What We Manage in Wyoming

The BLM manages approximately 18.4 million acres of public lands and 42.9 million acres of federal mineral estate for multiple use in Wyoming.  BLM-managed lands in Wyoming contain world-class energy and mineral resources that are crucial to the nation.  We’re leading the way with coal, oil and gas, uranium, bentonite, and trona production.  At the same time, these lands offer abundant opportunities for recreation.

For example, the longest and most intact segments of the National Historic Trails System are on BLM-managed land in Wyoming.  There are 1,400 miles of Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California and Pony Express trails that cross Wyoming.

Tourism is Wyoming’s second-largest industry and relies on BLM lands.  In the fast-growing West, public lands are especially valuable for the open space and recreational opportunities they provide. Though the state’s population is less than half a million, nearly 2 million visitor days were spent on BLM-managed public lands.
  
In addition to mineral resources and recreational opportunities, BLM-managed lands in Wyoming are home to the largest sage-grouse population in the U.S. and the largest pronghorn population in the world.

Here are some quick facts about BLM-managed public lands in Wyoming:

• Wyoming, the nation’s leading coal producer since 1986, supplies about 40 percent of America’s coal through the top 10 producing mines located in the Powder River Basin.
• Wyoming is America’s leader in uranium production, with more than 2 million pounds produced in 2014.  More than 13 percent of the world’s electricity is generated from uranium that fuels nuclear reactors.
• Wyoming has the world’s largest deposit of trona, supplying about 90 percent of the nation’s soda ash. Trona is Wyoming’s top international export, and Wyoming’s reserves will last more than 2,000 years.
• Wyoming is the nation’s leader in bentonite production, with nearly 4 million tons produced each year. Over 70 percent of the world’s known supply is located in Wyoming.
• BLM Wyoming is No. 1 in federal gas production and No. 2 in federal oil production.
• Two major transmission line projects (Energy Gateway South and TransWest Express) are proposed.
• One wind farm project (Chokecherry/Sierra Madre) is proposed.
• 2.9 million visitors annually on public lands in Wyoming.
• 18,013 visitors at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.
• 1,400 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails.
• 42 Wilderness Study Areas.

BLM Wyoming manages 16 herd management areas and three holding facilities; one preparation facility in Rock Springs, the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland, and the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton with a total wild horse holding capacity of 1,200.