Keep conservation a part of public lands.
The Department of Interior plans to reverse the Public Lands Rule, a set of policies that direct the Bureau of Land Management to prioritize conservation equally with commercial uses.
So, what does this mean for our public lands?
The Bureau of Land Management oversees 245 million acres of public land, including 11 million acres in the California deserts. If the Public Lands Rule is reversed, extractive uses that harm habitats and restrict public access would be given priority over conservation for generations. This action would clear the way for the privatization of the places we cherish.
The public has a short window to register their feedback on the Federal Register for this proposal before the administration makes a final decision.
How to act by November 10, 2025:
Go to the federal register page.
Copy the sample message below or personalize it:
I am writing today in strong opposition to the Department of the Interior’s proposal to rescind the Public Lands Rule, which directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to place conservation on equal footing with commercial land uses.While the proposal names public concern as a motive for this recission, a Center for Western Priorities analysis shows that 92% of public comments during initial rulemaking were in support of the rule. The natural beauty of our public lands is what draw visitors to these places in the first place. Prioritizing conservation equally with other uses is necessary to meet the public’s will to preserve these landscapes for future generations.
Conservation is not at odds with economic development as this proposal suggests. The BLM manages 15 million acres in California, 11 million within the California desert. Here, rural communities surrounded by BLM lands feature gateway economies, tapping this region into California’s powerful $81.5 billion outdoor economy. A September 2025 report from the National Park Service shows that Joshua Tree National Park, which is managed entirely for conservation and recreation uses, contributed $214 million to the local economy. Patronage to local businesses relies on the health of these public lands and the visitors they draw in.
I respectfully urge the Department of the Interior to recognize the public’s will and promote the continued growth of rural economies by leaving the Public Lands Rule intact.
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