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
House Passes Historic Outdoor Recreation Legislation
The U.S. House passed the bipartisan EXPLORE Act (H.R.6492) on April 9 to boost outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands and aid local economies
Counties see faint hope for meaningful input on Old-Growth Amendment
With less than two months before a draft is published, counties are trying to offer input while the U.S. Forest Service works toward an amendment to a rule guiding protections for old-growth forests.
Bureau of Land Management updates regulations for broadband infrastructure development on federal public lands
The BLM published a final rule to update regulations for developing and operating broadband infrastructure on public lands.