After the public scoping period closed, the BLM held two open house meetings in Cody and in Worland, Wyoming. Similar to the public scoping meetings, resource specialists and other representatives of the BLM were on hand to personally address questions and provide information to meeting participants. The BLM also hosted five public workshops to obtain information and input on travel management and recreational activities at locations throughout the Basin that were attended by 203 participants.
The BLM compiled a list of 158 individuals, agencies, and organizations that participated in past BLM projects or requested to be on the general mailing list. The BLM mailed the initial scoping postcard to each individual on this list. In addition to those on the general mailing list, the BLM purchased a mailing list covering the entire Bighorn Basin (over 16,000 addresses) and mailed postcards to P.O. Box addresses included in this basin-wide list (2,485 addresses). Visitors to the scoping meetings were asked to sign in and provide their mailing address so that they could also be added to the mailing list. Other additions to the mailing list include those individuals who have submitted requests to be added to the list. Duplicate entries, changes of address, and return-to-sender mailings were deleted from the official project mailing list as identified. Through this process, the general mailing list was revised to approximately 500 entries. Requests to be added to or to remain on the official mailing list will continue to be accepted throughout the planning process.
Periodic newsletters have been and are being developed and distributed to keep the public informed of the Bighorn Basin RMP Revision Project. The January 2009 newsletter summarized the public scoping period and invited the public to the recreation and travel management workshops.
The Bighorn Basin RMP Revision Project website can be found at:http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/bighorn.html. The site serves as a virtual repository for documents related to the development of the RMP, including announcements, newsletters, and documents. The documents are available in PDF format to ensure they are accessible to the widest range of interested parties. The website provides the public an opportunity to submit their comments for consideration as part of the planning process and to be added to the project mailing list.
Six field trips were held during the summer of 2010 to various locations within the Planning Area to provide on-site discussion of RMP topics and to describe opportunities for effective public comment in advance of the 90–day public comment period.
In addition, Field Managers and RMP project leader were available to discuss RMP issues at the invitation of external individuals and groups. Multiple outside groups requested information from BLM managers and staff during 2010.