The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially proposed to rescind the 2024 Public Lands Rule, a regulation introduced by the Biden administration to elevate conservation as a land use on par with energy production, grazing, and mining. The rule had allowed 10-year conservation leases to protect or restore ecosystems, available to individuals, NGOs, tribes, and businesses.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the rollback would prevent conservation leases from blocking access to vast stretches of public land. "The most effective caretakers of our federal lands are those whose livelihoods rely on its well-being," he stated. "Overturning this rule protects our American way of life."

The BLM's proposal argues the conservation lease framework violated statutory requirements and disrupted the multiple-use balance mandated for public land. The agency contends that the 2024 rule gave too much discretion to BLM officers, potentially allowing them to exclude grazing, mining, and other productive uses across large areas of the West.

This decision was welcomed by ranchers, energy developers, and others who felt that conservation leases could lead to restricted access, jeopardizing rural economies and traditional land use rights.

However, the move drew sharp criticism from environmental organizations including the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Wild Montana, and the Wilderness Society. These groups argue that the Public Lands Rule was a flexible, voluntary tool to help sustain ecosystems under growing pressure from climate change, overuse, and development.

"It's extremely disheartening that this administration is trying to dismantle this rule less than a year after it went into effect," said Wade Sikorsky of Wild Montana. "The Public Lands Rule helps ensure future generations inherit healthy landscapes."

At stake is the broader debate over how America's public lands should be managed-whether for economic activity or ecological health. The BLM's latest move suggests a return to traditional land management values that prioritize resource extraction and agricultural use, but environmental advocates warn it may come at the expense of long-term sustainability.