Proposed BLM Rule Challenged in Congress, NV Conservationists React
Originally published in Public News Service August 31, 2023
Two pieces of legislation could require the Bureau of Land Management to throw out thousands of public comments and jeopardize the agency’s proposed rule, which aims to put conservation efforts on par with other uses taking place on public lands.
Mandi Elliott, executive director of the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition, said it is important for public lands in Nevada to be protected because they not only improve quality of life but also serve as what she called economic drivers.
“Outdoor access plays such a huge role in quality of life,” Elliott pointed out. “Hand-in-hand with that is these burgeoning outdoor recreation economies that if you’re not in Reno and you’re not in Vegas, the draw is outdoor rec, right?”
Elliott noted other parties seem to forget public lands are intended for everyone’s use. While the proposed rule aims to equally prioritize conservation and outdoor recreation with other uses, some stakeholders within the extractive resource industry do not seem to view it that way. Elliott stressed if the rule were to be dismissed, it would send an “unfortunate message” priorities are skewed.
Congress is currently in recess but is set to reconvene after Labor Day, which means House Resolution 3977 and Senate Bill 1435 could get a floor vote shortly thereafter.
Garrett Hammack, board member of the Nevada Wildlife Federation and an avid hunter, said Nevada faces unique challenges for rehabilitation efforts of public lands and supports the proposed rule, as it would help address those concerns.
“What we are seeing right now with feral horses, with the really large-scale fires that we are getting lately and the development around other cities, we really need to get back to rehabilitating some of this land and the sagebrush structure right now in Nevada is continually degrading,” Hammack contended.
Conservationists said public comments are by and large in support of the BLM’s proposed rule. The agency said it would continue to identify appropriate sites for renewable energy developments and to efficiently process applications for projects on public lands.
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NATIONAL MONUMENTS PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES
The NVOBC is disappointed in the "Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act" introduced by Rep Mark Amodei (NV-02) and Rep Celeste Maloy (UT-02).
The proposed legislation would strip presidential authority to designate national monuments, which would in turn damage economic opportunity for outdoor recreation communities. It is a gross misconception that public land limits economic opportunity- A report from Headwaters Economics shows the consistent improvement of local economies in communities with National Monuments.
"The study found no evidence that designating these national monuments prevented economic growth. Instead, trends in key economic indicators such as population, employment, personal income, and per capita income either continued or improved in each of the regions surrounding the national monuments."
-The Economic Importance of National Monuments to Communities
The NVOBC urges Representatives Amodei and Maloy to reconsider the effect this legislation will have on rural and outdoor communities.
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The NVOBC is excited to share some content from our member Silver Tree Films!
Silver Tree Films is a Las Vegas based production company directed by native Las Vegan Benjamin C Robertson. They have experience filming in Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, Washington, and Poland. Primarily, Silver Tree Films makes films, short films, commercials, documentaries, sports related material, website videos, and photography. They work hard to make the highest quality product for their clients.
If you're looking for someone to create video content for you, reach out to Ben!
#nevadaoutdoors #nevadaoutdoorbusiness #nevadaoutdoorbusinesscoalition #outdoorindustry #nevadabusiness #outdoorrecreation #outdooreconomy #outdoorcontent
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Looking forward to this great discussion!
2 years ago, @POTUS signed the biggest climate investment in history - and it's working! It's boosting outdoor recreation, creating good jobs, improving public health, & cutting climate pollution! Let's continue to build on these achievements! #ClimateWinsHere #OutdoorRecreation
Lee Canyon opens downhill mountain bike park for summer, fall seasons https://news3lv.com/features/arc-las-vegas/lee-canyon-opens-downhill-mountain-bike-park-for-summer-fall-seasons
Starting this Friday, May 24th Lee Canyon will be transitioning to our summer hours... Open 7 days a week from 10a to 6p!