John Barrasso
01/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/16/2025 15:44
Barrasso Plans to Remove Biden-Era Oversight with DOI Nominee Doug Burgum
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) discussed putting Wyoming back in control of its own federal lands with former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, President-Elect Donald J. Trump's nominee for Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI).
Specifically, Barrasso discussed reversing the Resource Management Plans (RMP) for Rock Springs and Buffalo, Gov. Burgum's commitment to work with Wyoming legislators, unblocking oil and gas leasing, removing Biden-era sage grouse oversight, and supporting multiple use of federal lands.
Gov. Burgum's confirmation hearing was held today in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
On Reversing the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP):
"Governor, congratulations. Great to be with you again. Thanks for our time together.
"As you know, the federal government controls hundreds of millions of acres of land in the West. Look at this committee - in our home states. And the well-being - certainly in my home state of Wyoming - depends on strong leadership at the Department of Interior.
"The Department must work with states and local communities to manage our resources in a way that works for the people that actually live on the land. And over the last four years, that has been a big problem, as we've seen an administration that seemed to just be punishing the West. The will of the people who depend on the land, live on the land, and take care of the land was ignored the last four years.
"So, Governor, there's a long list of things that I believe must be fixed, and I'm going to ask for your help.
"Number one, in Rock Springs, Wyoming - the RMP. That stands for the 'Resource Management Plan' - as you and I know, and those who are watching will know about now. The Bureau of Land Management finalized that just last month, December 2024. They did it not even a week after the governor of Wyoming submitted his appeal to the proposed plan, but they rushed out the door with this.
"This final plan is going to devastate the people of Southwest Wyoming. It's going to lock up millions of acres of land that local communities and the entire state rely upon. The governor, our state legislature, the county commissioners, the local communities all strongly oppose what the federal government is slamming down our throat.
"So, will you commit to work with my office in the state to undo this disastrous plan?"
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on the Rock Springs RMP.
On Committing to Work with Wyoming Legislators:
"In Wyoming, about two-thirds of our minerals under the land are owned by the federal government. About half the surface land and two-thirds of the minerals under the land.
"That means that energy development in my state depends on cooperation from the Department of Interior. Wyoming's legislative leaders would benefit from meeting with you directly as they plan the state's energy future.
"I'm going to ask you to commit to joining our Wyoming delegation as well as Wyoming stakeholders to talk about the future."
Follow-Up:
"Both of those - the former governor and current governor - speak about you with great appreciation, great admiration, and great respect. I look forward to that."
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on working with WY legislators.
On Reversing the Buffalo Resource Management Plan (RMP):
"Last year, the outgoing administration finalized a Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Buffalo - the Buffalo, Wyoming field office.
"This plan would ban new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, which is the most energy-rich area in the country. We are America's energy breadbasket in Wyoming. This short-sighted decision is an insult to our communities and harmful for American energy security.
"If confirmed, would you work with me to reverse this plan?"
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on reversing the Buffalo RMP.
On Unblocking Oil and Gas Leases Across Wyoming:
"The outgoing administration has a disgraceful record on oil and gas management. It blocked our production at just about every turn. It hasn't issued leases for a lease sale held over four years ago - they still haven't issued the leases. And it deferred over 600,000 acres from leasing in Wyoming that were previously cleared for oil and gas production.
"If confirmed, will you work to quickly issue those leases and offer additional acres for leasing?"
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on unblocking oil and gas leasing.
On Putting Sage Grouse Management Back in Wyoming's Hands:
"Wyoming is the home to a large population of greater sage grouse and its habitat. For over 15 years, Wyoming has been at the forefront of adopting new management approaches to protect the species. Our state has led successful efforts to balance conservation with economic development.
"Again, the Biden administration proposed to designate over 600,000 acres in Wyoming as 'areas of critical environmental concern.' That's going to lock up thousands of acres in Wyoming halting production and development across the state.
"Would you be willing to reopen the department's greater sage grouse management?"
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on sage grouse management.
On Supporting Multiple Use of Federal Lands:
"The Department of Interior is critical in its role for managing federal lands across the West.
"Almost half of the land in Wyoming owned by the federal government - land managed under multiple use - is required by law to be managed without impairment of the productivity of the land. These are public places that people from Wyoming depend on accessing for their livelihoods, agriculture, all the ranching activities, recreation, mineral development.
"Congress directed grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, energy, and mineral production to take place on federal lands.
"Will you support the multiple use mandate - that the law mandates - for federal land?"
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso's remarks on multiple use of federal lands.
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