie Plains Lakes WHMA 

Public lands are open to land tenure adjustments, including sale, and is also open to oil and gas leasing 

with an NSO stipulation. Existing oil and gas leases will be intensively managed. 

Pennock Mountain WHMA 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry and mineral material disposals. Off-road motor vehicle 

use for “necessary tasks” is allowed. 

Red Rim-Daley WHMA 

The area is open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management of surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities. Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry and mineral material disposal. Off-road motor 

vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is allowed. 

Shamrock Hills Raptor Concentration Area 

The area is open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management of surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities. 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry. Lands will be managed in accordance with 43 CFR 

3809.11, When do I have to submit a plan of operations? Plans of operations are required for locatable 

mineral exploration and development (except casual use) for surface disturbance of five acres or more. 

The area is also open to mineral material disposals. 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-85 

Upper Muddy Creek Watershed/Grizzly WHMA 

Public lands are open to locatable mineral entry, and off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is 

allowed. 

New fence construction will be authorized according to BLM standards. Modification of existing fences 

to current BLM standards will be actively pursued. Specific locations will be modified according to 

wildlife and livestock needs. 

Wick-Beumee WHMA 

Public lands are open to operation of the public land laws, including sale. Public lands are also open to 

locatable mineral entry and mineral material disposals. 

The area is open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management of surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities. Off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is allowed. 

National Natural Landmarks Management 

Lands totaling 800 acres in the Big Hollow National Natural Landmark (NNL) and 160 acres in the Sand 

Creek NNL will be considered for disposal to individuals, organizations, agencies, or institutions that will 

manage these areas in accordance with their NNL status. 

Como Bluff NNL 

The Como Bluff NNL is open to oil and gas leasing with intensive management of surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities within one-quarter mile of exposures of the Morrison Formation. The area is open to 

mineral material disposals, and off-road motor vehicle use for “necessary tasks” is allowed. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for SD/MAs as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.10.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

This section identifies the various SD/MAs within the Rock Springs Field Office and addresses the 

qualities or uses that have resulted in their designation. Ten ACECs, seven WSAs, and two MAs are 

managed within the Rock Springs Field Office. 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Cedar Canyon ACEC 

The purpose of the ACEC was to provide special management attention to a unique group of resource 

values; specifically, to protect and prevent irreparable damage to prehistoric cultural values (petroglyph 

panels and Indian campsites), visual aesthetics, and critical wildlife habitat. These values were being 

threatened by off-road vehicle use, indiscriminate recreation, and mineral development (mostly oil and 

gas). 
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2-86 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

The area has highly erodible soils throughout the ACEC. The soils will be managed to maintain or reduce 

erosion levels and to improve vegetative ground cover. Cliffs, tree hollows, and pinnacles will be 

managed to provide nesting habitat. Vegetation will continue to be managed to provide habitat for 

wildlife. Habitat for raptors will be maintained or enhanced. The ACEC will be managed consistent with 

the VRM Classes II, III, and IV to protect, maintain, and enhance the visual resource values. 

Greater Red Creek ACEC 

The entire Red Creek watershed has been identified as: (1) having highly erosive soils, (2) being subject 

to slumping, (3) having slopes greater than 25 percent, and (4) protecting riparian areas in need of 

protection. The Greater Red Creek Area involves the watershed values in the Pine and Little Mountain 

drainage systems. The watershed system relates directly to the amount of sedimentation contributed to the 

Green River drainage through Red Creek, Currant Creek, Sage Creek, Vermillion Creek, Canyon Creek, 

and other associated drainages. Watershed features such as water quality and stability are currently 

threatening the existence of Colorado River cutthroat trout through habitat deterioration. 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC 

The ACEC was designated to protect geologic, cultural, and wildlife values. The Sand Dunes are part of 

the larger Killpecker dune field, one of the largest active dune fields in North America. The Killpecker 

dune field encompasses approximately 109,000 acres, extending 55 miles east from the Green River 

Basin across the Continental Divide into the Great Divide Basin. The ACEC is unique to the Wyoming 

Basin and contains values that are geologically, aesthetically and biologically interesting. In addition, the 

ACEC includes prehistoric and historic values, diverse wildlife use, and high recreation use that has the 

potential of increasing significantly, and high oil and gas values. 

Natural Corrals ACEC 

The Natural Corrals ACEC is managed primarily for cultural, historic, geologic, and recreational values. 

The lands within this ACEC are on the eastern flank of the Rock Springs Uplift (and within a large 

intermontane basin bounded by the Wind River Mountains to the north), the Uinta Mountains on the 

south, the Overthrust Belt on the west, and the Sierra Madre and Granite Mountains toward the east. 

Oregon Buttes ACEC 

The Oregon Buttes ACEC lies on a structural platform which joins the Rock Springs Uplift to the Wind 

River Mountain Range. It managed primarily to protect and enhance the scenic integrity as a historic 

landmark and protect the significant wildlife values that are found in the area. 

Pine Springs ACEC 

This site is one of the most significant prehistoric campsites in southwest Wyoming. The site was 

continuously occupied from about 8000 B.C. to 1200 A.D. Cultural values at Pine Springs are potentially 

threatened by vandals and by cattle and sheep trampling in the area. One of the greatest dangers to 

cultural resources may result from intentional vandalism and illegal collecting. 

South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC 

The South Pass Historic Landscape encompasses the viewshed along the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, 

California, and Pony Express trails and the Lander Cutoff (about 16.42 miles of trail with a 6 mile wide 

corridor along the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, and California trails, and a two mile wide corridor along the 

Lander Cutoff). The topographic setting of South Pass facilitated American settlement of the Pacific 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-87 

Northwest, thus solidifying United States sovereignty over that region. South Pass is located on the 

northwest edge of the Wyoming Basin, a desert-like geographical feature which extends south for 150 

miles and forms a complete break in the Rocky Mountain chain. 

The area having the most historic value is the viewscape created by the Continental Divide, including the 

top rim of Pacific Butte on the south and the divide between waters flowing to Pacific Creek and the 

Sweetwater River on the north and east. 

Special Status Plants ACEC 

The Special Status Plant Species ACEC was designated in 1997. Special status plants are those listed, 

proposed for listing, or candidates for listing as T&E under the ESA, identified by the state in a category 

implying potential endangerment or extinction, or species designated by the BLM State Director as 

sensitive. Management priority and emphasis for the ACEC was given to maintain or enhance these 

species and their habitats. Although no species associated with the ACEC occur within the planning area, 

there is potential for other sensitive species to be added to the ACEC as provided in the Green River 

RMP. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

The area has highly varied topographic features and ranges in elevation from 7,063 to 8,683 feet. Unique 

habitats of stabilized sand dunes occur here that are found nowhere else in the district. Tall sagebrush 

communities (up to 8 feet tall) provide escape cover, shelter, thermal protection, and parturition areas. An 

understory of bitterbrush and a variety of other shrubs and grasses provide forage. Some of this sagebrush 

has been estimated to be over 300 years old. 

The Steamboat Mountain area contains approximately 43,270 federal acres of a total 48,330 acres within 

the described geographic boundaries. The management objectives for this ACEC are to: (1) enhance and 

maintain the water quality, vegetation, soil, and wildlife resources to ensure biological diversity and a 

healthy ecosystem; (2) maintain the unique diverse habitats (big sagebrush, aspen, limber pine, and 

mountain shrub communities) in the Steamboat Mountain area, especially on stabilized sand dunes along 

Steamboat Rim, Indian Gap, and in the Johnson, Lafonte, and Box Canyon areas; and (3) provide suitable 

habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC 

The White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC was designated to protect Indian drawings associated with the 

early ancestors of the present Shoshone tribe and perhaps other tribes. Common drawings include human 

figures, elk, buffalo, feather head dresses, and human stick figures. The management objectives of the 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC are to protect cultural resource values from degradation and provide 

for wildlife and scenic values, and Native American concerns. 

Wilderness Study Areas 

Buffalo Hump WSA 

Buffalo Hump WSA has no private or state inholdings. The primary topographic relief consists of sand 

valleys, blowouts, hills, and dunes with individual dunes exceeding heights of 100 feet. The interdunal 

areas contain ponds, grass-covered marshes, and playas. The WSA exhibits a natural condition of 

undisturbed sagebrush-grassland ecosystem intermingled with active sand dunes. The recreation values 

are outstanding, with opportunities for hiking, backpacking, nature study, photography, hunting, and 

rockhounding. 
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Sand Dunes WSA 

Sand Dunes WSA comprises a large part of the Killpecker Sand Dunes and contains large areas of barren 

active dunes, wet meadows, greasewood, big sagebrush, and rabbit brush communities. A unique feature 

of the WSA is the Aeolian ice-cells that feed pools at the base of many of the large sand dunes. The 

naturalness of this WSA is considered exceptional because of the lack of human-made intrusions. The 

flowing dunes virtually eliminate any evidence of human activity in the area. The Steamboat elk herd uses 

this area. 

Alkali Draw WSA 

Alkali Draw WSA contains a remnant of the Great Divide Basin-Red Desert area. A series of draws or 

canyons extend through the WSA, creating a “washboard” topographic effect. Alkali Rim dominates the 

southern aspect and exhibits colorful blue rock escarpments. Big sagebrush is the dominant vegetation 

community, with greasewood common along the major drainages. The WSA contains habitat for mule 

deer and elk. The WSA is in a natural condition, and the human-made intrusions are substantially 

unnoticeable and undergoing natural re-vegetation. However, the value of the area for oil and gas 

production and the degree of the wilderness values made the WSA unsuitable for wilderness designation. 

South Pinnacles WSA 

South Pinnacles WSA contains mostly flat topography with an exposure of broken rim rocks and ridges. 

Greasewood communities occupy the draws, with big sagebrush in the open areas. The WSA is natural in 

character and provides opportunities for solitude and varied recreation. However, the potential for gas 

production and the manageability of the area made the WSA unsuitable for wilderness designation. 

Honeycomb Buttes WSA 

Honeycomb Buttes WSA contains several terrain types, ranging from sagebrush hills and greasewood 

flats surrounding the badlands to eroding buttes, colored bluffs, and side canyons. This area is one of the 

best examples of badlands topography in the state and of fossil- and fossil cast-bearing formation in the 

region. These highly colorful and rugged desert badlands provide outstanding opportunities for solitude. 

The WSA is natural in character and relatively free of human activities because of the severe topography 

of the area. 

Oregon Buttes WSA 

Oregon Buttes WSA contains no private or state inholdings. The buttes are a prominent feature rising out 

of the Red Desert, with historical significance as the major landmark for travelers of the Oregon Trail. 

Resources of the area consist of limber pine stands, small aspen stands, prime raptor habitat, and valuable 

big game habitat. Visibility from the buttes extends for miles and provides scenic vistas of the mountain 

ranges to the north and south. The WSA is in a natural state and provides outstanding recreation 

opportunities for birdwatchers and photographers. 

Whitehorse Creek WSA 

Whitehorse Creek WSA contains no private or state inholdings. A large portion of the area contains 

eroding red, green, and gray buttes. The area supports various habitats and landscapes, including aspen 

and limber pine stands, sheer sandstone cliffs, and badland topography. The WSA contains important 

raptor habitat. Opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation are high in areas of the WSA where 

large escarpments and buttes are located. The potential for gas production and the manageability of OHV 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-89 

use in the portion of the area with little topographic relief contributed to the determination of unsuitability 

for wilderness designation for this WSA. 

Management Areas 

Red Desert Watershed MA 

The Red Desert Watershed Area encompasses 645,570 acres of which 481,930 are public lands (federal 

surface/federal minerals, federal surface/private minerals, or private surface/federal minerals) 

administered by BLM. The Red Desert Watershed Area includes all of the Great Divide Basin within the 

resource area. The Great Divide Basin is one of only a few closed basins found in the United States. 

Six WSAs (Alkali Draw, South Pinnacles, Alkali Basin-East Sand Dunes, Red Lake, Honeycomb Buttes, 

and Oregon Buttes WSAs) are located within the watershed area. Of the six WSAs, Honeycomb Buttes 

and Oregon Buttes have been recommended for wilderness designation for a total of 40,900 acres within 

the watershed boundary. Approximately 10 to 20 acres of the northeast corner of the Cedar Canyon 

ACEC and approximately two-thirds of the Oregon Buttes ACEC are also included in the area. 

The management objective for the Red Desert Watershed Area is to manage for all resource values in the 

Red Desert area with emphasis on protection of visual resources, watershed values, and wildlife resources 

and to provide large areas of unobstructed views for enjoyment of scenic qualities. 

Steamboat Mountain MA 

The Steamboat Mountain area contains approximately 43,270 federal acres of a total 48,330 acres within 

the described geographic boundaries. The area has highly varied topographic features and ranges in 

elevation from 7,063 to 8,683 feet. Unique habitats of stabilized sand dunes occur here that are found 

nowhere else in the district. Tall sagebrush communities (up to 8 feet tall) provide escape cover, shelter, 

thermal protection, and parturition areas. An understory of bitterbrush and a variety of other shrubs and 

grasses provide forage. 

Water is abundant and found in good distribution through springs, ephemeral and perennial streams, 

seeps, and reservoirs. Snowpack commonly lies along steep slopes in lee areas late into spring. Two 

supplemental wildlife waters (guzzlers) are found in the area. The Steamboat Mountain area is of special 

interest because it provides a favorable environment for the survival of mountain plant species that are not 

found in the semi-arid plains of the surrounding area. It is one of only a few places where elk populations 

are found away from a high mountain environment. Surrounding this area is a complex winter range and 

additional parturition areas (30,000 acres). 

The area also provides habitat for an abundant population of pronghorn and mule deer. Two unique 

species of rodents are found within the Steamboat area. The yellow-bellied marmot and the Wortman’s 

golden-mantled ground squirrel inhabit boulder fields in association with limber pine. 

In addition to a number of relic plant populations, one candidate plant species, Lesquerella macrocarpa, 

and one state endemic, Townsendia spathufara, are found within the Steamboat area. Several springs 

along the slopes of Steamboat Mountain also provide specialized habitat for a number of additional plant 

species not normally associated with the semi-arid climate of the Wyoming Basin. 
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Current Management Practices 

Greater Red Creek ACEC 

Most of the area is open to mineral leasing and related exploration and development activities with 

appropriate mitigation requirements applied to protect the other important resource values. 

Travel and transportation of firefighting equipment is limited to designated roads and trails. Use of heavy 

firefighting equipment is prohibited in areas closed to surface disturbing activities. 

Actions Unique to the Currant Creek Watershed 

A north-south ROW window, parallel to the east side of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area will 

be established at County Road 4-33 or to the west of this road. 

Aboveground power lines that span the drainage (from rim to rim) could be considered east of County 

Road 4-33 in the northern portion of the Currant Creek watershed, if environmental analysis demonstrates 

that scenic, watershed, and fisheries objectives could be met. 

Fire suppression activities in this watershed will be limited to containment at ridgetops. 

Eastern Portion of the Greater Sand Dunes Area 

Surface disturbing activities, geophysical activities, and oil and gas exploration and development 

activities are restricted seasonally on crucial big game winter ranges and big game birthing areas. 

Natural Corrals ACEC 

The entire ACEC is open to consideration of oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. 

Crucial big game winter range seasonal restrictions and raptor nesting restrictions will be applied to 

activities that would be disruptive and excessively stressful to big game animals and raptors during these 

critical periods. 

The road/trail from the spring located in the SE1/4NW1/4, NE1/4SW1/4 of Section 18 and the NRHP site 

are closed to off-road vehicle use. This 20 acre NRHP site is also closed to vehicle use for geophysical 

activities and by over-the-snow vehicles, and to the use of explosives and blasting. The remainder of the 

ACEC is open to over-the-snow vehicles; all other off-road vehicle travel is limited to designated roads 

and trails. 

South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC 

The landscape is open to consideration of mineral leasing and mineral material sales, provided that effects 

to the visual and cultural resource values could be mitigated. All activities for the ACEC will be managed 

consistent with the VRM Class II. 

Special Status (Candidate) Plant Species ACEC 

Special status (candidate) plant species population areas are closed to any surface disturbing fire 

suppression activities unless necessary for species survival. The use of fire suppression ground vehicles 

will be consistent with OHV designations in these areas. 
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Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

Seasonal restrictions will be applied to land and resource uses as needed to protect elk and deer during 

severe winter conditions and during birthing periods. 

Vegetation management will be designed to maintain, preserve, or enhance biological diversity while 

providing big game forage and cover requirements. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC 

The ACEC is closed to off-road vehicle travel including vehicles used for geophysical exploration 

activities and to the use of fire retardant chemicals containing dyes. 

Off-road vehicle travel, including vehicles used for geophysical exploration and fire suppression 

activities, within that part of the vista that lies outside of the ACEC is limited to designated roads and 

trails. 

Monument Valley MA 

The area is open to: (1) consideration for mineral leasing, exploration, and development provided 

mitigation can be applied to retain the resource values; (2) consideration for mineral material sales with 

the appropriate constraints applied to all surface disturbing activities; and (3) development and public use 

with necessary consideration for wildlife, raptors, cultural, watershed, and scientific values. 

Pine Mountain MA 

Restrictions for protection of raptors, big game crucial winter range, and big game calving/fawning areas 

will apply. 

Travel and transportation of firefighting equipment is limited to designated roads and trails. Use of heavy 

firefighting equipment is prohibited in areas closed to surface disturbing activities. Fire management, 

suppression needs, and prescribed burning in timber stands will be determined on a case-by-case basis to 

ensure timber stands are maintained in healthy condition and the "snow fence effect" is preserved. Fire 

management in other areas will be determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure that area objectives are 

met. 

Red Desert Watershed MA 

Restrictions for protection of raptors, big game crucial winter range, and big game calving/fawning areas 

will apply. 

Sugarloaf Basin MA 

The area is open to mineral leasing and related exploration and development activities with appropriate 

mitigation requirements applied to protect all other resource values. 

Restrictions for protection of raptors, big game crucial winter range, and big game calving/fawning areas 

will apply. 

Travel and transportation of firefighting equipment is limited to designated roads and trails. Fire 

management, suppression needs, and prescribed burning in timber stands will be evaluated on a case-bycase basis to ensure timber stands are maintained in healthy condition and the “snowfence effect” is 
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2-92 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

preserved. Fire management in other areas will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure that area 

objectives will be met. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

The Pine Mountain MA was identified in the 1997 Green River RMP as an area considered for ACEC 

designation, but was deferred until a determination could be made that specific resources meet the ACEC 

relevance and importance criteria. This area contains some of the best remaining sage-grouse habitat in 

the Rock Springs Field Office, as well as a large amount of important big game habitat. It also contains 

unique historic trail and landscape features, wilderness characteristics, and SRMAs. A portion of the area 

is categorized as an important bird area by the Audubon Society. The area contains unique habitats within 

an area of low disturbance and density of development. 

Additional areas of the Rock Springs Field Office that could be considered for ACEC designation include 

portions of the Wind River Front SRMA through the northern portion of the JMH area. This area contains 

the best remaining sage-grouse habitat in southwest Wyoming and a large amount of important big game 

habitat. This area contains sensitive plant and fish species, unique historic trail and landscape features, 

WSAs, SRMAs, and a WSR, and is categorized as an important bird area by the Audubon Society. These 

unique habitats are within an area of low disturbance and density of development. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-93 

2.11 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES

2.11.1 Overview 

There is increasingly more interest and controversy surrounding management of T&E and sensitive 

species. More emphasis is being placed on maintaining species diversity and keeping native ecosystems 

healthy to keep other species from becoming listed. Special status species are defined as those species 

currently listed as T&E under the ESA, as well as species that are proposed or candidates for listing. 

Special status species also include species designated as sensitive and those listed or proposed for listing 

by the BLM State Director or state government in a category implying potential endangerment or 

extinction. BLM is mandated to protect and manage threatened, endangered, candidate, proposed, and 

sensitive species jointly identified with the appropriate state agency. 

BLM Manual 6840 provides policy and guidance for special status species management. BLM Wyoming 

Sensitive Species Policy and List are provided in an annually updated memorandum. 

The goals of the BLM Wyoming policy regarding special status species are to: 

 Maintain vulnerable species and habitat components in functional BLM ecosystems 

 Ensure special status species are considered in land management decisions 

 Prevent a need for species listing under the ESA 

 Prioritize needed conservation work with an emphasis on habitat. 

The State of Wyoming does not have an official list of sensitive or T&E species. The WGFD maintains a 

list of animal Species of Special Concern (SSC), but no state agency maintains a list of sensitive plant 

species. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (NDD) tracks, studies, and documents species of concern 

in Wyoming including those listed as sensitive or high priority by the WGFD and the USFS. These 

species are lacking formal federal or state status for protection, but are potentially threatened in the 

ecosystem. The abundance and vulnerability status of rare species on the Wyoming NDD list and WGFD 

SSC species are considered during annual revision of the BLM Special Status Species list. 

The planning area includes a diversity of habitats on which BLM generally focuses most management 

efforts. These habitats are the major plant communities or terrestrial features within the area that are 

important to wildlife. Wildlife habitats include streamside riparian, springs, seeps, wet meadows, seasonal 

wetlands, playas and lakebeds, cliffs, caves, talus slopes, dry meadows, dryland shrubs, juniper 

woodlands, ponderosa pine forests, mixed conifer forests, and quaking aspen groves. 

In these important vegetation communities, ongoing changes, many of them caused by humans, have 

altered the animal habitat within the region. Examples of management practices that have modified these 

habitats include the conversion of wet meadows to dry meadows due to lowering of water tables, 

conversion of shrublands to juniper woodlands primarily due to changes in fire regimes, and the 

conversion of aspen groves to shrubland due to fire suppression and grazing. These practices have 

reduced the size and number of these limited habitats important to SSC. BLM manages these habits for 

species that are T&E or are candidates for or proposed for listing under federal and state mandates. BLM 

also manages habitat for species on the Wyoming BLM Sensitive Species List under BLM mandate to 

avoid further decline of these species. 

Special status plant species occur in a variety of plant associations and a variety of physical habitats, 

many of which have distinctive soil types. Several special status plant species often occur together in 

plant communities that may exhibit fidelity to specific locations and substrates and ultimately result in the 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-94 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

development of unique subspecies. BLM Manual 6840 sets guidelines for special status plant species. 

These selected species receive priority attention for inventories, research, monitoring, and management 

decisions concerning surface disturbing activities. 

2.11.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Within the Casper Field Office there are two birds, one mammal, and three plant species that have been 

designated as listed, proposed for listing, or are identified as candidate species under the ESA. Within the 

Platte River system, four animal species and one additional plant species are considered for projects 

involving water depletion. Although these species are located in Nebraska, losses of water within the 

Casper Field Office may affect these species’ habitats downstream in the Platte River (Table 1). There are 

eight mammals, sixteen birds, one amphibian, and six plant species that have been designated as sensitive 

species as per the BLM Wyoming Sensitive Species Policy (Table 2). 

Table 1. Listed, Proposed, and Candidate Species 1 in the Casper Field Office 

Common Name (Scientific Name) Status2 Habitat 

Birds (2) 

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocerncus 

urophasianus) C Sagebrush Communities 

Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) P Grasslands and Prairies 

Mammals (1) 

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) E Prairie Dog Towns 

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) Non-essential/ 

Experimental Shirley Basin 

Plants (3) 

Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii) E Sand Dunes or Blowouts 

Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana 

coloradensis) T Wet Meadows and Riparian Areas 

Colorado butterfly plant Critical Habitat Designated Laramie and Platte Counties, WY 

Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) T Seasonally Moist Soils and Wet Meadows 

Listed Species (considered for projects involving water depletion within the Platte River System) 

Interior least tern ((Sterna antillarum) E 

Downstream Riverine Habitat of the Platte 

River 

Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhyncus albus) E 

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) T 

Whooping crane (Grus Americana) E 

Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera 

praeclara) T 

Whooping crane Critical Habitat Designated Located in Nebraska 

1-The list of species is from Current Species List for the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office, USFWS (April 2009). 

2- Status Key: E = Endangered, T = Threatened, P = Proposed for Listing, C = Candidate. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-95 

Table 2. BLM Designated Sensitive Species in the Casper Field Office 

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat 

Mammals (8) 

Townsend big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Forests, basin-prairie-shrub, caves and 

mines 

White-tailed prairie dog Cynomys leucurus Basin-prairie shrub, grasslands 

Black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus Short-grass prairie 

Spotted bat Euderma maculatum Cliffs over perennial water, basin-prairie 

shrub 

Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis Conifer and deciduous forests, caves and 

mines 

Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodes Conifer forests, woodland-chaparral, caves 

and mines 

Swift fox Vulpes velox Grasslands 

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei Heavily vegetated, shrub-dominated 

riparian (streamside) zones 

Birds (16) 

Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis Conifer and deciduous forests 

Baird’s sparrow Ammodramus Bairdii Grasslands, weedy fields 

Sage sparrow Amphispiza belli Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia Grasslands, basin-prairie shrub 

Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Basin-prairie shrub, grassland, rock 

outcrops 

Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Mountain plover Charadrius montanus 

Short-grass and mixed-grass prairie, 

openings in shrub ecosystems, prairie dog 

towns 

Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Open woodlands, streamside willow and 

alder groves 

Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator Lakes, ponds, rivers 

Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Tall cliffs 

Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Primarily along rivers, streams, lakes and 

waterways 

Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus Grasslands, plains, foothills, wet meadows 

Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Marshes, wet meadows 

Brewer’s sparrow Spizella breweri Basin-prairie shrub 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-96 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat 

Amphibians (1) 

Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens Beaver ponds, permanent water in plains 

and foothills 

Plants (6) 

Laramie columbine Aquilegia laramiensis Crevices of granite boulders and cliffs 

6,400-8,000” 

Porter’s sagebrush Artemisia porter 

Sparsely vegetated badlands of ashy 

ortufaceous mudstone and clay slopes 

5,300-6,500’ 

Many-stemmed spiderflower Cleome multicaulis 

Semi-moist, open saline bank of shallow 

ponds and lakes with Baltic rush and 

bulrush 5,900’ 

Williams’ wafer-parsnip Cymopterus williamsii 

Open ridgetops and upper slopes with 

exposed limestone outcrops or rock slides 

6,000-8,300’ 

Limber pine Pinus flexilis 

Timberline and at lower elevation with 

sagebrush. Associated species are Rocky 

Mountain lodgepole pine, Engelmann 

spruce, whitebark pine, Rocky Mountain 

Douglas-fir, subalpine fir, Rocky Mountain 

juniper, mountain mahogany, and common 

juniper 

Laramie false sagebrush Sphaeromeria simplex 

Cushion plant communities on rocky 

limestone ridges and gentle slopes 7,500-

8,600’ 

Sources: BLM 2002; USFWS 2003; Cerovski et al. 2004 

Presently, there are approximately 200 greater sage-grouse leks documented throughout the field office, 

primarily in Natrona and Converse counties, with the highest densities of leks occurring in larger tracts of 

sagebrush shrublands (Map 8). The largest greater sage-grouse lek complexes are found in Bates Hole, 

Shirley Basin, Rattlesnake Hills, South Bighorns, and Laramie Range foothills. Occupied habitat is fairly 

contiguous throughout much of Bates Hole and Shirley Basin. Habitats within Rattlesnake Hills and 

South Bighorns are more fragmented by changes in habitat type and land use practices. Greater sagegrouse habitats in the Laramie Range are primarily limited to the portion of the west slope of the Laramie 

Range. Large contiguous blocks of sagebrush and grassland communities east of the Laramie Range have, 

for the most part, been eliminated. Specific wintering concentration areas of greater sage-grouse within 

the field office are not widely documented to date. 

