The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is fully rescinding the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, which was originally issued as a final rule on May 9, 2024.
This rescission aims to restore balance to federal land management by prioritizing access and empowering local decision-making. The move aligns BLM implementing regulations with national energy policy and statutory requirements.
The removal of this rule is intended to restore the balanced framework of the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). According to official statements, the action ensures that millions of acres remain open to the public instead of being converted into landscapes with limited or non-use.
In 2025 and early 2026, Utah saw significant progress in rescinding two major rules that threatened the state's multiple-use mandate. A core priority for the office remains the removal of federal regulations that hinder active management and restrict public access.
The Public Lands Rule, finalized in 2024, sought to prioritize conservation over other multiple uses. One major concern regarding the rule was the creation of conservation leases, which could have allowed private entities to lock up public lands and exclude activities such as hunting, grazing, or mineral development.
Utah led one of several western state challenges to the implementation of this rule, which caused the current administration to reconsider its viability.
