Westerman Applauds Repeal of Restrictive Land Rule

Today, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the rescission of the Biden administration's so-called "Public Lands Rule," which upended the agency's longstanding multiple-use and sustained yield mandate. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today's BLM announcement is a welcome relief as President Trump and Secretary Burgum work to protect the Western way of life. This rescission ensures our public lands remain productive and accessible for all Americans. I thank the administration for protecting Western jobs and American energy dominance and look forward to working with them to restore commonsense to federal land management."

Background

The BLM manages 245 million acres of public lands, which are heavily concentrated in the Western states. Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the BLM's mission is guided by a multiple-use and sustained yield mandate. These uses include livestock grazing, energy and mineral development, timber production, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat and watershed protection.

Multiple uses often overlap on BLM land and coexist with each other. Meaningful conservation work occurs simultaneously with, and often benefits from, other land uses. Responsible use of BLM lands is central to the many rural economies that rely on access to BLM land and its multiple uses to thrive.