The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed new regulations that would advance their mission to manage public lands for multiple use and sustained yield by prioritizing the health and resilience of ecosystems across those lands.The Department of the Interior said in a statement that the proposed Public Lands Rule provides tools for the BLM to improve the resilience of public lands in the face of a changing climate; conserve important wildlife habitat and intact landscapes; plan for development; and better recognize unique cultural and natural resources on public lands.
Mike Murray, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement:
“The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks welcomes the announcement of the proposed Public Lands Rule by the Bureau of Land Management. This rule would further progress the need to address and curb the impacts caused by oil and gas development on the doorsteps of national parks across the country, and protect clean water and wildlife habitats for generations to come.
For too long, our national parks have suffered the consequences of unchecked oil and gas development in their vicinity. The impacts on wildlife, water, and air quality have compromised the natural and cultural resources that make these parks extraordinary.
This proposed rule is an important step in the right direction, and we applaud the Bureau of Land Management for committing to better safeguarding our treasured national parks and landscapes.”
Last month, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks released a new report showing how four national parks – Carlsbad Caverns, Chaco Culture, Rocky Mountain, and Grand Teton – face imminent risk posed by dangerous and pollutive oil and gas development.
The report highlights the negative impacts of current oil and gas development near four of America’s national parks and shows that much stronger action is needed from the Biden administration and Congress to better protect these extraordinary places from the impacts of oil and gas development.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: https://protectnps.org/action-needed-to-protect-national-parks-from-oil-and-gas-development/