June 19, 2023 |
Photo – Bureau of Land Management Logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Governor Mark Gordon, in testimony Thursday before the House Committee on Natural Resources, described a proposed conservation rule that scuttles multiple-use policy on federal lands as “boneheaded.”
The Bureau of Land Management, under the direction of former Monkey Wrench environmental radical Tracy Stone-Manning, is pushing the rule that critics say trounces state rights.
The public has been kept out of the loop on the rule. Meetings were held Denver, Albuquerque and Reno, where the public could ask questions but not provide public testimony. Other states including Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, which are dominated by public lands, have been kept out of the public process.
Governor Gordon touted the positive relationship that local BLM offices in Wyoming have with their communities and state officials, while blasting the agenda of bureau officials in Washington, D.C.
Gordon called the proposed rule “boneheaded.”
The governor added, “Wyoming stands as an example of how grazing, energy development and recreation are not mutually exclusive of conservation.”
The proposed BLM rule was criticized by Republican members of the committee as a way for the unelected bureaucrats to take chunks of land out of play to stop development.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem appeared with Gordon at the hearing. Governor Noem said the rule allowing the sale of conservation leases is contrary to the BLM’s charter mission of multiple use, allowing the agency to prioritize conservation over all other activities.
Wyoming Governor Gordon complained about how the BLM has steered the legislation through congress secretly, hiding it from public view. Rep. Doug Lambourn, Republican from Colorado, noted that the proposed BLM conservation lease precludes other uses on federal lands. Lambourn asked Wyoming’s governor if the bill was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Governor Gordon said the best path forward is for congress to rescind the rule proposed by the BLM.
Curiously, none of the Democrats on the panel asked any questions of the two governors. They offered praise for the BLM, though.
Following the testimony of Governors Gordon and Noem, BLM Principal Deputy Director Nada Wolff Culver testified that the BLM is extending public comment for an additional 15 days. “Extending the comment period for a mere 15 days seems like closing the gate after all but one cow is out of the corral,” responded Governor Gordon.
Comments are being accepted through July 5, 2023 at the Bureau of Land Management’s website.
