Interior Proposes to Modernize BLM's Outdated Public Land Planning Rules

WASHINGTON - The Department of the Interior is proposing updates to decades-old land use planning regulations to cut unnecessary red tape, improve coordination with state and local governments,and speed up decision-making for public lands across the country. The proposed changes are intended to make the Bureau of Land Management's planning process more efficient, easier to understand and better aligned with current law and agency priorities.

"Public lands are set aside for the benefit and use of the American people," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "They should be managed by the people closest to the land, not held back by outdated bureaucracy in D.C. By empowering state and local leaders and cutting decades-old red tape, we're making it easier to conserve our natural resources, boost production and create a more affordable and abundant supply of food and energy for American families."

The BLM first adopted its land use planning regulations in 1979. The rules have only been updated twice since then, largely to clarify the role of cooperating agencies and remove outdated provisions. The proposed revisions would modernize the regulations to better align with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. These changes would update planning terminology, eliminate duplicate requirements and simplify parts of the planning process that have become unnecessarily burdensome over time.

"The current planning process is too slow, too complicated and weighed down by outdated requirements," said BLM Director Steve Pearce. "These proposed changes would help the BLM make decisions more efficiently, reduce costs for taxpayers and improve coordination with the people and communities that rely on public lands."

Additionally, the proposal would also give the BLM more flexibility when designating Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, which are public lands that require special management to protect important values and resources from irreparable damage. Specifically, the regulations would right-size Areas of Critical Environmental Concern designations so the BLM can focus on protect these important and valuable resources, rather than on oversized buffer zones when those lands are supposed to be managed for multiple use. In addition, the revisions would remove program-specific procedures that are more appropriately addressed elsewhere in agency regulations and ensure public input occurs at the most meaningful stages of the planning process.

The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register next week and includes a 60-day public comment period. Written comments may be submitted through regulations.gov by searching "RIN 1004-AF53" and following the instructions. Comments may also be mailed to: Bureau of Land Management, Director (630), Attn: RIN 1004-AF53, 1849 C St. NW, Room 5646, Washington, DC 20240.

The BLM will host a virtual public information session, providing the public with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed regulations. The session is planned for Dec. 3, beginning at 5 p.m. MT, using Microsoft Teams video conferencing. Registration is required at Webinar: Revision of Regulations for Planning, Programming, Budgeting. Registrants will receive information on how to participate. The session will be recorded and posted to BLM.gov for those unable to attend. Please contact [email protected] or call 208-373-3818, if you need reasonable accommodations to participate.

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