Public Lands Rule Reversal Would Abandon Progress for National Park Protection

Washington — The White House shared its intent to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule, a clarifying policy that brought long-overdue balance between conservation and extractive use in public lands management. This announcement threatens public land access and use by all user groups and could roll back protections and restoration efforts for some of the most celebrated landscapes in the country, including more than 80 national parks that are directly adjacent to BLM-managed lands.

The Public Lands Rule saw overwhelming public support and was created to address a historic imbalance that leaves 80% of BLM land open to oil and gas development and vast areas open to mining, often at the expense of conservation, recreation, and cultural values.

This rule confirms BLM’s existing authority to weigh conservation and restoration as equally valid uses under its multiple-use mandate. It creates collaborative opportunities for private entities, Tribes, community and conservation groups, and others to lead restoration projects in an innovative approach that fosters public-private partnerships to catalyze the long-term health and resilience of public lands. The rule ensures more complete and scientifically grounded land management decisions.

Rescinding this rule would put the health of parks, wildlife and watersheds and the integrity of cultural resources on a path dominated by industrial development.

Statement from Beau Kiklis, Associate Director of Energy and Landscape Conservation

“This expected rescission is not just a bureaucratic rollback but a fundamental rejection of the idea that our public lands should serve all people, not just the extractive industry. The Public Lands Rule was the first meaningful step the agency had taken to protect park-adjacent landscapes from industrial development and extraction.

“People don’t travel from around the world to visit national parks only to see oil rigs on the horizon. Without the public lands rule in place, poorly sited energy development could degrade the very experiences that make places like Canyonlands, Carlsbad Caverns, and the Grand Canyon unforgettable. Responsibly sited domestic energy production is one part of the BLM’s multiple-use mission, but our public lands need balanced management to protect public access, wildlife corridors, clean air and water, and irreplaceable cultural resources for future generations.

“Rescinding this rule would fly in the face of Tribes, conservation and recreation groups, scientists, and communities across the West who spoke up for stronger safeguards on public lands to support wildlife, clean air and water, and sustain the health of neighboring national parks.

“The Public Lands Rule is practical and responsible in guiding the BLM to manage landscapes more holistically, with attention to conservation and restoration. It ensures management decisions are informed by the best available science and provides an opportunity for public participation and Tribal input, to the benefit of all public land users. If rolled back, that accountability will be gone. It’s time for Congress to step in and ensure that public lands serve the public and the parks they love.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org