Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Caucus Members responded to the Biden Administration’s recent Conservation and Landscape Health final rule from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This rule violates the multiple-use mandate established by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and is a direct threat to rural America.

"This devastating decision threatens the western way of life and is a slap in the face for local communities who have diligently stewarded America's resources for generations. Access and the multiple uses of BLM land are an integral part of life in western states and is the backbone of rural economies across the country,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “When this rule was proposed, several western governors, members of Congress, and thousands of Americans used BLM’s comment period to publicly share their opposition, yet their concerns have gone unheard. Today is another example of the Biden administration leaving local communities out of the conversation and blatantly disregarding input from the American families that are impacted the most. This rule fundamentally threatens the land we use to feed and fuel our country and is at best vaguely defined, unnecessary and burdensome. Fortunately, the House Committee on Natural Resources has been advancing a solution. Congressman Curtis's WEST Act amplifies the concerns of stakeholders across western states and will require the BLM director to withdraw this severely misguided rule and manage lands in accordance with the agency’s statutory multiple use mandate. I look forward to doing everything in my power to help get the WEST Act through the House and I’d like to thank Congressman Curtis for his leadership on this important issue."

“BLM’s new rule effectively cedes control of federal lands from those who have been managing the land for generations through ranching and grazing,” said Executive Vice Chair Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). “Access to BLM land is a fundamental part of life in western states and essential for many rural economies, it’s not a privilege for wealthy enviro groups to buy up and lock up in the name of ‘conservation’.”

“This rule is an example of everything that’s wrong with the administrative state,” said Vice Chair Celeste Maloy (UT-02). “Congress’ directive to the BLM is to manage land for multiple uses and sustained yield. This rule eliminates multiple use. Therefore, this rule is in contradiction to the agency’s authority. It has to be stopped before it is implemented.”

“As energy prices continue to rise across the country, this Administration has created yet another nonsensical rule that will effectively lock up more land and raise energy costs,” said Vice Chair Jay Obernolte (CA-23). “By restricting land from being utilized under the false guise of conservation, this rule will only make it more expensive for American companies to extract resources and generate energy. Those increased costs will be passed along to consumers, further fueling inflation and making it even harder for Californian families to make ends meet.”

“This final rule is a step backwards for responsible stewardship of our lands,” said Vice Chair Adrian Smith (NE-03). “It’s clear from federal land grabs like this and President Biden’s broader 30x30 agenda, the administration has no interest in recognizing congressional intent and feedback from stakeholders. Communities across the west are highly dependent on access to multiple-use public lands for their health, recreation, and livelihoods, and BLM should immediately reverse course.”

“The Bureau of Land Management's Conservation and Landscape Health rule will lock away more federal land – limiting the American people’s ability to responsibly use our lands for activities, such as recreation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and energy development,” said Vice Chair Tom Tiffany (WI-07). “It is another example of the Biden administration catering to extremist environmental groups that do not want Americans accessing our public lands.”

“Once again, the Biden Administration is ignoring the multiple use mandate on BLM lands in favor of radical environmentalists funding their political operation and controlling western lands,” said Vice Chair Ryan Zinke (MT-01). “Conservation has always been an end goal of the BLM’s mandate and is already a focus for all those who utilize our public lands. The enactment of ‘conservation leases’ is about control and is a direct threat to communities that create jobs, fund their schools, and build their livelihoods on grazing, mining, energy production and outdoor recreation. I will be submitting a rider on the FY25 Interior appropriations bill blocking this rule until a new administration is in control.”

“This rule from the Biden administration would jeopardize several years of successful management and collaboration between stakeholders who live, work, and recreate on public lands,” said Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02). “As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—which has jurisdiction over the BLM—I will continue to push back against this misguided decision.”

"It is critical that Utah's land remains under the stewardship of those who have tended it for generations. This rule from the Biden Administration undermines the very people who rely on our federal lands for ranching, grazing, recreation, and beyond,” said Rep. John Curtis (UT-03). “Utahns know the true value of these lands, and this rule unjustly restricts access that should remain open to everyone. Instead, it favors wealthy individuals and environmental groups, allowing them to lock up land that belongs to all Utahns. I will work tirelessly to repeal this disastrous effort."

"Idahoans have enjoyed the vast natural resources the state has to offer for decades, and this rule change will have drastic impacts on the future of recreation, grazing, and natural resource production," said Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01). "I am deeply disappointed that BLM announced the final ruling and extensive changes to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). BLM manages twelve million acres of Idaho federal land. Idahoans have the congressional right to utilize the resources in their backyard for multiple uses, and I indeed to fight to ensure that stays in place."

“Once again this Administration is using federal agencies to circumvent Congress and create rules that destroy our Western way of life,” said Rep. Harriet Hageman (WY-AL). “The finalization of this disastrous rule, which was created without the input of the families, farmers, ranchers, tribes, and others that best know and care for our public lands, will negatively impact Wyoming and all Western states. It impowers radical environmentalist groups to restrict public access to public lands. I was proud to cosponsor legislation to withdraw this rule and will continue to fight against this Biden land grab.”

“Biden’s bureaucrats’ so-called BLM Conservation Rule is just another misguided land grab meant to prevent oil and gas production at a time when sky-high gas prices and inflation are looting the pocketbooks of the American people," said Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-03). "This new regulation is also an attack on our ranchers and farmers that will end grazing on federal lands and will also prevent Coloradans from accessing their public lands. I’ll be working closely with my colleagues on the Western Caucus and Freedom Caucus to overturn this overreaching rule.”