The Wyoming Legislature recently failed to pass multiple bills aimed at clarifying the balance of power between state and local governments regarding land use decisions, Wyo File reports.
The debate, centered on state-owned lands, involved concerns over small mining operations, business activities, and the role of county governments in land-use regulation.
For over a year, packed public meetings saw residents and local officials calling for greater transparency and input regarding state land leases. However, with no legislative resolution, these matters may now be settled in court. The discussion has been particularly intense in Natrona County, where a proposed gravel mining project has sparked controversy, and in Teton County, where local officials have clashed with state leaders over zoning authority for a glamping operation.
At the heart of the issue is whether the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners can lease state lands without considering local zoning laws and safety regulations. Additionally, lawmakers debated whether to extend an environmental review exemption—currently applied to limited gravel mining operations—to include rare-earth minerals, gold, lithium, and other hard-rock resources.
Despite multiple bills being introduced in the Wyoming House of Representatives to address these concerns, none advanced to the Senate.
County officials argue they are not trying to seize control of state lands but rather want a voice in decisions that could significantly impact local communities.
“The locals need to have some input because we’re the ones that hear from the people and are affected by these decisions,” said Natrona County Commission Chairman Dave North.
Four bills were introduced but did not move forward:
- House Bill 10 and House Bill 15 sought to expand the definition of “limited mining operations” and increase bonding requirements for environmental cleanup.
- House Bill 58 and House Bill 59 aimed to improve transparency by requiring public notice for state mineral leases and baseline water quality testing before issuing limited mining permits.
The state has resisted these measures, emphasizing its fiduciary duty to generate revenue for schools through state land leases and mineral development. Officials argue that adding local government oversight could hinder these efforts.
Wyoming leaders have long championed “local control” when opposing federal land management policies, arguing that those closest to the land should have the greatest influence over its use. However, some critics say the state does not apply the same principle when dealing with local governments on state land issues.
This dispute has played out in court. The State Board of Land Commissioners—comprising the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction—has prevailed in legal battles against Teton County, which attempted to impose local regulations on a state-sanctioned glamping operation.
Similarly, residents near Casper Mountain recently discovered that the board had quietly approved exploratory mining leases on state lands near their homes. The proposed gravel mine, which could impact the surrounding rural neighborhood and groundwater, was approved without formal public input.
As conflicts continue, multiple lawsuits have emerged. Teton County has taken its case to the Wyoming Supreme Court, while the Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance has sued the State Board of Land Commissioners over a lack of public notice regarding mining leases. Meanwhile, Prism Logistics, the company proposing the Casper Mountain gravel mine, has sued Natrona County over zoning restrictions that could block the development.
Legal experts argue that, regardless of court rulings, the state legislature will ultimately need to address the issue.
“It’s a statewide issue that should be legislated,” attorney Bill Schwartz said. “The land board cannot treat all state lands the same—what works in a remote area might not work in a residential neighborhood.”
