Hunters, Anglers Welcome New Public Lands Rule that Restores Balance, Elevates Conservation

DENVER - The Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands Rule restores balance to the stewardship of public lands by putting conservation on par with other uses. The agency manages more than 245 million acres of public lands for many purposes, including fish and wildlife habitat, cultural resources, recreational opportunities, and energy needs. Over the years, however, these public lands have been degraded by drought, development, wildfire, and invasive species.

"Hunters and anglers welcome this fresh opportunity to conserve and restore public lands. We know these lands intimately and we know many of them could use help to serve the fish and wildlife that rely on them," said Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation. "We're also excited to see conservation get it fair shake among the uses on BLM lands. For far too long extractive uses have been favored over conservation. We're glad this decision restores balance."

"There are millions of acres of Bureau of Land Management land that are failing rangeland health standards. The Public Lands Rule provides a pathway for identifying landscapes with important ecological characteristics so they can be restored and conserved," said Carlee Koutnik, program manager for the National Wildlife Federation's Artemis Sportswoman Program. "Those restored lands will benefit wildlife, our sporting traditions, and the rural communities that depend on hunting and angling to fuel their economies."