The nation’s public lands are under growing pressure from long-term drought, increased wildfire risk, invasive species and declining landscape health, according to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
Touching on numerous aspects of public lands administration, the rule would direct the Bureau of Land Management to “protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data.” The move signals a policy shift that puts conservation “on an equal footing” with traditional land uses in accordance with the BLM’s multiple-use mandates.
Interior officials said the rule changes would better align the BLM’s practices with the landmark FLMPA’s vision, which obligates the agency to also protect places with strong scenic, cultural and natural values.