2023 Western Interstate Region Conference
About the Conference
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the fifteen Western states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming – and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.
County News
WIR showcases Utah counties
NACo WIR submits recommendations for public lands transportation needs
On September 8, NACo’s Western Interstate Region (WIR) submitted comments and recommendations for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Request for Information to as the agency develops its priorities for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill.
DOI, DOE and the EPA announce new funding and regulatory measures to support U.S. coal industry
On September 29, the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI), Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced coordinated actions to expand domestic coal production and coal-fired energy generation.
NACo testifies on priorities for public lands counties
On September 9, Commissioner Jerry Taylor of Garfield County, Utah, testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations at a hearing titled “Exploring the Economic Potential of the Golden Age of American Energy Dominance.”
USDA and DOI announce major actions to streamline federal wildfire response
On September 15, the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Agriculture (USDA) announced major joint directives to change how the agencies will coordinate and provide wildfire response, including the creation of a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service within Interior.
U.S. Forest Service announces recission of Roadless Rule in National Forests
On August 29, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibited road construction, reconstruction and logging on almost 45 million acres of U.S. Forest Service land.
Record high Capitol Hill meeting schedule pushes public lands funding
More than three dozen public lands county officials conducted 80 meetings with congressional staff to advocate for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs.