Dept. of Interior proposes rescission of Public Lands Rule

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior says he plans to do away with a Biden Administration rule that added conservation -- or no use -- to the approved uses of BLM land. Secretary Dough Burgum says this change would restore balance in federal land management by empowering local decision-making, supporting respondible development, and prioritizing multiple-use access.

He says the Public Lands Rule exceed the BLM's statutory authority by placing an overemphasis on conservation or no-use at the expense of multiple-use access,  threatening grazing, energy development, recreation, and other traditional land uses.

While state lawmakers praise the move, conservationists are worried about what it could mean for the future. Director of Sporting Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation Aaron Kindle tells Maria Shilaos that he believes rescinding this rule threatens wildlife, ranching, hunting and rural communities. 

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