"The Bureau of Land Management unveiled a sweeping draft rule Thursday that would represent a fundamental shift in how the agency manages millions of acres of public lands that are under increasing threat from climate change, drought and wildfires.
The proposed rule would apply land-health standards to all of the 245 million acres that BLM manages, instead of limiting them to federal livestock grazing allotments. The rule would also designate conservation as a formal use of public lands, on par with energy development, grazing and recreation.
The proposed changes are necessary because of the rapidly increasing impacts of climate change that have led to severe drought conditions in the West, and contributed to longer and more intense annual wildfire seasons that burn millions of acres a year, said two Interior Department officials who discussed the draft rule with reporters on condition they not be named."
Scott Streater reports for E&E News March 30, 2023.
SEE ALSO:
"US Wants To Lease Public Lands For Conservation, Interior Dept Says" (Reuters)
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