Latest News & Resources
Snake River Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Idaho. Photo by Bob Wick.
Latest News
What’s the Public Lands Rule?
Newspapers Across the West in Support of Public Lands Rule
The Denver Post, Albuquerque Journal, and other outlets have highlighted the Public Lands Rule and urge the Bureau of Land Management to act now.
Reactions to the Release of the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule
Public Lands Rule Notice in the Federal Register
Western Voter Support for Conservation
Winning the West 2023 Poll - The Center for Western Priorities’ annual poll shows the majority of Western voters polled support the Public Lands Rule
Elected Official Support for BLM Action
Five Western Governors support the Public Lands Rule, which “presents a timely opportunity to recalibrate the agency’s ability to address these pressing challenges.” (October 2023)
Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper supports the Public Lands Rule, noting it’s a meaningful step to ensure the BLM can meet the needs of the American public. (July 2023)
Nearly four dozen Senators and Representatives call on Secretary Haaland to strengthen the proposed Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot writes to the Interior Department, indicating the agency’s support of the Public Lands Rule, including its prioritization of partnership with Native American Tribes. (June 2023)
La Plata County, Colorado Board of Commissioners affirm their support of the Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
Grand County Commission in Utah expresses their support of the Public Lands Rule, noting “public lands are the cornerstone of Grand County’s economy and the quality of life of our residents.” (June 2023)
The State of New Mexico expresses its support of the Public Lands Rule, citing that it will provide an additional tool to help protect New Mexico watersheds, ecosystems, wildlife, plants, and ways of life that make our state unique.” (June 2023)
New Mexico Representative Melanie Stansbury affirms the value of the Public Lands Rule. (May 2023)
40 members of the House of Representatives call on Secretary Haaland and the BLM to prioritize conservation. (February 2023)
California Natural Resources Agency calls on BLM to “use all of its authorities to advance a collaborative and inclusive approach to conservation…” (January 2023)
Oregon Senators call for more BLM conservation in letter to DOI – Senator Wyden and Merkley note that “protecting lands managed by the BLM is the single biggest opportunity the administration has to make conservation progress.” (December 2022)
Western Senators push Sec. Haaland for more focus on BLM conservation and call for the use of more administrative conservation tools. (November 2022)
Seven-Senators Wilderness Study Area follow-up letter to Sec. Haaland – Senators reiterate their request that the Secretary of the Interior use existing authorities to establish wilderness study areas. (October 2022)
Colorado River Valley elected officials urge the BLM to take steps to administratively protect lands with wilderness characteristics and areas of environmental concern (July 2022)
Sen. Padilla and Rep. Huffman Letter to BLM State Director California Senator and Representative call for more BLM administrative protections as part of planning processes. (June 2022)
Congresswoman Degette’s Scoping Letter - Dean of Colorado delegation pushes for more BLM protections in new planning process. (June 2022)
New Mexico Local Elected Officials urge Bureau of Land Management to prioritize the conservation of public lands (May 2023)
Over 120 local elected officials from Western states call on the Biden administration to protect more BLM lands (May 2022)
Seven-Senators Wilderness Study Area (WSA) Letter - Senators call on the Secretary of Interior to push for more BLM conservation. (January 2022)
Business Support for BLM Action
Over 100 outdoor businesses call on BLM to complete a strong Public Lands Rule. (July 2023)
Outdoor business Patagonia urges its customers to take action to support the Public Lands Rule. (July 2023)
Outdoor business REI urges its customers to express their support of the Public Lands Rule. (July 2023)
Local Colorado outdoor business owner explains how conserving more BLM lands can help grow local economies (July 2023)
The Outdoor Industry writes in its strong support of the Public Lands Rule in a letter to Congress. (June 2023)
The Outdoor Alliance summarizes the importance of the Public Lands Rule and how it offers real ways for the BLM to balance conservation with extraction and development. (May 2023)
Outdoor Business Support letter – Outdoor industry companies want more conservation action by the BLM. (January 2022)
New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance writes an op-ed on how protected BLM lands are critical to New Mexico’s outdoor industry. (September 2023)
Media Coverage on the Need for Bold BLM Action
Missoula Current: Viewpoint: New BLM Rule Aligns with Montanan’s Values. (February 26, 2024)
Las Vegas Review Journal: Commentary: Solar development, conservation must go hand in hand in Nevada. (February 24, 2024)
Salt Lake Tribune: A long overdue effort to protect our public lands. (October 7, 2023)
