Press Releases

Today, Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Representative John Curtis (UT-03) released the following statements after passage of H.R. 3397, the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act. This bill will repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health final rule and was introduced by Rep. Curtis. The legislation passed by a bipartisan vote of 212 - 202.
 
“The Biden Administration’s Conservation and Landscape Health rule is a direct attack on the Western Way of Life,” said Chairman Newhouse. “By elevating conservation as a qualified multiple-use, the BLM is acting outside of the law and is intentionally locking up America’s public lands from intended purposes like resource development, mining, grazing, recreation and timber harvesting. The Western Caucus staunchly opposes the final rule and applauds Rep. Curtis’ leadership on overturning yet another blatant overreach from this administration.”  
 
"It is critical that Utah's land remains under the stewardship of those who have tended it for generations,” said Rep. Curtis. “The rule the BLM recently finalized undermines the very people who rely on our federal lands for ranching, grazing, recreation, and beyond. Utahns know the true value of these lands and they should remain open to everyone. Instead, this rule favors wealthy individuals and environmental groups, allowing them to lock up land that belongs to all Utahns. I am pleased that the House voted in a bipartisan manner to pass my bill revoking its implementation.”
 
BLM’s rule contradicts Congressional intent under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 by elevating conservation as an eligible “use” under the law’s multiple-use framework and expands designations of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), effectively locking up lands across the West. Chairman Newhouse and Western Caucus Members denounced the rule following its announcement.
 
Read the full text of the bill here.