April 18, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUWA Statement on BLM’s release of the Final Public Lands Rule – 4.18.24

Contacts: 
Stephen Bloch, Legal Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (801) 428-3981; steve@suwa.org
Grant Stevens, Communications Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (319) 427-0260; grant@suwa.org

Washington, DC – Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the release of the final Public Lands Rule, which establishes a “… framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands.” Below is a statement from SUWA Legal Director Stephen Bloch and additional information. 

“We’re excited to see the Public Lands Rule cross the finish line. At the highest level, the Rule reiterates that conservation is one of the many uses of our public lands and ensures that the BLM is actively managing for it,” said Stephen Bloch, SUWA Legal Director. “The Rule also wisely directs the agency to identify and conserve the most intact and ecologically important public lands while at the same time raises the floor for how all public lands are managed. With so much of Utah’s redrock country facing dire consequences because of climate change, the Rule will help keep conservation front of mind as BLM goes about its work.”

Additional information: 

The rule will go into effect 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. 

• BLM’s webpage on the Public Lands Rule. 
• “The BLM Public Lands Rule is a common-sense solution” June 25, 2023 Editorial from the Salt Lake Tribune
• March 30, 2023 SUWA Statement on the Proposed Rule; Advocacy Action from SUWA during the public comment period
• Information regarding public comments received by BLM  – 92% of which were supportive.

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The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is a nonprofit organization with members and supporters from around the country dedicated to protecting America’s redrock wilderness. From offices in Moab, Salt Lake City, and Washington, DC, our team of professionals defends the redrock, organizes support for America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, and stewards this world-renowned landscape. Learn more at www.suwa.org.