This week on The Wild Line, we’re tracking the Bureau of Land Management’s rescission of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s congressional testimony — including his description of designated wilderness areas as “death sentences for forests” — a House bill that would block North Atlantic right whale protections through 2035, the authorization of chainsaws in the Frank Church Wilderness, and state-level wins in Colorado and New Mexico. 

🎧Listen to the full episode for context, analysis, and what to watch next.

Interior Secretary Burgum Defends Budget Before House Committee, Calls Wilderness Areas ‘Death Sentences for Forests’

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appeared before the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday to defend the Trump administration’s FY2026-27 Interior Department budget request. Democrats pressed the secretary on proposed cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the closure of science facilities, no-bid contracts in Washington, and limited progress on renewable energy permitting amid high energy prices. Representative Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island played footage of Burgum from his time as North Dakota’s governor praising wind power. Most striking was Burgum’s description of designated wilderness areas as “death sentences for forests,” citing restrictions on mechanized firefighting equipment — a topic addressed further in this episode.

BLM Rescinds Conservation and Landscape Health Rule After 140,000 Public Comments

The Bureau of Land Management this week finalized the rescission of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, the first rule in the agency’s nearly 50-year history to formally place conservation on equal footing with oil and gas drilling, mining, logging, and grazing. Despite receiving nearly 140,000 public comments — the majority in opposition — the agency determined the rule “threatened to restrict productive use of the public lands and introduced uncertainty and unnecessary burdens in planning and permitting.” Finalized under the Biden administration in May 2024, the rescission takes effect in 30 days. Tracy Stone-Manning of The Wilderness Society joined us to weigh in on what comes next:

What the rule is about is providing consistency to the BLM for managing for the health of our public lands. That’s it. What’s not to like about managing for the health of our public lands so that future generations get to use them like we did? The fortunate thing that is still out there is a whole administrative and legal record about why the public lands rule makes sense. And I expect that people will lean on that record in the future to ensure that the concepts, if not the rule itself, see the light of day again. 

House Bill Would Block North Atlantic Right Whale Protections Through 2035

A bill introduced by Representative Jared Golden, Democrat of Maine, would prohibit NOAA from issuing new regulations addressing vertical fishing gear entanglement — the leading threat to North Atlantic right whale recovery — through 2035. Fewer than 400 right whales remain, with an estimated 70 reproductive females. The White House has signaled strong support for the measure. The bill could advance as soon as next Tuesday, when the House Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing that may also include Representative Harriet Hageman’s H.R.7695, which would nullify the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Read the opposition letter mentioned in today’s episode. 

Salmon-Challis National Forest Authorizes Chainsaws in Frank Church Wilderness

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has authorized chainsaws for use in its portion of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, making the tools available to outfitters and guides for trail clearing on a three-year basis. The use of chainsaws is prohibited under the Wilderness Act. The decision follows decades of pressure from the outfitter community and reflects alignment between the forest’s leadership, Forest Service officials in Washington, and the Department of Agriculture.

NOAA Announces $99 Million for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Recovery

NOAA Fisheries announced up to $99 million in Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund grants to support habitat restoration and rebuilding of Pacific salmon and steelhead populations along the West Coast. Projects must align with President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which directs that approved initiatives demonstrate clear benefits for fish populations while supporting local economies and the domestic seafood supply, with a focus on rural communities.

Colorado Passes Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, Establishing Dedicated Crossing Fund

The Colorado State House joined the State Senate in passing the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act (SB26-141), sending the measure to Governor Jared Polis for signature. The legislation establishes a Collision Prevention Fund, financed by an optional $5 fee during vehicle registration, to support wildlife crossing structures and adjacent habitat conservation. Approximately 7,500 wildlife-vehicle collisions were recorded on Colorado roads in 2024 alone, with crashes resulting in 48 motorist fatalities and more than 5,100 injuries between 2010 and 2024. Wildlife crossings on State Highway 9 near Kremmling previously reduced collisions by 92 percent.

New Mexico Delegation Introduces Caja del Rio Protection Act for 106,000 Acres

New Mexico’s congressional delegation introduced the Caja del Rio Protection Act, which would permanently designate roughly 106,000 acres in northern Santa Fe County as a Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Area and U.S. Forest Service Special Management Area. Led by Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, the legislation would protect significant cultural sites and habitat for elk, deer, and other species from threats including illegal dumping, vandalism, and irresponsible off-road use.

Next Week

That’s our report for May 15, 2026.

We’ll be back next week with more land stories that matter.

Until then — Act Up and Run Wild.

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