Biden administration finalizes rule to prioritize conservation over oil drilling on public lands

New rule on public land management prioritizes conservation over extractive industries, promoting restoration leases and critical environmental areas. 

The Biden administration concluded the finalization of a new rule for public land management. This rule aims to prioritize conservation on an equal footing with extractive industries such as oil drilling and grazing on vast government-owned properties.

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management

The rule from the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management covers more than 380,000 square miles (990,000 square kilometers) of land, primarily in the U.S. West. This enables public property to be leased for restoration, similar to how oil companies lease land for drilling. Additionally, the rule advocates for the designation of more “areas of critical environmental concern” to restrict development, especially in areas with historic or cultural significance or that are important for wildlife conservation.

Restoration Leases

The rule introduces the concept of restoration leases, giving special importance to conservation over other uses. This has received criticism from Republican lawmakers and industry representatives who argue that it would obstruct responsible domestic mining projects, violating the “multiple use” mandate for Interior Department lands.

Impact of the New Rule

These developments are part of a series of regulations from the Biden administration, including tightening vehicle emissions standards, finalizing limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water, and increasing royalty rates for oil companies that drill on public lands.

Support and Opposition

While environmentalists largely welcome the changes as long overdue, Republican lawmakers like Senator John Barrasso have expressed strong opposition and intend to introduce legislation to repeal the public lands rule. Conversely, Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva of New Mexico has expressed support, stating that protecting public lands has widespread backing among the American people.

Restoration Leases Implementation

Officials have clarified that restoration leases will not be issued if they conflict with existing activities on a parcel of land. Furthermore, private industry could benefit from the program by purchasing leases and restoring acreage to offset damage done to other government-owned properties. These leases were initially referred to as “conservation leases” but were later termed as “restoration leases” and “mitigation leases” in the final rule.

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