Kim Petty, kim.petty@sierraclub.org
PORTLAND, Ore. — Today, the Trump administration finalized its rescission of the BLM Public Lands Rule, eliminating much-needed modern safeguards for America’s public lands through a process that limited public participation and ignored clear public opposition. The decision advances a broader effort to weaken public land protections while prioritizing extractive industries, like drilling, mining, and logging, over conserving public lands and ensuring recreational access.
Despite the administration offering fewer avenues for public engagement than under the original rulemaking process for the Public Lands Rule, the public response was decisive. More than 130,000 comments were submitted during the comment period for the rescission rule. An analysis revealed that an overwhelming 98 percent of commenters urged the administration to retain the Public Lands Rule, including members of Congress, local elected leaders, former Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials, Tribal representatives, and community voices from across the country.
The Public Lands Rule ensured conservation, wildlife habitat, clean water, cultural resources, and Indigenous Knowledge would be fully considered alongside development across more than 250 million acres of public land, including nearly 16 million acres in Oregon. Rescinding the rule strips the BLM of critical tools needed to manage land health and respond to growing climate and ecological challenges, while also harming local communities built on recreational tourism who rely on healthy landscapes.
In response, Alice Weston, Sierra Club Oregon Chapter's Central & Eastern State Organizer, released the following statement:
“The people of Oregon could never put a price tag on our public lands, but that’s exactly what the Trump administration has set out to do. After decades of prioritizing extraction, the Public Lands Rule was a major milestone in protecting wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and access to nature. Repealing the rule is now just one of many shortsighted decisions aimed at stripping away our access to healthy lands and clean water. Nearly 25% of Oregon’s land is on the line because this administration values corporate interests over everyday people’s needs. Oregon's leaders have already shown up and made it clear this is unacceptable. We're calling on them to keep going. Along with the Tribes, scientists, elected officials, hunters, anglers, and so many more who have spoken up to preserve the rule, we will keep fighting for open, wild lands for everyone to enjoy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.