For Immediate Release:
Sept. 12, 2025
Contact:
Media@backcountryhunters.org
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Condemns Effort to Roll Back Public Lands Rule
Public comment period offers hunters, anglers, and outdoor advocates chance to defend America’s shared lands.
Washington, D.C.—Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is voicing strong opposition following the Department of the Interior’s announcement of a formal proposal to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, widely known as the Public Lands Rule. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made the announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, which published to the Federal Register on Sept. 11, 2025, triggering a 60-day public comment period.
The Public Lands Rule affirms that—under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act—conserving public lands is a legitimate and important use, on equal footing with energy development, timber harvest, grazing, and recreation. It also encourages innovative partnerships to restore and protect the health of these landscapes for future generations.
“Conservation is not about locking people out; it’s about keeping the door open for future generations,” said Devin O’Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager for BHA. “The Public Lands Rule drew overwhelming public support from a diverse coalition of stakeholders who recognized the value of healthy landscapes, clean water and abundant fish and wildlife populations—essential elements to ensure our future of hunting and fishing in a natural setting.”
The public engagement process that shaped the Rule garnered input from thousands of hunters, anglers, and other stakeholders. With more than 90 percent expressing support, public input underscored the broad recognition of conservation’s role in safeguarding opportunities to hunt and fish, clean water, and wildlife habitat on 245 million acres of public lands managed by the BLM.
BHA will engage in the rescission process and continue advocating for responsible management of America’s shared lands and waters. The organization encourages hunters, anglers, and other public land owners to participate in the 60-day comment period and make their voices heard on this critical decision.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife.
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