To prohibit the implementation of the Rock Springs Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan.

Bill Number

H.R. 229

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-03-17T15:52:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill, H.R. 229, aims to block the federal government from putting into effect a specific land management plan developed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency under the Department of the Interior. The plan covers public lands in the Rock Springs Field Office area, likely in Wyoming, and was finalized in December 2024.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Implementation: The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to refrain from implementing, administering, or enforcing the "Rock Springs Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan."
• A "Record of Decision" is the final administrative step where an agency approves a plan after public input and environmental reviews.
• The plan outlines how BLM will manage natural resources, such as grazing, energy development, and conservation on those lands.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill does not amend broader statutes like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (which guides BLM's overall duties) but specifically targets and suspends one agency's recent decision.
• If enacted, it would override the executive branch's authority to enforce this particular plan, effectively halting its rules without creating new laws—acting more like a targeted veto on an administrative action.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The BLM and Department of the Interior would lose the ability to apply this plan, potentially delaying or altering land use decisions in the Rock Springs area. This could shift management back to prior guidelines, requiring agencies to redirect resources.
• On Citizens and Local Communities: Residents, ranchers, and businesses in the affected region (e.g., energy or agriculture sectors) might see fewer restrictions on activities like drilling or grazing, while environmental protections in the plan could be paused, affecting conservation efforts.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic land management issue with no foreign policy elements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Primarily the Bureau of Land Management and the Secretary of the Interior, who would be directly barred from action.
• Local and Industry Groups: Communities near Rock Springs, Wyoming; energy companies (e.g., oil and gas); ranchers and farmers relying on public lands for grazing or development.
• Environmental and Conservation Interests: Groups advocating for wildlife protection or reduced resource extraction, who may oppose the block as it could weaken safeguards outlined in the plan.
• Congressional Oversight: The House Committee on Natural Resources, to which the bill was referred, would handle its progression.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill exercises Congress's constitutional power to oversee executive agencies (under Article I), but if passed, it could face court challenges for interfering with administrative processes established by laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires thorough planning.
• Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by allowing Congress to check agency decisions, though it might raise questions about specificity—targeting one plan could set a precedent for piecemeal overrides.
• Political: Introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), it reflects tensions over federal land control in Western states, where local economic interests often clash with national environmental policies; passage would depend on broader congressional support for resource development.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-01-07: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To prohibit the implementation of the Rock Springs Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan. — issued 2025-01-07 — PDF (1 pages)