Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, responded to the Department of the Interior’s recent proposal to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2024 Public Lands Rule. The rule, implemented by the Biden administration in April 2024, introduced “conservation leases” that limited access to federal lands. Critics argued that these restrictions conflicted with Congress’s multiple-use mandate for public lands.

Hoeven stated, “The Department of the Interior made the right call in proposing to rescind this rule. It’s not only a win for our farmers, ranchers, and energy producers who rely on access to public lands, but for federal, state and local governments that benefit from the economic activity and revenues that result from these multiple-use activities.” He also expressed appreciation for Secretary Doug Burgum’s efforts: “I appreciate Secretary Doug Burgum’s commitment to restoring balance and supporting rural communities.”

The BLM Public Lands Rule had been in effect for over a year before this move by the Department of the Interior.