With a bevy of new federal bills filed this week, Rep. Harriet Hageman is looking to reverse the outcomes of three high-profile Wyoming public land and wildlife issues that have made headlines in the waning weeks of the Biden administration.   

The sophomore representative from Fort Laramie introduced companion pieces of legislation on Tuesday that would prohibit the implementation of Bureau of Land Management resource management plans for its Rock Springs and Buffalo field offices. Then on Thursday, she introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Department of Interior to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species Act — the opposite of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s just-released plans, which continue federal protections. 

She’s attempted to pass all three bills before.

All failed, though they now face better prospects in the 119th Congress, which includes Republican majorities in both chambers and a president who’s more likely to sign them into law.

Hageman’s staff did not respond to WyoFile’s interview requests for this story. On grizzly bears, she told the Federalist, a conservative publication, that Fish and Wildlife’s “refusal to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear is just the latest example of the agency’s utter failure to follow the intent and purpose” of the Endangered Species Act.

Past attempts

Hageman’s new legislation wasn’t unexpected. 

Nearly two years ago, she ran a similar bill, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, that would have required federal wildlife officials to delist Yellowstone-region grizzlies.  

Although Hageman blasted the Fish and Wildlife’s grizzly bear plans, other members of Congress praised the proposed policy changes.

“The compounding threats of climate change and politically motivated state policies have the potential to decimate grizzly bear populations and dramatically impact their habitats,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) said in a statement. “I’m glad the Fish and Wildlife Service understands these threats, has listened to stakeholders and scientists, and decided to maintain Endangered Species Act protections for this iconic species.”

Hageman also attempted to override the BLM’s planning process for 3.6 million acres of federal land in southwest Wyoming during the last Congress. Her effort was opposed by BLM officials, with Deputy Director Nada Wolff Culver telling lawmakers the legislation “would undermine the public’s right to provide input on the management of public lands, as well as the BLM’s ability to steward them.”

Plans in crosshairs 

Dissatisfaction with the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan revision intensified in December when the agency finalized its update without making any changes requested by the state of Wyoming. 

There’s also been speculation that Hageman and other lawmakers could be eyeing the Congressional Review Act as a vehicle for discarding the Rock Springs plan.

Hageman similarly tried and failed to throw out BLM’s resource management plan for the Buffalo Field Office during the last time Congress was in session. The revision has proven controversial in Wyoming because the federal agency decided to phase out coal leasing in the Powder River Basin — a decision that Wyoming answered with a lawsuit. 

Hageman this week was named chairwoman of the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee. Remarking on the appointment on social media, the representative said that she was “honored.” 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on Natural Resources to return wildlife and resource management to local control,” Hageman posted. 

Starting Friday evening, rain and snow will start to move into northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. Winds will begin to pick up out of the NW and gust up to 40-50 MPH. Even if snow accumulations don’t match projections, you only need 1″-2″ of snow to cause major disruptions, given the higher winds.

Anywhere from Sheridan, Wyoming through Sturgis along I-90 will likely be difficult for travel through at least Sunday afternoon due to blowing snow and icy roads. Anywhere east of Sturgis along I-90 including Rapid City and areas east of Rapid City should see diminished impacts with only an inch or two of snow over the same 48 hour period.

Outside of Lawrence County and perhaps Belle Fourche in South Dakota, most of the state should see manageable conditions, with blowing snow from time to time. However, be ready for snow squalls to quickly change driving conditions even if no winter weather bulletins are active for your area.

5″-9″ seems reasonable for the northern hills, with localized areas of southwest Lawrence County in the conversation for a foot or more of snow. There will be a sharp cutoff of snow accumulations as you push further east, particularly around Sturgis/Tilford area.

Stay tuned for updates, as our winter storm watches will likely be replaced by winter storm advisories and winter storm warnings in the next 24 hours.

Our weather department occasionally publishes stories under a byline of “Weather staff.” Most frequently, the “Weather staff” byline is used for straightforward forecasts. At times, this byline is used when a weather story is a collaboration by members of the weather department.