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Governor Mark Gordon announced today that Wyoming and Montana have filed suit against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) that ends new federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. The suit argues that the RMPA record of decision is unreasonable, unjustified, and unsupported by federal law.

“Instead of working with the states to address their concerns, BLM pushed through their narrow-minded agenda to stop using coal, ignoring the multiple-use mandate and the economic impacts of this decision, including skyrocketing electricity bills for consumers. They did not do their job properly,” Governor Gordon said.

The states’ lawsuit argues that the RMPA fails to comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), stating that the BLM’s action marks a total shift in the agency’s treatment of coal leasing and simply ignoring the states’ concerns.

“Even though these States, their agencies and counties, industry groups, and members of Congress objected to the proposed management plan, BLM gave their concerns short shrift and moved forward with its own agenda,” the lawsuit states. 

Governor Gordon utilized Coal Litigation Funds appropriated by the Wyoming Legislature, which added another arrow to the Attorney General’s quiver in Wyoming’s longstanding efforts to combat the Biden federal efforts to end the use of fossil fuels. This most recent lawsuit adds to the more than 50 cases in which the Attorney General is protecting Wyoming’s interests. The Governor expressed his appreciation to the legislature for the funds, which were used to contract with Consovoy McCarthy, a private firm with proven expertise in federal administrative law.

“Wyoming will continue to lead in the fight against federal overreach. I look forward to the courts scrutinizing this misguided and politically-driven amendment which consciously ignored our country’s increasing demand for affordable energy,” the Governor said. 

A copy of the States’ filing may be found here. 

The Wyoming Department of Transportation says it’s seen an increase in sign theft in southeast Wyoming over the last few months.

WYDOT spokeswoman Andrea Staley says more signs have been reported stolen each year, with common targets including the “Welcome to Wyoming” or “Entering Wyoming” signs.

“The large ‘Welcome to Wyoming’ signs cost upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 to manufacture and replace, while the smaller (ones) range from $1,500 to $2,000,” said Staley.

Staley says other signs such as stop signs, traffic signs, and road signs have continued to be stolen as well.

“Stolen stop signs cause a great risk to the traveling public,” said District 1 Traffic Supervisor Mike Ginther.

“Travelers unfamiliar with an area can blow through an intersection and involve themselves and others in a crash they normally would have stopped or yielded to,” Ginther added.

Stealing and Defacing Signs is Illegal

Staley says not only can stolen signs lead to crashes and pose dangerous conditions to travelers, but stealing them is illegal, and if you’re caught, you could potentially face up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

She says defacing signs with stickers or markings also carries a fine if caught.

“The cost to replace signs and posts, as well as clean defaced and damaged signs, comes out of the state highway maintenance budget, which is also used to clear snow, repair potholes, and maintain the highways,” said Staley.

To inform of a missing or stolen sign, Staley asks that you call the Laramie District Office at 307-745-2127.