Senators Cynthia Lummis and Mike Lee have expressed their views on land management practices in Western communities through an op-ed published in the Washington Examiner. The piece calls for a return to multiple-use land management, emphasizing local control over federal lands.
Lummis and Lee argue that residents of Western communities have managed public lands effectively for generations, balancing interests such as ranching, energy development, recreation, and conservation. They criticize what they see as restrictive federal policies under the Biden administration that undermine these practices.
“The Biden administration’s approach has undermined multiple-use and severely restricted energy development on public lands,” they stated. They believe this has increased America’s dependence on foreign energy sources and reduced revenue for essential community services.
The senators advocate for local input in federal land management through resource management plans, which they feel are currently lacking. “Sadly, these plans are increasingly divorced from local input and expertise,” they noted.
They also call for changes to the Antiquities Act and Endangered Species Act to allow more productive use of land while preserving landscapes. “The act’s original intent was never to lock up millions of acres with the stroke of a presidential pen,” they said regarding the Antiquities Act.
The op-ed highlights steps taken by former President Donald Trump to reverse previous policies by modernizing these acts and promoting energy production. The authors assert that Trump’s actions align with their goal of prioritizing multiple-use law and enhancing local voices in land management decisions.
Senator Mike Lee serves as chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, while Senator Cynthia Lummis chairs the Senate Western Caucus.