Current Management Practices 

Occupied sage-grouse leks will have a 3⁄4 mile CSU buffer to protect breeding habitats. Human activity 

will be avoided between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. from March 1 to May 15 (timing limitation) within this buffer. 

Leks, which are currently displayed as points, will be displayed as polygons. Occupied sage-grouse leks 

will have a four mile buffer. Within this buffer, surface development or wildlife-disturbing activities will 

be restricted March 15 through July 15 (timing limitation). Also, within this four mile buffer (CSU), 

surface disturbing activities will avoid sagebrush stands of greater than 10 percent canopy cover. Within 

this four mile buffer, mitigation will be implemented for power poles and other high profile structures that 

may provide raptor perches. Placement of these structures will be avoided if possible, or devices will be 

installed to preclude raptor perching on the structures. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-97 

As sage-grouse winter habitats are designated, a timing limitation will restrict activities from November 

15 to March 14. Within the designated winter habitats, CSU for surface disturbing activities will be 

applied in sagebrush stands of greater than 20 percent canopy cover. The areas will have priority for 

vegetative treatments to improve sage-grouse habitats and for vegetation monitoring to ensure residual 

herbaceous vegetation is maintained for nesting cover on public lands. 

Surface disturbance or occupancy will be avoided within one-quarter mile of the perimeter of occupied 

sage-grouse leks. Human activity will be avoided between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. from March 1 to May 15 

(timing limitation) within one-quarter mile of the perimeter of occupied sage-grouse leks. Surfacedisturbing and disruptive activities will be avoided in suitable sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing 

habitats within two miles of an occupied lek, or in identified sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing 

habitats outside the two mile buffer from March 15 to July 15 (timing limitation). Surface-disturbing and 

disruptive activities will be avoided in sage-grouse winter habitats from November 15 to March 14 

(timing limitation). 

Current research, management and conservation plans, and other research and related directives (i.e., 

BLM IMs, MOUs, and WGFD objectives) will be utilized, as appropriate, to guide habitat management 

for vegetation, fish, wildlife, and special status species. 

Produced water will be used, where reasonable and practical, to develop and enhance waterfowl and 

special status species waterfowl habitats. Water sources for wildlife and special status species will be 

developed in coordination with the WGFD and the BLM Water Development Handbook (H-1741-2). 

The NSO restriction to protect sage-grouse habitats will not apply to prescribed fire, which will be used as 

a tool to meet management objectives. Prescribed fire will be subject to CSU and timing limitation 

restrictions with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis after site-specific analysis and occasional 

adverse impacts. An NSO is in place on designated critical habitat for T&E species. Areas known or 

suspected to contain essential habitat for special status species will be subject to a CSU restriction, 

requiring the proponent to conduct inventories or studies to verify the presence or absence of special 

status species. 

Water sources for fisheries, waterfowl, and special status species waterfowl are developed 

opportunistically. Approximately 1,500 acres currently exist. Focus on developing an additional 100 acres 

of surface water for fish, waterfowl, and special status species waterfowl. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There is increasingly more interest and controversy surrounding management of T&E and sensitive 

species. More emphasis is being placed on maintaining diversity and keeping native ecosystems healthy 

to keep other species from becoming listed. Management issues and concerns related to special status 

species are identified below: 

 On the western edge of the Rattlesnake range at the head waters of the Middle fork of Casper 

Creek, an eleven-township block area that is part of an on-going sage-grouse study area is used to 

track and map migration patterns of the sage-grouse in the area and habitat. In addition, the 

Casper Field Office is currently deferring oil and gas leasing pending analysis in the sage-grouse 

RMP Amendment to increase sage-grouse protection when it meets the screening criteria in 

Instruction Memorandum WY-2010-013. 

 Lack of data on potential habitats or habitat requirements of these species hampers BLMs ability 

to make decisions regarding the impacts of land use actions on a given species. 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-98 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 More restrictive measures to protect greater sage-grouse and associated habitats have been 

adopted in IM-WY-2010-012 to preclude sage-grouse from being fully listed under the ESA. 

However, new restrictions will be controversial to other resource users. 

2.11.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Within the Kemmerer Field Office, there are three bird, three mammal, four fish, and two plant species 

that have been designated as listed, proposed for listing, or are identified as candidate species under the 

ESA. Three wildlife species (grizzly bear, black-footed ferret and Canada lynx) are listed T&E species 

and one wildlife species (gray wolf) is listed as nonessential/experimental under the ESA (USFWS 2004). 

In addition, one candidate species, the yellow-billed cuckoo, may be impacted by decisions that would 

protect greater sage-grouse. The bald eagle was delisted from threatened status on July 9, 2007 (USFWS 

2007), but it is currently considered a BLM sensitive species. A total of forty-one species are listed as 

sensitive within the field office (BLM 2010). Table 3 represents the special status wildlife species either 

occurring or having the potential occur in the field office. 

Table 3. Special Status Wildlife Species in the Kemmerer Field Office

Common Name Status1 Habitat 

Trophy Game 

Grizzly Bear Threatened, 

NSS3 Montane forests 

Furbearing Animals 

Canada lynx Threatened, 

NSS1 Montane forests 

Predatory Animals 

Gray wolf Nonessential/ 

Experimental Greater Yellowstone ecosystem 

Game Birds 

Greater sage-grouse Candidate, 

NSS2 

Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Nongame (Raptors) 

Bald eagle Sensitive, 

NSS2 

Cottonwood riparian, mixed coniferous 

forests near large lakes and rivers 

Northern goshawk Sensitive, 

NSS4 Conifer and deciduous forests 

Ferruginous hawk Sensitive, 

NSS3 

Basin-prairie shrub, grassland, rock 

outcrops 

Peregrine falcon Sensitive, 

NSS3 Tall cliffs 

Burrowing owl Sensitive, 

NSS4 Grassland, basin-prairie shrub 

Nongame (Neotropical Migrants) 

White-faced ibis Sensitive, 

NSS3 Marshes, wet meadows 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-99 

Common Name Status1 Habitat 

Trumpeter swan Sensitive, 

NSS2 Lakes, ponds, rivers 

Long-billed curlew Sensitive, 

NSS3 Grasslands, plains, foothills, wet meadows 

Yellow-billed cuckoo Candidate, 

NSS2 

Riparian areas west of the Continental 

Divide; open woodlands, streamside willow 

and alder groves 

Mountain plover Proposed, 

NSS4 

Shortgrass prairies and shrubsteppe; 

prefers areas with little vegetative cover, 

such as prairie dog towns (USFWS 2003) 

Loggerhead shrike Sensitive Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Sage thrasher Sensitive, 

NSS4 

Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Brewer’s sparrow Sensitive, 

NSS4 Basin-prairie shrub 

Sage sparrow Sensitive, 

NSS4 

Basin-prairie shrub, mountain-foothill 

shrub 

Nongame (Mammals) 

Long-eared myotis Sensitive, 

NSS2 

Conifer and deciduous forests, caves and 

mines 

Pygmy rabbit Sensitive, 

NSS3 Basin-prairie and riparian shrub 

White-tailed prairie dog Sensitive, 

NSS4 Basin-prairie shrub, grasslands 

Idaho pocket gopher Sensitive, 

NSS3 Shallow stony soils 

Black-footed ferret Endangered, 

NSS1 Prairie dog towns 

Nongame (Amphibians) 

Northern leopard frog Sensitive, 

NSS4 

Beaver ponds, permanent water in plains 

and foothills 

Great Basin spadefoot Sensitive, 

NSS4 

Sagebrush communities, spring seeps, 

permanent and temporary waters 

Boreal toad Sensitive, 

NSS1 

Pond margins, wet meadows, riparian 

areas 

Spotted frog Sensitive, 

NSS4 Ponds, sloughs, small streams 

Tiger salamander NSS4 Slow moving streams, pools, ponds, wet 

meadows, lakes 

Sources: USFWS 2004, BLM 2010 

1-The list of species is from Current Species List for the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office, USFWS (April 2009). 

2-Status: Sensitive = BLM Sensitive Species; Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate = in accordance with the ESA; 

State-listed definitions (NSS1through NSS4) are now identified by WGFD as species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). 

NSS1 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible 

-OROngoing significant loss of habitat 

NSS2 = Populations declining, extirpation possible; habitat restricted or vulnerable but no recent or ongoing significant loss;

species likely sensitive to human disturbance 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-100 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Common Name Status1 Habitat 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; ongoing significant loss of habitat 

NSS3 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible; habitat not restricted, vulnerable but no loss; species 

not sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; habitat restricted or vulnerable but no 

recent or ongoing significant loss; species likely sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORSpecies widely distributed; population status or trends unknown but suspected to be stable; on-going significant loss of 

habitat. 

NSS4 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible; habitat stable and not restricted 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; habitat not restricted, vulnerable but no 

loss; species not sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORSpecies widely distributed, population status or trends unknown but suspected to be stable; habitat restricted or vulnerable 

but no recent or on-going significant loss; species likely sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORPopulations stable or increasing and not restricted in numbers or distribution; on-going significant loss of habitat 

Aquatic Animals 

Three endangered fish species, Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker, have not 

existed in Wyoming since the impoundment of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1963 and the humpback chub has 

only inhabited the downstream tributaries of the Colorado and Green Rivers. However, they are 

considered in planning projects because of the management implications that they present under the ESA. 

In addition to listed species, seven species have been designated as ‘Sensitive’ by BLM, the State of 

Wyoming, and the Wyoming NDD. These species require special management attention due to reduced or 

declining populations and habitat (BLM 2010). 

Terrestrial Animals 

Numerous high priority special status species occur or have potential to occur in the Kemmerer Field 

Office. The list includes three wildlife species listed as either endangered or threatened under the ESA 

and 21 species designated by Wyoming BLM as sensitive. 

Plants 

The Kemmerer Field Office has the specific goals of contributing to the recovery of species currently 

listed under the ESA and to promoting the recovery and conservation of all special status plant species 

within the Field Office. Special status plant species includes one of the four plant species within 

Wyoming listed as either endangered or threatened under the ESA and ten species designated by 

Wyoming BLM as sensitive (Table 4). Seventeen species considered rare by Wyoming NDD and 

documented to occur within the field office are also considered during project planning and authorization. 

Table 4. Special Plant Species in the Kemmerer Field Office

Common Name Scientific Name Ranking 

Federally Listed Plant Species 

Ute ladies’-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis Threatened 

BLM Sensitive Plant Species 

Trelease’s racemose milkvetch Astragalus racemosus var. treleasei G5T2/S2 

Winward’s narrow leaf Ericameria discoidea var. winwardii G4G5T1/S1 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-101 

Common Name Scientific Name Ranking 

Entire-leaved peppergrass Lepidium integrifolum var. integrifolium G2T1/S1 

Large-fruited bladderpod Lesquerella macrocarpa G2/S2 

Prostrate bladderpod Lesquerella prostrata G2G3/S2 

Beaver-rim phlox Phlox pungens G2/S2 

Tufted twinpod Physaria condensata G2/S2 

Dorn’s twinpod Physaria dornii G1/S1 

Whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis G3G4/S3 

Limber pine Pinus flexilis G4/S5 

Sources: BLM 2003a; Keinath et al. 2003 

1-The Wyoming NDD utilizes a standardized ranking system developed by The Nature Conservancy's Natural Heritage 

Network to assess the global and statewide conservation status of each plant and animal species, subspecies, and variety. 

Each taxon is ranked on a scale of 1-5, from highest conservation concern to lowest. Codes are as follows: 

G-Global rank: Rank refers to the rangewide status of a species. 

T-Trinomial rank: Rank refers to the rangewide status of a subspecies or variety. 

S-State rank: Rank refers to the status of the taxon (species or subspecies) in Wyoming. State ranks differ from state to state. 

1-Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity (often known from 5 or fewer extant occurrences or very few remaining 

individuals) or because some factor of a species’ life history makes it vulnerable to extinction. 

2-Imperiled because of rarity (often known from 6 to 20 occurrences) or because of factors demonstrably making a species 

vulnerable to extinction. 

3-Rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (usually known from 21 to 100 occurrences). 

4-Apparently secure, although the species may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. 

Current Management Practices 

All appropriate conservation agreements, conservation measures, and BLM-endorsed management 

strategies for T&E and other special status species will be implemented. An NSO restriction will be 

applied to bald eagle winter roosting areas. In addition, a one mile buffer zone around bald eagle winter 

roost sites will be closed from November 1 through April 1. Activities and habitat alterations that may 

disturb bald eagles will be restricted within suitable habitats that occur within bald eagle buffer zones. 

Deviations may be made after consultation with the USFWS. 

Zone 1 (within one-half mile, year-round) is intended to protect active and alternative nests. For active 

nests, minimal human activity levels are allowed during the period of first occupancy to two weeks after 

fledging. 

Zone 2 (from one-half mile to one mile from the nest, February 1 through August 15) is intended to 

protect bald eagle primary use areas and permits light human activity levels. 

Zone 3 is designated to protect foraging and (or) concentration areas year-round 2.5 miles from the nest. 

Vegetation treatments in special status plant species habitats could be conducted on a case-by-case basis 

when treatments would benefit these species. 

Habitat fragmentation will be avoided through attenuation, siting, and consolidation of roads, energy 

facilities, and other developments in identified special status species habitats, unless appropriate 

mitigation is initiated. 

BLM manages sage-grouse habitats that will support population levels consistent with the Wyoming 

Governor’s Sage-Grouse Core Population Area strategy. The following distances and timeframes will be 

utilized to manage activities that may impact greater sage-grouse or their habitats. These distances and 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-102 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

timeframes are based on current information, but may be subject to change in the future based upon new 

information. 

Greater sage-grouse leks: (1) Surface disturbance or occupancy within one-quarter mile of the perimeter 

of occupied greater sage-grouse leks will be avoided; (2) Human activity between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. from 

March 1 through May 15 within one-quarter mile of the perimeter of occupied greater sage-grouse leks 

will be avoided. 

Greater sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing habitats: Surface-disturbing and disruptive activities 

will be avoided in suitable greater sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing habitats within two miles 

of an occupied lek, or in identified greater sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing habitats outside 

the two mile buffer from March 15 through July 15. 

Greater sage-grouse winter habitats: Surface disturbance and disruptive activities will be avoided in 

occupied greater sage-grouse winter habitats from November 15 through March 14. 

Mid-scale mapping of sagebrush ecosystems and sage-grouse seasonal habitats will be completed within 

one year of the record of decision (ROD). Detailed mapping of sagebrush ecosystems and sage-grouse 

seasonal habitats in the Slate Creek and Moxa Arch areas will be completed within two years of the ROD. 

Statewide sage-grouse seasonal habitat models and sagebrush mapping will be used in management as 

they are developed. 

Appropriate restrictions will be determined on a site-specific basis and will consider project size. 

Exceptions to CSU and timing restrictions will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Facilities will be located or BMPs will be used to minimize impacts of continuous noise on species 

relying on aural cues for successful breeding. This requirement is based on current information, but may 

be subject to change in the future based upon new information. 

New, permanent high-profile structures (higher than 12 feet) will be avoided within one mile of occupied 

sagebrush obligate habitats unless anti-perch devices are installed. 

New, permanent high-profile structures relying on guy wires for support in these habitats will be 

prohibited. 

Exceptions can be made if NEPA analysis shows little or no impact to sagebrush obligate species. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Protecting sagebrush habitat specifically for grouse would protect habitat for other BLM sensitive species 

(i.e. pygmy rabbit, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, Brewer’s sparrow), but could also be detrimental to others 

(i.e. mountain plover). 

Continued closure of currently unleased areas would allow all wildlife species, including sage-grouse, to 

use undisturbed areas. In addition, any area that is not currently leased or closed to leasing could, in the 

future, be closed to leasing to protect grouse habitat. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-103 

2.11.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

One candidate species and four listed species occur in the Newcastle Field Office. In addition, there are 

17 birds and 13 mammals of special concern within the boundaries of the field office. 

A variety of raptors exist in nearly all habitat types in the field office. The population numbers for these 

species are not currently known. Additional use is made of public land for a forage prey base in many 

areas. Raptor information is not gathered on a routine basis with the exception of recording the activity of 

known nests. The sage-grouse population within northeast Wyoming is exhibiting a steady downward 

trend. Currently, there are 104 known sage-grouse leks within the field office. 

Fish species identified by the WGFD as being rare, but possibly occurring in the field office include the 

northern pearl dace, finescale dace, hornyhead chub, silvery minnow, goldeye, sturgeon chub, and 

shovelnose sturgeon. Species identified by the WGFD as a special management concern (not rare), and 

only occurring in limited numbers in the field office include the plains topminnow, Iowa darter, 

stoneroller, plains killifish, freshwater drum, and emerald shiner. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current special status species management practices that will be amended as part of the 

Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for special status species as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.11.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The Pinedale Field Office is home to a number of endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate 

wildlife species. This includes a variety of mammals, birds, amphibians, and plants. The specific species 

and their respective habitats are listed in Table 5. 

Table 5. Special Status Species Known to or Potentially Occur in the Pinedale Field Office

Common Name Scientific 

Name Habitat 

Designation and Ranking of others: 

WY Natural Heritage Program; 

WGFD; USFS Regions 2 and 4; 

Partners In Flight1 

Mammals 

Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus 

idahoensis 

Basin-prairie and riparian 

shrub 

G4/S1, NSS3, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR/WA, 

UT, USFSR4, ESA Under Review 

(petitioned, 01/08/2008) 

White-tailed prairie 

dog 

Cynomys 

leucurus 

Basin-prairie shrub, 

grasslands 

G4/S3, NSS4, USFSR2, CO, MT, UT, ESA 

Under Review (12-Month Finding, 

05/06/2008) 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-104 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Common Name Scientific 

Name Habitat 

Designation and Ranking of others: 

WY Natural Heritage Program; 

WGFD; USFS Regions 2 and 4; 

Partners In Flight1 

Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis Conifer and deciduous 

forests, caves and mines 

G5/S4, NSS2, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR/WA 

Idaho pocket 

gopher 

Thomomys 

idahoensis 

Shallow stony soils G4/S2, NSS3 

Birds 

Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis Conifer and deciduous 

forests 

G5/S3, NSS4, USFSR2, USFSR4, CA, CO, 

ID, MT, NV, UT, WYBCP Priority Level I 

Sage sparrow Amphispiza belli Basin-prairie shrub, 

mountain-foothill shrub 

G5/S3, NSS4, USFSR2, ID, MT, PIFSCI, 

WYBCP Priority Level I 

Burrowing owl Athene 

cunicularia 

Grasslands, basin-prairie 

shrub 

G4/S3, NSS4, AZ, CA, CO, MT, NV, OR, 

UT, WA, USFSR2, WYBCP Priority Level I, 

Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Basin-prairie shrub, 

grassland, rock outcrops 

G4/S4B,S5N, NSS3, USFSR2, CO, ID, MT, 

NV, UT, WA, WYBCP Priority Level I 

Greater sagegrouse 

Centrocercus 

urophasianus 

Basin-prairie shrub, 

mountain-foothill shrub 

G4/S4, NSS2, USFSR2, USFSR4, CA, CO, 

ID, MT, NV, OR/WA, UT, PIFSCI, WYBCP 

Priority Level I ESA Under Review (12-

Month Finding, 2/26/08) 

Mountain plover Charadrius 

montanus 

Short-grass and mixedgrass prairie, openings in 

shrub ecosystems, prairie 

dog towns 

G3/S2, NSS4, AZ, CA, CO, MT, UT, 

USFSR2, WYBCP Priority Level I, ESA 

Listing denied (09/09/2003), Removed from 

proposed Federal listing status 

Yellow-billed 

cuckoo 

Coccyzus 

americanus 

Open woodlands, 

streamside willow and 

alder groves 

G5/S1, (G5T3Q/SNR C. americanus 

occidentalis), Candidate, NSS2, CO, MT, 

OR/WA, UT (Candidate), USFSR2, 

WYBCP Priority Level II 

Trumpeter swan Cygnus 

buccinator 

Lakes, ponds, rivers G4/S2, NSS2, USFSR2, USFSR4, ID, MT, 

OR, WYBCP Priority Level I, ESA Listing 

Denied in 2003 (Tri-State Area Flock of 

Trumpeter Swans) 

Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Tall cliffs G4/S1B,S3N, (G4T4/S2 F. peregrinus 

anatum; G4T2SU F. peregrinus tundrius), 

NSS3, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR/WA, UT, 

USFSR2, USFSR4, PIFSCI, WYBCP 

Priority Level I 

Bald eagle Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus 

Primarily along rivers, 

streams, lakes and 

waterways 

G5/S3B,S5N, NSS2, USFSR2, USFSR4, 

CO, MT, OR/WA, UT, PIFSCI, WYBCP 

Priority Level I, ESA Delisted (06/28/2007) 

Loggerhead shrike Lanius 

ludovicianus 

Basin-prairie shrub, 

mountain-foothill shrub 

G4/S3, AZ, ID, MT, NV, USFSR2, WYBCP 

Priority Level II 

Long-billed curlew Numenius 

americanus 

Grasslands, plains, 

foothills, wet meadows 

G5/S3B, NSS3, USFSR2, CO, MT, NV, UT, 

WA, WYBCP Priority Level I 

Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes 

montanus 

Basin-prairie shrub, 

mountain-foothill shrub 

G5/S5, NSS4, MT, PIFSCI, WYBCP 

Priority Level II 

White-faced ibis Plegadis chihi Marshes, wet meadows G5/S1B, NSS3, AZ, CO, ID, MT 

Brewer’s sparrow Spizella breweri Basin-prairie shrub G5/S5, NSS4, CO, ID, MT, USFSR2, 

PIFSCI, WYBCP Priority Level I 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-105 

Common Name Scientific 

Name Habitat 

Designation and Ranking of others: 

WY Natural Heritage Program; 

WGFD; USFS Regions 2 and 4; 

Partners In Flight1 

Amphibians 

Boreal toad 

(Northern Rocky 

Mountain 

population) 

Bufo boreas 

boreas 

Pond margins, wet 

meadows, riparian areas 

G4T4/S1, NSS1, USFSR2, ID 

Northern leopard 

frog 

Rana pipiens Beaver ponds, permanent 

water in plains and 

foothills 

G5/S3, NSS4, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR/WA, 

USFSR2 

Columbia spotted 

frog 

Rana luteiventris Ponds, sloughs, small 

streams 

G4/S3, (G4T1Q/S1 Bighorn Mountain 

population), NSS4, ID, OR, UT, USFSR2, 

USFSR4 

Plants 

Meadow pussytoes Spea 

intermontana 

Spring seeps, permanent 

and temporary waters 

G5/S3, NSS4, CO 

Porter's sagebrush Artemisia porteri Sparsely vegetated 

badlands of ashy or 

tufaceous mudstone and 

clay slopes 5,300-6,500' 

G2/S2 

Trelease ’s 

milkvetch 

Astragalus 

racemosus var. 

treleasei 

Sparsely vegetated 

sagebrush communities 

on shale or limestone 

outcrops and barren clay 

slopes at 6500-8200' 

G5T2/S2 

Cedar rim thistle Cirsium aridum Barren, chalky hills, 

gravelly slopes, and fine 

textured, sandy-shaley 

draws 6,700-7,200' 

G2Q/S2 

Large-fruited 

bladderpod 

Lesquerella 

macrocarpa 

Gypsum-clay hills and 

benches, clay flats, and 

barren hills 7,200-7,700' 

G2/S2 

Beaver rim phlox Phlox pungens Sparsely vegetated 

slopes on sandstone, 

siltstone, or limestone 

substrates 6,000-7,400' 

G2/S2 

Tufted twinpod Physaria 

condensata 

Sparsely vegetated shale 

slopes and ridges 6,500-

7,000' 

G2/S2 

Whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis Montane forests and on 

thin, rocky, cold soils at or 

near timberline at 1300 - 

3700 m 

G3G4/S3 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-106 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Common Name Scientific 

Name Habitat 

Designation and Ranking of others: 

WY Natural Heritage Program; 

WGFD; USFS Regions 2 and 4; 

Partners In Flight1 

Limber pine Pinus flexilis Timberline and at lower 

elevation with sagebrush. 

Associated species are 

Rocky Mountain 

lodgepole pine, 

Engelmann spruce, 

whitebark pine, Douglasfir, subalpine fir, Rocky 

Mountain juniper, 

mountain mahogany, and 

common juniper 

G4/S5 

G = Global rank assigned by NatureServe: range-wide probability of extinction for a species 

T = Trinomial rank: refers to the range-wide probability of extinction for a subspecies or variety 

S = State rank assigned by Wyoming NDD biologists: probability of extinction from Wyoming 

1 = Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity (often <5 extant occurrences) or because some factor makes it highly 

vulnerable to extinction 

2 = Imperiled because of rarity (often 6-20 extant occurrences) or because of factors making it vulnerable to extinction 

3 = Rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (often 21-100 known occurrences) 

4 = Apparently secure, although it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery 

5 = Demonstrably secure, although it may be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery 

NSS1 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible 

-OROngoing significant loss of habitat 

NSS2 = Populations declining, extirpation possible; habitat restricted or vulnerable but no recent or ongoing significant loss;

species likely sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; ongoing significant loss of habitat 

NSS3 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible; habitat not restricted, vulnerable but no loss; species not 

sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; habitat restricted or vulnerable but no recent 

or ongoing significant loss; species likely sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORSpecies widely distributed; population status or trends unknown but suspected to be stable; on-going significant loss of habitat. 

