WASHINGTON – Following today’s vote by the U.S. Senate to withdraw Planning 2.0, updated Bureau of Land Management planning policies affecting 245 million acres of public lands, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney offered the following response:
“For years BHA has worked with other sportsmen’s groups to improve planning policies for lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management,” said Tawney. “Planning 2.0 revises outdated regulations, in part by giving hunters, anglers and other citizens a greater say in the management of our public lands.
“Unfortunately, some members of Congress were determined to eliminate this collaborative approach,” Tawney continued. “Earlier today, the U.S. Senate, following similar action by the House of Representatives in February, advanced legislation that will revert BLM planning practices to a dysfunctional rule from 1983 – and will strip forever the BLM’s authority to revise similar regulations.
“Planning 2.0 was an all too rare conservation success story,” concluded Tawney, “It was efficient, expanded input from sportsmen, other citizens and local decision makers, provided greater certainty for fish and wildlife habitat and balanced a range of land uses. Our frustration at this vote by Congress knows no bounds. Hunters and anglers – not to mention our nation’s $646 billion outdoor economy – deserve better.”
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