IPAA and API submitted comments on BLM’s proposed Resource Management Planning Rule this week. Many of the organization’s member companies hold valid existing leases and are interested in future oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, and production activities in areas that will be directly affected by BLM’s management decisions. As highlighted in the comments, API and IPAA believe that the Proposed Planning Rule departs from BLM’s statutory charge to manage the public lands “on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield,” and “in a manner which recognizes the Nation’s need for domestic sources of minerals . . . from the public lands.” The Proposed Planning Rule also introduces significant uncertainty into the resource management planning process by proposing numerous provisions that create ambiguous standards or otherwise expand agency discretion. Read the full comments HERE.
