The US Bureau of Land Management has proposed a rule that would bring more conservation to the lands it manages.
The agency’s proposal would ensure that BLM lands are managed for uses such as recreation and resource extraction as well as conservation under its multi-use mission.
This is especially important as the impacts of climate change loom large, said Vera Smith, senior federal lands policy analyst at Defenders of Wildlife.
“What this rule does,” Smith said, “is it says, ‘We’re going to make sure that we’re checking that sustainability part of the equation. We’re going to make sure that management the way we are is going to be environmentally sustainable and provide future resources for this country. “
The Western Energy Alliance is among the opponents of the change — saying it goes too far outside the 1976 federal Land Policy and Management Act, which defined multiple uses that should be prioritized on public lands.
The public can comment on the rule through June 20.
Smith said the rule would balance the scales to protect land.
“We’ve focused a lot on the extraction of things over the last half century or century, multiple uses,” Smith said, “and now we have to make sure, hey, are we doing this in a sustainable way?” way?”
Smith also noted that BLM lands are home to many threatened and endangered species.
“We have a responsibility to keep the lands in good, healthy condition,” Smith said, “and I hope this is a good, measured, balanced way to do that.”
Disclosure: Defenders of Wildlife contributes to our fund to report on climate change/air quality, endangered species and wildlife, energy policy, public lands/wilderness. If you want to support public interest news, click here.
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A proposed rule by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management could raise conservation as a priority on land it manages.
Under the proposal, the BLM would prioritize ecosystem health and resilience over other uses for the land — such as recreation and resource extraction.
Oregon has about 15.7 million acres of BLM land. Mark Salvo is the conservation director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association.
“Bureau of Land Management lands have traditionally been managed for resource use and extraction,” Salvo said, “although Congress and the federal Land Policy and Management Act provide guidance for managing the agency’s tools and resources to conserve resources.”
The Western Energy Alliance is among the opponents of the change, saying it goes too far outside the 1976 federal Land Policy and Management Act — which sets out multiple uses that should be prioritized on public land.
The public can comment on the rule through June 20.
Chamois Andersen, senior representative for Defenders of Wildlife’s Rockies and Plains program — said the new rules will help protect wildlife habitat, sources of clean drinking water and rural economies.
As the nation faces more frequent and powerful wildfires, prolonged droughts and other impacts of a changing climate, he said the proposal shows timely leadership.
“To consider climate change, and to consider the impacts on our native grasslands with drought conditions,” Andersen said, “and to really take this more holistic approach, conservation in line with other uses of the land.”
Salvo said the proposal could be especially beneficial for the 3 million-acre tract of land in southeastern Oregon known as the Greater Hart-Sheldon — most of which is managed by the BLM.
He said the area is home to species like pronghorn, sage grass and pygmy rabbit.
“We’re really excited that this rule can help support the current conversation about how to bring long-term conservation protection to the Greater Hart-Sheldon,” Salvo said, “and the rich wildlife resources that occur there.”
Disclosure: Defenders of Wildlife contributes to our fund to report on climate change/air quality, endangered species and wildlife, energy policy, public lands/wilderness. If you want to support public interest news, click here.
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Following the recent designation of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada, one hunter says he’s glad to know nearly half a million acres will be preserved.
Garrett Hammack is a board member of the Nevada Wildlife Federation and says Avi Kwa Ame, known as Spirit Mountain by the Mojave Tribe, is a place he has spent a lot of time hunting and recreating.
As a father, he said it’s important to him to know that his son will be able to see and enjoy the place that has meant so much to him over the years.
“The biggest thing for me is moving it forward for the kids,” Hammack said, “because I have a one-and-a-half-year-old, and I’m looking forward to knowing that I’ll be able to take my son with that land protected. have the greatest impact.”
Hammack added that hunters like himself — as well as conservationists and tribal stakeholders — were pleased to see the Avi Kwa Ame granted federal protection, which would prevent development and privatization of the vast desert landscape, which he said is vital for many wildlife species like the desert bighorn sheep.
Hammack said Avi Koa Ame is still accessible and useful for outdoor recreational activities such as hunting and off-highway vehicle use.
He said it is now defined under rules and regulations, which are meant to protect land.
“A lot of people who aren’t from the desert, don’t recreate in the desert, drive through them and think there’s nothing there and it’s a desert,” Hammack said. “They can say, ‘You know, this is the best land for wind power and solar power.’ It will really destroy our desert ecosystem.”
Hammack added that he wants more responsible forms of clean energy to be explored and encouraged — such as government subsidies for residential solar panels in cities, which he says won’t disrupt natural ecosystems.
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The US Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a new management proposal that includes leasing parcels of public land for conservation.
Chamois Andersen, senior representative for the Rockies and Plains Program for Defenders of Wildlife, said the new rules will help protect wildlife habitat, clean drinking water sources and rural economies. As the nation faces more frequent and powerful wildfires, prolonged droughts and other impacts of a changing climate, Andersen emphasized that the proposal shows timely leadership.
“To consider the impact on our native grasslands with climate change and drought conditions,” Andersen explained. “And to really take this more holistic view, to preserve in harmony with other uses of the land.”
The BLM says conservation leases will generate revenue for state and federal taxes, in part by allowing industries operating on public lands to reduce their environmental impacts. The Western Energy Alliance criticized the proposal and told Reuters that conservation leases would “stretch the boundaries” of the 1976 federal Land Policy and Management Act. Comments are open until June 20 on the BLM’s website.
The new rules would shift the BLM’s mandate away from the 150-year-old law still on the books prioritizing hard rock mining over all other public land uses, including outdoor recreation. Andersen noted that the agency has an opportunity to bring its multiple-use mandate into the 21st century and ensure that landscapes will be available for multiple uses by future generations.
“Because if you don’t save it, and you don’t manage it in a sustainable way, it can be a free-for-all,” Andersen claimed. “We don’t want the agency to go in that direction. So this is a very thoughtful approach that will benefit all values and multiple uses of BLM lands in Wyoming and beyond.”
More than half of Wyoming is public land, and Andersen noted that they attract visitors from around the world who spend money — at gas stations, restaurants, hotels — vital to the rural economy. He added that it is important for the agency’s priorities to include protection of migration corridors and other natural resources that lead people outward.
“And to see the native grassland birds, to see the pronghorn deer, to appreciate the swift fox doing well in the state,” Andersen outlined. “And to know that the BLM is playing a big role with connecting landscapes.”
Disclosure: Defenders of Wildlife contributes to our fund to report on climate change/air quality, endangered species and wildlife, energy policy, and public lands/wilderness. If you want to support public interest news, click here.
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