The Public Lands Rule + How to Write a Comment to the BLM

What is the Public Lands Rule?

The Conservation & Landscape Health Rule, AKA the Public Lands Rule, is a bill passed in 2024 which clarifies how conservation should be valued on par with other uses of Bureau of Land Management land.

The BLM manages its land under a 1976 bill called the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), which outlines that lands should be governed for the sake of “multiple use and sustained yield.” 

“Multiple use” means that there should be a balance between recreation, research, extractive industries, and cultural and ecological preservation. 

“Sustained yield” means that long term habitat health should be prioritized and that lands should not be stripped of ALL of their resources.

FLPMA did not explicitly define that conservation (protecting and restoring land) was a use of public land. 

The Public Lands Rule allows the BLM to use the health of the land as a deciding factor during planning and permitting processes. It enables the BLM to issue restoration and mitigation leases to restore public lands and counteract the effects of extractive industries (logging, mining, drilling, grazing, etc.)

During the 90 day public comment period before the bill was passed, Americans left over 200,000 comments, 92% of which were in support. 

The Public Lands Rule is now at risk of being rescinded. There is a 60 day public comment period for us to share our thoughts, which ends November 10th.

Click here to go to submit your comment on the Public Lands Rule: https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2025-0001-0001

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How do I write a public comment in support of the Public Lands Rule (or other conservation-related policies) ?

When a government agency like the BLM proposes a new land management strategy or piece of legislation, they allow public input via a comment period, which is typically open for 30, 60, or 90 days. Citizens can submit their opinions, ideas, research, or concerns online, or occasionally through the mail or by phone. Sometimes the agency will host public hearings as well.

Pre-written sign-and-fill letters are one simple way for people to engage with land management discourse. They are often drafted by conservation organizations and are a useful tool to help mobilize large numbers of people who may not have the time or ability to write their own comment. That being said, original comments will have a greater impact, as agencies will sometimes bundle mass signature letters together as one.

How can I write my own effective comment?

Think about writing a public comment like you’re crafting the sort of persuasive essay you may have been taught how to write in high school or college. Your comment should be clear, concise, and include specific details or data that show that you understand the plan being proposed. 

Some tips to keep in mind:

• Before you get started, take a moment to review what you’re commenting on, and if applicable, choose a specific element or two to focus your comment on. Sometimes agencies may also request public insight on specific aspects of a proposition.

• Include why the issue you’re commenting on matters to you and/or your community. 

For example, if an agency is proposing a new management plan for an area of public land that you travel to recreate on, you could explain how reduced access would impact your experience and how you engage in a gateway town’s local economy. 

• Avoid simply saying you agree or disagree without saying WHY. If you use a specific data point, include where you found it. If you have relevant qualifications, list them. These could be anything from having lived in the area in question for multiple generations or having professional experience in land or resource management.

• Finally, if you have alternative ideas, include them in your comment. Being solution-oriented will give the rest of your opinions more credibility. 

You may submit multiple comments, although if they are addressing the same issue or concerns they will be counted as a single comment. 

Our voices are powerful. If you love public land and feel inspired to advocate for conserving it, writing a public comment and sharing your thoughts within your social circle is an excellent way to get started.