Hoeven Statement on Department of Interior’s Move to Rescind BLM Public Lands Rule

Hoeven Statement on Department of Interior's Move to Rescind BLM Public Lands Rule

Senator Previously Led Efforts to Block Biden Admin Rule That Undermined Multiple-Use Mandate

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior announced its proposal to rescind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 2024 Public Lands Rule. The rule, finalized by the Biden administration in April 2024, has been in effect for over a year and allowed so-called "conservation leases" that restricted access to federal lands and conflicted with the multiple-use mandate established by Congress.

"The Department of the Interior made the right call in proposing to rescind this rule. It's not only a win for our farmers, ranchers, and energy producers who rely on access to public lands, but for federal, state and local governments that benefit from the economic activity and revenues that result from these multiple-use activities," said Hoeven. "I appreciate Secretary Doug Burgum's commitment to restoring balance and supporting rural communities."

Hoeven previously led his colleagues in pushing for BLM to withdraw the rule when it was proposed in 2023 and introduced legislation with Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to block its implementation.