House Introduces Resolution to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0 Rule

Date: January 30th, 2017

Explanation: Congressional action

Agencies: BLM

A joint resolution was introduced in the House (H.J.Res.44) to overturn the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Planning 2.0 rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA allows the House and Senate to nullify any recently finalized federal regulation by a simple majority vote in both chambers (subject to presidential approval).

The Planning 2.0 rule aims to improve BLM’s land use planning and environmental review processes by ensuring that BLM officials incorporate the most current data and technology into their plans and reviews.  One goal of the rule is to allow BLM to more readily address changing conditions on public lands caused by climate change.

Planning 2.0 Rule

The Planning 2.0 rule aims to improve BLM’s land use planning and environmental review processes by providing BLM with the tools needed to respond to changing conditions in a timely manner. Several key components of the rule are that it would: (i) give BLM flexibility to plan across traditional administrative boundaries and implement landscape-level management approaches, and (ii)  introduce new guidelines aimed at ensuring that BLM officials incorporate the most current data and technology into their plans and reviews, and (iii) provide more opportunities for input from state and local governments and the public during the planning process.  BLM states that the rule will enable it to more readily address resource issues at a variety of scales, such as wildfire, wildlife habitat, appropriate development, or the demand for renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and to respond more effectively to change (including climate change).

In a related effort, the BLM is revising its land use planning handbook that provides detailed guidance on implementing the planning processes.  The agency anticipates releasing a draft of the handbook for review in 2017.

Deregulatory Action: On Feb. 7, 2017, the House passed a resolution (H.J.Res.44) to overturn the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Planning 2.0 rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).  The Senate passed the same resolution on March 7, 2017. President Trump signed the resolution on March 27, 2017.