BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday finalized a new rule for public land management that’s meant to put conservation on more equal footing with oil drilling, grazing and other extractive industries on vast government-owned properties.
Officials pushed past strong opposition from private industry and Republican governors to adopt the proposal. GOP members of Congress said in response that they will seek to invalidate it.
The rule from the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management — which oversees more than 380,000 square miles (990,000 square kilometers) of land, primarily in the U.S. West — will allow public property to be leased for restoration in the same way that oil companies lease land for drilling.
The rule also promotes the designation of more “areas of critical environmental concern” — a special status that can restrict development. It’s given to land with historic or cultural significance or that’s important for wildlife conservation.
Literacy, numeracy tests as NCEA requirement 'detrimental' to learners
Sheep are clever and important in many ways. Here are some ovine facts that may surprise you
Australian foreign aid worker among five killed in Israel airstrike on Gaza
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
US court blocks strict new immigration law in Texas
Beauty industry experts pushing for more regulation amid rise in serious injuries
New Zealand to put 'every single effort' into getting free trade deal with India
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
Seagulls 'charismatic' not 'criminal', scientists say
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Staff shortages holding up prison improvements