Albuquerque Journal: BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning writes on the importance of ensuring the health of our public lands today, for tomorrow amid climate change. (August 2023)
Arizona Daily Sun: Local opinion piece writes that protecting ecosystems is a win-win for Arizonans. (August 2023)
Idaho Statesman: Local opinion piece says the Public Lands Rule would bring balance to public lands in Idaho and around the West. (July 2023)
Colorado Sun: Eagle County Commission Chair urges the BLM to adopt a strong Public Lands Rule. (July 2023)
Santa Fe New Mexican: The Santa Fe County Commission encourages the BLM to enact a strong final Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
Salt Lake Tribune editorial board says the BLM Public Lands Rule is a common-sense solution. (June 2023)
Denver Post editorial board says the BLM rule puts conservation on equal footing with oil and gas on public lands. (June 2023)
Albuquerque Journal editorial board says the Public Lands Rule Rule allows BLM to better balance conservation. (June 2023)
Grand Junction Grand Sentinel editorial board writes that the Public Lands Rule provides much-needed guidance on how to allow for multiple-use in a sustainable way and re-establishes the importance of managing our cherished landscapes for ecological health. (June 2023)
Santa Fe New Mexican editorial board says the Public Lands Rule could be a game changer in bringing more holistic management practices to our common heritage, the public lands. (June 2023)
Arizona Daily Star: Former Arizona State Director of the Bureau of Land Management writes the BLM can be a key partner with the state of Arizona in balancing restoration and conservation with growth. (June 2023)
Sierra Sun, California: Truckee Vice Mayor urges BLM to use conservation mechanisms to protect public lands. (June 2023)
Park Record, Utah: Local opinion piece urges Utahns to support the Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
South Dakota Searchlight: Local opinion piece writes that the Public Lands Rule would benefit wildlife and sporting traditions. (June 2023)
Vail Daily, Colorado: Local opinion piece writes that the proposed conservation rule is good news for wildlife, public lands, hunters, and anglers. (June 2023)
Flathead Beacon, Montana: Local opinion piece says BLM’s Public Lands Rule is a win-win for Montana. (June 2023)
Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece states proposed federal rule could improve public lands management. (June 2023)
Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece writes that Utahns can – and must – help the federal government improve public land management. (June 2023)
Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece summarizes how BLM rule elevating conservation benefits us all. (June 2023)
Billings Gazette: Local hunter says the Public Lands Rule, once enacted, will create significant benefits to hunters and anglers. (June 2023)
Colorado Newsline: Opinion piece says BLM rulemaking is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape conservation policy. (May 2023)
Santa Fe New Mexican: Opinion piece urges the BLM to strengthen the proposed rule to help ensure a sustainable future for water, wildlife, and way of life. (May 2023)
Reno Gazette Journal: Local outdoor business owner writes how the Public Lands Rule will have a lasting impact on Nevada’s public lands, recreation industry, and economy. (May 2023)
The Press Democrat: Opinion piece urges the BLM to take bold action to protect federal lands and waters. (May 2023)
Durango Herald editorial board writes that backing the Public Lands Rule is the right thing to do. (May 2023)
The Missoulian: Why this hunter, angler and rancher supports the proposed BLM Conservation Rule. (May 2023)
Ark Valley Voice, Colorado: Chaffee Board of County Commissioners Chair commends the BLM on its Public Lands Rule. (May 2023)
The Nevada Independent: Nevada Wildlife Federation says Public Lands Rule is good for wildlife, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. (May 2023)
Carlsbad Current Argus: Opinion piece says BLM conservation rule will safeguard wildlife, cherished lands, and watersheds. (May 2023)
Casper Star Tribune: The proposed conservation rule builds on state's leadership in land management. (May 2023)
The Durango Herald: Oped says the proposed rule offers to advance BLM into the 21st century. (April 2023)
Bozeman Chronicle: Guest columnist says the Public Lands Rule would bring a much-needed change to public land management. (April 2023)
Colorado's House Democrats call on the use of executive action to protect more BLM land. (February 2023)
Jim Baca, former BLM Director calls on BLM to “lead from the front and prioritize meaningful conservation.” (February 2023)
The Albuquerque Journal calls for “true BLM leadership” in a recent editorial. (January 2023)
Durango Herald says BLM needs direction, bold action on conservation. (January 2023)
Durango Herald Op-Ed calls for more BLM support of wildlife corridors and connectivity. (January 2023)
Salt Lake Tribune editorial board calls for the state to be a “public lands” state. (January 2023)
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial board praises the wildlife connectivity instruction memorandum as a good step in the right direction for BLM. (November 2022)
