With the comment deadline on the Forest Service’s Roadless Rule rescission approaching, the Department of the Interior announced plans to roll back the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, a move that would weaken conservation standards on millions of acres. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers debated wildfire risk, energy permitting, the Endangered Species Act, and forest funding, while the House passed this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.

Beyond Congress, the Forest Service reversed course by approving N95 masks for wildfire crews, and we marked the retirement of David Brooks, longtime General Counsel for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Public Lands Rule Rescission – Washington, DC

The Department of the Interior announced plans to rescind the BLM’s Public Lands Rule, which had elevated landscape restoration and conservation alongside energy and grazing on BLM lands. The public has 60 days to comment.

Michael Carroll of The Wilderness Society explained why the rule matters and why it must be defended.

“The Public Lands Rule was a historic step. For the first time in nearly 50 years, BLM managers across the country had clear direction that conservation, access to nature, cultural resources, recreation, wildlife habitat, and climate action are just as essential as drilling, mining, or grazing. This rule wasn’t rushed. Over four years, the agency held hearings, opened a 90-day comment period, and heard from hundreds of thousands of people — 92 percent of whom supported the rule. They brought together voices from across the spectrum, from industry to grazing to conservation, and those participants felt heard. Rolling back the Public Lands Rule would undo that progress, tip the balance toward industry, and set back one of the most thorough and inclusive land management efforts since the Roadless Rule.”
— Michael Carroll, The Wilderness Society

More information on how to comment on both the Public Lands Rule and the Forest Service’s Roadless Rule is available in our show notes.

Click here to comment on the BLM’s Public Lands Rule

Click here to learn more about commenting on the Forest Service’s Roadless Rule

Wildfire and Logging – U.S. Forest Service

Forest Chief Tom Schultz testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, claiming a decline in logging is driving wildfire risk. He argued for expanded timber sales, while Republicans attacked the Roadless Rule as a barrier to fire management.
Democrats pushed back, citing the loss of 1,400 wildland firefighters under current administration policies, and questioned Schultz’s reliance on large timber sales, noting that most hazardous fuels are smaller-diameter trees with little commercial value.

Energy Permitting and NEPA – Washington, DC

The House Natural Resources Committee considered Chairman Westerman’s SPEED Act, which would ease NEPA reviews for energy projects. Both parties expressed interest, but Democrats raised concerns that the administration is unlikely to apply new authorities to renewables, pointing to a recent memo seeking to end solar and wind projects nationwide.

Ranking Member Jared Huffman emphasized that any changes must account for state and community interests in renewable energy development.

National Defense Authorization Act – Washington, DC

The House passed its version of the NDAA. As in previous years, Rep. Andy Biggs introduced an amendment to exempt the Department of Defense and contractors from the Endangered Species Act. The measure was defeated with bipartisan opposition.

Notably, the Department of Defense remains a conservation partner, working with USFWS and NMFS through the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program, which funds cost-sharing agreements to increase resilience and reduce land-use conflicts.

Forest Funding and Hazardous Fuels – Washington, DC

With government funding deadlines approaching, the White House requested new spending authority to treat hazardous fuels on DOI lands in 10,000-acre increments without scientific review or public input. Observers warn the proposal mirrors Chairman Westerman’s Fix Our Forests Act, which seeks to waive environmental review under the guise of wildfire response.

N95 Masks for Firefighters – U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service announced it will begin providing N95 masks to wildfire crews, reversing decades of policy. The change follows evidence from health agencies and international examples that masking reduces cancer risk from smoke exposure. California has pledged nearly $10 billion in new research on the issue.

Retirement of David Brooks – Washington, DC

David Brooks, longtime General Counsel for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, retired after 38 years.

Athan Manuel of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program reflected on Brooks’ accomplishments and legacy.

“David Brooks was one of the great and most unsung public lands champions. Over more than three decades in Congress, starting with Mo Udall, he helped shape legislation that protected at least 20 million acres for future generations. His fingerprints are on some of the most important conservation bills of our time. Most recently, he was a key negotiator of the 2019 Dingell Act, which permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund. His work with Utah leaders to protect 700,000 acres in Emery County was a testament to his skill in finding common ground and his lifelong dedication to America’s public lands.”
— Athan Manuel, Sierra Club

Next Week

The Wild Line returns September 19 with more headlines from our public commons. On Tuesday, The Wild Idea Podcast features a conversation with alpinist and conservationist Conrad Anker. That same day, we’ll record a live episode in Washington, DC, with Senator Tina Smith as part of the National Wilderness Coalition gathering. Details are available at thewildidea.com.

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