BLM Proposes Major Reduction in Conservation Areas in Southwest Wyoming, Cutting ACECs from 16 to 12.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to reduce the area recommended for conservation in southwest Wyoming by reducing the number of “areas of critical environmental concern” from 16 to 12. The proposal, outlined in a final environmental impact statement, would reduce the territory covered by ACECs from 1.6 million acres to about 936,000 acres, while maintaining BLM’s plan to protect another 227,000 more through other conservation designations. While the proposal represents a significant effort to protect unique land that advocates argue is important for wildlife and recreation.