Amendment Fights for Oil and Gas Leasing, Rights of Way in BLM RMP Outcome
CHEYENNE – Yesterday, on third and final reading of the state budget under consideration by the Wyoming State House of Representatives, Representative Clark Stith (R-Rock Springs) successfully sponsored an amendment that would only allow the sale of the Kelly Parcel if the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) outcome does not include certain elements in the federal agency’s preferred option, Alternative B.
The Kelly parcel is a state-owned section in Grand Teton National Park.
Before the Governor approves the sale of the Kelly Parcel to the Department of the Interior, the amendment requires the Governor to first take into consideration whether the Rock Springs planning area will remain open for oil and gas leasing and rights of way.
“This amendment takes the fight to the bargaining table. The Kelly Parcel is a valuable piece of land, and the federal government wants to see this sale through,” said Representative Clark Stith. “This amendment leverages the Kelly Parcel to protect Wyoming from the harmful consequences of the BLM’s RMP Alternative B.”
Southwest Wyoming House members expressed support for the amendment.
According to Speaker of the House of Representatives Albert Sommers, (R- Pinedale), “We don’t control how the federal government behaves, but this restores the balance in the discussion with the federal government over the future of Southwest Wyoming.” A Sommers amendment that was also successfully passed retains grazing and hunting on the land in perpetuity.
“This amendment kills two birds with one stone. By the BLM’s own calculations, the current impact of Alternative B would cost the economy of Southwest Wyoming over $1 billion dollars. Ensuring these resources can be developed is of utmost important to us in Wyoming and our nation’s energy independence,” Representatives Cody Wylie, (R-Rock Springs), J.T. Larson (R- Rock Springs) and Tony Niemiec (R-Green River) Rep. Ryan Berger (R-Evanston) Rep. Jon Conrad (R-Mountain View), Rep. Bob Davis (R-Baggs) and Rep. Scott Heiner (R- Green River) said.
How the Wyoming Senate deals with a potential sale of the Kelly Parcel in its version of the budget bill remains to be seen.
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