Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) expressed disappointment in the Department of the Interior’s announcement to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. The rule elevated recreation and conservation as key priorities for the Department of the Interior in its decision-making, but without it, millions of acres of public lands will be lost to logging, mining, and energy development projects.
“America’s public lands are the engine of the $1.2 trillion outdoor economy and should be protected so future generations can continue hiking, climbing, and recreating in our most cherished places,” said OIA president Kent Ebersole. “The rescission of the public lands rule would not only prevent accessible outdoor recreation on these vital lands but also hurt the small businesses and gateway communities that rely on it. The outdoor industry urges the administration to reconsider this decision and protect the landscapes that are vital to local economies, small businesses, and the outdoor recreation community.”
The Department of the Interior’s decision to rescind the public lands rule will begin a 60-day comment period in the Federal Register beginning on Thursday, September 11. OIA will be submitting a comment and encourages other stakeholders to submit a comment urging the Department to reconsider the rescission of the public lands rule.