Public Lands Development under New Administration

I was able to attend the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s course on Advanced Public Lands held in Santa Fe this January. Between all agencies, there is approximately 652 million acres of federally managed lands. Given the timing of the conference, many speculated and discussed what development of public lands might bring under the current Trump Administration. Many speculate that this Administration will bring more of a use, disposal and/or privatization model.

Various models of public lands use have come and gone throughout the history of the US including Acquisition, Disposal, Privatization, Retention, Management, and Nature Conservation, among others. With many forces driving our models including population growth, energy development, increased recreation and environmental values, and limited natural resources, it will be interesting to see how this is all balanced in the next four years.

Those at the RMMLF conference speculate that we will see reform to the ESA, Antiquities Act, Federal Land Transfers, Energy Initiative, Land Use, and Ocean Withdrawal Orders. There is speculation that the President will revise National Monument Orders and/or reverse several of the Executive Orders signed in the last months of the Obama Administration. Will there be administrative reform on the coal moratoriums, climate initiatives and BLM plan and regulations? Exciting times are ahead as we are in a front seat to watch history change with regard to public land use!