NSS4 = Populations greatly restricted or declining, extirpation possible; habitat stable and not restricted 

-ORPopulations declining or restricted in numbers or distribution, extirpation not imminent; habitat not restricted, vulnerable but no loss; 

species not sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORSpecies widely distributed, population status or trends unknown but suspected to be stable; habitat restricted or vulnerable but no 

recent or on-going significant loss; species likely sensitive to human disturbance 

-ORPopulations stable or increasing and not restricted in numbers or distribution; on-going significant loss of habitat 

USFSR2 = Sensitive in Bighorn, Black Hills, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone National Forests, and the Thunder Basin National 

Grassland 

USFSR4 = Sensitive in Bridger-Teton, Caribou, Targhee, Wasatch-Cache, and Ashley (including Flaming Gorge National 

Recreation Area) National Forests 

All but 13 of the 119 known occupied sage-grouse leks (97%) in the Upper Green River Basin were 

checked during 2006. This compares with 98 percent, 78 percent, 80 percent, 60 percent, and 62 percent 

checked during 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. With increased lek monitoring efforts 

over the past few years, a total of 12 new leks were located during the 2004–2006 breeding seasons. Of 

the 106 leks checked in 2005, 87 percent were lek counts and 13 percent were lek surveys. The 

percentage of leks for which count data were collected has continued to increase from 41 percent in 2001 

to 73 percent in 2004. Results from the counts and surveys showed that 74 (70%) leks were active, and 32 

(30%) were inactive. The average number of males/lek for all active leks has continued to increase the 

last three years from 21 in 2003, to 24 in 2004, to 35 in 2005, and 46 in 2006. Generally, the proportion of 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-107 

leks checked that were active has gradually declined from 2001 to 2006. Data from the lek searches in 

2001 showed 88 percent of the leks were active, while 70 percent were active during 2006. Part of this 

decline can be attributed to increased abandonment in areas with increased gas development activity. 

Current Management Practices 

Intensively Developed Fields: 

 Surface disturbing activities will be designed and implemented to minimize impacts on greater 

sage-grouse habitats to the extent practicable. 

 New power lines will be buried where technologically feasible to minimize predation of sagegrouse. 

 Wyoming EO 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core Sage-Grouse 

Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 

 Oil and gas operations are subject to stipulations and mitigations. 

Traditional Leasing Areas: 

 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). 

 Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in suitable nesting and early brood-rearing habitat 

within two miles of occupied greater sage-grouse leks from March 15 to July 15. 

 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. 

 Surface disturbing activities are prohibited in suitable habitat within one-quarter mile of occupied 

leks. 

 Noise generating activities will be minimized through the application of BMPs, such as highefficiency mufflers. 

 All surface disturbing activities are prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

from November 15 through March 15. 

 New power lines will be buried to the extent technologically feasible to minimize predation of 

sage-grouse. 

 Placement of permanent and high-profile facilities (greater than 15 feet in height) is restricted 

within one mile (or the visual horizon, whichever is nearer) of leks, or mitigated with raptor antiperching devices. 

 Wyoming EO 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core Sage-Grouse 

Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-108 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 Permitted activities potentially affecting the habitat of special status species will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 

 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. 

Unavailable Areas: 

 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). 

 Surface disturbing activities will be avoided in suitable nesting and early brood-rearing habitat 

within two miles of occupied greater sage-grouse leks from March 15 to July 15. 

 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. 

 Surface disturbing activities are prohibited in suitable habitat within one-quarter mile of occupied 

leks. 

 Noise generating activities will be minimized through the application of BMPs, such as highefficiency mufflers. 

 All surface disturbing activities are prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas 

from November 15 through March 15. 

 Oil and gas development operations on pre-existing leases are subject to stipulations and 

mitigations. 

 New power lines will be buried to the extent technologically feasible to minimize predation of 

sage-grouse. 

 Placement of permanent and high-profile facilities (greater than 15 feet) is restricted within one 

mile (or the visual horizon, whichever is nearer) of leks, or mitigated with raptor anti-perching 

devices. 

 Wyoming EO 2008-2, and the Wyoming Stipulations for Development in Core Sage-Grouse 

Population Areas, will be considered when permitting activities. 

 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 T&E species 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 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-109 

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. 

 The appropriate type and level of ESA Section 7 consultation with the USFWS will occur for 

agency actions that may affect T&E 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 habitat is 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. 

 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 T&E 

species. 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. 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 T&E species or result in the destruction or adverse 

modification of a designated or proposed critical habitat. 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. 

 BLM will comply with the terms of the biological assessments and biological opinions for 

management of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species. 

 Deviation from the restrictions listed in this section for any listed species requires additional sitespecific consultation with the USFWS. 

 Permitted activities potentially affecting the habitat of special status species will be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. 

 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. 

 Common ROW routes and corridors will be designated, where appropriate, to minimize 

environmental impacts. 

 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. 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-110 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

– 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. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for special status species as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.11.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

The species discussed below are likely to occur within the Rawlins Field Office. They (1) are federally 

protected; (2) have associated critical habitat; (3) have been determined to be eligible for listing but are 

precluded (candidate); (4) are part of a nonessential, experimental population; and/or (5) occur in either 

the North Platte River or Colorado River system. 

The bald eagle is generally a winter migrant in the Rawlins Field Office, but some eagles nest in the area. 

Usable nesting habitats exist and because prey is available, there is the potential for additional nesting 

bald eagles. 

Black-footed ferrets are associated with prairie dog communities, which provide potential habitat within 

the Rawlins Field Office. Prairie dog burrows provide potential retreats for ferrets, and the prairie dogs 

themselves provide a supply of food. Black-footed ferret numbers have been shown to be directly linked 

to fluctuations in the prairie dog population. In the Rawlins Field Office, both the black-tailed prairie dog 

(Cynomys ludovicianus) and the white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) are present. Any disturbance 

to prairie dog towns may affect the black-footed ferret populations. A primary concern, aside from direct 

loss of the food base, is the potential for distemper transmission from domestic canines to the prairie 

dogs. A nonessential experimental population of black-footed ferrets has been reintroduced within the 

Rawlins Field Office in the vicinity of the Shirley Basin. Although naturally occurring populations of 

black-footed ferrets are no longer known within the Rawlins Field Office, suitable habitat does exist; 

therefore, there is always the potential for ferrets to occur (BLM 2004b). 

BLM-administered public lands have limited direct habitat for the Canada lynx; however, they may 

provide corridors for movement and habitat for forage. There are no identified Lynx Analysis Units 

(LAUs) located on BLM-administered public lands within the field office, but LAUs have been identified 

on USFS lands adjacent to BLM-administered lands within the field office. 

The Platte River system species include the least tern, the piping plover, the whooping crane, the Western 

prairie fringed orchid, and the pallid sturgeon, all of which occur in the Platte River system in association 

with riverine habitat. Although individuals of the four animal species listed above are not likely to be 

present in any abundance in Wyoming or in the field office, their populations may be susceptible to 

actions upstream in the Platte River system. Therefore, any Rawlins Field Office actions that may cause 

water depletion in the Platte River system are carefully considered (BLM 2004b). 

Although no designated critical habitat for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is located on BLMadministered lands, the Cottonwood Creek, Chugwater Creek, and Lodgepole Creek and Upper Middle 

Lodgepole Creek designated critical habitat unit cross the field office. The Cottonwood Creek, Chugwater 

Creek, and Lodgepole Creek and Middle Lodgepole Creek units are collectively composed of 10,542 

acres of Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat extending for a total of 125.1 stream miles on private, 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-111 

state, municipal, or USFS-administered lands. Threats to the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse are the loss 

of riparian habitat, fragmentation of habitat, and reduction in preferred forage. 

The Wyoming toad is listed as endangered under the ESA. The toad’s natural populations since 1987 

have been restricted to a two-square-mile area around Mortenson Lake near Laramie, which is within the 

Rawlins Field Office. An ongoing captive breeding program and reintroductions at selected sites within 

the toad’s historic range in the Laramie Basin are enabling population increases by this species (BLM 

2004b) 

The yellow-billed cuckoo was designated as a candidate for listing by USFWS on July 25, 2001. The 

predominant impact on the yellow-billed cuckoo is the loss of large blocks of riparian habitat due to 

fragmentation, overgrazing, exotic plant community changes, river management, and agricultural 

conversion of native vegetation. The yellow-billed cuckoo west of the Continental Divide is considered a 

distinct population segment (BLM 2004b). 

The humpback chub, Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker are endemic species to 

the Colorado River drainage. Although these species do not occur within the field office boundary, 

management actions within the boundary could affect the downstream habitats of these species. These 

four Colorado River fish are federally listed as endangered and are directly affected by activities that may 

deplete water in the Colorado River watershed. USFWS has determined that federal actions resulting in 

water depletion in the Colorado River system might affect these fish species (BLM 2004b) and would 

require consultation. 

Current Management Practices 

Surface disturbing activities or occupancy are prohibited on and within one-quarter mile of the perimeter 

of an occupied greater sage-grouse or sharp-tailed grouse lek. 

Disruptive activities are prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. from March 1 to May 20 on and 

within one-quarter mile of the perimeter of an occupied greater sage-grouse or sharp-tailed grouse lek. 

Nesting/early brood-rearing habitat: Surface disturbing and disruptive activities, geophysical surveys, and 

organized recreational activities (events) that require a special use permit will be avoided in suitable 

greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse nesting and early brood rearing habitat within 2 miles of the 

perimeter of an occupied greater sage-grouse lek, and within one mile of the perimeter of a sharp-tailed 

grouse lek, or in identified greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse nesting and early brood rearing 

habitat, from March 1 to July 15. 

Surface disturbing or disruptive activities within greater sage-grouse breeding or nesting habitat will 

require the use of BMPs designed to reduce both the direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the birds 

during the critical breeding and nesting seasons. 

High-profile structures (e.g., buildings, storage tanks, overhead power lines, wind turbines, towers, and 

windmills) will be authorized on a case-by-case basis from one-quarter mile to one mile of an occupied 

greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse lek. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities potentially disruptive to delineated greater sage-grouse and 

sharp-tailed grouse winter concentration areas are prohibited during the period of November 15 to March 

14 for the protection of greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse winter concentration areas. 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-112 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for special status species as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.11.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Within the Rock Springs Field Office, there are seven bird, three mammal, and four fish species that have 

been designated as listed, proposed for listing, or are identified as candidate species under the ESA. Three 

wildlife species (grizzly bear, black-footed ferret and Canada lynx) are listed as T&E species and one 

wildlife species (gray wolf) is listed as nonessential/experimental under the ESA (USFWS 2004). These 

specific species and their respective occurrences in the field office are listed in Table 6. Wyoming BLM 

sensitive species are listed in Table 7. 

Table 6. Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate Wildlife Species that May 

Occur in the Rock Springs Field Office Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Occurrence in Planning Area 

Mammals 

Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes Endangered Historical sightings and potential 

habitat exists within prairie dog 

towns 

Canada lynx Lynx canadensis Threatened Montane Forests; Lynx Analysis 

Units 

Grizzly bear Ursus arctos horribilis Threatened Foothills of the Wind River range 

and historical occurrence 

Gray wolf Canis lupus Nonessential Historical occupancy and two 

recent confirmed sightings 

(Moody, WGFD 2003) 

Birds 

Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus 

urophasianus 

Candidate Sagebrush communities 

Mountain plover Charadrius montanus Proposed Threatened Prairie dog towns and areas of 

sparse or absent vegetation 

Western population 

yellow-billed cuckoo 

Coccyzus americanus Candidate Potential habitat within riparian 

areas west of the Continental 

Divide 

Platte River Species 

Interior least tern 

Pallid sturgeon 

Piping plover 

Whooping crane 

Sternula antillarum 

Scaphirhynchus albus 

Charadrius melodus 

Grus americana 

Endangered 

Endangered 

Threatened 

Endangered 

Downstream riverine habitat of the 

Platte River system 

Fish 

Colorado River Fish 

Bonytail chub 

Colorado pikeminnow 

Humpback chub 

Razorback sucker 

Gila elegans 

Ptychocheilus lucius 

Gila cypha 

Xyrauchen texanus 

Endangered 

Endangered 

Endangered 

Endangered 

Downstream riverine habitat in the 

Yampa, Green, and Colorado 

River systems 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-113 

Table 7. Wyoming BLM Special Status Wildlife Species that May Occur in the Rock 

Springs Field Office Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat 

Mammals 

Townsend big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Coniferous forest; desert shrubland 

Spotted bat Euderma maculatum Desert and coniferous habitats 

White-tailed prairie dog Cynomys leucurus Shrub-steppe and saltbush communities 

Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis Coniferous forests, roosts in caves, 

buildings, or mines near a body of water 

Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodes Elevations less than 7,500 feet in forests 

and shrublands 

Swift fox Vulpes velox Grasslands and sagebrush (grass in the 

eastern portion of the field office) 

Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis Sagebrush in deep loose soils 

Wyoming pocket gopher Thomomys clusius Dry ridgetops; gravelly, loose soil; 

greasewood 

Idaho pocket gopher Thomomys idahoensis Stony, shallow soil 

Birds 

Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis Old-growth timber and cottonwood stands 

during migration 

Sage sparrow Amphispiza bellineata Sagebrush shrub, mountain-foothill shrub 

Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia Grasslands, basin-prairie shrub; often with 

prairie dogs 

Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Basin-prairie shrub, grassland, rock 

outcrops 

Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Basin-prairie shrub; mountain-foothill 

shrub with sagebrush 

Mountain plover Charadrius montanus Areas of low vegetation 

Western population yellow-billed 

cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Closed canopy, deciduous, riparian forests with a dense understory 

Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator Lakes, ponds, and marshes 

Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Tall cliffs 

Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Along major rivers, except during late 

winter when found in the Eden Valley 

Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus Sagebrush shrub, mountain-foothill shrub 

Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus Grasslands and wet meadows 

Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Sagebrush shrub, mountain-foothill shrub 

White-faced ibis Plegadis chihi Marshes and wet meadows 

Brewer’s sparrow Spizella breweri Sagebrush shrub, mountain-foothill shrub 
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2-114 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat 

Amphibians 

Great basin spadefoot toad Spea intermontana 

Springs; sweeps; permanent and 

temporary waters during the breeding 

season and loose sandy soils in arid 

habitats the rest of the year (Wyoming 

NDD 2005) 

Columbia spotted frog Rana luteiventris 

Variety of vegetation communities, 

including subalpine forest grasslands and 

sagebrush habitats, at elevations from 

1,700 feet to 6,400 feet (WGFD 2005). 

Spotted frog requires both aquatic and 

terrestrial habitats. 

Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens Small, fishless ponds for reproduction and 

upland habitats for summertime foraging 

Boreal toad (Northern Rocky 

Mountain population Bufo boreas boreas Wet habitats in foothills, montane, and subalpine areas 

Reptiles 

Midget-faded rattlesnake Crotalus viridis concolor 

Rock outcrops and exposed canyon walls 

– Lower Green Valley from north of the 

cities of Green River and Rock Springs to 

the Utah-Wyoming border (WGFD 2005). 

Fish 

Roundtail chub Gila robusta Colorado River drainage; mostly large 

rivers, streams, and lakes 

Bluehead sucker Catostomus discobolus Colorado River drainage; large rivers, 

streams, and lakes 

Flannelmouth sucker Catostomus latipinnis Colorado River drainage; large rivers, 

streams, and lakes 

Colorado river cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkia 

pleuriticus 

Green River, Black’s Fork and Little Snake 

River enclaves. Cool, clear water and wellvegetated stream banks for cover and 

bank stability (NatureServe 2009) 

Sources: Wyoming BLM Sensitive Species Policy and List, March 31, 2010. 

Current Management Practices 

Grouse breeding and nesting areas will be protected. 

Aboveground facilities (power lines, storage tanks fences, etc.) are prohibited on or within one-quarter 

mile of grouse breeding grounds (leks). Placement of facilities, “on” (very low profile) or below ground, 

and temporary disruptive activities, such as occur with pipeline construction, seismic activity, etc., could 

be granted exceptions within one-quarter mile of leks, in certain circumstances. 

To protect breeding grouse, disruptive activities will avoid occupied grouse leks from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 

a.m. daily. The actual area to be avoided and appropriate time frame (usually from March 1 through May 

15) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The avoidance area size (usually within one-quarter to 

one-half mile of the lek) may vary depending on natural topographic barriers, terrain, line of sight 

distance, etc. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-115 

To protect grouse nesting habitat, seasonal restrictions will apply within appropriate distances from the 

grouse lek. Appropriate distances (up to two miles) and time frames (usually from March 15 through July 

15) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions to seasonal restrictions may be granted. 

Seasonal restrictions for other species, such as mountain plover and greater sage-grouse winter 

concentrations, may be identified on a case-by-case basis. Should additional seasonal restrictions be 

identified, exceptions would also be handled on a case-by-case basis and include a site specific analysis. 

Surface Disturbance/Disruptive Activity Limitation Area— 

Surface disturbance or disruptive activities limitations: 

 Greater sage-grouse leks + one-quarter mile buffer 

 Greater sage-grouse winter concentration area 

 Potential greater sage-grouse nesting habitat 

Seasonal surface disturbance or disruptive activities limitations: 

 Greater sage-grouse leks + one-quarter mile buffer March 1 – May 15 

 Greater sage-grouse winter concentration area November 15 – March 14 

 Greater sage-grouse potential nesting habitat March 15 – July 15 

 Mountain plover aggregation areas + one-quarter mile buffer April 10 – July 10 

Surveys or searches will be conducted in potential habitat for federally listed, proposed, candidate, and 

sensitive species before any surface is disturbed. At any time a listed, proposed, or candidate species is 

found, all disruptive activities will be halted until protective measures developed with the USFWS are 

implemented. BLM will take proactive measures to improve habitat character as needed in accordance 

with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and BLM Manual 6840 policy. 

In greater sage-grouse habitats, surface disturbing maintenance and/or operational activities will require 

mitigation measures or development plans. These mitigation measures and/or development plans will be 

based on local situations on a case-by-case basis. 

The management practices in greater sage-grouse sensitive habitats will be designed to limit direct loss of 

habitat and prevent habitat degradation. Surface disturbing and disruptive activities will avoid these 

habitats. Measures will be taken to improve habitat character as needed in conformance with BLM 

Manual 6840 policy and, to the extent possible, with the Wyoming Greater Sage-grouse Conservation 

Plan (WGSGCP). 

Site-specific field reviews will be conducted, as needed, prior to approval of any surface disturbing or 

disruptive activities (including prior to issuing an oil and gas lease) in greater sage-grouse breeding (leks, 

nesting, and early brood-rearing) and winter concentration areas. Activities in these habitats will be 

restricted or prohibited. New oil and gas leases that contain these habitats will be given a CSU stipulation 

and timing limitations as appropriate. See the Leasable Fluid Minerals Management section and for 

related information on oil and gas lease stipulations and practices. 

Avoidance areas may vary depending on natural topographic barriers, terrain, type of activity, line-ofsight distance, vegetation structure and cover, habitat needs, and other such factors. Exceptions to 

avoidance areas and seasonal limitations could be provided on a case-by-case basis provided appropriate 

mitigation could be implemented and the exception criteria have been met. The actual area to be avoided 

and appropriate time frames will be determined on a case-by-case basis dependent on applicable scientific 

research and site-specific analysis. 
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2-116 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Mitigation of adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all habitats will be determined and applied on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Before surface disturbing or disruptive activities are approved, site-specific evaluations will be conducted 

for breeding habitat (leks, nesting, and early broodrearing) as expeditiously as possible after receiving a 

completed application/proposal for an activity. Field searches conducted as part of these evaluations will 

determine if the site has the scientifically accepted habitat variables (i.e., vegetation composition, height, 

cover, etc.) necessary to support greater sage-grouse breeding activities. These variables may change as 

new information becomes available. 

Surface occupancy (long-term or permanent aboveground facilities) will be prohibited within one-quarter 

mile of the perimeter of greater sage-grouse leks unless adverse impacts can be mitigated. Distances will 

be subject to change on a case-by-case basis dependent on applicable scientific research and site-specific 

analysis. 

Disruptive activities will also avoid occupied greater sage-grouse leks during appropriate evening and 

early morning hours, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily. The actual area to be avoided and appropriate time frame 

(typically March 1 to May 15) will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. 

No disruptive activities are allowed in nesting and early brood-rearing habitats (March 15 to July 15). 

These limitations will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. In addition, nesting and early 

brood-rearing habitats will be protected from habitat degradation, and measures will be taken to improve 

habitat quality within these areas. 

Disruptive activities will be prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas typically from 

November 15 to March 14. These areas and/or dates are subject to change based on new data and 

scientific information. 

Disruptive activities will be prohibited in big game crucial winter range between November 15 and April 

30. Seasonal limitations may be accepted. Mitigation of adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all 

habitats will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. 

Traffic speeds on BLM roads during the brood-rearing period (June and July) will be limited within onequarter mile of nesting aggregation areas as necessary to avoid nesting birds. Exceptions or other 

mitigation measures could be applied on a case-by-case basis, as determined by BLM. Mitigation of 

adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all habitats will be determined and applied on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Measures (e.g., avoidance, burying power lines, installation of anti-perch devices, and exclusion for 

artificial nest structures) will be taken to limit hunting perches or artificial nest sites for avian predators 

within one-quarter mile of nesting aggregation areas. 

Greater sage-grouse nesting habitat will be open to mineral material disposals only if related disturbance 

and reclamation can occur during one field season (August 1 to November 15) and the site could be 

returned (through reclamation efforts) to a condition usable by greater sage-grouse prior to the next 

strutting season. Nesting habitat reclamation would require stockpiling and redistribution of top soil and 

planting of containerized stock (sagebrush, grass, forbs) of sufficient size and density to meet the nesting 

requirements of the birds. 

Mountain plover surveys will be required prior to authorizing any surface disturbing or disruptive 

activities in potential plover habitat. Surveys will be conducted within suitable mountain plover habitat by 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Special Status Species 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-117 

a qualified biologist using protocol determined by the Rock Springs BLM biologist. Active mountain 

plover nesting aggregation areas will be avoidance areas for surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

within one-quarter mile of the area from April 10 to July 10. 

BLM will cooperate with the USFWS in studies for, and reintroduction of, special status species. 

Seasonal limitations for surface disturbing activities to protect game and special status fish species during 

spawning will be applied. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

Crucial winter range or sensitive habitats (such as birthing areas, the connectivity area (migration 

corridor), nesting sites, greater sage-grouse breeding habitats and winter concentration areas, and 

sensitive fisheries habitats) will be managed by maintaining habitat or reducing habitat loss or alteration, 

improving habitat where possible, and applying appropriate mitigation requirements (e.g., distance and 

seasonal limitations and rehabilitation) to all appropriate activities. The management practices in greater 

sage-grouse sensitive habitats will be designed to limit direct loss of habitat and prevent habitat 

degradation. Surface disturbing and disruptive activities will avoid these habitats. 

Measures will be taken to improve habitat character as needed in conformance with BLM Manual 6840 

policy and, to the extent possible, with the WGSGCP. Site-specific field reviews will be conducted, as 

needed, prior to approval of any surface disturbing or disruptive activities (including prior to issuing an 

oil and gas lease) in greater sage-grouse breeding (leks, nesting, and early brood-rearing) and winter 

concentration areas. Activities in these habitats will be restricted or prohibited. New oil and gas leases 

that contain these habitats will be given a CSU stipulation and timing limitations as appropriate. 

Avoidance areas may vary depending on natural topographic barriers, terrain, type of activity, line-ofsight distance, vegetation structure and cover, habitat needs, and other such factors. Exceptions to 

avoidance areas and seasonal limitations could be provided on a case-by-case basis provided appropriate 

mitigation could be implemented and the exception criteria have been met. 

Before surface disturbing or disruptive activities are approved, site-specific evaluations will be conducted 

for breeding habitat (leks, nesting, and early brood-rearing) as expeditiously as possible after receiving a 

completed application/proposal for an activity. Field searches conducted as part of these evaluations will 

determine if the site has the scientifically accepted habitat variables (i.e., vegetation composition, height, 

cover, etc.) necessary to support greater sage-grouse breeding activities. These variables may change as 

new information becomes available. Surface occupancy (long-term or permanent aboveground facilities) 

will be prohibited within one-quarter mile of the perimeter of greater sage-grouse leks unless adverse 

impacts can be mitigated. Distances will be subject to change on a case-by-case basis dependent on 

applicable scientific research and site-specific analysis. 

Disruptive activities will also avoid occupied greater sage-grouse leks during appropriate evening and 

early morning hours, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily. The actual area to be avoided and appropriate time frame 

(typically March 1 to May 15) will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. No disruptive 

activities are allowed in nesting and early brood-rearing habitats (March 15 to July 15). These limitations 

will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. In addition, nesting and early brood-rearing 

habitats will be protected from habitat degradation, and measures will be taken to improve habitat quality. 

Disruptive activities will be prohibited in greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas typically from 

November 15 to March 14. These areas and/or dates are subject to change based on new data and 

scientific information 
Chapter 2–Special Status Species Final Summary of the AMS 

2-118 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Traffic speeds on BLM roads during the brood-rearing period (June and July) will be limited within onequarter mile of nesting aggregation areas as necessary to avoid nesting birds. Exceptions or other 

mitigation measures could be applied on a case-by-case basis, as determined by BLM. Mitigation of 

adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all habitats will be determined and applied on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Measures (e.g., avoidance, burying power lines, installation of anti-perch devices, and exclusion for 

artificial nest structures) will be taken to limit hunting perches or artificial nest sites for avian predators 

within one-quarter mile of nesting aggregation areas. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Potential wind development is being considered or proposed within sage-grouse key habitat areas and 

other important habitat within the Rock Spring Field Office. Development of a process to identify where 

wind development will be allowed will create a better understanding of related impacts to sage-grouse 

and other species. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Transportation and Access 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-119 

2.12 TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS

2.12.1 Overview 

The main objectives of the Transportation and Access program are to provide legal public access to public 

lands, provide legal access for BLM staff, maintain existing roads and access easements, and close roads 

as necessary. Access is acquired through purchase, exchange, reciprocal ROWs, donation, and 

condemnation. Transportation includes access to public lands and infrastructure management. Local 

dependence on public land to meet transportation needs occurs mostly in terms of access to those public 

lands. Public lands also provide for transportation of commodities through ROWs. The transportation 

system within the planning area is depicted on Map 9. 

