New Leases for Degraded Land
As reported by the New York Times, the new rules will add two new types of leases for the purpose of restoring degraded land and offsetting environmental damage.
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Currently, around 10% of the country’s land needs to be restored.
Multiple Uses Management Policy
The Bureau of Land Management has already used a conversation effort known as “multiple uses.”
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The policy allows land to be used for cattle ranching, drilling, and recreation to turn a profit while protecting endangered land.
Multiple Uses May Cause Worse Environmental Issues
Critics of the new land policy object to the way the land is being used. They say that allowing multiple uses can have negative effects on the environment.
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Oil drilling and cattle raising can worsen the effects of climate change and drought. Wildfire season has become increasingly concerning throughout the United States, and environmental groups fear that repurposing the land could make it worse.
Republicans Are Also Not Fans of the New Ruling
When the new ruling was announced in April, Republicans had some choice words for the current president about his use of conservation lands.
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They stated that the lease idea is a land grab and will put national security at risk.
Wyoming Senator Particularly Worried
Sen. John Barrasso (R – WY) responded to Pres. Biden with a statement about the way of life in Wyoming.
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He said that the ability of BLM to lease public lands will threaten the natural conservation, mineral production, grazing, and recreation in Cowboy State. He also vowed to attempt to repeal the law using the Congressional Review Act.
Some Environmentalists Are Supporting Joe Biden
Although many environmental and conservation groups think that Pres. Biden isn’t doing enough to protect the natural land in the country; many are on his side.
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Jamie Williams, the president of The Wilderness Society, said that the rule will define how an entire generation treats and manages their shared resources.
Environmental Protection Agency Excited To Conserve New Lands
Another proponent of the new bill is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The group came out in full support of the new law.
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The EPA stated that the country’s national resources are meant to benefit all Americans. The new ruling to protect even more land will help provide clean air and water, fertile soil for crop production, pollination, and flood control.
Restoring Natural Resources Can Help Eliminate Climate Hazards
Using the opportunity to restore natural habitats and land that have not been cared for can benefit the environment significantly. Using some of the land to turn a profit will also help the environment in the long term, thanks to the added revenue that can be used to clean up water, air, and land.
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According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the restoration program will help enhance the ecosystem’s natural defence against wildfires, floods, heat waves, and droughts.
Helping Conserve Nature Will Conserve Our Future
One of the benefits of adding conservation lands in the U.S. is the added protection against climate change. The more trees there are in a single place, the more dirty air can be recycled, helping cool the climate.
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Reducing the amount of carbon emissions in the air can be drastically changed on a large scale through the restoration project.
Biden Wants To Leave a Legacy of Conservation
During his tenure as president and vice president for Barack Obama from 2008 to 2016, Biden made a name for himself as a policymaker obsessed with the environment.
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In late 2023, Biden made waves when he banned oil development from 10 million acres on Alaska’s North Slope. The controversial decision upset Republican lawmakers and prominent members of natural and oil.
BLM Wants To Start New Energy Proposals
After the new land is acquired, the Bureau of Land Management wants to begin approving geothermal energy exploration.
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Geothermal energy is a renewable source that depends on underground water basins and reservoirs. This type of energy is abundant in western states.