Trump Administration Repeals BLM Public Lands Conservation Rule

The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) formally rescinded the 2024 Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, also known as the Public Lands Rule, in a notice published in the Federal Register on May 12, 2026. The repeal, which becomes effective June 11, 2026, eliminates Biden-era regulations that placed land conservation and restoration on equal footing with industrial activities such as drilling, mining, and logging.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and administration officials argued that the rule exceeded federal authority and created operational constraints that threatened energy and timber production. The decision follows legal challenges from the governments of Wyoming and Utah, as well as lobbying from industry groups. The BLM stated the action restores the "multiple use and sustained yield" mandate of the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act, returning the agency to 1983 guidelines to prioritize productive land use.

Industry groups, including the Independent Petroleum Association of America and various livestock organizations, praised the move for providing regulatory clarity and protecting rural livelihoods. Conversely, conservation groups such as the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife condemned the repeal, asserting that it prioritizes corporate interests and industrial-scale extraction over endangered wildlife, clean drinking water, and climate resilience. Environmental advocates also criticized the administration for failing to consult with Indigenous tribes before finalizing the rescission.