Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Interior announces intent to revoke Public Lands Rule
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Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bureau of Land Managed public land in eastern Riverside County; Photo by BLM/Flickr ([link removed])
The Trump administration, under Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, has announced it is planning to repeal ([link removed]) a Biden-era Bureau of Land Management rule that affirmed conservation as a valid use of public land ([link removed]) under the 1976 Federal Lands Policy Management Act and put it on par with activities like drilling, logging, grazing, and mining.
The Public Lands Rule, also known as the Conservation & Landscape Health Rule ([link removed]) , was finalized in 2024 and enables public land to be leased explicitly for environmental restoration efforts.
In yesterday's announcement, Burgum falsely claimed ([link removed]) the rule threatens extractive and recreational access to public lands. Meanwhile, Burgum is traveling across Greece and Italy ([link removed]) , striking deals on behalf of oil and gas companies.
“If Secretary Burgum spent more time in the West, he’d understand how conservation fits into everything the Bureau of Land Management does,” Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, said ([link removed]) . “Hunters, anglers, hikers and backpackers all praised the public lands rule because it helps ensure access to public lands for future generations.”
A public comment analysis ([link removed]) completed by the Center for Western Priorities found near universal support for the Public Lands Rule. The BLM will hold ([link removed]) a 60-day ([link removed]) public comment period before any formal changes are enacted.
** Quick hits
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Trump moves to slash public lands rule in favor of energy development
New York Times ([link removed]) | NPR ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Inside Climate News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | ABC ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Access to public land? There’s an app for that
High Country News ([link removed])
Sales from Keep Colorado Wild Pass deliver $41 million to CPW, increasing support for SAR teams
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Public strongly backs 30x30 goal, new poll finds
The Guardian ([link removed])
Trump administration puts limits on popular conservation program
KUNC ([link removed])
How Big Ag is threatening New Mexico’s water supply
High Country News ([link removed])
Bat tourism rallies around conservation in Montana
Yellowstone Public Radio ([link removed])
Backlash mounts over proposed repeal of protections for 2M acres of forest in WA
Washington State Standard ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” The losers are the American people... The American people rely on the federal government to manage these lands for everybody, and conservation is part of that.”
—Center for Western Priorities Deputy Director Aaron Weiss, NPR ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@USFWS ([link removed])
Have you ever seen a red toad? Now you have!
This is an Arizona toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) and while not all of them are this brightly colored, they often have reddish warts. They're endemic to the Southwestern U.S., they're found nowhere else.
📷: Jeff Servoss
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