The checkerboard land ownership pattern and other non-BLM-managed inholdings create problems for 

accessing land and resources administered by BLM. Some easements exist to allow access across private 

lands to public lands, but there are several locations where public access to public land is not available 

due to the lack of such easements or contiguous BLM-managed public land. Energy- and recreationrelated vehicular traffic on the public lands is increasing. This is due to further energy development and 

recreational use by the general public. With the greater use and demand on the existing transportation 

network, additional legal access would be required to provide for and enhance travel to and from the 

public lands. Roadways managed by BLM are often used to access private interests. A network of roads 

built and maintained primarily by the oil and gas industry provides transportation routes across the 

planning area. 

Section 9113 of the BLM Manual determines the functional classification of roadways, which also 

determines design speeds. Access across private land to public lands is an ongoing issue within the 

planning area. BLM’s policy is to acquire access only when needs are identified through land use 

planning as being essential for the management of BLM-administered lands and resources. Needs are 

ranked with other access needs throughout the State of Wyoming to determine how the limited resources 

for acquisition are used. To establish joint agency cooperation when acquiring access to public lands, 

BLM has a MOU with the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners, USFS, and the WGFD. 

Travel Management Areas (TMAs) are delineated for those areas with an OHV designation of Limited to 

Designated Roads and Trails, Open, and Closed. Travel management has been addressed at the site–

specific planning level for some areas of the field office. Transportation management involves the 

infrastructure and legal rights to provide people the opportunity to use and travel to and through specific 

lands within the planning area. BLM’s travel management program includes providing means for legal 

access and maintenance and development of various transportation facilities. Travel management includes 

travel ways, travel management, and travel systems. Management encompasses all forms of 

transportation, including mechanized and motorized vehicles such as bicycles, motorized ATVs, cars and 

trucks, and pedestrian and equestrian modes of access as well. 

For legislative purposes, 42 CFR 840 defines an OHV as “any motorized vehicle capable of or designated 

for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other terrain.” Over the past 25 years, ownership of 

OHVs has become commonplace. A lack of understanding of land use ethics has increased inappropriate 

uses of OHVs on federal lands. A shortage of law enforcement personnel and a rapid increase in OHV use 

throughout the planning area make it difficult to enforce OHV designations. This situation generally 

occurs more often in areas of higher recreational use, but there is evidence of rapid route proliferation 

throughout the planning area. The majority of OHV use on public lands occurs on unpaved roads and 

two-track trails. OHV use is a popular method to explore public lands. It also provides access for 

nonmotorized recreational purposes, such as fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and 
Chapter 2–Transportation and Access Final Summary of the AMS 

2-120 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

primitive camping opportunities. Nonrecreational OHV use of the field office includes agricultural 

management, energy development, and land-management activities. Employees of government agencies, 

ranchers, energy companies, and utility providers are permitted users who utilize OHVs to access and 

maintain the infrastructure required for the continued operation and maintenance of their facilities. BLM 

has established OHV area designations according to the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook

requirements and 43 CFR 8342.1. These designations establish guidelines and limitations for OHV use. 

2.12.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

The Casper Field Office is centrally located in Wyoming and is a hub for the minerals industry. Interstate 

25 (I-25) is the main transportation route through the Casper Field Office and provides a link to I-80 and 

I-90 located to the south and north, respectively. Primary and secondary highways connect most 

communities in the region, and a series of county roads provide public access to remote areas of the 

Casper Field Office. Natrona County International Airport is located in Casper and is the major air link to 

the region. In addition, several municipal airports, a military airport (Guernsey Airport), and several 

private airstrips are located within the region. The Casper area is served through a single line of the 

Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Company. 

The existing RMP identifies five areas in need of travel and transportation management plans to address 

access and transportation program issues. Physical access may be limited by the landscape of the field 

office and the patchwork land ownership; vehicle access may certainly be hampered or unavailable. 

Most access program activities within the Casper Field Office are coordinated with federal, state, local, 

and as appropriate, tribal agencies. BLM currently manages 18 easements acquired for public access, and 

the Casper Field Office plans to acquire 16 more easements or cooperative agreements for access across 

private lands. Much of the transportation infrastructure for the Casper Field Office is already in place, and 

no need for additional major transportation facilities has been identified. Most efforts associated with 

transportation infrastructure are used for reconstruction of older or damaged facilities and routine 

maintenance. 

Throughout the majority of the Casper Field Office, OHV use is limited to existing roads and trails. This 

designation was created to allow OHV use without increasing the number of acres disturbed. OHV users 

are not to travel off the roads and trails except during the performance of necessary tasks such as the 

retrieval of game. Each year new trails are being created by a wide range of OHV users including, but not 

limited to, recreational users. Once a new trail becomes established it is considered by the public to be an 

existing route. 

Current Management Practices 

In areas limited to existing or designated roads and trails, the following is allowed: (1) both motorized and 

non-motorized transportation on existing and designated roads and trails, unless indicated otherwise at 

site location; (2) non-motorized cross-country or off-route travel as long as new routes are not created and 

resource damage does not occur; (3) cross-country or off-route travel by over-snow vehicles when snow 

cover is sufficient to prevent resource damage; and (4) cross-country or off route travel during hunting 

season by individuals possessing a valid WGFD disabled hunter permit or disabled hunter companion 

permit. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Transportation and Access 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-121 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for transportation and access as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.12.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

The Kemmerer Field Office is located in southwestern Wyoming and includes a portion of Interstate 80 

(I-80) and a network of other roadways that serve motorists in western Wyoming. I-80 provides east-west 

access across southern Wyoming and the Nation. Primary and secondary highways (189, 30, and 89) 

connect the primary communities in the region and provide access to a series of county roads that provide 

public access to remote areas of the field office. 

The majority (1.4 million acres) of the Kemmerer Field Office is designated as limited for OHV use. This 

designation was created to allow OHV use without increasing the number of acres disturbed. Recreational 

users are not permitted to travel off of roads and trails except during the performance of necessary tasks, 

provided the off-road travel does not exceed 300 feet of the existing trail. If off-road distances beyond 

300 feet are required for dispersed uses or to perform necessary tasks, exceptions can be granted through 

a letter of authorization. 

The field office is generally open to snowmobiling in the winter months. However, big game winter 

ranges are closed to minimize stress to wintering animals. The Viva Naughton Trailhead provides access 

to 343 miles of groomed trails in the Wyoming range. 

Current Management Practices 

Parts of the hill climb area in Section 33, T15 North, R114 West - 60 acres are open for OHV use. 

The following areas will be designated limited to existing roads and trails pending resource surveys and 

travel management planning to support an open designation: Oakley Draw and Leavitt Bench/Crooked 

Canyon. New proposals for open OHV use areas will be considered and could be approved provided they 

do not cause a significant impact to other resources. 

Motor vehicle travel in the field office, outside of the WSA, is limited to existing roads and trails. Limited 

off-trail motor vehicle travel is allowed for dispersed uses and to perform necessary tasks as long as it 

does not cause resource damage or create new trails. If off-road distances beyond 300 feet are required for 

dispersed uses or to perform necessary tasks, exceptions can be granted through a letter of authorization. 

Off-trail motor vehicle travel is not allowed in the Rock Creek/Tunp or Bear River Divide prescriptive 

management areas. 

Motor vehicle travel is seasonally limited in the following crucial big game winter range areas: Slate 

Creek, Rock Creek, and Bridger Creek. Public access to the areas is closed from January 1 to April 30 

(exemptions apply). 

Mechanized vehicle use is allowed throughout the field office on existing roads and trails, except the 

Raymond Mountain WSA is closed to mechanized vehicles. Snowmobile use in Pine Creek Canyon is 

limited to the groomed trail. Snowmobile use is limited to times when favorable snow conditions exist 

prior to January 1 in the following crucial big game winter range areas: Slate Creek, Rock Creek, and 

Bridger Creek. No snowmobile use allowed in the Raymond Mountain WSA. 
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2-122 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

In the field office, 23 miles of groomed snowmobile trails exist and will continue to be groomed. New 

snowmobile trails are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Access to some areas may be further limited due to conflicts with sage-grouse habitats. Restrictions to 

protect sage-grouse habitats may further support the closure of unauthorized motor vehicle trails. 

2.12.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Due to the nature of existing uses in the field office and the scattered land pattern that exists, all public 

land outside the Whoopup Canyon ACEC (which is closed to vehicle use) is designated as limited to 

existing roads and trails. This designation was established to provide access to public lands while 

protecting the landscape and resources from off-road vehicle damage. BLM retains the authority to permit 

the construction of new roads or trails to accomplish program goals and for administrative use. 

Vehicle travel off existing roads and trails can be authorized to accomplish necessary tasks if such travel 

does not result in resource damage or encourage additional use on a regular basis. Random off-road travel 

and creating new roads or trails not specifically authorized by the BLM is not permitted. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current transportation and access management practices that will be amended as part of the 

Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for transportation and access as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.12.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Transportation activity within the Pinedale Field Office is associated with recreational and nonrecreational use of the land. The varied landscape; large areas of public land with roads and trails open to 

OHVs; and numerous landforms along the northern, eastern, and western boundaries of the field office 

(composed of the foothills and approaches to the Wyoming Range and Wind River Range) provide 

numerous opportunities for OHV use. This varied landscape and the proximity of and access to the USFSadministered lands in the Bridger-Teton National Forest have contributed to the popularity of this type of 

vehicle use. 

The majority of OHV use within the boundaries of the field office takes place on existing roads and trails. 

OHV use appears to have increased in some areas during the past 15 years as is evidenced by the 

expansion of trails by ATVs and motorcycles. Some localized trail expansion is related to the growth in 

use by racing-type ATVs and motorcycles. The current demand for general OHV use is not exceeding the 

capacity of areas open to OHV use. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Transportation and Access 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-123 

Roads and trails on BLM-administered lands are frequently used as transportation routes to access USFSadministered lands. The Irish Canyon access to the Bridger National Forest is becoming extremely 

popular for snowmobile use because the route is part of the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail system 

and extends into the Bridger-Teton National Forest (Hudson 2002). OHV use for antler collecting has 

become increasingly popular in the past decade. In addition to these uses, interest in developed mountain 

bike and motorized OHV routes has increased. 

Current Management Practices 

Motorized vehicle use, except for over-the-snow equipment, is limited to designated roads and trails in 

the following areas: 

 Boulder Lake, Upper Green River, and Scab Creek SRMAs 

 Trapper’s Point ACEC 

 East Fork River/Irish Canyon area 

 Miller Mountain and Ross Butte MAs 

 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. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Access across private land to public lands is a continuing issue within the field office. BLM’s policy is to 

acquire access only when needs are identified through land use planning as being essential for the 

management of BLM-administered lands and resources. 

Increased OHV use during the past 10 to 15 years has created some identifiable concerns with the 

management of OHV activities. The most notable concern may be the occurrence of OHV use in some 

areas in which repeated motorized travel on erodible soils and/or steep slopes may be causing degradation 

of water quality, loss of vegetation, and alteration of the visual landscape. Another identified concern is 

the effect of motorized activities on wildlife in crucial winter habitat. In addition, OHV noise can be 

considered intrusive and unpleasant to other recreational users. 
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2-124 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.12.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Transportation activity within the Rawlins Field Office is associated with a variety of resource uses, 

including mineral extraction, livestock grazing, and recreation. The level of access to these resources can 

affect their potential levels of use. 

There are two interstate highways through the Rawlins Field Office: I-25, which runs north-south through 

Cheyenne and Wheatland in the far eastern part of the area; and I-80, running westward from Nebraska to 

generally bisect the Rawlins Field Office. For the most part, U.S. highways are co-located on interstate 

highways, with U.S. 87 following I-25 and U.S. 30 following I-80. An important exception is the 

divergence of U.S. 30 from I-80 between Laramie and Walcott, where it is co-located with U.S. 287. This 

route is less subject to the blizzard conditions that sometimes occur in this segment of I-80. As would be 

expected on the basis of population, state highways are much more numerous in the portion of the 

Rawlins Field Office east of Rawlins. West of Rawlins, State Highway 789 is the only state highway, and 

other routes are typically unpaved. 

There are numerous smaller roads laced throughout the Rawlins Field Office, which connect more remote 

locations within the Rawlins Field Office to the larger collector roads. These roads are used for 

recreational purposes, to provide access for the development and maintenance of oil and gas wells, and 

for range management improvements. Most of these roads are not paved; they are of dirt, gravel, or sand. 

These roads include those that are maintained by BLM, by counties, and by private corporations. The 

larger collector roads are not maintained by BLM. 

The checkerboard land ownership pattern and other non-BLM-managed inholdings create problems for 

accessing land and resources administered by BLM. Few easements exist to allow access across private 

lands to public lands. There are numerous locations where public access to public land is unavailable 

without private landowner permission due to the lack of easements, county roads or state highways or 

contiguous BLM-managed public land. For example, access to the Overland Trail is hampered because of 

noncontiguous BLM-managed land. In addition, public access to streams and reservoirs is often restricted 

by the absence of lands with legal public access adjacent to the water. 

Energy- and recreation-related vehicular traffic on the public lands is increasing. This is due to further 

energy development and recreational use by the general public. With the greater use and demand on the 

existing transportation network, additional legal access would be required to provide for and enhance 

travel to and from the public lands. 

OHV use is managed according to designations finalized in the Rawlins RMP. These designations 

prescribe the available management environment in which OHV users can travel. Potential OHV 

designations are open, closed, or limited. With the exceptions listed below, the Rawlins Field Office is 

open to the use of motorized OHV use. The Rawlins RMP prescribes that OHV use throughout the 

Rawlins Field Office is limited to existing roads and vehicle routes, except in specified areas that contain 

different designations. Within the Rawlins Field Office, OHV use provides access to hunting, fishing, and 

camping. In addition, OHV use is increasingly regarded as a method of recreation in itself, and OHV use 

extends beyond recreational use. Gathering of noncommercial products includes activities such as the 

collecting of shed deer and elk antlers, moss rock, and native plant material. OHVs provide access to 

large areas of land and easy access to antlers on the ground. Employees of authorized users, such as 

government agencies, ranches, oil and gas companies, and utility providers use OHVs to access and 

maintain the developments that are integral to the continued operation of their facilities. BLM staff also 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Transportation and Access 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-125 

use OHVs for tasks such as range inspections, surveying and mapping, inventories, monitoring, 

vegetation treatments, fire suppression, project maintenance, and construction. 

Current Management Practices 

With some exceptions, the Rawlins Field Office is open to use of motorized, over-the-snow vehicles 

provided they do not adversely affect wildlife or vegetation (there are specific OHV exceptions). The 

field office is divided into areas that are open, limited, or closed to OHV travel. Those areas that are 

designated limited may have seasonal restrictions or travel limitations to either existing or designated 

roads, vehicle routes, or any combination of these. Until the designation process is completed, travel in 

limited to designated areas will remain limited to existing roads and vehicle routes. Travel on parcels of 

public land not having legal public access will remain limited to existing roads and vehicle routes. TMAs 

within the Rawlins Field Office are defined as those areas identified as OHV areas and those areas 

selected as “Limited to Designated Roads and Trails,” “Closed,” or “Open”. 

Off-road motor vehicle use is allowed for necessary tasks except in WSAs and specific SD/MAs. In 

localized areas, temporary, seasonal, or permanent closures to motorized vehicle use may occur for public 

health and safety concerns or for the protection of resources. 

OHV use to retrieve big game kills and to gain access to camping sites is allowed within 300 feet of 

existing roads and vehicle routes, except where roads and vehicle routes are closed and/or in WSAs and 

specific SD/MAs. Currently, 3,730 acres are open to OHV use. 

The following designations are in place: 

 2,190,690 acres are limited to either designated or existing roads and vehicle routes. 

 1,283,930 acres are limited to existing roads and vehicle routes (within the checkerboard or other 

intermixed landownership areas). 

 46,370 acres are closed to OHV use. 

 The public land transportation system will be maintained or modified to provide for public health 

and safety and adequate access to public lands. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

OHV designations in the Rawlins Field Office for the majority of public lands are “limited to existing 

roads and vehicle routes.” However, the number of unauthorized roads pioneered within the Rawlins 

Field Office is expanding rapidly. Even authorized activities can lead to unauthorized roads and vehicle 

routes. A concern is that OHV users often leave existing roads and vehicle routes and create new twotracks, thereby contributing to vegetation loss, soil compaction, soil erosion, and wildlife harassment. In 

addition, use of existing roads and vehicle routes when they are muddy causes rutting and erosion 

whether the roads/vehicle routes are two-tracks or improved roads. Within the Rawlins Field Office, OHV 

use in the Sand Hills and Dune Ponds areas is of special concern because of the fragile nature of these 

areas. The Dune Ponds area receives a number of visitors because of its proximity to the Seminoe 

Reservoir and the population center of Rawlins. 

Over the past 25 years, ownership of OHVs has become commonplace. A lack of understanding of land 

use ethics has increased inappropriate uses of OHVs on federal lands. Shortage of law enforcement 

personnel and a rapid increase in OHV use throughout the Rawlins Field Office make it difficult to 
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2-126 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

enforce OHV designations. This situation generally occurs more often in areas of higher recreational use, 

but there is evidence of rapid route proliferation throughout the Rawlins Field Office. 

2.12.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The transportation infrastructure for the Rock Springs Field Office is extensive and provides adequate 

physical access through the field office. The Rock Springs Field Office seeks legal public access to areas 

utilized for recreation, renewable and nonrenewable energy development, range management, and 

communication site management. BLM acquires access through purchases, exchange, reciprocal ROWs, 

and donation; and coordinates access activities with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies as 

appropriate. The most frequently encountered access need is to provide ROWs across public lands. 

Access is also sought across private land if a need is identified. 

Current Management Practices 

Approximately 170,000 acres are closed to off-road vehicle use to protect naturalness and outstanding 

opportunities for solitude, or primitive and unconfined recreation. Generally, over-the-snow vehicle use is 

subject to specific prescriptions unless a site specific analysis determines that exceptions can be allowed. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

A transportation plan for the JMH Coordinated Activity Plan planning area will be developed in 

coordination with local governments, users, and other members of the public. The transportation plan 

could include mitigation measures (such as offsite placement of facilities, remote control monitoring, 

restricted or prohibited surface use including road construction, multiple wells from a single pad, central 

tank batteries/facilities, and pipelines and power lines concentrated in specific areas, all based on sitespecific analysis) in areas subject to seasonal limitations and use restrictions such as CSU and NSO 

stipulations for oil and gas development. Transportation planning will provide for access to achieve 

multiple-use goals while providing maximum protection for crucial habitats and sensitive resources and 

will consider the following: 

 Limiting points of access for all activities to minimize disruption. 

 Closing and rehabilitating unused roads and trails and those causing resource damage. This will 

be subject to county review of existing ROWs needs. The transportation plan and affected maps 

will be corrected to reflect closed roads and trails. 

 Avoiding construction of stream or riparian area crossings in sensitive areas and closing 

unnecessary crossings. Exceptions may be granted if crossings will reduce adverse effects, benefit 

area objectives, and reduce miles of road and/or frequency of use. Bridges (versus culverts) will 

be required for perennial stream crossings. 

 Limiting development zones to be accessed by designated routes. 

Proposed road installations and improvements will follow the JMH Coordinated Activity Plan and Green 

River RMP management objectives and applicable BLM guidelines until a JMH transportation plan is 

prepared and approved. Exceptions to the plan will address site-specific conditions to minimize impacts 

on natural and cultural resource values. Proposed roads and improvements for Steamboat Mountain and 

White Mountain will follow the guidelines specified in Appendix 12 in the final EIS. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Transportation and Access 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-127 

The Pinnacles Geologic Feature will be closed to OHV use, and OHV use will be limited to designated 

roads and trails in the South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC (portion not visible), cushion plant 

community, and Steamboat Mountain MA. The remaining public lands in the JMH Coordinated Activity 

Plan planning area will remain open, limited, or closed to OHV use as previously described in the Green 

River RMP. The OHV management prescriptions identified in the Green River RMP will be 

implemented. Management of OHV activities will be in accordance with EO 11644, as amended by EO 

11989, and applicable regulations (43 CFR 8340) that address the use of OHVs on public lands. 

Designation and authorization of OHV use will be controlled to protect resource values, promote users’ 

safety, and minimize conflict among various public lands uses. In areas where roads have not been 

assessed and road designations not completed, management will be the same as that for “existing roads 

and trails” until the assessment can be completed. Specific roads and trails may be closed or seasonally 

closed to OHV use as needed for public health and safety reasons, restoration or remediation actions, 

habitat protection, or other valid reasons as determined by BLM. Travel by over-the-snow vehicles will 

be limited to the OHV designations and BLM trails designated for snow vehicle access. Any travel off 

existing routes will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

It has been identified that there is unavailable or inadequate legal public access to some parcels of public 

land within the planning area. In addition, there is a need for access restrictions to areas that may pose a 

threat to public health and safety or significant resource values. 
Chapter 2–Vegetation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-128 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.13 VEGETATION

2.13.1 Overview 

Vegetation resources within the planning area are diverse and in some areas unique. The precipitation, 

elevation, and temperature extremes, combined with soil and geology variability, create a variety of 

vegetation habitat types. Vegetation resources within the planning area include mixed-grass, sagebrush 

shrubland, and forest communities. Riparian areas and wetlands are ecologically among the most 

important resources on public land. Structurally diverse plant communities provide habitat for wildlife as 

well as forage for domestic animals. In addition, healthy riparian areas and wetlands stabilize the soil, act 

as sponges releasing water throughout the year, and improve water quality for adjacent streams. Resource 

uses may affect the natural function and condition of riparian areas and wetlands. 

Noxious and invasive weeds are identified as a major threat to native ecosystems. They contribute to the 

loss of rangeland productivity, increased soil erosion, reduced native species diversity and loss of wildlife 

habitat and, in some instances, are hazardous to human and animal health and welfare (Federal Noxious 

Weed Act, Public Law 93-629). Waterways, roads, and animals are the principal vectors for expansion of 

noxious and invasive weed species. Weeds are a component evaluated during Standards for Healthy 

Rangelands assessments. Major vegetation communities that occur within the planning area are included 

on Map 10. 

2.13.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Vegetative resources in the Casper Field Office are diverse and consist of the following community types: 

grassland communities and shrubland communities; riparian and wetland communities; and woodland and 

forest communities. Invasive, non-native plant species are present throughout the planning area and have 

invaded most vegetative communities. 

Shrub communities are diverse throughout the field office and dominate the majority of public lands 

administered by the BLM in this area. The three general shrub communities represented include desert 

shrub/saltbush-greasewood flats, mountain shrub, and sagebrush. Mixed grass prairie grasslands occur 

mainly in the eastern two thirds of the planning area. Other grassland communities consist of short- to 

mid-height grass species; forbs occur primarily in the southern foothills of the Big Horn Mountains in 

Natrona County. Areas of mixed grass prairie are primarily used for livestock and wildlife grazing. 

Greasewood and Gardner saltbush occur in the more arid regions of the field office on soils with at least 

moderate amounts of salinity. Areas where saltbush occurs include Bates Hole and Anderson Draw. 

Gardner saltbush, the dominant species in this community type, is preferred livestock forage for lambing 

sheep and calving cattle, and is consumed by wildlife and livestock in the winter and spring. 

The mountain shrublands are made up of mesic upland shrub steppe communities and xeric upland shrub 

steppe communities. The primary shrub in the mesic upland shrub steppe is chokecherry and occurs at 

low- to mid-elevations in areas of greater moisture. Associated shrubs include snowberry, currant, 

Wood’s rose, and serviceberry. True and curlleaf mountain mahogany dominate the xeric upland shrub 

steppe, occurring along the foothills of the Laramie Range and on the southern slopes of the Big Horn 

Mountains, respectively. Mesic upland shrub steppe communities provide hiding and thermal cover for 

deer, elk, and other wildlife, and forage for browsing animals. Mountain mahogany in the xeric upland 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Vegetation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-129 

shrub steppe is utilized by livestock, is important winter forage for deer and elk, and provides crucial 

winter range for mule deer. 

Sagebrush communities, the most common vegetative type in the field office, cover 630,221 acres or 46 

percent of the total acreage. Several types of sagebrush communities occur within the planning area 

including Wyoming big sagebrush/grassland, mountain big sagebrush/grassland, silver 

sagebrush/grasslands, basin big sagebrush shrubland, and low sages such as birdfoot and Wyoming 

threetip sagebrush/grassland. Wyoming big sagebrush/grassland is the most common vegetative type in 

south-central Wyoming and provides crucial winter range for pronghorn and mule deer and is a staple for 

greater sage-grouse. In general, sagebrush communities provide forage, hiding and/or nesting cover, and 

habitat for wildlife species. 

Riparian and wetland communities account for a small percentage (less than one percent) of the public 

lands within the field office. Typically, these communities produce more plant and animal biomass per 

unit area than adjacent upland areas. It is estimated that 70 to 85 percent of Wyoming’s wildlife use 

riparian habitats for at least a portion of their life cycles. It is estimated that there are between 300 and 

350 miles of lotic (flowing water) riparian/wetland segments and 1,200 acres of lentic (standing water) 

riparian/wetland areas located on public land in the field office. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current vegetation management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for vegetation resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.13.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Vegetative resources in the Kemmerer Field Office are divided into woodland and forest communities, 

riparian and wetland communities, upland grass and shrub communities, and invasive non-native plant 

species. 

Shrublands make up approximately 62 percent of the total private, state, and federal land within the 

Kemmerer Field Office. Shrub communities include desert shrub, greasewood fans and flats, mesic 

upland shrub, xeric upland shrub, mountain big sagebrush, and Wyoming big sagebrush. Grasslands make 

up approximately 4 percent of the total area within the Kemmerer Field Office and include Great Basin 

foothills grasslands, mixed grass prairie and subalpine meadow. 

Desert shrub communities are often dominated by shadscale saltbush (Atriplex confertifolia), but may be 

a mixture of Gardner’s saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) and/or Desert 

pincushion (also known as spinystar, Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara). The desert shrub vegetation type 

is usually found in central and western Wyoming in flats and fans. Where greasewood comprises greater 

than 75 percent of total ground cover, the community is classified as greasewood. Greasewood 

communities generally occur along streams at low to medium elevations. 
Chapter 2–Vegetation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-130 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Mesic upland shrub includes a variety of shrub species. The dominant and co-dominant species include 

Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum), serviceberry 

(Amelanchier alnifolia), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), wax currant (Ribes cereum) and/or 

chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). Mesic upland shrub communities typically occur in the foothills and 

mesic environments throughout Wyoming. Xeric upland shrub communities are dominated by mountain 

mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) and generally occur on dry slopes or flats at mid-elevation in shallow 

soils. 

