A new rule introduced by the Biden administration aims to balance conservation with economic activities on America's public lands, enhancing protections and sustainable use.
Catrin Einhorn reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The rule impacts 245 million acres, promoting ecological restoration and compensating for environmental damage.
- Conservation will now be considered as significant as grazing, mining, and other land uses.
- The measure responds to the increasing environmental pressures such as climate-induced wildfires and droughts.
Key quote:
"As stewards of America's public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts."
— Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Why this matters:
This policy represents a strategic shift in how public lands are managed, intertwining ecological health with national economic and security interests, and addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Read more from EHN's newsroom: Public lands are not neutral. We must grapple with their racist roots.
