The Bureau of Land Management is advancing plans to establish a new advisory panel to help implement its public lands rule, which is currently the target of several lawsuits.
The rule seeks to elevate conservation on par with other uses of bureau lands, such as energy development and recreation. BLM has said it is needed to help address the growing threats to rangelands from climate warming, including drought conditions and increased wildfire activity.
BLM is seeking nominees to sit on the new advisory committee and collecting public comments, the agency Thursday. It initially revealed plans to form the panel to help implement the lands rule in August.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will appoint the advisory committee members to two-year terms.