Sagebrush communities account for more than 50 percent of the vegetative cover in the Kemmerer Field 

Office, with Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) representing 1,772,923 

acres (45%) of the field office. Mountain big sagebrush is not found east of the Laramie Range in 

Wyoming. 

Mixed grass prairie contains a mixture of short and tall grass prairie species, but does not contain buffalo 

grass, an indicator of short grass prairie. Grass species that do occur in mixed grass prairies include 

western wheatgrass, blue grama, needle and thread, threadleaf sedge, Sandberg bluegrass, and prairie 

junegrass. Great Basin foothills grassland is a grass-forb mix found in the foothills of northwestern 

Wyoming and includes species such as bluebunch wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, silvery lupine, Idaho 

fescue, spike fescue, Richardson’s geranium, and old man’s whiskers. Subalpine meadows occur in 

mountain parks within and below the upper treeline, with graminoid-and-forb-dominated species. 

Subalpine meadows comprise the majority (3.6%) of the grassland within the Kemmerer Field Office. 

Infestations of invasive non-native plant species are distributed sporadically throughout the field office. 

The weed program is continually expanding as a result of changing priorities, new invasive non-native 

plant species introductions, discovery of new infestations, and the rapid growth of known infestations. 

GIS mapping of weed locations is ongoing to determine locations of known weeds and locate new 

infestations. 

Riparian and wetland communities are more structurally diverse and produce more plant and animal 

biomass than adjacent uplands in the Kemmerer Field Office. Three types of riparian and wetland 

communities are present in the field office. These are forest-dominated riparian, graminoid-dominated 

wetland, and shrub-dominated riparian. Open water areas represent less than one percent of lands 

administered by the Kemmerer Field Office. Open water communities include; lakes and reservoirs with 

areas greater than 99 acres and do not include rivers. 

Current Management Practices 

Prescribed fire, wildland fire, and appropriate chemical, mechanical, and biological treatments could be 

used to meet vegetation management objectives. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns are listed below by vegetation community type. 

Forest, Grassland, and Shrubland Communities: 

 Loss of historical wildlife habitat (particularly sage-grouse), may limit opportunities for future 

vegetation treatments 

 Limit vegetation disturbance and treatments to protect habitat for special status species (such as 

sage-grouse) 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Vegetation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-131 

 Improve livestock grazing management and implement rotational grazing systems to improve 

sage-grouse habitat 

 Identify and implement appropriate mitigation strategies for sage-grouse when vegetation is 

disturbed for energy development or other significant activities 

 Require successful reclamation of sites disturbed for energy development. 

Invasive Non-native Plant Species: 

 Invasion of noxious weeds and cheatgrass in burn areas, and along roadways 

 Transport of invasive non-native plant species from recreation activities, OHV, oil and gas 

development, livestock grazing and wildlife 

 Limitations and restrictions on chemical application (especially near water sources and in sagegrouse habitats) 

 Explore new methods for treating invasive non-native plant species near water sources and in 

sage-grouse habitats to find a viable alternative for chemical application. 

Riparian and Wetland Communities: 

 Excessive livestock use in some riparian zones 

 Impacts to streams from road development 

 Impacts to streams from private land irrigation 

 Impacts to streams from offsite sources (both upstream and downstream, primarily from private 

land activities) 

 Impacts to streams from OHV use 

 Long recovery periods for streams and wetland areas 

 Restore riparian areas that are currently rated as Functional At Risk or Non-Functional to Proper 

Functioning Condition (PFC). 

2.13.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

The natural vegetative cover in the Newcastle Field Office is predominately shortgrass or mixed prairie. 

The principal grass species are needle-and-thread grass, western wheatgrass, buffalograss, June grass, 

Sandberg bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, three awns, little bluestem, and blue grama. Blue grama is likely 

the most important species for livestock forage. In pure stands, blue grama will usually yield from 100 to 

125 pounds of forage per acre. It grows from two to six inches high and may be considered a key species 

of the shortgrass ranges. 
Chapter 2–Vegetation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-132 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Much of the range in the field office has a sagebrush aspect in which big sage appears to be the dominant 

shrub vegetation, often comprising one-fourth of the vegetative composition. Other shrubs associated with 

big sage are silver sagebrush, rabbitbrush, plains pricklypear, wild rose, black greasewood, and sumac. 

Willows, cottonwoods, green ash, Nuttall service berry, chokecherry, and wildplum occur along rivers 

and streams. Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine, and creeping juniper occur along some of the 

higher ridges and slopes in the north, south-central, and eastern portions of the field office. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current vegetation management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for vegetation resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.13.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Most of the Pinedale Field Office is dominated by sagebrush and mountain shrub communities, with 

some riparian-, saltbush-, and woodland-dominated areas. Within the field office, riparian/wetland 

vegetation types include riparian forest, shrubland, and herbaceous meadow/wetland areas. Together, 

these three vegetation types cover approximately 5,824 acres. Wetland communities include moist 

meadow communities dominated by herbaceous riparian and/or wetland species. Wetland communities 

comprise about one acre of the field office. 

Grasslands are found primarily in the western portion of the field office along shallow ridges of the 

Overthrust Belt (BLM 1985) and cover approximately 4,745 acres. Patches of grasslands are found 

scattered throughout low- and high-density sagebrush communities. These grassland communities provide 

important habitat and forage for wildlife. Grass species dominate these communities, but shrubs, 

subshrubs, and cushion plants are also common. Included within the grassland mapping zone is a small 

area (310 acres) of subalpine meadow in the western portion of the field office. 

Sagebrush communities are the most extensive plant cover type, not only in the field office but also in the 

surrounding Wyoming Basin area and intermountain region. Sagebrush communities cover approximately 

744,653 acres within the field office. Sagebrush communities in the field office are dominated by two 

subspecies of big sagebrush (Wyoming big sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush), with a wellestablished grass and forb component. Wyoming big sagebrush is the most xeric of the big sagebrush 

varieties in the field office. Within the field office, Wyoming big sagebrush communities are found at 

elevations of 7,000 to 7,500 feet. A canopy cover of sagebrush in high-density areas is typically greater 

than 35 percent. Wyoming big sagebrush covers approximately 645,476 acres within the field office. 

Species commonly associated with Wyoming big sagebrush include various other shrubs, grasses, and 

forbs, such as rabbitbrush, Letterman’s needlegrass, thickspike wheatgrass, various bluegrass species, 

phlox, and buckwheat. 

Mountain big sagebrush usually grows above elevations of 7,800 feet in portions of the field office that 

receive annual precipitation amounts of 15 inches or more, which translates to approximately 99,177 

acres within the field office. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Vegetation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-133 

The sagebrush communities within the glacial deposits on the east side of the field office are 

characterized by a high percentage of bitterbush and are significant vegetation zones for mule deer in 

spring and fall. Common associated species of mountain shrub communities are similar to those of 

mountain big sagebrush communities. 

Current Management Practices 

Where applicants can demonstrate that proposed activities would not impact sensitive plant species, 

permit authorizations will be allowed. 

Prescribed fire, wildland fire use for resource benefit (WFURB), chemical, biological, and mechanical 

methods, and livestock grazing could be used to achieve vegetation goals. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Vegetation treatments will also be designed and implemented to prevent introduction and reduce the 

spread of invasive species. 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. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for vegetation resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.13.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Vegetation resources within the Rawlins field office are diverse and in some areas unique. The 

precipitation, elevation, and temperature extremes, combined with soil and geology variability, create a 

variety of vegetation habitat types. The eastern areas of the Rawlins Field Office, located in Wyoming’s 

southeast corner, are within the vast North American prairies where mixed-grass communities dominate. 

The desert areas provide habitat for a variety of hearty plants tolerant of low precipitation, temperature 

extremes, and saline soils. High elevation areas on Elk Mountain and the Seminoe and Ferris Mountains 

support plants adapted to very low temperatures, an extremely short growing season, and high snow 

accumulation. Since the Rawlins Field Office straddles the Continental Divide in the gap between the 

Northern and Central Rocky Mountains, it tends to support a mixture of plains and intermountain plant 

species, with wind and climate factoring strongly into the evolution of local plant communities. 

Current Management Practices 

Forage allocation on acquired lands will be consistent with the purpose of the acquisition and multipleuse objectives for the area. 
Chapter 2–Vegetation Final Summary of the AMS 

2-134 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Known habitat for BLM Wyoming State sensitive plant species is open to oil and gas leasing with 

intensive management of surface disturbing and disruptive activities. Occupied habitat for T&E and 

proposed and candidate species is also open to oil and gas leasing with an NSO stipulation. 

In unique plant communities, such as the Muddy Gap Cushion Plant Community area, notices will be 

required for locatable mineral exploration and development (except casual use) consistent with 

regulations. Intensive management actions will be taken to protect the unique plant communities where 

necessary. Unique plant communities are closed to mineral material disposals. 

Rangeland Desired Plant Community (DPC): Vegetation treatments (mechanical, biological, chemical, 

and prescribed fire) will be applied to meet standards for rangeland health and watershed function and to 

achieve DPC while considering habitat for wildlife, including special status species. Rangeland areas will 

be managed to achieve DPC. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for vegetation resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.13.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Vegetation resources within the Rock Springs Field Office are diverse and include big sagebrush, low 

sagebrush, desert shrub, mountain big sagebrush-grass, mountain shrub, saltbush, half shrub, and 

grassland communities. The communities that comprise the low density sagebrush classification are 

abundant and are important as a forage base for livestock throughout the planning area. Cattle graze the 

grasses and forbs extensively during the spring, summer, and fall, while sheep graze the shrubs, grasses, 

and half shrubs during the spring, fall, and winter. These communities also supply important yearlong 

forage for pronghorn, and to a lesser extent, mule deer. The communities that comprise the high density 

sagebrush classification are fairly abundant in the higher elevations and moisture regimes of the planning 

area. 

Riparian areas and wetlands are ecologically among the most important resources on public lands and 

cover 18,200 acres within the field office. The major components associated with riparian areas are the 

meadow, willow, cottonwood, greasewood, and sagebrush communities. These communities can 

generally be found along the Big Sandy, Little Sandy, Sweetwater, Green Black’s Fork, and Henry’s Fork 

river systems- along many small perennial and intermittent streams and around hundreds of springs, 

seeps, sloughs, and reservoirs in all precipitation zones. The soils that support these communities are 

generally deep, rich loamy high in organic matter, except in moist greasewood communities, where the 

subsoils may be moderately to strongly alkaline. 

Current Management Practices 

Riparian habitat will be maintained, improved, or restored to provide wildlife and fish habitat, improve 

water quality, and enhance forage conditions. Where possible, acquisition of additional riparian area 

acreage will be pursued to enhance riparian area management. 

Prescribed fire will generally be the preferred method of vegetation manipulation to convert stands of 

brush to grasslands and to promote regeneration of aspen stands and/or shrub species. Low intensity burns 

during periods of high soil moisture will be the preferred methods/times in mountain shrub communities. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Vegetation 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-135 

Prescribed burns may be conducted in crucial big game winter ranges if habitat values will be improved 

for these species. Prescribed fire is the preferred method of vegetation manipulation, and spring burns are 

preferred to regenerate shrubs. Chemical treatment will be used only where national guidelines can be 

exercised to prevent unwanted effects or harm to desirable fauna or flora and to prevent transportation of 

chemicals to other areas by water or air movement. 

Prescribed burns generally will be conducted in areas having greater than 35 percent sagebrush 

composition, 20 percent desirable grass composition, and greater than 10 inches of precipitation. All 

treated areas will be rested a minimum of two growing seasons from livestock grazing. Burn areas will be 

fenced from livestock and big game animals if necessary. Prescribed fire will be restricted in areas with 

surface coal or other fossil fuel outcrops. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

Specific management actions related to known locations of special status species habitat include closing 

locations to surface disturbing activities or any disruptive activity that could adversely affect the plants or 

their habitat and closing locations of special status species to location of new mining claims, mineral 

material sales, OHV use including vehicles used for geophysical exploration activities and surveying, and 

use of explosives and blasting. Known locations of special status plant species will be open to 

consideration for fluid mineral leasing with an NSO stipulation. 

Special status plant species potential habitat areas will be areas of CSU for surface disturbing activities 

related to oil and gas activities. Surface disturbing activities for other uses or projects may also be 

restricted or prohibited based on site-specific analysis. Areas where Wyoming BLM sensitive plant 

species are known to exist and/or have potential habitat will be ROW avoidance areas. 

A site-specific analysis will be prepared for all fire management actions around special status plant 

species sites to determine the appropriate fire management response. Fire equipment and fire suppression 

techniques such as vegetation clearing will be limited to existing roads and trails in special status plant 

species habitat. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

The continued expansion of invasive weeds throughout the field office is a primary management concern. 

Issues to be addressed for forest management include determining the current management levels that are 

to be maintained and enhanced to promote the health, productivity, and biological diversity of forest and 

woodland ecosystems. Various levels of management practices and harvesting will need to be determined 

and monitored to assure sustainability. 

Riparian initiatives and riparian/wetland areas will need to be prioritized in order to implement the 

appropriate management actions. The objectives for management of wetlands/riparian areas are to: (1) 

achieve a healthy and productive condition for long-term benefits and values in concert with range, 

watershed, and wildlife needs; and (2) enhance or maintain riparian habitats by managing for deep-rooted 

native herbaceous or woody vegetation. 
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2-136 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.14 VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

2.14.1 Overview 

Visual resources within the planning area are influenced by a wide variety of topographic, geologic, 

hydrological, vegetative, and other characteristics of the region. Landforms ranging from relatively flat 

land, to low mountains, low rolling or flat-topped hills, and isolated hills, to higher elevations containing 

mountain shrub vegetation and alpine forest atop the highest areas. Elevation and precipitation vary 

widely within the planning area and determine the dominant vegetation. The widely diverse vegetation 

patterns that result from varying topographic soils and precipitation characteristics create changes in 

color, form, line, and contrast. These four elements form the basis for the analysis of the visual resources 

of the area. 

VRM focuses on visual values and resources and addresses the visual quality of landscapes, views of 

native landscapes, and unique areas with high visual quality. VRM classifications (Classes I through IV) 

are based on scenic quality, visual sensitivity levels, and viewer distance zones. Each VRM classification 

has a management objective, as described below: 

 Class I. The objective of this class is to preserve the existing character of the landscape. This 

class provides for natural ecological changes; however, it does not preclude very limited 

management activities. The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and 

should not attract attention. 

 Class II. The objective of this class is to retain the existing character of the landscape. The level 

of change to the landscape should be low. Management activities may be seen but should not 

attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes to the landscape must repeat the basic 

elements of form, line, color, and texture found in the predominant natural features of the 

characteristic landscape. 

 Class III. The objective of this class is to partially retain the existing character of the landscape. 

The level of change to the landscape should be moderate. Management activities may attract the 

attention of the casual observer 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. 

 Class IV. The objective of this class is to provide for management activities that require major 

modifications to the existing character of the landscape. The level of change to the landscape can 

be high. The management activities may dominate the view and may be the major focus of viewer 

attention. However, every attempt should be made to minimize the effect of these activities 

through careful location, disturbance minimization, and repetition of the basic visual elements of 

form, line, color, and texture (BLM 1986). 

Designated VRM classes throughout the planning area are shown on Map 11. 

2.14.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Management of visual resources focuses on visual values and resources that occur throughout the Casper 

Field Office. The Powder River Basin, situated between the South Bighorns on the northwest and the 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Visual Resource Management 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-137 

Laramie Range to the south, makes up the largest portion of BLM-managed public land within the field 

office. The Powder River Basin is distinguished by rolling grasslands, isolated rock outcrops and 

seemingly endless horizon lines. The Chugwater formation flanks the lowland basins of central 

Wyoming, interrupting gentle flowing lines with abrupt topography, steep vertical escarpments and 

mosaic patterns of the foothill communities. The most prominent attribute of the Chugwater formation is 

its striking crimson color. Brooding, red cliffs overlook verdant springtime vegetation, adding important 

diversity and richness to the visual setting. 

Within the field office, 1,385,262 acres are managed as VRM Class II, 2,173,319 acres are managed as 

VRM Class III, and 5,005,518 acres are managed as VRM Class IV. No areas are managed as VRM Class 

I. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Portions of the field office include private surface lands where visual impacts are often not considered 

when developing minerals and other resources, but may greatly affect visual resources on public lands. 

2.14.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Management of visual resources in the Kemmerer Field Office focuses on visual values and resources 

existing in broad areas with vast vistas involving native landscapes and unique areas with spectacular 

quality. Examples of areas with high values include Raymond Mountain, Rock Creek Ridge, and Slate 

Creek Ridge. Examples of key resources include Fossil Butte National Monument and the Green River. 

The visual resources in the field office vary in terms of current value and sensitivity to degradation. Key 

observation points used in the visual resource inventory include most towns, National Historic Trails, 

cultural sites, roads and highways, recreation areas, recreational trails, and the west shoreline of 

Fontenelle Reservoir. 

Within the field office, 421,874 acres are managed as VRM Class II, 795,198 acres are managed as VRM 

Class III, and 1,760,784 acres are managed as VRM Class IV. No areas are managed as VRM Class I. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for visual resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
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2.14.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

Management of visual resources focuses on visual values and resources that occur throughout the 

Newcastle Field Office. Within the field office, 30,117 acres are managed as VRM Class II, 5,054,092 

acres are managed as VRM Class III, and 172 acres are managed as VRM Class IV. No areas are 

managed as VRM Class I. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for visual resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.14.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Visual resources in the planning area are influenced by the different characteristics of the two 

physiographic provinces in the region: Wyoming Basin and Central Rocky Mountains province. The 

Wyoming Basin is located in the west-central portion of the state, bounded on the north by the Wind 

River Range and on the south by the Uinta Range. The province extends east to the Red Desert and west 

to the foothills of the Wyoming Range. 

Within the planning area, the diversity of topography and landforms exhibited by these two distinctly 

different topographic zones creates an extraordinary variety of visual contrasts and scenic beauty. The 

planning area contains a major river system and watershed, the Upper Green River, and borders the slopes 

of several major mountain ranges: Gros Ventre Range to the north, Wind River Range to the east, and 

Wyoming Range to the west. The New Fork River is a major tributary of the Green River and flows south 

along the foothills of the Wind River Range. 

Within the field office, 21,307 acres are managed as VRM Class I, 543,755 acres are managed as VRM 

Class II, 773,497 acres are managed as VRM Class III, and 279,606 acres are managed as VRM Class IV. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for visual resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Visual Resource Management 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-139 

2.14.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Much of the Rawlins Field Office contains natural settings with limited development, open spaces with 

panoramic vistas, and scenic views. In the non-mountainous, lower elevations of the area, summer views 

are characterized by scrubby low-growing gray-green vegetation, distant mountains, and an intense blue 

sky. In contrast, winter views are monochromatic gray, with clear skies and an apparently lifeless gray-tobrown foreground backed by distant snow-capped mountain peaks. Different combinations of plant 

communities create subtle changes in mosaics of textures and colors. More extensive views that 

encompass several viewsheds are available from high points. The horizon is a significant aspect of all 

distant views. 

Several areas within the field office that exhibit high scenic quality are easily accessible for tourists and 

other recreationists. The highest quality scenic views in the field office are the WSAs, particularly the 

Ferris Mountains and Adobe Town WSAs because of their unique geological formations. Both of these 

areas are quite rugged and untrammeled by humans (Clair 2002). 

The Rawlins RMP is currently in the early stages of completing a VRM-targeted planning review. About 

75 percent of the lands within the Rawlins Field Office are categorized as Visual Class III. Class II lands 

are primarily associated with areas around the Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs and with the closerange viewsheds of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Only the WSAs are rated as VRM Class I. 

Within the field office, 67,640 acres are managed as VRM Class I, 1,116,680 acres are managed as VRM 

Class II, 9,245,326 acres are managed as VRM Class III, and 849,672 acres are managed as VRM Class 

IV. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

An increase in unmanaged, unmonitored OHV use within the area for recreation and access to the 

surrounding USFS-managed lands in the Medicine Bow National Forest and to the dunes area is creating 

direct, negative visual impacts to visual resources in certain parts of the area. 

The widespread development of petroleum, natural gas, and coal in the Rawlins Field Office is creating 

direct, negative visual impacts to visual resources. The trend toward continued expansion of mineral 

resource development is creating areas of potential conflict between this activity and the established VRM 

class objectives. 

Specifically, the CBNG project on Seminoe Road is creating visual impacts, as portions of the project are 

in a VRM Class II area and a backcountry byway is within the project footprint. Although measures have 

been implemented to camouflage the project infrastructure on federal lands, BLM cannot control visual 

impacts that occur on private land parcels. 

Overall, more effective mitigation of visual impacts associated with mineral development and 

transportation corridors is needed to prevent conflicts with VRM Class criteria. 
Chapter 2–Visual Resource Management Final Summary of the AMS 

2-140 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.14.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The Rock Springs Field Office lies mostly within the Wyoming Basin physiographic province. The 

landscape found in the area is characterized primarily by highly erodible soils and multi-colored, 

horizontally layered sedimentary bedrock. These conditions have generated the formation of the colorful 

badlands landscape common throughout most of the province. Between these badland areas, the land form 

is primarily low rolling or flat-topped hills. Dramatic elevation changes and steeper slopes become more 

dominant near the Wyoming and Wind River Mountain ranges. 

An updated visual resource inventory for the Rock Springs Field Office was completed in 2008. Areas 

with important scenic and visual values include the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, recreation sites, WSAs, 

South Pass Historic Area and the scenic vistas along Highway 28, White Mountain Petroglyphs, rivers, 

the Wind River Mountains, Red Creek, Currant Creek, Little Mountain, Pine Mountain, Steamboat 

Mountain, major reservoirs, historic trails, and the Continental Divide Snowmobile trail. 

Within the field office, 230,102 acres are managed as VRM Class I, 873,288 acres are managed as VRM 

Class II, 1,068,686 acres are managed as VRM Class III, and 3,184,364 acres are managed as VRM Class 

IV. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current VRM practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Portions of the field office are private surface, on which visual impacts are often not considered when 

developing minerals and other resources, which may greatly affect visual resources on public lands. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Water Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-141 

2.15 WATER RESOURCES

2.15.1 Overview 

Water resources include surface and subsurface sources. Climate, geology, and topography shape the 

water quality and quantity for both surface and groundwaters in the planning area. Hydrological 

conditions affect riparian, wildlife, and fishery resources, and cause economic consequences to manmade 

structures and the water supply. Major watershed boundaries and surface water features are shown on 

Map 12. 

Surface water is governed by the Wyoming constitution under the doctrine of prior appropriation, or “first 

in time, first in right.” Although water rights are considered property rights that are joined to the land, the 

Wyoming State Engineer’s Office or Board of Control can transfer them in use or location after a review. 

Reviewing proposed actions and developing mitigating measures to prevent degradation of the water 

resources can help accomplish compliance. Actions within the planning area are designed to protect and 

enhance water resources. Measures such as avoiding highly erosive areas, implementing zero runoff 

programs on large-scale disturbances, and reclamation of all abandoned surface disturbances are enforced. 

Potable groundwater supplies are protected, and oil and gas wells are cased below freshwater zones and 

cemented to prevent the contamination of aquifers. Other measures to enhance and protect water include 

plugging exploration holes and reducing sedimentation during road building and surface-disturbing 

activities. 

BLM coordinates with different state and federal agencies to ensure that all water resource management 

responsibilities are carried out. This includes the Wyoming DEQ, which is responsible for water quality; 

the Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for modifications within wetlands and waters of the 

United States; and the Wyoming State Engineers Office, which is responsible for water rights. 

2.15.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

The Casper Field Office is located in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Basin. There are 

approximately 1,600 miles of streams and approximately 46,000 acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs 

within the field office. The major watersheds in the area are the Green River, which is part of the 

Colorado River Basin, and the Sweetwater River which is part of the Missouri River Basin. The major 

reservoirs in the area include the Eden Valley Reservoir, Sandy Reservoir, Fontenelle Reservoir, and 

Flaming Gorge Reservoir. 

Stream flow within the field office is characterized as high magnitude-low frequency due to 

thunderstorms falling on soils that shed much of the rainfall. Other characteristics that influence high 

magnitude stream flow on a local basis are lack of vegetation (characteristic of saline uplands), and 

extensive areas of rock outcrops which allow for 100 percent runoff. 

Many riparian zones in the field office have been over utilized by grazing animals, wild horses, and 

wildlife. Overuse of vegetation causes destabilization of streams, allowing for channel degradation. 

Degraded riparian areas are nonpoint source contributors of sediment, salinity, and phosphate to the 

Colorado River system. 
Chapter 2–Water Resources Final Summary of the AMS 

2-142 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Current Management Practices 

To protect water sources and associated investments, all wells (new and existing) and developed springs 

will be fenced. Fencing of reservoirs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There is a concern over surface-disturbing activities and industrial development (particularly grazing, 

mineral and energy development, pipelines, recreation use, and off-road vehicle use), which may directly 

or indirectly affect ground and surface water quality in the field office. Because the field office is located 

in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Basin, salinity is a management concern. Collected monitoring 

data demonstrates that this area is capable of producing high salinity levels under natural conditions and 

much accelerated levels under disturbed conditions. 

Many roads in the field office, particularly those south of I-80, are poorly drained and are bladed to the 

width of four lanes. This combination allows water, sediment, and associated salt to move down drainage 

ditches and into intermittent or perennial channels thus causing augmented flows and associated erosion 

and channel incision. 

Water depletion also is an ongoing concern. Cities and towns, trona mining, power plants, oil and gas and 

mineral development activities, and agriculture all utilize water from the Green and Sweetwater rivers and 

their tributaries. An exception to this is the town of Superior, which relies on groundwater wells for its 

water. 

Groundwater quality is an emerging concern. Aging wells and past practices may have created 

unintentional groundwater pollution. 

2.15.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

The Kemmerer Field Office encompasses portions of three regional watersheds including the Green 

River, the Bear River, and the Snake River watersheds. The majority of field office is sagebrush steppe 

and receives between less than six and ten inches of water per year (based on the years between 1941 and 

1990), except for higher elevations that receive between ten and 60 inches per year. 

Water resources in the Kemmerer Field Office include both surface and groundwater. The availability, 

volume and quality of water resources affect many other resources, including riparian, wildlife, fisheries, 

and public water supplies. This variability can cause consequences to the natural environment and to 

human health, structures, and finances. There are many different factors that affect groundwater quality 

and quantity, including geology, land use, depth, and rate of recharge. 

