FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(WASHINGTON D.C.-April 30, 2024) – The Nationwide Audubon Society denounced draft laws accredited by the Home of Representatives in the present day that might nullify a long-overdue replace to how the Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) oversees tens of millions of acres of public lands. House Resolution (H.R.) 3397 cleared the Home by a vote of 212-202. It will block implementation of a newly finalized rule that balances conservation with a number of makes use of on tens of millions of acres of public lands, making them extra resilient to drought, wildfires and different results of local weather change. Lawmakers plan to introduce comparable laws within the Senate.
“We’re extraordinarily disillusioned to see such a knee-jerk, short-sighted response by the Home of Representatives to undo a rule that was completely and thoughtfully developed after in depth public and stakeholder enter, and that displays westerners’ overwhelming help for balanced administration of our public lands,” mentioned Felice Stadler, Nationwide Audubon Society vp of presidency affairs. “In the present day’s motion by Congress is an end-run round how westerners themselves want to see these lands managed.”
Assist for conservation is broad and bipartisan within the Intermountain West: 82 % of voters support a nationwide aim of conserving America’s lands and waters over the following decade, together with over two-thirds of conservative Republican voters. 4 in 5 voters additionally say lack of open pure areas is an issue throughout the West.
“This decision exhibits undue favor to useful resource extractive pursuits, to the exclusion of all others and to the last word detriment of the lands cherished by generations of westerners,” mentioned Stadler. “Greater than 300 fowl species and numerous different forms of wildlife depend on public lands for his or her survival. So do numerous communities throughout the western United States, who rely upon the {dollars} that vacationers, hunters, anglers and others spend of their companies.”
The BLM has historically favored extractive makes use of on public lands, similar to oil, gasoline and mining. The latest public lands rule establishes a framework to make sure that extraction is balanced responsibly with conservation — together with restoration and stewardship of intact landscapes, delicate wildlife habitat, cultural lands safety, and entry to nature – in step with the Company’s statutory mandates.
Practically 245 million acres, nearly 40 percent of U.S. public lands, are overseen by BLM, together with rolling sagebrush hills, desert expanses, Alaskan tundra and vibrant river corridors. Thes lands present financial advantages to neighboring communities via recreation and tourism.
An amazing 92 percent of public feedback submitted supported the brand new BLM conservation rule – together with feedback from greater than 14,000 Audubon members and 194 unbiased Audubon chapters from 41 states.
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CONTACT:
Jason Howe, jason.howe@audubon.org; 415-595-9245
About Audubon
The Nationwide Audubon Society protects birds and the locations they want, in the present day and tomorrow. Audubon works all through the Americas utilizing science, advocacy, schooling, and on-the-ground conservation. State packages, nature facilities, chapters, and companions give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches tens of millions of individuals annually to tell, encourage, and unite various communities in conservation motion. A nonprofit conservation group since 1905, Audubon believes in a world through which folks and wildlife thrive. Be taught extra at www.audubon.org and on Fb, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.