February 11, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUWA Statement on the WEST Act and its Impact on the Public Lands Rule – 2.11.25
Contacts:
Grant Stevens, Communications Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (319) 427-0260; grant@suwa.org
Washington, DC– Today, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01) re-introduced the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act. This federal legislation would require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw the recently finalized Public Lands Rule. Among other things, the Rule reiterates that conservation is part of the BLM’s multiple-use mission and ensures that the agency will manage for this use on a day-in and day-out basis. Below is a statement from SUWA DC Director Travis Hammill and additional information.
“We’re disappointed but not surprised to see Rep. Maloy re-introduce the WEST Act, which seeks to undo the landmark Public Lands Rule. During her brief tenure, Rep. Maloy has quickly fallen in line with other members of Utah’s congressional delegation – a collection of elected officials that are deeply out of step with the majority of Utahns who want to see federal public lands managed sustainably. Alleged concerns about the Rule resulting in the ‘locking up’ of public lands are all smoke, no fire,” said Travis Hammill, SUWA’s DC Director. “Finalized in 2024, the Rule stands for common sense land management and reinforces the decades-old principle that conservation is one of the multiple uses that Congress directed the Bureau of Land Management to account for as it goes about its day-in, day-out work.”
Additional information:
The Public Lands Rule establishes a “… framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands.” The rule will go into effect 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. It does not preclude any uses on BLM-managed public lands; it puts conservation on equal footing with grazing, mining, and energy production, and promotes restoration, provides for responsible development, and conserves intact healthy landscapes. The Public Lands Rule is currently the subject of litigation; additional information can be found here.
- BLM’s webpage on the Public Lands Rule.
- October 1, 2024 Press Release – Utah and National Conservation Groups Move to Defend Balanced Management of Public Lands from Mining and Oil Industry Lawsuit
- SUWA’s April 18, 2024 Statement when the Final Rule was announced.
- “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.
- Utah-specific polling data from the 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, which shows a clear and resounding preference for conservation when voters are given a choice over how public lands are used.
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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.
