Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2025

S. 681 would redesignate federal lands within wilderness study areas across Wyoming. The bill would designate approximately 20,000 acres as new wilderness areas, including the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness and several other areas. Simultaneously, it would release roughly 100,000 acres from wilderness study area protections, allowing these lands to be managed for multiple uses including oil and gas leasing, mining, and other resource extraction activities. The bill also establishes special management areas with specific restrictions on development. The legislation has been developed through a county-led process dating back to 2015 and has support from Wyoming county governments. However, it faces opposition from conservation organizations that argue it represents a net loss for Wyoming's wild lands. If enacted, the bill would resolve the management status of thousands of acres of federal public lands across seven Wyoming counties, changing how these lands can be used for recreation, resource extraction, and conservation.