Senate passes bill ending Obama-era land rule (BLM 2.0)

The Senate on Tuesday voted to end a land management rule finalized in the closing days of the Obama administration. Lawmakers scuttled the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Planning 2.0” rule, a measure to modernize federal land management strategies. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution against the rule is the latest measure pushed by Republicans taking aim at Obama-era rules. Once President Trump signs the resolution, it will be the third successful CRA challenge to an environmental measure so far this year. Conservatives have opposed the BLM’s regulation, which they say gives the federal government too much influence over public land decisions and marginalizes state and local input. “Instead of greater transparency, BLM delivered a new process that ensures less transparency,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said during floor debate Tuesday. “Instead of expanding public participation, Western states are looking at fewer and weaker opportunities to influence the management of local lands. Planning 2.0 also turns the relationship between the federal, the state and the local governments on its head.” Supporters of the rule, though, said it was designed to overhaul the communication process between federal and state officials, something that hasn’t been updated since the early 1980s...more

Bishop Statement on Senate Passage of the CRA to Overturn BLM’s Planning 2.0 Rule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2017 CONTACT: Parish Braden, Elise Daniel or Molly Block (202) 226-9019
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate passed H.J. Res. 44 (Rep. Liz Cheney, WY-at large), a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Planning 2.0 rule. “This rule emboldened federal bureaucrats and placed special interests ahead of local communities and states in resource management decisions. I am pleased the Senate followed the House in passing this joint resolution to restore decision making power to the people who actually live in these areas. These communities need more say, not less,” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) stated. Planning 2.0 impacts every decision the BLM makes for its 245 million acres of land and over 700 million acres of sub-surface minerals across the West. The rule weakens opportunities for communities to weigh in with local expertise on proposed Resource Management Plans and prioritizes Obama-era administrative memorandum over Congressionally enacted laws governing the BLM’s planning process. “I am very pleased the Senate voted today to overturn BLM Planning 2.0. Planning 2.0 was a misguided and damaging attempt by the Obama administration to undermine the rights of state and local governments to manage resources and land use inside their own districts,” Rep. Cheney said. “I was honored to introduce the bill repealing 2.0 in the House, and welcome its passage today in the Senate.” Background: On February 7, 2017, the House passed H.J. Res 44 under the Congressional Review Act by a bipartisan vote of 234-186. Over 60 organizations representing counties and localities, governors, farm bureaus, the livestock industry and energy groups supported the passage of the CRA. Click here for more information.
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