Conservation groups are expressing huge concern over the proposed Bureau of Land Management proposed resource management plan for the Powder River Basin.
The plan authorizes 10 billion tons of coal production along with oil and gas development. With concern being expressed over Sage Grouse habitat, some conservation groups thought the BLM would proposed reduced energy development.
BLM Director Neil Kornze said last week during a trip to Cheyenne that Sage Grouse will be monitored and that the declining coal market will take care of a lot of the carbon dioxide concerns.
“We’ve seen a decline in the interest in coal in the Powder River Basin in recent years, so interest is sort of balancing out the other issues. So on the RMP side we’ve made no substantial changes related to that, but it is part of the large suite of sage grouse plans.”
Powder River Basin Resource Council Chair Gillian Malone says the plan makes a mockery of the President’s climate change initiatives and does little for agriculture in the area. She adds that it enhances fossil fuel development for the area. The plan is currently open for public comment.
