Critics blast Biden administration’s new ‘conservation leases,’ which they say are illegal

Just the News ^ | April 20, 2024 | Kevin Killough

[Twotone]

The Biden administration Friday rolled out three decisions aimed at greatly restricting oil and gas drilling, as well as mining activities needed for renewable energy, on public land.

The decisions include shutting down the Ambler Access Road project, which would have opened up part of Alaska to mining needed for renewable energy, and blocking oil and gas drilling on up to 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

Conservation Leases

The third action the Interior Department took Friday was the finalizing of the Public Lands Rule. According to a statement from the Department of the Interior, the rule is meant to “guide the balanced management of America’s public lands.” You Might Also Like Recommended by

The rule creates a regulatory structure to facilitate what the department is now referring to as “restoration leases” or “mitigation leases.” These leases were rebranded from the original Bureau of Land Management proposal published in April 2023, which referred to them as “conservation leases.”

The leases work just like oil and gas or cattle grazing leases, except the “use” of the land would be to conserve it, which typically means erasing or eliminating human impact on the untouched landscape.

Critics of the proposal said that it would effectively take public lands off the table for any uses, including recreation, but supporters have said it would only allow for restoration and mitigation activities alongside other uses.

[Jane Long]

Okay, “critics” ... just when did anything ILLEGAL ever stop this regime??

[Tell It Right]

The Biden administration Friday rolled out three decisions aimed at greatly restricting oil and gas drilling, as well as mining activities needed for renewable energy, on public land.

I'm so old I remember when the Dims at least pretended that so-called "renewable energy" would replace traditional energy. Now they're making it clear they want to block us from having either type of energy.

[gibsonguy]

Right, as the legality is even a consideration. The rats have controlled the Judiciary for 12 of the last 16 years, it is gone.

[marktwain]

The rats have controlled the Judiciary for 12 of the last 16 years, it is gone.

The judiciary was primarily Progressive from 1937 to 1990. It has been a battle to re-assert the Constitution, but we finally have a Supreme Court which is a majority originalist and textualist, because of President Trump.

[ridesthemiles]

WHAT “RESTORATION”???

RANCHERS have already PROVEN that land used for grazing is healthier than land left alone entirely.

THESE SAME IDIOTS support HOA rules that demand lawns be cut regularly at a specified height.

WE NOT ONLY NEED TRUMP—— WE NEED A MILLION TRUMPS RUNNING THINGS.

“BEST USE” IS NOT “NO USE”.

[gibsonguy]

I wish you were correct. The SC is ostensibly a Conservative majority but there have been some real disappointments and the tendency to avoid taking on the major cases whenever possible.