- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Today, April 19, the Department of the Interior announced a finalized strategy to guide its management of public lands.
The Public Lands Rule emphasizes the use of science and data, including Indigenous Knowledge, to guide balanced decision-making, according to the Department of the Interior. The rule applies the existing fundamentals of land health across BLM programs, establishes restoration and mitigation leases, and clarifies practices to designate and protect areas of critical concern.
The final rule clarifies and refines concepts first proposed in April 2023. The Bureau of Land Management received and considered over 200,000 comments on the proposed rule from individuals, state, tribal and local governments, which were incorporated into the final rule.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said the new rule helps to restore the balance to public lands for generations to come.
John Podesta, the Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, echoed her statement.
“America’s public lands are our national treasures and need to be managed and made resilient for future generations of Americans,” said Podesta in a statement. “Today’s final rule from the Department of the Interior is a huge win for ensuring balance on our public lands, helping them withstand the challenges of climate change and environmental threats like invasive species, and making sure they continue to provide services to the American people for decades to come.”
More Stories Like This
Public Wants Indigenous Knowledge to Manage Bears Ears National MonumentSeldovia Village Tribe Becomes First in Alaska to Get Tsunami Preparedness Certification
DOI Announces $120 Million Funding Opportunity for Tribal Climate Resilience
Seneca Nation Sues City for More than 450,000 Gallons of Wastewater Overflow
Department of Interior Rejects Ambler Access Project in Alaska
Join us in observing 100 years of Native American citizenship. On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, granting Native Americans US citizenship, a pivotal moment in their quest for equality. This year marks its centennial, inspiring our special project, "Heritage Unbound: Native American Citizenship at 100," observing their journey with stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph. Your donations fuel initiatives like these, ensuring our coverage and projects honoring Native American heritage thrive. Your donations fuel initiatives like these, ensuring our coverage and projects honoring Native American heritage thrive.
