Interior moves to rescind Public Lands Rule

The United States Department of the Interior has proposed a rollback of the Public Land Rule, formally known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. The DOI has stated on its website that the land was to be left idle rather than authorizing legitimate uses like grazing, energy development, or recreation. The previous administration’s stance on the use of the Public Lands Rule was seen as extreme, and the current Trump-appointed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the rule kept public lands in a vice grip and that hundreds of thousands of acres of land were being wasted.

The Department of the Interior aims to roll back the use of the Public Lands Rule

Several key sectors, including the energy industry, recreational users, and agricultural producers, have raised concerns over the effects that the Public Land Rule has on the economy. They state that the rule undermines the mandate of the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM is doing its utmost to implement measures that aim at increasing access to public lands across the United States.

The DOI Secretary has come out to state his thoughts on the proposed rescinding of the rule. Doug Burgum is a Trump appointee and has implemented the 3418, “Unleashing American Energy,” order. This program aims to promote projects that increase America’s energy production capacity. And rolling back the Public Lands Rule aligns perfectly with the current administration’s view on the energy sector.

“The previous administration’s Public Lands Rule had the potential to block access to hundreds of thousands of acres of multiple-use land – preventing energy and mineral production, timber management, grazing and recreation across the West. The most effective caretakers of our federal lands are those whose livelihoods rely on its well-being. Overturning this rule protects our American way of life and gives our communities a voice in the land that they depend on.” United States Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum

The Biden administration placed a priority on conservation

That is what the DOI is claiming, at least. In a report released to the public, the Interior states that the BLM placed an unwarranted restriction on land thanks to the Public Lands Rule, and that they would do everything in their power to rescind the rule, which affects thousands of acres of multiple-use land in America. Considering the current state of the American economy, one can understand why the Trump administration has chosen to rescind the rule.

Americans are feeling the effects of inflation, as well as the inevitable rise in costs for several key sectors in the United States. So it would make sense to access land that could benefit the economy in a variety of ways. The Interior has scheduled several coal lease auctions in recent weeks that aim to strengthen the energy sector in the United States.

“By proposing to roll back the Public Lands Rule, Interior is committed to no longer sidelining local voices by returning more authority back to states, counties and tribes who are directly impacted by the management of public lands. Additionally, rescinding the rule eliminates uncertainty for industry stakeholders concerning potential litigation risks and permitting delays. Consistent with Secretary’s Order 3418, “Unleashing American Energy,” the rescission of the Public Lands Rule will eliminate unnecessary barriers to energy development and support the multiple-use mandate of the BLM by not prioritizing conservation over all other uses.” – US Department of the Interior

Will the US government succeed in its pursuit to roll back the Public Lands Rule

If the current trend from the government is anything to go by, then yes, we believe that the rule will be rescinded. When that might take place is still up in the air. However, the DOI has stated that “from the date that the Federal Register notice is published, a 60-day comment period will open on the proposed rule rescission.” So there is still time to make any concerns known to any impacted parties. The BLM has recently announced that the Warrior Met Coal lease will be auctioned off in September. Will we see more public land being used to bolster the energy sector in the United States?