04.18.24

Hoeven: BLM’s Public Lands Rule Locks Away Federal Land

Senator Will Introduce CRA Resolution with Senator Barrasso to Block Rule

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement opposing the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final Public Lands Rule that seeks to overhaul the management of more than 245 million acres of taxpayer-owned lands. The rule would establish “conservation leases” that would lock away federal lands in conflict with the longstanding tradition of multiple use requirements established by Congress. Hoeven and Senator John Barrasso, Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to repeal the rule.

“Congress has mandated that taxpayer-owned lands be available for grazing, energy production, recreation and other uses, which is particularly important in North Dakota and other western states that depend on access to federal lands,” said Hoeven. “The Biden administration’s public lands rule would lock away federal lands in direct conflict with the longstanding multiple use law, which is why Senator Barrasso and I will introduce legislation to stop this onerous rule.”

After BLM issued the proposed rule last year, Hoeven submitted language to the Interior Appropriations Bill prohibiting the use of funds to further develop, implement or enforce the rule, and led a Congressional comment letter opposing the rule and asking that it be withdrawn.

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