WyoFile: Red Desert cultural sites reflect broader tribal frustrations - Tribal communities in Wyoming want BLM to protect cultural sites as ACECs. (November 2022)
Greenwire: BLM advances strategy to protect wildlife migration corridors - The Bureau of Land Management directed state offices to identify corridors and conserve or restore them. (November 2022)
Public News Service: Bureau of Land Management Prioritizes Wildlife Connectivity – New direction to have positive impacts on Nevada’s wildlife. (November 2022)
KJZZ: Bureau of Land Management announces new agency policy on wildlife corridors - New policy could help the Arizona office as it develops new policies for that land. (November 2022)
Grand Junction Sentinel editorial board highlights the need for more conservation management to balance BLM’s mission. (September 2022)
KJZZ: BLM Could Play a Major Role in America the Beautiful. (September 2022)
Washington Post: Report details how Biden can protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 without Congress, including how BLM conservation is the administration’s biggest opportunity. (September 2022)
Grand Junction Sentinel: Public Lands Conservation Lagging in West - Conservationists call for quicker conservation action. (May 2022)
Greenwire: Senate Dems: More Wilderness Study Areas – Senators want more bold conservation from the BLM. (February 2022)
Huffington Post: Biden Could Be Missing Out On His Biggest Conservation Opportunity - Conservationists worry that the Bureau of Land Management is moving too slowly on a key tool for success. (December 2022)
The New York Times calls BLM land conservation the most “useful” thing the administration can do to meet its ambitious goals for the nation. (December 2022)
Conservation Community Support for BLM Action
Over 130 conservation organizations support the BLM’s Public Lands Rule and its focus on protecting western watersheds, cultural resources, and wildlife. (July 2023)
Local “Friends” community groups write in their strong support of the Public Lands Rule. (July 2023)
Dozens of conservation organizations express their support of the Public Lands Rule and urge the Interior to strengthen the finalized rule. (July 2023)
Over 75 organizations write in their opposition to H.R. 3397, legislation that seeks to block the implementation of the Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
Conservation Community supports BLM’s effort to protect wildlife connectivity:
Arizona Conservation Organization Letter to State Director - BLM has the authority to protect Arizona’s most valuable wildlands.
Grand Canyon Chapter of Sierra Club Letter to State Director - Protected BLM lands are critical to Arizona and these areas must be prioritized.
California/Nevada Sierra Club Committee Letter to State Director - California has made significant commitments to conservation, to succeed it needs the BLM to “go big!”
Montana Chapter of Sierra Club Letter to State Director - BLM in Montana should prioritize recommended wilderness and new Wilderness Study Areas.
Toiyabe Chapter of Sierra Club Letter to State Director - Nevada BLM needs to designate more Wilderness Study Areas to ensure the state's cultural resources and native species.
Communities Support for BLM Conservation
Attorneys general from eight states express their support of the Public Lands Rule in a letter to the Interior. (July 2023)
70 scientists support the draft “Conservation and Landscape Health” Rule, which “promotes consideration of Western science and Indigenous Knowledge in decision making for America’s public lands.” (July 2023)
Analysis: Public comments overwhelmingly support BLM Public Lands Rule - A new statistical analysis of more than 150,000 public comments finds nearly universal support for the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed Public Lands Rule. (June 2023)
Why Conservation Leasing on Public Lands Is a Win-Win for Renewables and Wildlife - A recent report by the Center for American Progress summarizes how the Public Lands Rule would allow more efficient and responsible deployment of clean energy projects while benefiting U.S. lands, waters, and wildlife. (June 2023)
What Biden’s Proposed Conservation Rule Would Mean for America’s Most Vulnerable Public Lands - A report by the Center for American Progress demonstrates how the Public Lands Rule would establish management requirements that put conservation on par with resource extraction. (June 2023)
Law experts weigh in on the legality of the Public Lands Rule, citing it is well within the agency’s legal authority and consistent with its multiple-use and sustained yield mission. (May 2023)
Center for American Progress Report – Executive Action vs. the Nature Crisis: Top 8 Opportunities President Biden Should Pursue To Meet His America the Beautiful Commitment – “BLM lands represent the single biggest opportunity for President Biden and Secretary Haaland to make conservation progress and balance a system that has overwhelmingly favored the short-term interests of oil, gas, and mining companies.”
Center for Western Priorities - The top 8 actions Biden can take to protect 30×30 – Podcast highlights need for BLM action as top priority for Biden Administration.
