JACKSON, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed Public Lands Rule would allow conservation to be considered a use of public land, allowing conservation leasing to promote restoration of habitats, migration corridors and ecosystems.
“The BLM already does this under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and under policy and guidance that encourages programs to implement conservation and ecosystem management,” the BLM writes in the proposal. “However, the BLM does not currently have regulations that directly promote conservation efforts for all resources.”
According to the proposed rule, conservation leasing could be requested by an entity outside the BLM, like a non-profit, who would then mitigate for human impacts on those public lands and ensure BLM management decisions are guided by science and data.
“This proposal comes at a pivotal moment, as our public lands face new and growing challenges,” the BLM states. “Climate change is driving unprecedented drought and increasingly intense fires, a loss of wildlife and an influx of invasive species. At the same time, public lands face growing pressure as recreation increases and development on private land disrupts habitat. This proposal would ensure the BLM is able to respond to these pressures, managing for healthy lands today so that it can deliver its multiple use mission now and in the future.”
In light of the proposed rule, energy development, mining, grazing, timber, outdoor recreation and other uses will continue. However, there are still concerns from lawmakers in particular that the proposed rule could prevent all human activity on conservation leased land including grazing, oil and gas production and recreation.
Public involvement is invited through a public comment period. To learn more about the proposed rule or to provide a comment, click here. All comments must be submitted by July 5 for consideration.
The BLM manages approximately 18.4 million acres of public lands in Wyoming.
