Gordon pleased with final Marton Ranch BLM decision 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KIFI) - On Monday, Governor Mark Gordon received the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final environmental assessment (EA) and decision record that provided supplemental analysis to the Marton Ranch Acquisition EA.

The BLM Casper Field Office announced the completion of its supplemental analysis of the Marton Ranch purchase and incorporation of state agency and public comments into its final document. 

This final supplemental EA is a result of a settlement agreement between Wyoming and the BLM following the BLM’s purchase of the 35,670-acre Marton Ranch. The State of Wyoming appealed the BLM’s decision to the Department of Interior’s Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) in June 2022 and reached a settlement with the BLM and IBLA in October 2022. The BLM agreed to provide additional opportunities for state agencies and public comments and supplement its environmental analysis. About 350 comments were received by the BLM in the 21-day comment period, with 44 comments noted as being substantial. Comments were incorporated into the final EA published and signed today, which should bring a conclusion to this matter. Planning regarding the BLM’s management of the property will take place in the near future and include public comments and state and county involvement. 

“I thank the state BLM for recognizing the need for additional public comment and analysis. The Wyoming and Casper BLM offices have conducted the necessary work of prioritizing and incorporating public and agency-specific comments into this supplemental analysis. I am not surprised that there were substantial and meaningful comments submitted by the public and state agencies. I am encouraged to see the public interest in participating in the planning processes for the future of this incredible area,” Governor Gordon said.

To review the decision record, as well as public comments received and BLM’s response to them, visit the project’s ePlanning website HERE. For more information, contact Mike Robinson at (307) 261-7520.