The BLM anticipates the potential for oil shale exploration and development activity would be low for the next planning cycle because of the relative thinness of oil shale beds, thickness of overburden, and poor quality of oil shale in the Planning Area. In 2008, the BLM released a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Oil Shale and Tar Sands (BLM 2009f) that amended existing RMPs in Wyoming and other states. The only areas of Wyoming addressed in this Programmatic EIS were the Washakie and Green River Basins in the southwestern part of the state. The Programmatic EIS did not include the Bighorn Basin because oil shale resources in the Bighorn Basin are not considered economically feasible to produce. Oil shale exploration, development, and leasing in the Planning Area would require additional evaluation and an RMP amendment.