Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Biden Administration began the process of crafting new rules that could fundamentally change how the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) mission addresses the climate and biodiversity crises. The proposed new rules highlight the BLM’s priorities of healthy wildlife habitat, clean water, and ecosystem resilience to improve the ability of public lands to deal with extreme weather and climate change impacts. BLM also points to Areas of Critical Environmental Concern and co-stewardship with federally recognized Tribes as opportunities for more land protection.
Currently, oil and gas leasing is allowed on 90 percent of BLM-managed lands. Reforming federal policies to protect these landscapes would help achieve the scientifically identified goal of protecting 30 percent of lands and waters in the US to stave off the worst effects of climate change.
Today’s announcement initiates a 75-day period for public comment on the proposed rule, which could reshape how BLM will steward the 245 million acres of lands and waters across the U.S. it oversees with a rebalanced focus on conservation, water, cultural resource protection and wildlife. The comment period will close in June.
In response, Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, released the following statement:
“The process announced today could fundamentally change the way BLM approaches land management. As the largest manager of lands in the country, BLM must be a critical part of the U.S. strategy for taking on climate change and biodiversity loss. The landscapes overseen by BLM are some of the most iconic and treasured places in the country, but for too long, those lands and waters have been managed to emphasize private profit over public benefit.
BLM's proposed process sets a good foundation, and this comment period will be an important opportunity for the department to finetune this process and incorporate feedback from the communities most affected by their decisions. We hope that this process leads to a new BLM that puts the needs of the climate and species ahead of profits for the oil and gas industry.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.