Ranking Member Huffman Statement on Trump’s Continued Attack on Public Lands
Washington, D.C. — Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) released the following statement after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule:
“Rescinding the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule is the latest move in Trump’s calculated campaign to dismantle protections for America’s public lands. Days ago, his Interior Department quietly issued another order making it harder for BLM to buy land for public access and conservation. Now, they’re doubling down, handing 245 million acres over to oil, gas and mining interests behind closed doors and with no accountability.
“The Public Lands Rule was popular because it works. It put conservation on equal footing with energy development, grazing, and other uses, while strengthening outdoor recreation on lands that belong to every American. From California’s coastal monuments to Montana’s high plains, these landscapes are part of our natural heritage.
“Public lands are part of the solution to the climate crisis. They are not Trump’s to sell off. They belong to all Americans, and we’re not about to hand the keys over to the same polluters and profiteers who created this crisis. We will continue to fight to keep public lands in public hands.”
Background
The BLM manages 245 million acres of public land, including the National Conservation Lands and iconic places like Berryessa Snow Mountain and California Coastal National Monuments.
The Public Lands Rule, a landmark measure adopted just last year, is designed to modernize public land management by placing conservation on equal footing with other uses, such as mining, oil and gas development, grazing, and outdoor recreation. The rule also introduced new tools to promote landscape-scale restoration and mitigation, ensuring the long-term health of these irreplaceable ecosystems.
The Rule drew overwhelming support, with 72% of voters in eight Western states backing stronger conservation measures and more than 150,000 public comments submitted by the public, Tribes, businesses, and other organizations.
Additionally, last week, the Interior Department issued SO 3442 to guide implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is America’s most successful conservation program that fosters access to public lands, completes national parks, and enhances outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the country. However, SO 3422 severely limits BLM’s ability to acquire new land, restricting the agency’s ability to increase conservation and enhance access for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
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Press Contact
Mary Hurrell
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