A core priority for our office is the removal of federal regulations that hinder active management and restrict public access. In 2025 and early 2026, Utah has seen significant progress in rescinding two major rules that threatened the state’s “multiple-use” mandate.

The BLM Public Lands Rule

Finalized in 2024, this rule sought to prioritize “conservation” over other multiple uses. Most concerning was the creation of “conservation leases,” which could allow private entities to “lock up” public lands and exclude hunting, grazing, or mineral development. The State led one of many western state challenges to the implementation of the rule causing the current administration to reconsider its viability.

2026 Update: Following a formal proposal in September 2025, the Bureau of Land Management is currently finalizing the full rescission of the Public Lands Rule.

The Impact: Removing this rule restores the balanced framework of the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), ensuring that millions of acres remain open to the public rather than being converted into limited- or non-use landscapes.