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
U.S. Forest Service announces details of major reorganization
On March 31, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced details of a major reorganization of the agency’s offices and management structure. The agency’s new structure comes amid a larger reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which houses the Forest Service.
Endangered Species Committee convenes to exempt Gulf energy projects from Endangered Species Act requirements
On March 31, the Endangered Species Committee convened a meeting to discuss a national security exemption to Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements for energy exploration and extraction projects in the Gulf. The Committee, which had only previously gathered 3 times since 1978, voted unanimously to grant the exemption.
Congress examines reforms to endangered species management
On Mar. 18, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Work held a hearing examining how to improve implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing follows several legislative proposals to reform endangered species management that recently advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Policy Insider – March 30, 2026
NACo's Policy Insider is your weekly update on federal policies, funding decisions and legislative activity impacting counties nationwide.
LASSO Act preserves county revenue sharing, directs public lands funds to Social Security
On February 10, the U.S., House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing examining the Land and Social Security Optimization (LASSO) Act (H.R. 34), which would direct a portion of revenues generated on public lands to fund the Social Security system. Introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (R-Ariz.), this measure would protect federal revenue sharing to counties while encouraging active use of public lands.
U.S. Department of the Interior issues new NEPA regulations recognizing local governments as cooperating agencies
On February 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final rule updating the Department’s regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; P.L. 91-190). In a step forward for counties, the final rule reinstates provisions that name local government agencies as cooperating agencies during the NEPA environmental review process.