Western Local Elected Officials Applaud Final Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule 

Durango, Colorado - Today, county commissioners, mayors, and council members, along with The Mountain Pact, an organization that works with local elected officials across the West, responded in support of an announcement from the Department of Interior of a final “Public Lands Rule.” According to the agency, this is an “update to its regulations that will guide balanced management of America's public lands now and for the future.”

Coconino County, Arizona Chair of the Board of Supervisors Patrice Horstman said,“The BLM’s Public Lands Rule highlights the need for the agency to work with local communities to focus on the conservation of land, water, and wildlife to ensure communities can protect future access to federal public lands while combating the growing impacts of climate change. It also encourages BLM managers to work more closely with Tribal nations to ensure cultural resource protection in Arizona and across the West. I appreciate the BLM for working to better protect our important BLM lands in Arizona and thus improve local economies, preserve tribal cultural sites, and protect natural areas that are essential for the recreation & tourism economy."

Nevada County, California Commissioner Hardy Bullock said, “I commend the Bureau of Land Management for prioritizing the conservation of wildlife, natural and cultural resources, and encouraging tribal co-stewardship through the final Public Lands Rule. California offers an incredible diversity of natural landscapes and ecosystems - many on BLM Lands - and these public lands need to be protected for future generations.”

Town of Truckee, California Mayor and Co-owner of Tahoe Mountain Sports, Dave Polivy said, "Our nation’s protected public lands are tremendous assets to our Western communities. As both a local elected official and outdoor industry business owner, I am thankful that the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule will use conservation mechanisms that will better support outdoor recreation, local economies, and tourism industries as well as provide certainty for rural and gateway communities to make long-term investments. I commend the Bureau of Land Management for recognizing the critical role protected public lands play in our way of life and that they support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, health, and well-being. They help make the communities where we live what they are while contributing to a healthier and better tomorrow for future generations.”

Vice Chair of the La Plata County, Colorado Board of County Commissioners Marsha Porter-Norton said, “I look forward to the BLM prioritizing the conservation of our shared public lands and thank the BLM for emphasizing all community values, including increased access to sustainable recreation activities, maintaining excellent user experiences, better protecting wildlife habitat and water systems, and ensuring responsible energy development."

Chaffee County, Colorado County Commissioner Keith Baker said, “I’m thrilled with the final Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule. Increasing conservation mechanisms will support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation as well as provide certainty for our rural and gateway communities so we can make long-term investments.”

Eagle County, Colorado Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry said, “Our public lands are challenged by the impacts of a changing climate, continued population growth, and increased demand for natural resources, development, and outdoor recreation. The Public Lands Rule empowers BLM to deliver on its multiple use mandate by placing conservation values on equal footing with other uses on our public lands.

The rule will allow the BLM to create management plans that benefit rural economies like ours, while establishing a guiding principle that BLM manage for resiliency in public lands through protection of intact, native habitats, and restoration of degraded habitats. The management of public lands has a significant impact on our local communities.

Having a federal land management partner with clear direction to work with local communities on balancing multiple uses, including conservation, will only strengthen the collaboration we already rely on and will provide our communities with more certainty that our needs will be considered in BLM planning and land management decisions.

I thank the BLM for this strong Public Lands Rule that will better conserve and protect our nation’s important public lands, wildlife, and waters in tandem with locally-led efforts to advance conservation across the west now and into the future.”

Blaine County, Idaho County Commissioner Angenie McCleary said, "In Blaine County, we treasure our public lands for many reasons - including conservation. Our communities are known and valued for their beautiful landscapes that offer scenic views and endless recreational uses. Protected public lands support our quality of life, valued wildlife, local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation. I support the BLM's Public Lands Rule because it puts conservation on equal footing with other uses of public lands for a more balanced "multiple-use" approach."

City of Albuquerque, New Mexico City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said, “The lands that are overseen by the Bureau of Land Management within New Mexico include some of the most stunning in the country and play a critical role in helping New Mexico remain the “land of enchantment." I commend the Bureau of Land Management on the final Public Lands Rule that prioritizes the health of public lands and places conservation at equal footing in their management. This is the direction we must pursue to maintain our vital public lands in the future.”

City of Santa Fe, New Mexico Mayor Alan Webber said, “The climate crisis continues to have a severe and ongoing impact on Western communities. The Bureau of Land Management is the largest land manager in the nation, and its final Public Lands Rule will play a leading role in protecting our public lands for the future and mitigating the impacts of climate change."

City of Las Cruces, New Mexico Council Member Becky Corran said, “As a Las Cruces City Councilor, I am committed to protecting our Bureau of Land Management lands like National Monuments, National Scenic and Historic Trails, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Wilderness Areas because they are important to all aspects of life within New Mexico. Our BLM lands provide so much to communities like Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. Our desert, mountains and river are the heart of Las Cruces and deserve protection. I am encouraged that the BLM has prioritized the conservation of our shared public lands that emphasizes ecological integrity, preservation of vulnerable resources, and maintaining access to outdoor recreation through the finalized Public Lands Rule.”

Taos County, New Mexico County Commissioner Darlene Vigil said, “Bureau of Land Management lands hold cultural significance, provide recreational opportunities, contribute to the economy, and sustain the natural ecosystems that support a healthy environment in New Mexico. In Taos County, Bureau of Land Management lands like RÍo Grande del Norte National Monument are so important to residents and visitors. The mighty river and dramatic gorge often welcome many visitors to our community. New Mexico’s public lands will continue to benefit from increased protections and the BLM’s final Public Lands Rule will accelerate the scope and pace of conservation.”

City of Reno, Nevada Council Member Devon Reese said, “Our public lands are the foundation of Reno’s vital outdoor recreation economy; provide clean water, clean air, recreation opportunities including fishing, hunting, hiking and birdwatching; and moderate the impacts of climate change by capturing and storing carbon in roots, plants and soils. I’m excited by the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule and commitment to aligning the management of our public lands with forward looking climate, clean energy, and conservation goals. These meaningful reforms will ensure that our public lands are managed in the public interest.”

Nevada State Assemblyman Howard Watts said, “Many of our communities are located near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, which include traditional homelands of Indigenous populations, vital watersheds for downstream communities, and outstanding fish and wildlife habitat. They also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing, and picnicking. I am encouraged that the BLM and the administration are doing more through the Public Lands Rule to protect these important places.”

Town of Bluff, Utah Mayor Ann K. Leppanen said, “Some of the Bureau of Land Management lands in Utah include our wildest red rock wilderness; iconic public lands that Americans dream of when they think about Utah’s canyon country. I commend the Bureau of Land Management for listening to the voices of westerners - including Utahns - who are praising the Public Lands Rule. The details laid out in the Rule will positively impact the incredible BLM lands we love and enjoy in the Beehive state - for our communities now and for future generations.”

Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact said, “We have worked with hundreds of local elected officials from western states over the past few years who have been calling on the Biden administration to better conserve and protect our nation’s important public lands, wildlife, and waters in tandem with locally-led efforts to advance conservation across the west. We thank the Bureau of Land Management for listening to so many Westerners asking them to protect more BLM lands and we celebrate the Public Lands Rule.”

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Founded in 2014, The Mountain Pact mobilizes local elected officials in 100 Western mountain communities with outdoor recreation based economies to speak with a collective voice on federal climate, public lands, and outdoor recreation policy.

 

The Mountain Pact BLM Public Lands Rule Supportive Comments, Letters, Statements (Pre-Finalization)

Letters

Statements