Interior Department Proposes Rescinding Public Lands Rule to Restore Multiple-Use Management

What's Happening?

The Department of the Interior has announced a proposal to rescind the Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands Rule, which was established in 2024. This rule, known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, prioritized conservation as an official use of public lands, equating it with other uses such as grazing, energy development, and recreation. The proposal to rescind the rule aligns with Secretary Doug Burgum's commitment to restoring balance in federal land management by prioritizing multiple-use access and empowering local decision-making. Stakeholders, including the energy industry and agricultural producers, have expressed concerns that the rule created regulatory uncertainty and reduced access to lands, undermining the BLM's multiple-use mandate.

Why It's Important?

Rescinding the Public Lands Rule is significant as it aims to restore the Bureau of Land Management's legal mandate, which supports multiple-use access to public lands. This move is expected to protect economic drivers such as agriculture, mining, and energy production from restrictive land-use policies. The proposal also seeks to eliminate uncertainty for industry stakeholders regarding potential litigation risks and permitting delays. By returning more authority to states, counties, and tribes, the Interior Department is ensuring that local voices are not sidelined in the management of public lands.

What's Next?

Following the publication of the Federal Register notice, a 60-day comment period will open for the proposed rule rescission. This period will allow stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on the proposal. The Interior Department's decision to rescind the rule is consistent with Secretary's Order 3418, 'Unleashing American Energy,' which aims to eliminate barriers to energy development and support the BLM's multiple-use mandate.