WYOMING — On June 15, the House Committee on Natural Resources (HCNR) held a hearing on legislation to withdraw the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed Public Lands Rule that would allow conservation to be considered a use of public land.
The proposed rule, which was unveiled in early April, aims to promote restoration of habitats, migration corridors and ecosystems through conservation leasing, which could be requested by an entity outside the BLM to mitigate for human impacts on public lands.
According to a press release from the HCNR, the rule would fundamentally upend the BLM’s multiple use mandate by potentially preventing grazing, oil and gas production and recreation on public lands.
However, the BLM has asserted that the proposed rule is consistent with strategies used by other state and federal land management agencies and will in fact increase access to outdoor recreation and enhance the economic resources Wyoming public lands produce through conservation efforts to maintain the landscape.
“Now is the time to improve the health and management of special places.”
Secretary Deb Haaland
“As the nation continues to face unprecedented drought, increasing wildfires and the declining health of our landscapes, our public lands are under growing pressure,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in a BLM press release. “It is our responsibility to use the best tools available to restore wildlife habitat, plan for smart development and conserve the most important places for the benefit of the generations to come. As we welcome millions of visitors to hunt, fish and recreate on our public lands each year, now is the time to improve the health and management of special places.”
There is a public comment period through July 5; to submit a comment, click here.
Today, June 21, the HCNR held another hearing where consideration of the legislation “To require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health” was listed on the agenda again.
