Interior Proposes To Rescind Biden Public Lands Conservation Rule

The Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum under President Trump, has proposed rescinding the 2024 Public Lands Rule established during the Biden administration, which prioritized conservation and restoration alongside traditional uses like mining, grazing, and energy development. This rule had been lauded for protecting landscapes near more than 80 national parks and promoting ecological health, but critics argued it restricted access to multiple-use lands critical for economic activities. The Trump administration contends that the rule limited energy, mineral production, timber management, and grazing opportunities, emphasizing that those who depend on the land for their livelihoods are the best stewards and that multiple-use access must be restored. Conservation groups and environmental advocates warn that repealing the rule threatens the health of wildlife, watersheds, and public enjoyment of lands, potentially allowing increased industrial development near national parks such as Grand Teton and Sequoia. The Interior Department maintains that the Biden-era regulation exceeded the Bureau of Land Management's authority and that returning decision-making to local communities and stakeholders will better balance conservation with economic needs. This rollback signals a broader shift in federal land management policy favoring resource extraction and traditional uses over conservation priorities.