On private and state lands, the primary uses of water are domestic and agricultural. On federally managed 

public lands, the primary uses of water are livestock production and as drilling fluids for hydrocarbon 

production wells. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current water management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Water Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-143 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for water resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.15.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

The Newcastle Field Office is drained primarily by four river basins: the Cheyenne River (51%), the 

Belle Fourche River (32%), the Little Missouri River (9%), and the Niobrara River (6%). A very small 

portion of the area (2%) drains into the Platte and Powder Rivers. Peak runoff occurs generally at two 

times during the year. Early runoff (March through April) is in response to snowmelt with the major peak 

occurring in May and June in response to rainfall events. Most of the streams in the field office are 

ephemeral in nature and flow only in response to snowmelt and rainfall events. Surface water quality 

within the field office is generally suitable for livestock and limited irrigation of salt tolerant crops. 

Because perennial supplies of surface water are scarce in the area, the primary source of water for 

domestic, agricultural (livestock), and industrial use is groundwater generated from wells. Water is 

available from several aquifers ranging from recent alluvial deposits to the Mississippian-aged Madison 

Limestone. Alluvium aquifers are locally important throughout the field office for livestock and irrigation 

use. Aquifer use is more important in the larger river valleys such as the Belle Fourche, Cheyenne, and 

Little Missouri. In the larger valleys, quantities are suitable for irrigation; however, quality may limit 

usefulness. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current water management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for water resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.15.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

The Pinedale Field Office lies almost entirely within the Green River drainage. It contains portions of 

four separate watersheds located within the Upper Colorado hydrologic region (Region 14) and is 

adjacent to the Pacific Northwest hydrologic region (Region 17). Within the Upper Colorado region, the 

bulk of the field office lies within the Upper Green River and New Fork River watersheds, part of the 

Green River drainage. Very small portions of the field office lie within the Big Sandy and Slate 

watersheds, also part of the Green River drainage. 

Surface water in the field office is greatly influenced by topography and geology. The field office is 

characterized by a high plateau, dissected by the Green River and its tributaries, bounded to the north and 

east by the Wind River Range and to the west by the Wyoming Range and Absaroka Ridge. Glacial 
Chapter 2–Water Resources Final Summary of the AMS 

2-144 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

deposition features have created numerous lakes on the slopes of the Wind River Range; however, most 

of these lakes lie just outside the field office boundary (Woolley 1930). 

Based on surveys conducted between 1993 and 2002 using the PFC method, the condition of streams 

within the field office watersheds is generally good throughout the higher elevations. These reaches have 

more streamside vegetation and coarser, more stable substrate. The high-elevation streams are mostly 

perennial with high-frequency and low-magnitude flow events. The condition of intermittent and 

ephemeral streams at lower elevations within field office watersheds is generally poorer. This is generally 

a result of streambank vegetation conditions, the flashiness of the runoff (i.e., lower-frequency, highmagnitude floods), and the presence of finer-grained substrate more vulnerable to erosion. 

Current Management Practices 

Water injection wells for the disposal of produced water will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. 

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. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for water resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.15.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

The watersheds in the Rawlins Field Office drain into the Colorado River, Platte River, and Great Divide 

basins. Streamflows are dominated by spring snow melt runoff and rain storms in May and June for 

intermittent to perennial systems and summer rainstorms for ephemeral systems. Precipitation ranges 

from almost 44 inches in the Sierra Madre mountain range to less than six inches per year in portions of 

the Great Divide Basin (Bartos et. al. 2006). The diverse climate, geology, and topography in the Rawlins 

Field Office form the surface and groundwater resources. Surface water resources include lakes, rivers, 

reservoirs, streams, creeks, water wells, and springs. These water resources are important and provide 

economic, ecological, and recreational benefits, including providing water for wildlife, livestock, and 

people in the arid and semi-arid environment of the field office. 

The North Platte River is the largest stream system in the Rawlins Field Office and is regulated by three 

dams (Seminoe, Kortes, and Pathfinder), which have formed Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs and 

Miracle Mile (a Blue Ribbon trout fishery categorized as a Class 1 water between Kortes Dam and 

Pathfinder Reservoir). The Colorado River Basin includes the Muddy Creek and Savory Creek drainages 

that flow into the Little Snake River near Baggs and the Colorado border. 

The Great Divide Basin occurs in the western portion of the field office. The Great Divide Basin has no 

known external drainage and contains ephemeral stream systems with the exception of portions of 

Filmore and Separation Creeks that are perennial near the headwaters. There are a number of large playas 

and regions with many small playas in the Great Divide Basin and in other basins in the field office. 

Playas are low, flat, undrained areas, typically with clay bottoms, that pool water on the surface and 

accumulate salts. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Water Resources 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-145 

Portions of the headwaters of the Platte and Colorado Rivers are found in the Rawlins Field Office; these 

rivers supply water to millions of people in the western and Midwestern United States. Water in the 

intermountain west is less abundant than in most of the United States and is an important source of water 

for other regions; therefore, proper and cautious management of water resources is essential. 

Water quality within the Rawlins Field Office is influenced by the type of rock and soils with which the 

water has been in contact, vegetation, groundwater interaction, and pollutants discharged into water 

bodies from point and non-point sources. Effects to water quality are associated with agricultural runoff, 

road maintenance, removal of riparian vegetation, channel modification, stream bank destabilization, 

atmospheric deposition, mineral extraction, urban runoff, and grazing activities. Heavy metal, nutrient, 

sediment, and salinity impacts are associated with mining, oil and gas extraction, agricultural runoff, and 

other surface disturbing activities. Stream bank degradation and erosion due to poor vegetation cover 

within watersheds are the predominant sources of sediment and salinity in streams within the field office. 

Ground-water recharge primarily originates as precipitation in the mountain areas surrounding the field 

office where geologic formations outcrop or water resources were deposited during past geologic periods. 

Aquifers providing usable water in the field office are located along streams and rivers in the 

unconsolidated alluvium. Groundwater quality in the field office is highly variable, in part reflecting the 

complex geologic history of the region. In most areas, the shallow groundwater is suitable for livestock. 

However, these waters can be only marginally suitable or even unsuitable for domestic or irrigation uses, 

mainly due to high total-dissolve solids (TDS) concentrations. Groundwater tends to deteriorate as the 

distance from recharge sources and the ground surface increases. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current water management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for water resources as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

2.15.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

The Rock Springs Field Office is located in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Basin. There are 

approximately 1,600 miles of streams and approximately 46,000 acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in 

the area. The major reservoirs in the area include Eden Valley Reservoir, Sandy Reservoir, Fontenelle 

Reservoir, and Flaming Gorge. The major watersheds in the field office include the Green River, which is 

part of the Colorado River Basin, and the Sweetwater River which is part of the Missouri River Basin. 

Stream flow in the area can be characterized as high magnitude-low frequency due to thunderstorms 

falling on soils that shed much of the rainfall. Other characteristics which influence high magnitude 

stream flow on a local basis are lack of vegetation (characteristic of saline uplands), and extensive areas 

of rock outcrops which allow for 100 percent runoff. 
Chapter 2–Water Resources Final Summary of the AMS 

2-146 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current water management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

All BLM-administered public lands within the Currant Creek watershed (about 23,740 acres) are closed 

to: (1) surface disturbing activities; (2) mineral material sales; and (3) mineral location. A withdrawal 

from entry under land laws and mineral location will be pursued. This area is also an exclusion area for 

ROWs. 

BLM-administered public lands within the Red Creek watershed (about 55,880 acres) are closed to: (1) 

surface disturbing activities; (2) mineral leasing; (3) mineral material sales; and (4) mineral location. A 

withdrawal from entry under the land laws and mineral location will be pursued for the area. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Because the area is located in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Basin, salinity is a major 

management concern. Collected monitoring data demonstrates that this area is capable of producing high 

salinity levels under natural conditions and much accelerated levels under disturbed conditions. 

Water depletion also is an ongoing concern. Cities and towns, trona mining, power plants, oil and gas and 

mineral development activities, and agriculture all utilize water from the Green and Sweetwater rivers and 

their tributaries. 

Many roads in the field office, particularly those south of I-80, are poorly drained and are bladed to the 

width of four lanes. This combination allows water, sediment, and associated salt to move down drainage 

ditches and into intermittent or perennial channels thus causing augmented flows and associated erosion 

and channel incision. 

Many riparian zones in the field office have been over utilized by grazing animals, wild horses, and 

wildlife. Overuse of vegetation causes destabilization of streams, allowing for channel degradation. 

Degraded riparian areas are nonpoint source contributors of sediment, salinity, and phosphate to the 

Colorado River system. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wild Horses 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-147 

2.16 WILD HORSES

2.16.1 Overview 

A wild horse is an unbranded and unclaimed free-roaming horse found on public lands in the western 

United States or one that has been removed from the public lands and has not lost this status by giving 

title to an adopter. Wild horses are descendants of animals turned loose or escaped from early Spanish 

explorers, settlers, ranchers, prospectors, Indian tribes, and the U.S. Cavalry from the 1600s through the 

Great Depression of the 1930s to more recent times. 

BLM protects, manages, and controls wild horses and burros under the authority of the Wild FreeRoaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. BLM 

manages these living symbols of the western spirit as part of its multiple-use mission under FLPMA. 

BLM maintains and manages wild horses or burros in herd management areas (HMA). In the ten states 

where BLM manages horses, there are 270 HMAs. In Wyoming, about 3,000 horses are managed within 

16 different HMAs scattered across the State. Wyoming has no wild burros. BLM establishes an AML for 

each HMA. The AML is the population objective for the HMA that will ensure a thriving ecological 

balance among all users and resources within the HMA (e.g., wildlife, livestock, wild horses, vegetation, 

water, and soil). 

Wild horse herds are managed by the Rawlins Field and Rock Springs Field Offices. A wild horse HMA 

exists within the Pinedale Field Office, but the horses have been removed from this area. Wild horse 

HMAs are depicted on Map 13. 

2.16.2 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

Wild horses were removed from the Pinedale planning area in the early 1990s, as specified in the 1988 

RMP. The two HMAs, Desert Herd and LaBarge Herd, still exist but are not managed for wild horses at 

present. The removal of the wild horse herds has resulted in decreased conflicts for forage and water. A 

small wild horse group eluded capture in the 1990s and remains in the Desert HMA, mainly in the South 

Desert Allotment. Currently, the herd number is low (around 12), and conflicts with the resource use in 

that area are minimal. The consent decree with the State of Wyoming requires all wild horses be removed 

from this area. 

Current Management Practices 

Not applicable. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Not applicable. 
Chapter 2–Wild Horses Final Summary of the AMS 

2-148 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.16.3 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Following passage of the Wild, Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act in 1971, BLM identified six areas 

used by wild horses within the Field Office. The following three herd areas failed to meet the criteria for 

suitably maintaining a healthy population of wild horses in accordance with the intent of the Act: Bolten, 

Checkerboard South, and Muddy Creek (subsequently known as “Doty Mountain/Cherokee”). Land 

ownership and current conditions have not changed significantly since these decisions were made; 

however, these areas still maintain their herd area status according to the Act. Horses in these herd areas 

were removed. 

The following three herd areas were determined to be able to support viable healthy populations of wild 

horses: Sand Creek (later renamed “Adobe Town”), Stewart Creek/Chain Lakes, and Cyclone Rim (later 

renamed “Lost Creek”). Three HMAs currently correspond to these three herd areas. Wild horses that 

leave designated HMAs are considered excess and are removed. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current wild horse management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns have not been identified for wild horses. Changes in the management of 

wild horses are not anticipated as a result of the Sage-grouse RMP Amendments planning effort. Wild 

horse management is adequately addressed in the current Rawlins RMP. 

2.16.4 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

In 1979, an agreement with the Rock Springs Grazing Association, the International Society for the 

Protection of Mustangs and Burros, and Wild Horses established a total population of 1,600 wild horses 

for the Rock Springs District. This agreement covered all wild horse areas within the Green River 

Resource Area as well as the Desert Common Wild Horse Area in the Pinedale Resource Area. A 

population of 1,450 wild horses was judged to be the optimal management level for monitoring purposes. 

In 1982, the Bureau accepted this management level for horses through an update of the land use plans for 

the Big Sandy and Salt Wells Resource Areas. The herd numbers for each wild horse management area 

were designated with regard to the agreement, as well as the size and terrain of the herd area. Monitoring 

has been carried out in each Wild Horse HMA. The majority of monitoring has been conducted at the 

allotment level, with emphasis on vegetative conditions. Currently, the following four HMAs are 

managed within the Rock Springs Field Office: Great Divide Basin HMA, Little Colorado HMA, Salt 

Wells HMA, and White Mountain HMA. 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current wild horse management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wild Horses 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-149 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There is increasing concern about the BLM’s current management of the Wild Horse and Burro Program, 

which involves gathering excess animals, successfully adopting these animals, and placing remaining 

unadopted horses in long-term pastures. In the past few years, the public has expressed growing 

opposition to gathers, limited support for fertility control, and escalating concern about the use of 

helicopters and the humane handling and treatment of animals. Currently, the BLM is being asked to 

consider alternative options for the long-term management of America’s wild horses and burros. 
Chapter 2–Wildland Fire Final Summary of the AMS 

2-150 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.17 WILDLAND FIRE

2.17.1 Overview 

The wildland fire program is managed to protect life and property while providing the maximum benefits 

of both prescribed fire and wildfire to overall resource management. Fire is a management tool used to 

maintain or increase age class diversity within vegetation communities (e.g., big sagebrush/grassland); 

rejuvenate fire dependent vegetation communities (e.g., true mountain mahogany/ponderosa pine); 

maintain or increase vegetation productivity, nutrient content, and palatability; and maintain or improve 

wildlife habitat, rangeland, and watershed condition. Fire is also considered a management tool for 

disposal of timber slash, seedbed preparation, reduction of hazardous fuel, control of disease or insects, 

grazing management, thinning, or species manipulation in support of forest management objectives. 

The field office is comprised of a variety of vegetation types that are susceptible to fire including 

sagebrush and grassland communities at the lower elevations, and mixed mountain shrub, aspen, and 

conifer stands at higher elevations. In mixed conifer stands, fuel sources include dead and down, as well 

as standing timber with heavy fuel loading, because of past fire suppression, drought, and insect 

infestation. Although aspen are not as susceptible to fire as are conifers, they will burn and carry fire 

during the late fall and during drought conditions. 

Wildland fires occur from natural causes, such as lightning, or are caused by humans either accidentally 

or with the intent to cause damage. Prescribed fire is used for beneficial purposes (such as reducing 

hazardous fuel accumulation) in a controlled manner under a specific prescription and planned effort. 

Wildland fires are sometimes managed to achieve resource objectives. The response to a wildland fire is 

based on an evaluation of risks to firefighter and public safety; the circumstances under which the fire has 

occurred, including weather and fuel conditions; natural and cultural resource management objectives; 

and resource protection priorities. Wildland fire can be used to protect, maintain, and enhance resources 

and can be allowed to function in its natural ecological role. The full range of fire management activities 

will be used to help achieve ecosystem stability, including its interrelated ecological, economic, and 

social components. 

2.17.2 Casper Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

Appropriate management response will be used on all wildfires in the field office. Full protection 

strategies and tactics will be used in WUIs, wildland industrial interface areas, developed recreation sites, 

and developed electronics sites. 

The use of fire retardant within 300 feet of surface water (standing or running) is prohibited. Suppression 

activities will not involve tree removal within 200 yards of an identified bald eagle roost. 

No heavy equipment will be used within the following areas, except when human safety is at risk: areas 

of cultural resource sensitivity, riparian/wetland habitat, big game crucial winter range habitats, greater 

sage-grouse leks, and areas of highly erosive soils. 

Wildland fire use plans will be developed as opportunities arise for public lands within aspen, juniper, 

lodgepole pine, true mountain mahogany, ponderosa pine, and big sagebrush (all subspecies) 

communities where contiguous public lands are greater than 1,280 acres. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildland Fire 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-151 

An integrated management technique approach (defined as prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical, or 

biological, followed by desired reseeding) will be used to reduce fuels to protect high priority areas or 

resource values defined as, but not limited to the following: 

 Urban and industrial interface areas 

 Developed recreation areas 

 Commercial timber areas 

 Wildlife habitats 

 Range-improvement facilities 

 Communication sites 

 Municipal watersheds. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

The impacts of prescribed fire on sage-grouse habitat is a primary management concern. The plan should 

address the types of wildfire control that are needed in sage-grouse habitat. 

2.17.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

Prescribed fire, wildland fire use, chemical, biological, and mechanical treatments can be used to meet 

fire and fuels management objectives, and to improve plant community health and meet other resource 

objectives. Management objectives are met based on acreage thresholds and areas found in an approved 

fire management plan for the field office. 

Prescribed fire, wildland fire use, as well as chemical, biological, and mechanical treatments can be used 

to reduce hazardous fuels in areas of resources at risk. They can also be used to reintroduce fire in its 

natural role back into the ecosystem to meet fire and fuels resource management objectives. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Wildland fire should be managed for AMR to increase age diversity and structure among plant 

communities. 

Conflicting issues related to wildland fire management include the following: 

 Management for vegetation could be constrained by wildfire and habitat disturbance limitations 

for sage-grouse habitat 

 Habitats could be left at risk from lack of treatment 

 Lack of treatment could increase the potential for large, catastrophic wildfires 

 Large fires can allow invasive non-native species (weeds) to flourish (i.e. cheatgrass). 
Chapter 2–Wildland Fire Final Summary of the AMS 

2-152 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.17.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

There are no current wildland fire management practices that will be amended as part of the Sage-grouse 

RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for wildland fire as part of the Sage-grouse RMP 

Amendments planning effort. 

2.17.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

The 2004 Southwestern Wyoming BLM Fire Plan support and implement wildland fire and fuels 

management objectives. 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. 

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. 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 

DPC. 

In WUI or industrial interface areas, fuel reduction methods best suited to the area will be used to reduce 

the risk of catastrophic fire. 

Fire suppression activities in areas of known sensitive species habitat and fragile or erosive soils will 

avoid damage to these resources. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Five urban interface areas and two industrial interface areas have been identified. They include Hoback 

Ranches, Upper Green, Pocket Creek, Pinedale, Boulder, and the existing industrial interface and natural 

gas developments in the Jonah and Anticline Fields. The focus in these areas is on fuel reduction, fire 

prevention, and fire suppression. 

2.17.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

Fuel treatments, including prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical, and biological treatments will be used 

for fuels reduction and to meet other multiple-use resource objectives, including returning fire to its 

natural role in the ecosystem. WUIs and communities at risk will receive priority for fuels reduction. Fire 

will be managed to meet the Wyoming Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildland Fire 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-153 

Wildland fire suppression activities in the entire field office will be managed for AMR. Wildland fire for 

resource benefit will be used in identified locations to protect, maintain, and enhance resources and allow 

fire to function in its natural ecological role. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Fire frequency and severity vary by plant community, and extensive suppression has altered natural fire 

cycles in some areas. In some plant communities, this has changed the structure and composition of the 

vegetation community (i.e., resulted in the reduction of the natural variation of vegetative communities) 

and could result in undesirable fire behavior and fire effects. 

2.17.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Current Management Practices 

Wildfire suppression will emphasize appropriate management response. Immediate control actions will be 

used only in cases of arson, direct threat to public safety, or a strong potential to threaten structural 

property. Heavy equipment or actions that will cause surface disturbance will be used only after a sitespecific analysis has been performed and approved. Activities that cause surface disturbance will be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. Priority areas for wildfire suppression will be identified in fire 

management activity plans for the field office. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

Fire management activities, including prescribed fire, will be used as a management tool to help meet 

multiple-use resource management goals; provide cost-effective protection from wildland fire to life, 

property, and resource values; allow fire to function in its ecological role when appropriate for the site 

and situation; and work collaboratively with partners in fire and resource management. Wildland and 

prescribed fires will be managed in all vegetation types to maintain or improve biological diversity and 

the overall health of the public lands. 

Suppression techniques and hazardous fuels reduction activities will be identified to reduce wildland fire 

severity and occurrence on portions of the landscape where fire could cause undesirable changes in plant 

community composition and structure. A site-specific analysis will be prepared for sensitive resource 

areas, such as special status plant species sites, heritage sites, historic trails, and ACECs, to determine the 

type of fire suppression activity that will be acceptable. Fire equipment and fire suppression techniques, 

such as vegetation clearing, will be limited to existing roads and trails in special status plant species 

habitat. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Management issues and concerns regarding wildland fire management involve the appropriate 

management response to wildland fire throughout the field office. Fire must be managed according to the 

National Fire Plan to benefit resource objectives and protect private property. Vegetation should be 

managed to strategically minimize the fire risk to adjacent rural subdivisions, towns, cities, industrial 

sites, and communication sites. 

Specifically, the impacts of prescribed fire on sage-grouse habitat is a primary management concern. The 

plan should address the types of wildfire control that are needed in sage-grouse habitat. 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-154 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.18 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES

2.18.1 Overview 

Wildlife habitat is best characterized by vegetation type and water resource; although air quality, geology 

and topography, and soils are also important contributors to habitat character. Such factors as fire 

management, forest management, ROWs, livestock grazing, energy developments (e.g., windpower and 

coal mining), OHV use and other recreation activities, and wild horses also influence the quality of 

habitat. Wildlife species generally use vegetation on the basis of its physiognomy (e.g., structure [height 

and spacing] and growth form [gross morphology and growth aspect] of the predominant species and leaf 

characteristics of the dominant or component plants). This means that a given species may use a shrub of 

a particular height and growth form irrespective of its species. Therefore, the mapping of vegetation zones 

characterizes wildlife habitat in general terms. Important habitats within the planning area include 

mountain shrub (mountain big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush); monotypic stands of bitterbrush and 

true mountain mahogany; and coniferous, rockland, aspen, riparian, and lowland sagebrush (primarily 

Wyoming big sagebrush on flatlands and basins below 7,000 feet) (Wichers 2002). 

The State of Wyoming has jurisdiction over all wildlife in the state and species are managed by either 

WGFD or USFWS. The WGFD is responsible for oversight of big game species, nongame species, and 

small game species that are non-migratory. The USFWS has oversight of migratory bird species, whether 

they are hunted (e.g., waterfowl) or not (e.g., passerine species such as warblers and sparrows), and of all 

federal threatened, endangered, proposed, or candidate plant and animal species. BLM manages the 

habitat that supports these wildlife species, and thus has an integral role in ecological health and viability 

of the species. 

Wildlife 

A diverse array of wildlife habitats occur within the planning area due to the variety of ecoregions that 

occur in the area. Habitats include montane forests of lodgepole and ponderosa pines; aspen stands; 

mountain mahogany and juniper woodlands; sagebrush-steppe communities; sand dunes; badlands; and 

extensive areas of grasslands (Knight 1994). Vertebrate wildlife species that occur within BLMadministered lands represent all major vertebrate classes: reptiles, amphibians, fishes, birds, and 

mammals. Emphasis is primarily placed upon birds and mammals because of increased interest in them 

by the hunting, fishing, and the recreating public. Important species or groups include: 

 Big game species such as pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep 

(see Maps 14-19 for big game habitat locations); 

 Waterfowl such as ducks and geese and other water birds such as rails, coots, and snipes; 

 Upland game birds such as cranes, pheasants, partridges, grouse, doves, and turkeys; 

 Small game mammals such as rabbits, hares, and squirrels; 

 Furbearers such as badgers, bobcats, martens, weasels, coyotes, raccoons, red foxes, skunks, 

beavers, minks, and muskrats; and 

 Nongame species such as raptors and neotropical migrants. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-155 

Fisheries 

Fisheries habitat includes perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, and reservoirs that support fish 

through at least a portion of the year. A number of major drainages occur within the planning area. BLMadministered lands provide habitat for many species of fish. These species are adapted to a variety of 

stream habitats, from the cold, rapid waters of mountainous areas to the slow, turbid waters of the high 

desert. 

Fishery habitat conditions are closely tied to stream riparian conditions. Riparian vegetation moderates 

water temperatures, adds structure to the banks to reduce erosion, provides in-stream habitat for fish, and 

provides organic material for aquatic insects. The measure used to evaluate riparian health on BLM lands 

is PFC. PFC represents the name of the evaluation procedure and the minimum desired level of riparian 

resiliency. Streams with lower condition ratings are less likely to sustain certain fish species as habitat 

quality declines. As riparian habitats degrade, erosion and sediment transport increases, temperature 

fluctuations increase, oxygen content can reach critically low levels, and streams widen and become 

shallower. As streams improve in condition, some sensitive species could naturally return or be 

reintroduced to streams that are not currently in PFC. 

2.18.2 Casper Field Office 

Overview 

Wildlife 

A diverse array of wildlife habitats occur within the Casper Field Office due to its location. The field 

office intersects the transitional zone between three major ecoregions: the Great Plains/Palouse Dry 

Steppe, the Southern Rocky Mountains, and the Intermountain Semidesert/Desert provinces (Bailey 

1995b). Habitats in the field office include montane forests of lodgepole and ponderosa pines, aspen 

stands, mountain mahogany and juniper woodlands, sagebrush-steppe communities, sand dunes, 

badlands, and extensive areas of grasslands (Knight 1994). Vertebrate wildlife species that occur in the 

Casper Field Office represent all major vertebrate classes: reptiles, amphibians, fishes, birds, and 

mammals. 

Fisheries 

Fisheries habitat includes perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, and reservoirs that support fish 

through at least a portion of the year. Three major drainages occur within the Casper Field Office: the 

North Platte River watershed in the eastern and southern portions of the field office; the Wind 

River/Bighorn River watersheds in the northwestern portion; and the Powder River watershed in the 

northern and northeastern portions of the field office. Public lands within the Casper Field Office provide 

habitat for eight families and 27 species of fish. These species are adapted to a variety of stream habitats, 

from the cold, rapid waters of mountainous areas to the slow, turbid waters of the high desert. The Casper 

Field Office is not known to support any BLM sensitive fish species (BLM 2002). 

Current Management Practices 

In order to protect wildlife habitat, the Casper Field Office will modify identified hazard fences and 

construct new fences in accordance with the BLM Fencing Handbook 1741-1. 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-156 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Fragmentation and loss of habitat associated with surface disturbance caused by various permitted uses 

(e.g., livestock grazing, ROWs, mineral extraction) and by proliferation of invasive non-native plant 

species is a primary management issue. Specifically, the condition of many Wyoming big sagebrush 

communities particularly on crucial mule deer and pronghorn winter ranges is a concern. In addition, the 

lack of adequate inventory and monitoring data for many species is hampering the development of 

appropriate management plans. 