Navajo Nation Utah Commission Resolution - The Navajo Utah Commission calls for more WSA protections to ensure Biden administration reaches 30x30 goals.
Land, Latinos, and FLPMA: We Demand Protections for Wilderness Study Areas – There is strong support across the Latinx community for protecting BLM lands.
Support
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Town of Truckee, California Vice Mayor David Polivy
“Our nation’s protected public lands are tremendous assets to our Western communities. They play a critical role in our way of life and support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, health, and well-being. They help make the communities where we live what they are while contributing to a healthier and better tomorrow for future generations. We must protect and restore more of these Bureau of Land Management lands and hope this rule-making process will be an opportunity for western voices to be heard.”
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Bruce Hamilton, Former Deputy Executive Director of Sierra Club and Volunteer National Organizer of Third Act
“The proposed BLM rule on Conservation and Landscape Health does not end fossil fuel leasing on public lands, as it should, but it does for the first time even the playing field and set a new direction that recognizes the vital nature of protecting and restoring native ecosystems for conservation and allows for conservation leasing instead of just leasing for resource exploitation. This can be a vital tool for keeping fossil fuels in the ground and promoting BLM administered public lands as places for resource protection and natural systems carbon sequestration, rather than continued resource extraction and disastrous fossil fuel carbon development and release."
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Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact
“Over 120 local elected officials from western states have called on the Biden administration to protect more Bureau of Land Management lands as part of the administration’s America the Beautiful initiative. We look forward to the BLM using this rulemaking process to conserve and protect our nation’s important public lands, wildlife and waters in tandem with locally-led efforts to advance conservation across the west.”
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Santa Fe, New Mexico County Commission Chair Anna Hansen
“The destruction of petroglyphs within the Caja del Rio ACEC should be a call-to-action for the BLM. It is time to ensure that no further damage is done, and I am hopeful we can honor the stewardship of the Puebloan people and protect these areas for generations to come.”
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City of Flagstaff, Arizona Council Member, Jim McCarthy
“Many of our Western communities are being devastated by the impacts of the climate crisis. As a result, many of the areas important to Westerners and visitors are at risk of being unnecessarily degraded or lost, especially since many of the BLM lands in our communities are not permanently protected. We hope that through this rulemaking process, as the largest land manager in the nation, the Bureau of Land Management will play a leading role in protecting more of these lands and waters, and in turn, our communities for the future.”
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Kevin Timm, Co-Founder and Co-owner Seek Outside
"As an outdoor business owner in Colorado, protected public lands play a critical role in my business and way of life. Protecting more of these BLM lands can help support local economies, local tourism industries and even local manufacturing like our Grand Junction-based outdoor brand while preserving our outstanding opportunities for recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing. I strongly encourage the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management to do all that they can to better conserve and protect our nation’s important public lands and waters. By doing so, they will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, equitable access to nature, and safeguard the climate which will ensure that these important public lands continue to offer the unique recreational opportunities that bring millions of Americans to the great outdoors.”
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Jim Baca, Former BLM Director and New Mexico Land Commissioner
“The time has certainly arrived and, in reality, is overdue for BLM to put the protection of New Mexico’s and our nation’s wildest public lands, the health of crucial rivers and streams and the integrity of its irreplaceable sacred sites and cultural resources on even footing extractive industry.”
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Letter from over 120 Local Elected Leaders in the West
“As the largest land manager in the nation, the Bureau of Land Management must play a leading role in protecting our public lands for the future. Because of this, we encourage you to use your authority to advance conservation across the West, by using all of the conservation tools at your disposal.”
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Keith Baker, Chaffee County, Colorado County Commissioner
“When used wisely, the Bureau of Land Management conservation mechanisms will support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation as well as provide certainty for our rural and gateway communities so we can make long-term investments. We look forward to this rule-making process and modernizing management policies to allow for increased recreational opportunities and access to nature.”
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The Grand Junction Sentinel Editorial
“We live here for a reason and for many of us, that’s because of the landscapes found here, which are often managed by the BLM. We’d like those landscapes protected, while listening to the perspectives and concerns of all the user groups represented in our community and across the West.”
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Howard Watts, Nevada State Assemblyman
“Many of our communities are located near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, which include traditional homelands of Indigenous populations, vital watersheds for downstream communities, and outstanding fish and wildlife habitat. They also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing. I was happy to join with over 100 of my colleagues in encouraging the BLM and the administration to do more to protect these important places and we hope the BLM will work with communities across the state to implement these new rules in upcoming plans.”
