Interior Department Proposes End to BLM’s Public Lands Rule

The Department of the Interior announced September 10 plans to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, a move that could affect management of the 1.8 million acres overseen by the Moab Field Office, including popular recreation areas around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

The announcement aligns with Secretary Doug Burgum’s stated commitment to “restoring balance in federal land management by prioritizing multiple-use access, empowering local decision-making and supporting responsible energy development, ranching, grazing, timber production and recreation,” according to the official press release.

Utah’s Congressional Republicans have previously introduced legislation targeting the Public Lands Rule. Representative Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Senator John Curtis (R-UT) co-sponsored the WEST Act, which would require BLM to withdraw the rule.