2.18.3 Kemmerer Field Office 

Overview 

Wildlife 

Within the Kemmerer Field Office, sagebrush shrublands and grasslands provide yearlong habitat for 

mule deer and pronghorn. Aspen and mountain shrub communities provide habitat for elk and nesting 

sites for a variety of bird species. Large and small rimrock complexes in canyons and along ridgelines 

provide nesting sites for swallows, pigeons, golden eagles, falcons, turkey vultures, and a number of 

hawk species. Rocks and canyons also provide denning sites for mountain lions and bobcats, and yearlong 

habitat for small mammals including ground squirrels, wood rats, and rabbits. 

The Bear River Divide, Rock Creek Ridge, and Sublette Range form a major ridgeline that runs north and 

south along the west side of the field office. Commissary Ridge, Oyster Ridge, and The Hogsback form a 

ridgeline running north and south through the central portion of the field office. These two major 

ridgelines are very important migratory pathways for migratory raptors and neotropical migratory birds. 

Water sources are important to the location and survival of plants and animals within the field office. 

Seeps and springs provide water and meadow habitats that are important during birthing and rearing for 

big game. Riparian habitats are used extensively by wildlife, including neotropical birds, in the spring, 

summer, and fall months. Small, shallow lakes, reservoirs, ponds and wetlands provide seasonal habitat 

for moose, as well as resident and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, including the American avocet, 

killdeer, Canada geese, mallard, and cinnamon teal. The small streams and spring outlets provide wet 

meadow and streamside riparian habitats used by a variety of species. 

The Kemmerer Field Office encompasses diverse and important habitats for seasonal use by big game, 

upland birds, waterfowl, non-game birds and mammals, native fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The 

diversity of habitats and landscapes within the field office provide important areas for breeding, foraging, 

migration, and wintering. The habitat and wildlife within the field office are representative of Great Basin 

flora and fauna. Most vegetation in the area occurs within the foothills scrub zone and is dominated by 

sagebrush. The Kemmerer Field Office also contains timbered mountain slopes, some desert and basin 

communities, and a small amount of alpine vegetation. These plant communities provide a broad range of 

habitat types supporting diverse assemblages of species. 

Fisheries 

Public lands within the Kemmerer Field Office support approximately 509 miles of streams. The majority 

of streams are perennial; however, they vary in base flow from less than one cubic foot per second (cfs) to 

over 800 cfs. In drought years, the streams of lesser flow may become intermittent. Most streams with 

low or intermittent flow are generally unsuitable for fisheries. There is a fairly diverse composition of fish 

species that inhabit the waters on public lands within the Kemmerer Field Office. These species are 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-157 

adapted to a wide range of habitats, from the cold, rapid waters of the mountainous areas to the slow, 

turbid waters of the high desert. Three subspecies of cutthroat trout and the mountain whitefish represent 

the only native salmonids within the field office from the three major drainages: the Bear River, the Green 

River, and the Snake River. 

Current Management Practices 

Bury new utility lines or install BLM-approved anti-perch devices on all new utility lines within 

sagebrush and (or) semiarid shrub-dominated habitats, unless NEPA analysis shows little or no impact 

without burial or modification. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

Implementing additional protections for sage-grouse could protect other wildlife species. Reducing the 

impacts on riparian systems could increase stream depths, increase the water table, and increase plant 

species that grouse and other species use for foraging and cover. 

2.18.4 Newcastle Field Office 

Overview 

A wide diversity of wildlife habitats exist within in the Newcastle Field Office. Important habitat types 

include riparian areas, grasslands, shrublands, and timbered areas. Within each of these general types or 

communities there are individual habitat types providing a variety of combinations of food, shelter, water, 

and breeding habitats preferred by a variety of species. Some types are used year-long while others 

provide different requirements that vary seasonally. Some specialized habitat types such as prairie dog 

towns, riparian areas, rare or unique plant communities, and shrub communities have been surveyed and 

recorded. 

The Newcastle Field Office provides potential habitat for 447 species of wildlife. Of these, 282 species of 

birds, 76 species of mammals, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 59 species of fish have been 

documented as occurring in the area or adjacent similar habitats. Four big game species inhabit the field 

office: mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and elk. Only two trophy game species are present in the 

area, which include mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Upland game species include sage-grouse, sharptailed grouse, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey. Big sagebrush shrublands are the second most abundant 

vegetative type in the planning unit accounting for about one-fourth of the vegetative types. 

Current Management Practices 

The Newcastle Field Office will apply appropriate mitigation measures to surface-disturbing and 

disruptive activities. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for wildlife and fisheries as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-158 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

2.18.5 Pinedale Field Office 

Overview 

BLM-administered public lands, state lands, and private lands within the Pinedale Field Office provide 

habitat for pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, black bear, and mountain lion. 

Furthermore, BLM-administered lands provide the majority of the crucial winter habitat for mule deer 

and elk populations found in the Upper Green River Basin. Crucial habitat consists of any particular range 

or habitat component that is the determining factor in a population’s ability to maintain and reproduce 

itself at a certain level over the long term (as defined by the WGFD). 

Common raptors include golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk, northern 

harrier, prairie falcon, American kestrel, northern saw-whet owl, great horned owl, and long-eared and 

short-eared owls. The osprey is one of the most visible raptors along the river corridors. Wintering raptors 

may include the rough-legged hawk and the snowy owl. 

Ravens are common in the field office. Ravens are opportunistic and intelligent. They are scavengers, 

feeding on carrion; eggs, including sage-grouse eggs; and garbage. Studies are being conducted to 

determine the extent of raven predation on sage-grouse chicks. Wyoming classifies ravens as a pest; 

however, they are protected by the MBTA. 

Current Management Practices 

Management actions on existing leases within the oil and gas 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. 

BLM will work with the WGFD and affected parties to improve habitat quality in areas surrounding feed 

grounds. 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. 

Transportation planning for oil and gas development will be designed and implemented to minimize 

cumulative impacts such as creating unusable islands of wildlife habitat and proliferation of access points 

(usable habitat patch size varies by species). Oil and gas developmental operations on preexisting leases 

are subject to stipulations and mitigations. Permitted activities potentially affecting the habitat of special 

status species will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for wildlife and fisheries as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-159 

2.18.6 Rawlins Field Office 

Overview 

Wildlife 

The millions of acres of varied BLM-managed lands within the Rawlins Field Office provide important 

habitat for wildlife and fish species, especially where the lands and the waters occur in large 

unfragmented tracts and reaches. More than 374 vertebrate species have been documented in the field 

office (BLM 1987). The vertebrate wildlife species that occur represent all major vertebrate classes: 

amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Data are available primarily for birds, mammals, and fish 

because of particular interest in them by the hunting, fishing, and recreating public and by natural 

resource specialists. However, some data exist for amphibians and reptiles. 

Big game species in the field office include pronghorn, deer (mule deer and small numbers of white-tailed 

deer), elk, moose, black bear, mountain lion (black bear and mountain lion are classified as trophy game 

animals in Wyoming statutes), and bighorn sheep. Within the Rawlins Field Office, there are WGFD 

management areas for moose (Snowy Range) and trophy game animals including black bear (Laramie 

Peak, Snowy Range, and Sierra Madre) and mountain lion (Iron Mountain, Laramie Peak, Snowy Range, 

Seminoe, Sierra Madre, and Haystacks). These represent areas where populations of these species are 

sufficient to support hunting and to warrant hunting management by WGFD. 

Small mammals within the Rawlins Field Office include cottontail, jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, squirrel, 

ground squirrel, mice, vole, and shrew. Other species within the area include badger, bobcat, marten, 

weasel, coyote, raccoon, red fox, swift fox, gray fox, skunk, beaver, mink, and muskrat. 

Raptors within the field office include hawk, kite, eagle, and falcon; however, kites are incidental to the 

region. Concentrations of ferruginous hawks or golden eagles and prairie falcons (depending on the 

nesting substrate) have been identified in the past at Shamrock Hills, Brown Canyon Rim, Seminoe, Red 

Rim, Atlantic Rim, Cherokee, Muddy Creek, Doty Mountain, Delaney Rim, Bolten Rim, Hanna, and 

Platte-Divide (BLM 1987). 

Duck and geese occur in aquatic areas throughout the field office. Some individuals or species breed, 

winter, or remain year-long in the area, while larger numbers pass through the field office on spring or fall 

migration. The Rawlins Field Office includes the Central Flyway (east of the Continental Divide except 

for the Great Divide Basin) and the Pacific Flyway (west of the Continental Divide and the Great Divide 

Basin). 

All migratory bird species likely to be found within the Rawlins Field Office are protected under the 

MBTA, with the exception of the house sparrow, European starling, Eurasian collared dove, and rock 

dove. Upland game birds in Wyoming that are native to the state include blue grouse, ruffed grouse, 

greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and mourning doves. Upland game birds that are introduced 

include pheasant, chukar, gray partridge, and turkey. 

There are three species of sage-grouse and one sub-species that are known to occur within the field office. 

These species include the greater sage-grouse, plains sharp-tailed grouse, and the blue grouse. The 

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a sub-species of the plains sharp-tailed grouse. Blue grouse are found 

primarily in the Ferris and Seminoe Mountains, the Laramie Peak area, and throughout forest fringes 

associated with the Medicine Bow National Forest. 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-160 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Fisheries 

Public lands within the Rawlins Field Office provide habitat for eight fish families. The Wyoming BLM 

has classified five species as sensitive: the Colorado River cutthroat trout, bluehead sucker, flannelmouth 

sucker, roundtail chub, and hornyhead chub. In addition, four endangered fish species can be found 

downstream of the Rawlins Field Office within the Colorado River basin (razorback sucker, humpback 

chub, bonytail chub, and Colorado pikeminnow), and one endangered fish species, pallid sturgeon, can be 

found downstream of the field office in the Platte River basin. 

Current Management Practices 

The Rawlins Field Office prohibits surface disturbing and disruptive activities potentially disruptive to 

nesting raptors within the following distances during the following time periods: 

 One mile buffer: golden eagle, ferruginous hawk 

 Three-quarter-mile buffer: all others 

 February 1–July 15: golden eagle, barn owl, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, other raptors 

 April 1–July 31: osprey, merlin, sharp-shinned hawk, kestrel, prairie falcon, northern harrier, 

Swainson’s hawk, Cooper’s hawk 

 March 1–July 31: short-eared owl, long-eared owl, ferruginous hawk, peregrine falcon, screech 

owl 

 April 15–September 15: burrowing owl 

 April 1–August 31: goshawk. 

Well locations, roads, ancillary facilities, and other surface structures requiring a repeated human 

presence will not be allowed within 825 feet of active raptor nests (ferruginous hawks, 1,200 feet). 

Distance may vary depending on factors such as nest activity, species, natural topographic barriers, and 

line-of-sight distances. 

RCAs are open to oil and gas leasing (raptor nest locations are not mapped in the RMP to protect these 

sensitive areas). Surface disturbing and disruptive activities will be intensively managed through the use 

of appropriate BMPs. Fences identified to be a problem to big game migration will be modified to meet 

BLM fence standards. New fences are allowed in big game migration corridors, provided they meet BLM 

fence standards. Water developments for livestock and wild horse use are allowed in crucial winter range 

when they are consistent with wildlife habitat needs. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for wildlife and fisheries as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-161 

2.18.7 Rock Springs Field Office 

Overview 

Wildlife 

Over 350 species of wildlife are found on a variety of habitats on BLM-administered lands within in the 

Rock Springs Field Office. Wintering populations of big game in the area include an estimated 170 

moose; 1,800 elk; 12,600 mule deer; 45 white-tailed deer; and 51,000 pronghorn. Over 55 percent of the 

field office has been identified as crucial big game habitat. Included in this crucial habitat are fawning and 

calving areas and winter ranges. 

Fisheries 

There are 32 species of fish known to occur in the waters of the field office. Five species of trout, kokanee 

salmon, and whitefish provide recreation fishing on public lands. Flannelmouth suckers and carp provide 

a recreation resource for archers during spring and summer. Nongame fish, their eggs, and fry also 

provide a forage source for game fish and other wildlife. 

Three species are considered sensitive by the State of Wyoming: the Colorado River cutthroat trout, the 

roundtail chub, and the bluehead sucker. These species are native to the Green River drainage, but 

because of river and stream impoundments and other habitat losses, the populations of these species are 

low. Colorado River cutthroat trout inhabit Upper Red Creek, Trout Creek, and Currant Creek. 

Current Management Practices 

Active and historic raptor nesting sites will be protected and managed for continued nesting activities. An 

active raptor nest is one that has been occupied within the past three years; an historic nesting site is an 

area of high topographic relief, particularly cliff areas, known to have supported concentrations of nesting 

raptors, such as Cedar Canyon, Four-J Basin, Kinney Rim, etc. The appropriate level of protection will be 

determined on a case-by-case basis depending upon the species involved, natural topographic barriers, 

and line-of-sight distances, etc. Different species of raptors may require different types of protective 

measures. 

Project components, such as permanent and high profile structures, i.e., buildings, storage tanks, power 

lines, roads, well pads, etc. are prohibited within an appropriate distance of active raptor nests. The 

appropriate distance (usually less than one-half mile) will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may 

vary depending upon the species involved, natural topographic barriers, and line-of-sight distances, etc. 

Placement of facilities, “on” (very low profile) or below ground, and temporary disruptive activities, such 

as occur with pipeline construction, seismic activity, etc., could be granted exceptions within one-half 

mile of active raptor nests, in certain circumstances. 

Nesting raptors will be protected by restricting disruptive activities seasonally within one-half to one mile 

radius of occupied raptor nesting sites. 

Raptor nest surveys will be conducted within a one mile radius, or linear distance of proposed surface 

uses or activities, if such activities are proposed to be conducted during raptor nesting seasons, usually 

between February 1 and July 31. 

Livestock and wild horse water developments in crucial habitat could be allowed if they conform to 

wildlife objectives and do not result in adverse impacts to the crucial habitat. 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-162 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

The cooperative management agreement with the WGFD for annual monitoring, maintenance, and the 

development of additional waters will continue as needed. Livestock water developments will be 

modified or protected where possible to enhance wildlife habitat and to maintain or enhance water 

quality. 

Needed special management and riparian management exclosures will be developed and/or maintained, 

and exclosure plans will be implemented for enhancement of wildlife habitat. Exclosures are closed to 

livestock grazing use and no AUMs in these areas will be available for livestock use. 

Seasonal restrictions for surface disturbing activities to protect game fish and special status fish 

populations during spawning will be applied as necessary. 

BLM will continue to coordinate and to annually review with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service – Wildlife Services (APHIS-WS), their annual wildlife damage management plan for animal 

damage control activities on public lands. Areas where proposed animal damage control activities (all or 

specific methods) are not compatible with BLM planning and management prescriptions or objectives for 

other resource activities and users, will be identified on a case-by-case basis, and APHIS-WS will be 

requested to amend or adjust proposed animal damage control activities accordingly. 

Habitat management plans will be developed, where needed, particularly for highly developed and 

disturbed areas to mitigate wildlife habitat losses. Plans could include habitat expansion efforts, T&E 

species reintroduction, and population goals and objectives. Such actions as preparing transportation plans 

and reclaiming roads, seeding, and vegetation enhancement (vegetation treatments, fencing), water 

developments, and reclamation actions to reduce the amount of disturbance, will be considered. Areas 

identified for consideration of such plans include but are not limited to the Little Colorado Desert 

(including the Fontenelle II and Blue Forest units), Nitchie Gulch, Wamsutter Arch, Patrick Draw, and 

Cedar Canyon areas. 

BLM-administered public lands in the ACEC are open to consideration for mineral leasing with 

restrictions to protect cultural and wildlife values, particularly raptors and raptor habitat, big game winter 

range, and watershed values. 

Vegetation will be managed to provide habitat for wildlife. 

Habitat for raptors will be maintained or enhanced. Cliffs, tree hollows, and pinnacles will be managed to 

provide nesting habitat. 

Site specific analyses will be conducted to provide direction to alleviate conflicts between wildlife use, 

livestock grazing, and development activities. 

Motorized vehicle travel in the ACEC (including over-the-snow vehicles) is limited to designated roads 

and trails. All off-road vehicle travel in the area is restricted during the winter and spring to protect 

wildlife during high stress periods of severely cold temperatures, heavy snow cover, and short food 

supply. 

Surface Disturbance/Disruptive Activity Limitation Area— 

No surface disturbance or disruptive activities: 

 Raptor nest sites (active) 

 Other sensitive resource values 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-163 

Seasonal surface disturbance or disruptive activities limitations: 

 Elk crucial winter habitat November 15 – April 30 

 Deer crucial winter habitat November 15 – April 30 

 Pronghorn crucial winter habitat November 15 – April 30 

 Elk birthing areas May 1 – June 30 

 Deer birthing areas May 1 – June 30 

 Raptor nest sites + one-half to one mile buffer February 1 – July 31 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities will be subject to extensive review and mitigation that will 

allow appropriate levels of activity while meeting objectives and safeguarding sensitive resources in the 

following areas: portions of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, the White 

Mountain and Split Rock areas, the core and connectivity areas, and other areas of sensitive resource 

values. Monitoring and evaluation will determine the effectiveness of the management prescriptions and 

mitigation measures. Adjustments can be made to ensure that further activity will not cause fragmentation 

and abandonment of habitat and will still meet stated management objectives, safeguard sensitive 

resources, and not result in significant or irreversible adverse effects. This determination will be based on 

the effects on elk and their movement patterns and use of habitat, other wildlife species and habitats, 

public health and safety, watershed condition, and other sensitive resources. 

Application of restrictions and mitigation measures will be accomplished through an implementation 

strategy that will include case-by-case review of all proposals including evaluation of the 12 sensitive 

resources. Management prescriptions and mitigation measures, including controlled location and timing 

of the various activities and related reclamation, may also be considered to meet area objectives. For 

example, satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance may be required before additional surface 

disturbing activities are allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. 

Where documented wildlife conflicts with fencing on public lands occur, fences will be modified, 

reconstructed, or, if necessary, removed. Herding control of livestock will be encouraged as an alternative 

to fencing. Fence construction will be in accordance with BLM design standards and located so as not to 

overly impede wildlife movement. Consideration will also be given to special status species and wild 

horse movement. 

Water developments will be provided as needed to improve wild horse herd distribution and manage 

forage utilization. Water developments within sensitive wildlife habitats will be considered only if 

wildlife habitat and resource conditions will be improved or maintained. Compatibility with special status 

plant species will be required. 

Crucial winter range or sensitive habitats (such as birthing areas, the connectivity area (migration 

corridor), nesting sites, greater sage-grouse breeding habitats and winter concentration areas, and 

sensitive fisheries habitats) will be managed by maintaining habitat or reducing habitat loss or alteration, 

improving habitat where possible, and applying appropriate mitigation requirements (e.g., distance and 

seasonal limitations and rehabilitation) to all appropriate activities. 

Exceptions can be provided on a case-by-case basis should exception criteria be met. See also the Surface 

Use Activities section of the JMH Coordinated Activity Plan for actions relating to surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities. 

Seasonal limitations for wildlife habitat will be applied as necessary to protect sensitive wildlife areas 

from development and/or disruptive activities during sensitive time periods in animals’ life cycles, such 

as nesting, birthing, and wintering. Wildlife seasonal stipulations will not close an area to development 

but will protect wildlife species if weather or other habitat needs dictate that it is necessary (Appendix 5 
Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries Final Summary of the AMS 

2-164 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

in the final EIS). The BLM Authorized Officer may decide to grant, or not grant exceptions to seasonal 

limitations based on recommendations from the wildlife biologist, in coordination with the WGFD. 

Criteria for exceptions are outlined in. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities are prohibited in big game birthing areas from May 1 to June 

30. To meet management objectives, the amount of habitat disturbed in these areas will also be limited 

(see Sensitive Habitat discussion). Mitigation of adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all habitats will 

be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis. 

Measures will be taken, as appropriate, to reduce potential raptor perches in and around prairie dog towns 

and colonies, such as constructing anti-perch devices on power poles. 

Active and historic raptor nesting sites will be protected and managed (e.g., through distance restrictions) 

for continued nesting activities. Different species of raptors may require different types of protective 

measures. Permanent or high-profile structures (e.g., power lines or other structures that may negatively 

impact raptors) will be prohibited within a specified distance of active raptor nests. Distance will be 

determined on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the raptor species involved, natural topographic 

barriers, line-of-sight distances, and other such factors. Temporary disturbances associated with 

placement of facilities such as pipelines and other actions such as seismic activities can be allowed within 

one-half to one mile of active raptor nests. 

Disruptive activities will be seasonally restricted within a one-half to one mile radius of occupied raptor 

nesting sites. Raptor nest surveys will be conducted within a one mile radius or linear distance of 

proposed surface uses or activities during raptor nesting season. Seasonal limitations may be accepted, 

provided criteria in can be met and appropriate mitigation can be implemented (as determined by BLM). 

Mitigation of adverse effects (e.g., noise and traffic) on all habitats will be determined and applied on a 

case-by-case basis. 

APHIS-WS and review its annual management plan for animal damage control activities on public lands. 

Proposed animal damage control activities not compatible with BLM planning and management 

prescriptions or objectives for other resource activities and uses will be identified on a case by-case basis. 

BLM will determine appropriate planning strategies with input from APHIS-WS. 

BLM will cooperate with the WGFD in studies for the introduction and reintroduction of native and 

nonnative (game) wildlife and fish species. 

Monitoring of sensitive resource indicators will determine the effectiveness of lease stipulations and 

COAs and provide guidance for adopting new or modified stipulations, exception criteria, or COAs 

needed to meet resource objectives. Indicators could include, but are not limited to, wildlife population 

trends, reproduction rates, observed ranges, and habitat integrity. Development levels may be adjusted or 

new stipulations may be applied to new leases when offered. COAs may be applied to proposed activities 

as appropriate and necessary to protect resource values. Adjustments could be made to ensure that further 

activity will not cause fragmentation and abandonment of habitat and will still meet stated management 

objectives, safeguard sensitive resources, and not result in significant or irreversible adverse effects. 

Proposed changes will be analyzed in subsequent NEPA or other documents (such as site-specific NEPA 

analysis for well sites) in accordance with law and policy. Changes will be based on several factors 

including the following: 

 Data trends for indicators on the viability of potentially impacted wildlife and other sensitive 

resources, including impacts from other causes such as disease, drought, hunting pressure, 

introduction of nonnative species, and recreation activities 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 2–Wildlife and Fisheries 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 2-165 

 Fragmentation of habitat and migration pathways due to development activities 

 Net amount of surface disturbance, including approved development activities that will be 

implemented in nearby areas and planned reclamation of existing surface disturbances. 

Development levels may be adjusted and/or additional mitigation may be applied to proposed activities as 

appropriate and necessary to protect resource values. Adjustments could be made to ensure that additional 

ROWs will not cause fragmentation and abandonment of wildlife habitat and will still meet stated 

management objectives, safeguard sensitive resources, and not result in significant or irreversible adverse 

effects. Proposals will be analyzed in subsequent NEPA or other documents (such as site-specific NEPA 

analysis for well sites) in accordance with law and policy. Changes will be based on consideration of 

several factors including: 

 Data trends for indicators on the viability of potentially impacted wildlife and other sensitive 

resources, including impacts on indicators from other causes such as disease, drought, or hunting 

 Fragmentation of habitat and migration pathways due to surface disturbance 

 Net amount of surface disturbance, including approved development activities or ROWs that will 

be implemented in nearby areas, and planned reclamation of existing surface disturbances. 

 Amount and location of actual land use activity. 

Jack Morrow Hills 

The JMH Coordinated Activity Plan planning area will be designated as a “restricted control area” for 

animal control in coordination with APHIS-WS. Restricted control areas are public land areas where 

animal damage management may be planned, but control activities may be limited to certain methods or 

times of the year to achieve management objectives. Emphasis will be placed on non-lethal methods. 

Control techniques and methods will be discussed at the annual management meeting between BLM and 

APHIS-WS. 

Management Issues and Concerns 

There are no management issues or concerns identified for wildlife and fisheries as part of the Sagegrouse RMP Amendments planning effort. 

Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 3 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-1 

CHAPTER 3—RELEVENT STATUTES, LIMITATIONS, 

AND GUIDELINES 

This section provides a listing of the authorities that apply to the development and selection of 

management alternatives in the RMP amendments. 

3.1 13BENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

34BNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

NEPA (42 United States Code [USC] 4321 et seq.) requires the preparation of EISs for federal projects 

that may have a significant effect on the environment. It requires systematic, interdisciplinary planning to 

ensure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in making 

decisions about major federal actions that may have a significant effect on the environment. The 

procedures required under NEPA are implemented through the CEQ regulations in 40 CFR §1500. 

35BFederal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards (EO 12088) 

Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards (EO 12088) states that federal agencies must 

comply with applicable pollution control standards. 

36BProtection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality (EO 11514) 

Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality (EO 11514, as amended by EO 11991) establishes 

the policy for federal agencies to provide leadership in environmental protection and enhancement. 

3.2 14BLAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

37BFederal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

FLPMA, as amended (43 USC 1701, et seq.), provides for public lands to be generally retained in federal 

ownership for periodic and systematic inventory of the public lands and their resources; for a review of 

existing withdrawals and classifications; for establishment of comprehensive rules and regulations for 

administering public lands statutes; for multiple-use management on a sustained yield basis; for 

protection of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, 

and archeological values; for receiving fair market value for the use of the public lands and their 

resources; for establishment of uniform procedures for any disposal, acquisition, or exchange; for 

identification and protection of ACECs; for recognition of the nation’s need for domestic sources of 

minerals, food, timber, and fiber from the public lands, including implementation of the Mining and 

Mineral Policy Act of 1970; and for payments to compensate states and local governments for burdens 

created as a result of the immunity of federal lands from state and local taxation. The general land 

management regulations are provided in 43 CFR §2000, Subchapter B. 

38BGeneral Mining Law of 1872 

The General Mining Law of 1872, as amended (30 USC 22, et seq.), provides for locating and patenting 

mining claims where a discovery has been made for locatable minerals on public lands in specified states. 
Chapter 3 Final Summary of the AMS 

3-2 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Regulations for staking and maintenance of claims on BLM-administered lands are listed in 43 CFR 

§3800. 

