The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) part of the Interior Department, cares for 245 million acres of federal land, mostly in 12 western states, 30 percent of onshore mineral resources on 700 million acres of subsurface areas, and some state and private lands. The BLM issued a new public lands rule regarding the importance of conservation of our natural resources; the proposed rule drew more than 216,000 public comments.
Now, certain Members of Congress want to eliminate public comments from BLM land use decisions, leaving the public lands that belong to all of us open to pressure from business to use our lands for their benefits. This bill, known as H.R. 3397, would dump public comments made by Americans by eliminating BLM’s public comment rule.
It’s important that before any of our public land is developed that we know the impact such development would have on communities, tribal lands, and the environment. In a democracy, the people should have the right to comment on the impact of development on our communities before decisions are made.
Prayer for the Day
Rising in the morning, we give you thanks, O God,
For a new day embraces us giving us a host of possibilities;
Tenderize our hearts, O God, for there are so many needs around us,
And unseal our minds rom the limits we draw for ourselves.
Expand our understanding so we imagine limitless possibilities
For living your kingdom this day and every day.
In the name of the One who opens our minds,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
H.R. 3397 sets a dangerous precedent by prohibiting BLM from taking "any action to finalize, implement, or enforce” the proposed rule or “any substantially similar rule.” This legislative poison pill undermines agency expertise in future public land management efforts. In the face of increasing wildfire, drought and other climate-related challenges ahead, tying the hands of the agency going forward is reckless and irresponsible.
- The Wilderness Society statement
Having healthy lands is a smart approach for the future of BLM, and for communities across the country. H.R. 3397 would undermine the important progress made in the proposed rule and undermine the engagement of citizens who have shared their thoughts during the public comment period.
- National Parks Conservation Association statement
Therefore the land mourns, and all who live in it languish;
Together with the wild animals and the birds of the air,
Even the fish of the sea are perishing.
Hosea 4:3