BLM Public Lands Management Rule (Planning 2.0) Repealed
What Happened: This week, Congress voted to repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Planning 2.0 Rule that was designed to incorporate increased public input for BLM land management plans. The House passed a resolution to repeal the Rule last week and despite a unified effort by many TU staff, volunteers, partners and several champions in both the House and Senate, the Senate followed the House’s lead and passed the same resolution this week in a 51 to 48 party-line vote (see TU press release, here).
Why This Matters for Trout Unlimited: The BLM developed Planning 2.0 in response to concerns about the lack of transparency in public lands management, to create a more efficient process and to foster increase collaboration among all stakeholders. Planning 2.0 was designed to give sportsmen, local governments, landowners and residents more input early on in the planning process. This “smart from the start” approach helps to avoid conflict by bringing stakeholders together to settle thorny land use issues, such as where to site oil and gas development, and how best to allow multiple uses of the land while ensuring the health of wildlife, rivers and other natural resources.
TU’s Response: TU is disappointed in the result, but we are turning our attention to the next step by reconvening with our partners to work with the Administration to develop a new approach to improving engagement and transparency in the land use planning process on BLM lands. Many of the members of Congress who voted to repeal Planning 2.0 have stated that they intend to work with Secretary of the Interior Zinke to improve the planning process. We intent to hold their feet to the fire and ensure that the public has a strong voice in public land management.
- TU Press Release following Congressional repeal: Senate votes to take public out of public land planning (2017–03–09).
What Next & What You Can Do:
TU will continue our work to improve management and conservation practices on our public lands and waters. To learn more about current priorities and opportunities for engagement, check out the following resources and opportunities:
Take Action: Stand Up for Public Lands:
Write a letter to President Trump and to your Congressional delegation, letting them know how important public lands are to sportsmen and women.
Reach out — get in touch and get engaged
- Contact your local chapter to help plan or join a restoration project in a watershed near you, reach out to your state council to find out ways you might engage with state-level advocacy on topics important to trout and salmon, or reach out to TU Volunteer Operations Staff for help connecting with your local or state TU resources or locating other tools to help you engage locally;
- Check out TU’s new “Project Finder” to see what might be underway in your area.
- Contact the TU Government Affairs team to see what’s cooking in Congress or in the Budget planning process.
Stand Up — Take Action with TU
- Check out TU’s Advocacy Center at standup.tu.org to see what current campaigns are underway or to learn more about getting involved in advocacy work on behalf of Trout Unlimited.
Consider a Donation to TU Advocacy Efforts
Further information on BLM Planning 2.0
- TU Blog Why Planning 2.0 Matters (Tyler Baskfield, 2017–02–16)
- TU Press Release on Repeal of Planning 2.0 (TU, 2017–0309)
- SFRED Press Release Sportsmen Blast Attacks on Public-Lands Management (SFRED, 2017–02–07)
- TU’s Corey Fisher Testifies before the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on Natural Resources: Corey hearing “Local and State Perspectives on BLM’s Draft Planning 2.0 Rule (May 12, 2016), here
- BLM Fact Sheet: BLM’s Proposed Planning Rule