39BMineral Leasing Act of 1920 

The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 USC 181, et seq.), provides for the leasing of deposits 

of coal, phosphate, sodium, potassium, oil, oil shale, native asphalt, solid and semisolid bitumen, 

bituminous rock or gas, and lands containing such deposits owned by the United States, including those in 

national forests but excluding those acquired under other acts subsequent to February 25, 1920, and those 

lands within the national petroleum and oil shale reserves. Regulations for onshore oil and gas leasing are 

provided in 43 CFR §3100. 

40BFederal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 

The Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 (30 USC 201, et seq.) requires competitive leasing of 

coal on public lands and mandates a broad spectrum of coal operations requirements for lease 

management. Coal leasing regulations for BLM-administered lands are provided in 43 CFR §3400. 

41BMaterials Act of 1947 

The Materials Act of 1947, as amended (30 USC 601–604, et seq.), provides for the sale of common 

variety materials for personal, commercial, or industrial uses and for free use for local, state, and federal 

governmental entities. The sales of mineral materials are controlled by the regulations listed in 43 CFR 

§3600. 

42BTaylor Grazing Act of 1934 

The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, as amended (43 USC 315), provides authorization to the Secretary of 

the Interior to establish grazing districts from any part of the public domain of the United States 

(exclusive of Alaska) which, in the Secretary’s opinion, are chiefly valuable for grazing and raising 

forage crops; to regulate and administer grazing use of the public lands; and to improve the public 

rangelands. Regulations for grazing permits are provided in 43 CFR §4100. 

43BPublic Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 

The Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 USC 1901, et seq.) provides for the improvement 

of range conditions on public rangelands, research on wild horse and burro population dynamics, and 

other range management practices. 

4BFederal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 

The Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, as amended (7 USC 2814), provides for the designation of a lead 

office and a person trained in the management of undesirable plants, establishment and funding of a 

management program for undesirable plants, completion and implementation of cooperative agreements 

with state agencies, and establishment of integrated management systems to control undesirable plant 

species. 

45BHealthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act serves to further the Healthy Forests Initiative to reduce the threat of 

destructive wildfires while upholding environmental standards and encouraging early public input during 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 3 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-3 

review and planning processes. The Act strengthens public participation in developing high-priority forest 

health projects; reduces the complexity of environmental analysis, allowing federal land agencies to use 

the best science available to actively manage land under their protection; provides a more effective 

appeals process, encouraging early public participation in project planning; and issues clear guidance for 

court action against forest health projects. 

46BGrazing Fees of 1986 (EO 12548) 

EO 12548 provides for establishment of appropriate fees for the grazing of domestic livestock on public 

rangelands and directs that the fee shall not be less than $1.35 per AUM. 

47BWilderness Act of 1964 

The Wilderness Act of 1964 (16 USC 1131, et seq.) provides for the designation and preservation of 

wilderness areas. 

48BFederal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988 

The Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act amended FLPMA with respect to BLM land exchanges. It 

was designed to streamline land exchange procedures. 

49BFederal Land Transaction Facilitation Act of 2000 

The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act provides for the use of revenues from the sale or exchange 

of public lands identified for disposal under land use plans in effect as of the date of the FLTFA. 

50BRecreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926 

In 1954, the Congress enacted the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (43 USC 869 et. seq.) as a 

complete revision of the Recreation Act of 1926 in response to the public need for a nationwide system of 

parks and other recreational and public purposes areas. This law is administered by BLM. The Act 

authorizes the sale or lease of public lands for recreational or public purposes to state and local 

governments and to qualified nonprofit organizations. Examples of typical uses under the Act are historic 

monument sites, campgrounds, schools, fire houses, law enforcement facilities, municipal facilities, 

landfills, hospitals, parks, and fairgrounds. 

51BAirport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 

The Airport and Airway Improvement Act established the Airport Improvement Program, which provides 

grants to public agencies and, in some cases, to private owners and entities for the planning and 

development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport systems. 

52BEnergy Policy and Conservation Act of 2000 

The purposes of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 2000, as amended (42 USC 6217 et seq.), are 

to— 

 Grant specific authority to the President to fulfill obligations of the United States under the 

international energy program 
Chapter 3 Final Summary of the AMS 

3-4 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

 Provide for the creation of a Strategic Petroleum Reserve capable of reducing the impact of 

severe energy supply interruptions 

 Conserve energy supplies through energy conservation programs, and, where necessary, the 

regulation of certain energy uses 

 Provide for improved energy efficiency of motor vehicles, major appliances, and certain other 

consumer products 

 Provide a means for verification of energy data to ensure the reliability of energy data 

 Conserve water by improving the water efficiency of certain plumbing products and appliances. 

53BBureau of Land Management Energy and Non-Energy Mineral Policy 

This statement sets forth BLM policy for the management of energy and non-energy mineral resources 

(mineral resources) on public lands. It reflects the provisions of five important acts of Congress relating to 

mineral resources: the Domestic Minerals Program Extension Act of 1953; the Mining and Minerals 

Policy Act of 1970; FLPMA; the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act 

of 1980; and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This policy represents a commitment by BLM to implement 

the requirements of these statutes consistent with BLM’s other statutory obligations, as follows: 

The Domestic Minerals Program Extension Act of 1953 states that each department and agency of the 

Federal Government charged with responsibilities concerning the discovery, development, production, 

and acquisition of strategic or critical minerals and metals shall undertake to decrease further, and to 

eliminate where possible, the dependency of the United States on overseas sources of supply of each such 

material. 

The Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 declares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal 

Government to foster and encourage private enterprise in the development of a stable domestic minerals 

industry and the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources. This act includes all 

minerals, including sand and gravel, geothermal, coal, and oil and gas. 

FLPMA reiterates that the 1970 Mining and Minerals Policy Act shall be implemented and directs that 

public lands be managed in a manner which recognizes the Nation’s need for domestic sources of 

minerals and other resources. 

The National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 requires the 

Secretary of the Interior to improve the quality of minerals data in Federal land use decision-making. 

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 encourages energy efficiency and conservation; promotes alternative and 

renewable energy sources; reduces dependence on foreign sources of energy; increases domestic 

production; modernizes the electrical grid; and encourages the expansion of nuclear energy. 

BLM recognizes that public lands are an important source of the Nation’s energy and non-energy mineral 

resources, some of which are critical and strategic. BLM is responsible for making public lands available 

for orderly and efficient development of these resources under principles of multiple use management, 

and the concept of sustainable development as was defined at the World Summit on Sustainable 

Development in 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The following principles will guide BLM in managing mineral resources on public lands: 
Final Summary of the AMS Chapter 3 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-5 

Except for Congressional withdrawals, public lands shall remain open and available for mineral 

exploration and development unless withdrawal or other administrative actions are clearly justified 

in the national interest in accordance with the Department of the Interior Land Withdrawal Manual 

603 DM 1, and the BLM regulations at 43 CFR §2310. Petitions to the Secretary of the Interior for 

revocation of land withdrawals for mineral exploration and development will be evaluated through 

the land use planning process. 

BLM endorses the Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation applicable to mineral resources 

signed by 193 countries, including the United States; in Johannesburg in 2002. This plan encourages 

social, environmental, and economic considerations before decisions are made on mineral 

operations. BLM actively encourages development by private industry of public land mineral 

resources, and promotes practices and technology that least impact natural and human resources. 

BLM will adjudicate and process mineral patent applications, permits, operating plans, mineral 

exchanges, leases, and other mineral use authorizations for public lands in a manner to prevent 

unnecessary and undue degradation, and in a timely and efficient manner, and will require financial 

assurances to provide for reclamation of the land and for other purposes authorized by law. Mine 

closure and reclamation considerations include alternative forms of use such as for landfills, wind 

farms, biomass facilities and other industrial uses, to attract partnerships to utilize the existing mine 

infrastructure for a future economic opportunity. 

BLM land use planning and multiple-use management decisions will recognize that, with few 

exceptions, mineral exploration and development can occur concurrently or sequentially with other 

resource uses. The least restrictive stipulations that effectively accomplish the resource objectives or 

uses will be used. BLM will coordinate with surface owners when the Federal minerals estate under 

their surface ownership is proposed for development. 

Land use plans will reflect geological assessments and mineral potential on public lands through 

existing geology and mineral resource data, and to the extent feasible, through new mineral 

assessments to determine mineral potential. Partnerships with State Geologists and the U.S. 

Geological Survey for obtaining existing and new data should be considered. 

BLM will work closely with Federal, State and Tribal governments to reduce duplication of effort 

while processing mineral related permit applications. 

BLM will monitor locatable, salable and leasable mineral operations to ensure proper resource 

recovery and evaluation, production verification, diligence and enforcement of terms and conditions. 

BLM will ensure receipt of fair market value for mineral materials, and appropriate royalty rates for 

leasable commodities unless otherwise provided for by statute. 

BLM will continue to develop e-Government solutions that will provide for electronic submission 

and tracking of applications for exploration and development of mineral resources. BLM will 

continue to provide public access to mineral records, including spatial display of all types of 

authorizations and mineral resource data. 

BLM will maintain and enhance the understanding, skills, and abilities of effective professional, 

technical, and managerial personnel knowledgeable in adjudication, geology, mineral exploration 

and development. 

To the extent provided by law, regulation, secretarial order, and written agreement with the Bureau 

of Indian Affairs, BLM will apply the above principles to the management of mineral resources and 

operations on Indian Trust lands in order to comply with its Trust Responsibilities. 
Chapter 3 Final Summary of the AMS 

3-6 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

3.3 15BAIR QUALITY

54BThe Clean Air Act of 1990 

The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1990, as amended (42 USC 7401, 7642), requires BLM to protect air 

quality, maintain federal- and state-designated air quality standards, and abide by the requirements of the 

state implementation plans. 

5BWyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations 

Wyoming air quality standards and regulations, Chapters 1 to 11, specify the requirements for air 

permitting and monitoring to implement CAA and state ambient air quality standards. 

3.4 16BWATER QUALITY

56BThe Clean Water Act of 1987 

The Clean Water Act of 1987, as amended (33 USC 1251), establishes objectives to restore and maintain 

the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s water. The Act also requires permits for 

point source discharges to navigable waters of the United States and the protection of wetlands and 

includes monitoring and research provisions for protection of ambient water quality. 

57BThe Safe Drinking Water Act 

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health 

by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and 

requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and 

groundwater wells. SDWA authorizes the EPA to set national health-based standards for drinking water 

to protect against both naturally occurring and manmade contaminants that may be found in drinking 

water. U.S. EPA, states, and water systems work together to ensure that these standards are met. 

58BWyoming Water Quality Standards and Regulations 

Wyoming water quality standards and regulations implement permitting and monitoring requirements for 

the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, operation of injection wells, groundwater 

protection requirements, prevention and response requirements for spills, and salinity standards and 

criteria for the Colorado River Basin. 

59BColorado River Salinity Control Act 

The 1974 Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, Public Law 93-320, authorizes the construction, 

operation, and maintenance of works in the Colorado River Basin to control the salinity of water 

delivered to Mexico. 

3.5 17BPROTECTION OF WETLANDS (EO 11990)

Protection of Wetlands (EO 11990) requires federal agencies to take action to minimize the destruction, 

loss, or degradation of wetlands and to preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial values of 

wetlands. 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-7 

60BFloodplain Management (EO 11988) 

Floodplain Management (EO 11988) provides for the restoration and preservation of national and 

beneficial floodplain values, and enhancement of the natural and beneficial values of wetlands in carrying 

out programs affecting land use. 

3.6 18BCULTURAL RESOURCES

61B5The Antiquities Act of 1906 

The Antiquities Act of 1906 protects objects of historic and scientific interest on public lands. It 

authorizes the President to designate historic landmarks and structures as national monuments and 

provides penalties for people who damage these historic sites. The Act has two main components: (1) a 

criminal enforcement component, which provides for the prosecution of persons who appropriate, 

excavate, injure, or destroy any historic or prehistoric ruin or monument, or any object of antiquity on 

lands owned or controlled by the United States, and (2) a component that authorizes a permit for the 

examination of ruins and archeological sites and the gathering of objects of antiquity on lands owned or 

controlled by the United States. 

Historic Sites Act of 1935 

The Historic Sites Act (16 USC 461) declares national policy to identify and preserve historic sites, 

buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, thereby providing a foundation for the NRHP. 

62BNational Historic Preservation Act of 1966 

The NHPA, as amended (16 USC 470), expands protection of historic and archeological properties to 

include those of national, state, and local significance. The NHPA (in Section 106) requires federal 

agencies to take into account the potential effects of agency actions on properties listed on or eligible for 

the NRHP. Agencies are also required to consult with the SHPO, and sometimes with the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation, concerning those effects. The SHPO is also sometimes consulted 

concerning applicable methods for determining whether there are NRHP-eligible properties in the area of 

potential effect of an agency undertaking, whether properties are eligible, and appropriate mitigation 

measures. The NHPA (in Section 110) also requires federal agencies to identify properties that may 

qualify for listing on the NRHP, to evaluate and nominate such places to the register, and to develop plans 

for their management. Both Section 110 and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 require 

federal agencies to develop proactive programs to interpret archeological resources for the benefit of the 

public. The 1992 amendments to the NHPA call for federal agencies to conduct Native American 

consultation on projects that may affect sites or resources that tribal representatives consider sensitive, 

sacred, or culturally important. 

63B4National Trails System Act of 1968 

The National Trails System Act of 1968, as amended (16 USC 1241–1249), establishes a national trails 

system and requires that federal rights in abandoned railroads be retained for trail or recreation purposes, 

or sold with the receipts to be deposited in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The purpose of the 

Act is to provide the means for outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and to promote the 

preservation of and access to outdoor areas and historic resources of the United States by instituting a 

national system of recreation, scenic, and historic trails, designating the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific 
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3-8 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

Crest Trail as the initial components of the system, and prescribing the methods and standards by which 

additional components may be added to the system. 

6B8Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment of 1971 

Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment (EO 11593) directs federal agencies to locate, 

inventory, nominate, and protect federally owned cultural resources eligible for the NRHP and to ensure 

that their plans and programs contribute to preservation and enhancement of nonfederally owned 

resources. 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) clarifies U.S. policy pertaining to the protection of 

Native Americans’ religious freedom. The special nature of Native American religions has frequently 

resulted in conflicts between federal laws and policies and religious freedom. The Act establishes a policy 

of protecting and preserving the inherent right of individual Native Americans (including American 

Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians) to believe, express, and exercise their traditional 

religions. 

Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 

The Archeological Resource Protection Act, as amended (16 USC 470a, 470cc, 470ee), requires permits 

for the excavation or removal of federally administered archeological resources, encourages increased 

cooperation among federal agencies and private individuals, provides stringent criminal and civil 

penalties for violations, and requires federal agencies to identify important resources vulnerable to looting 

and to develop a tracking system for violations. 

67BNative American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law passed in 1990 

that provides a process for museums and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural 

items—human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony—to lineal 

descendants, culturally affiliated Native American tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. NAGPRA 

includes provisions for unclaimed and culturally unidentifiable Native American cultural items, 

intentional and inadvertent discovery of Native American cultural items on Federal and tribal lands, and 

penalties for noncompliance and illegal trafficking. In addition, NAGPRA authorizes Federal grants to 

Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and museums to assist with the documentation and 

repatriation of Native American cultural items, and establishes the Native American Graves Protection 

and Repatriation Review Committee to monitor the NAGPRA process and facilitate the resolution of 

disputes that may arise concerning repatriation under NAGPRA. 

69BIndian Sacred Sites (EO 13007) 

EO 13007, signed in 1996, requires each executive branch agency with statutory or administrative 

responsibility for the management of federal lands to accommodate access to and ceremonial use of 

Native American sacred sites by Native American religious practitioners and avoid adversely affecting 

the physical integrity of such sacred sites, whenever possible. 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-9 

Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (EO 13175) 

EO 13175, signed in 2000, required federal agencies to establish regular and meaningful consultation and 

collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications, to 

strengthen the United States government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and to reduce the 

imposition of unfunded mandates upon Indian tribes. 

70BTrails for America in the 21st Century (EO 13195) 

EO 13195, signed in 2001, requires federal agencies, to the extent permitted by law and where 

practicable—and in cooperation with tribes, states, local governments, and interested citizen groups—to 

protect, connect, promote, and assist trails of all types throughout the United States. 

71BPreserve America (EO 13287) 

EO 13287, signed in 2003, requires the Federal Government to lead the preservation of America’s 

heritage by actively advancing the protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic 

properties owned by the government and by promoting intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships 

for the preservation and use of historic properties. 

3.7 19BHAZARDOUS MATERIALS

72BComprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 

1980 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by 

the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 USC 9601–9673), provides for liability, 

risk assessment, compensation, emergency response, and cleanup (including the cleanup of inactive sites) 

for hazardous substances. The Act requires federal agencies to report sites where hazardous wastes are or 

have been stored, treated, or disposed of and requires responsible parties, including federal agencies, to 

clean up releases of hazardous substances. 

73BResource Conservation and Recovery Act 

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended by the Federal Facility Compliance Act of 

1992 (42 USC 6901–6992), authorizes the U.S. EPA to manage, by regulation, hazardous wastes on 

active disposal operations. The Act waives sovereign immunity for federal agencies with respect to all 

federal, state, and local solid and hazardous waste laws and regulations. Federal agencies are subject to 

civil and administrative penalties for violations and to cost assessments for the administration of the 

enforcement. 

74BEmergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (42 USC 11001–11050) requires 

the private sector to inventory chemicals and chemical products, to report those in excess of threshold 

planning quantities, to inventory emergency response equipment, to provide annual reports and support to 

local and state emergency response organizations, and to maintain a liaison with the local and state 

emergency response organizations and the public. 
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3-10 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

3.8 WILDLIFE

75BEndangered Species Act of 1973 

The purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to protect and recover imperiled species and the 

ecosystems upon which they depend. It is administered by the USDI’s USFWS and the Department of 

Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The USFWS has primary responsibility for 

terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine species such 

as salmon and whales. 

76BBald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 

The Bald Eagle Protection Act (16 USC 668) prohibits the take, possession, sale, purchase, barter, offer to 

sell, purchase, transport, export or import, of any bald eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg 

thereof. “Take” includes pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, or molest, or 

disturb (50 CFR §22.3). 

7BFish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 

The Act of March 10, 1934, (16 USC 661 et seq.) as amended, authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture 

and Commerce to provide assistance to and cooperate with federal and state agencies to protect, rear, 

stock, and increase the supply of game and fur-bearing animals, as well as to study the effects of domestic 

sewage, trade wastes, and other polluting substances on wildlife. The Act also directs the Bureau of 

Fisheries to use impounded waters for fish-culture stations and migratory-bird resting and nesting areas 

and requires consultation with the Bureau of Fisheries before the construction of any new dams to provide 

for fish migration. In addition, the Act authorizes the preparation of plans to protect wildlife resources, 

the completion of wildlife surveys on public lands, and the acceptance by the federal agencies of funds or 

lands for related purposes provided that land donations receive the consent of the state in which they are 

located. 

The amendments enacted in 1946 require consultation with the USFWS and the fish and wildlife agencies 

of states where the “waters of any stream or other body of water are proposed or authorized, permitted or 

licensed to be impounded, diverted...or otherwise controlled or modified” by any agency under a federal 

permit or license. Consultation is to be undertaken for the purpose of “preventing loss of and damage to 

wildlife resources.” 

78BFish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 

The Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 (16 USC 7421; 92 Stat. 3110), Public Law 95-616, 

authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to establish, conduct, and assist with national 

training programs for state fish and wildlife law enforcement personnel. It also authorized funding for 

research and development of new or improved methods to support fish and wildlife law enforcement. The 

law provides authority to the Secretaries to enter into law enforcement cooperative agreements with state 

or other federal agencies and authorizes the disposal of abandoned or forfeited items under the fish, 

wildlife, and plant jurisdictions of these Secretaries. Public Law 105-328, signed October 30, 1998, 

amended the Act to allow the USFWS to use the proceeds from the disposal of abandoned items derived 

from fish, wildlife, and plants to cover the costs of shipping, storing, and disposing of those items. 
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Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 3-11 

79BFish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (USC 2901–2911), commonly known as the Nongame Act, 

encourages states to develop conservation plans for nongame fish and wildlife of ecological, educational, 

aesthetic, cultural, recreational, economic, or scientific value. The states may be reimbursed for a 

percentage of the costs of developing, revising, or implementing conservation plans approved by the 

Secretary of the Interior. Amendments adopted in 1988 and 1989 directed the Secretary to undertake 

research and conservation activities for migratory nongame birds. 

80BMigratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 

Taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds is unlawful (H16H USC 703–712. § 703). It shall be unlawful 

at any time, by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, 

or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to barter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, 

ship, export, import, cause to be shipped, exported, or imported, deliver for transportation, transport or 

cause to be transported, carry or cause to be carried, or receive for shipment, transportation, carriage, or 

export, any migratory bird, any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird, or any product, whether or not 

manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or part, of any such bird or any part, nest, or egg 

thereof, included in the terms of the conventions between the United States and Great Britain for the 

protection of migratory birds concluded August 16, 1916 (H39 Stat. 1702H); the United States and the 

United Mexican States for the protection of migratory birds and game mammals concluded February 7, 

1936; the United States and the Government of Japan for the protection of migratory birds and birds in 

danger of extinction, and their environment concluded March 4, 1972 H[1]H; and the convention between the 

United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the conservation of migratory birds and 

their environments concluded November 19, 1976 (50 CFR §10.12). 

81BSikes Act of 1960 

The Sikes Act (16 USC 670a–670o, 74 Stat. 1052), as amended, Public Law 86-797, approved September 

15, 1960, provides for cooperation by the Departments of the Interior and Defense with state agencies in 

planning, development, and maintenance of fish and wildlife resources on military reservations 

throughout the United States. Key amendments to the Act that affect this EIS are highlighted below: 

 An amendment enacted August 8, 1968 (Public Law 90-465, 82 Stat. 661), authorized a program 

for development of outdoor recreation facilities. 

 Public Law 93-452, signed October 18, 1974 (88 Stat. 1369), authorized conservation and 

rehabilitation programs on Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration (NASA), USFS, and BLM lands. These programs are carried out in cooperation 

with the states by the Secretary of the Interior and on USFS lands by the Secretary of Agriculture. 

 Public Law 97-396, approved December 31, 1982 (96 Stat. 2005), provided for the inclusion of 

endangered plants in conservation programs developed for BLM, USFS, NASA, and DOE lands. 

 Public Law 105-85, approved November 18, 1997 (11 Stat. 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022), added that 

each integrated natural resource management plan (INRMP) prepared under this act should 

provide for the sustainable use by the public of natural resources, to the extent that the use is not 

inconsistent with the needs of fish and wildlife resources. Public Law 105-85 also requires that 

the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with state fish and wildlife agencies, submit a report 

annually on the amounts expended by the USDI and state fish and wildlife agencies on activities 
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3-12 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

conducted pursuant to INRMPs to respective congressional committees with oversight 

responsibilities. 

82BFederal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 

The purpose of the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (16 USC 63) is to secure, protect, and preserve 

significant caves on federal lands for the perpetual use, enjoyment, and benefit of all people and to foster 

increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and those who use 

caves located on federal lands for scientific, education, or recreational purposes. 

3.9 21BWILD HORSES

83BWild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 

The Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 provides for the management, protection, and 

control of wild horses and burros on public lands and authorizes “adoption” of wild horses and burros by 

private individuals. Regulations applicable to wild horse and burro management on BLM-administered 

lands are provided in 43 CFR §4700. 
Final Summary of the AMS Acronyms 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments A-1 

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACEC Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

AML Appropriate Management Level 

AMP Allotment Management Plan 

AMS Analysis of the Management Situation 

APHIS-WS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services 

ASRC Areas of Significant Resource Concern 

AUM Animal Unit Months 

BF Board Feet 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

BMP Best Management Practices 

BOR Bureau of Reclamation 

CAA Clean Air Act 

CBNG Coal Bed Natural Gas 

CCF Hundred Cubic Feet 

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality 

CF Cubic Feet 

CFR Code of Federal Regulation 

CFS Cubic Feet per Second 

CO Carbon Monoxide 

COA Condition of Approval 

CSU Controlled Surface Use 

DOE Department of Energy 

DPC Desired Plant Community 

EO Executive Order 

ERMA Extensive Recreation Management Area 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

FUP Free Use Permits 

HMA Herd Management Area 

IMP Interim Management Policy 

INRMP Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan 

ISR In Situ Recovery 

JMH Jack Morrow Hills 
Acronyms Final Summary of the AMS 

A-2 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

KSLA Known Sodium Leasing Area 

MA Management Area 

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standard 

NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act 

NASA National Aeronautic Space Administration 

NDD National Diversity Database 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service 

NNL National Natural Landmark 

NPS National Park Service 

NRHP National Register of Historic Places 

NSO No Surface Occupancy 

OHV Off-highway Vehicle 

PFC Proper Functioning Condition 

PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration 

RMP Resource Management Plan 

ROD Record of Decision 

ROW Right-of-Way 

SD/MA Special Designations/Management Areas 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office 

SRMA Special Recreation Management Area 

SRP Special Recreational Permit 

SSC Species of Special Concern 

T&E Threatened and Endangered 

TCP Traditional Cultural Properties 

TMA Travel Management Areas 

USFS United States Forest Service 

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

VRM Visual Resource Management 

WAAQS Wyoming Ambient Air Quality Standards 

WAPA Western Area Power Administration 
Final Summary of the AMS Acronyms 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments A-3 

WDEQ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 

WDEQ-AQD Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality-Air Quality Division 

WGFD Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

WGSGCP Wyoming Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan 

WHMA Wildlife Habitat Management Area 

WSA Wilderness Study Area 

WSR Wild and Scenic River 

WYDOT Wyoming Department of Transportation 
Acronyms Final Summary of the AMS 

A-4 Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments 

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Final Summary of the AMS Literature Cited 

Wyoming Sage-grouse RMP Amendments L-1 

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Allison , Eldon, Jr. 1988. Bentonite Mining in the Black Hills Region. Wyoming Geological Association 

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Bailey, R.G. 1995. Descriptions of the Ecoregions of the United States. 2nd Edition. Miscellaneous 

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BLM (Bureau of Land Management). 1990. Final Rock Springs Wilderness Environmental Impact 

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BLM (Bureau of Land Management). 1992. Final Bald Eagle Habitat Management Plan for the Platte 

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Resource Management Plan. Letter to Art Reese, Director, Office of Federal Land Policy. August 14. 

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Woolley, R. 1930. The Green River and its Utilization. USGS Water-Supply Paper 618. 

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January 8. 

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