WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) secured commitments from Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director nominee Stevan Pearce to help ensure BLM field offices in Wyoming remain open long-term and amend the Biden administration’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) to free up millions of acres of land in southwest Wyoming for multiple-use.  

BLM Director nominee Stevan Pearce testified at today’s Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing.

On Amending Rock Springs Resource Management Plan:

“Congratulations on your nomination – I enjoyed working with you when you chaired the Congressional Western Caucus, and I am looking forward to working with you in your new role once confirmed.

“We spoke yesterday in my office specifically about the BLM and the critical role it plays in the lifeblood of the economy in the state of Wyoming.

“Specifically, we talked yesterday about the Rock Springs RMP, the Resource Management Plan.

“It was something that the last administration came out with, and they rejected any input from the state of Wyoming, but accepted comments from around the world. Including, apparently, bots from China.

“And it would have locked up millions of acres of lands that local communities, that the entire state rely upon.

“The Governors, the state legislature, the county commissioners, and local communities all strongly opposed the plan.

“Will you commit to working with my office and the state of Wyoming to amend what I believe was a disastrous plan?”

On Ensuring Longevity for BLM Field Offices in Wyoming:

“We’re very fortunate in Wyoming to have field offices for the Bureau of Land Management throughout our state.

“This allows the federal agency to better serve our rural communities, and many of these offices are located near natural resources all across the state.

“The field offices are located in our more rural areas, directly near our agriculture and energy interests and industries, such as in Buffalo, Cody, Newcastle and Pinedale.

“I’m hearing from local leaders who would like to make sure that there is certainty for the next few years in terms of field offices staying in these communities.

Would you be willing to commit to working with my office to ensure longevity for our Wyoming field offices?”

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