By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is sounding the alarm over a land grab by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM’s new resource management plans target 183 million acres of public lands in the West. They prioritize conservation, including habitat protection for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse.
Joining Boebert in opposition to the plans are Bruce Westerman, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Chelsie Miera, the executive director of the Western Slope Oil & Gas Association. They worry about the economic fallout from such land management decisions in Colorado and Utah.
The BLM recently made amendments to 11 Resource Management Plans (RMPs) in Colorado and Utah, which impacts vast areas of public land and subsurface resources.
Boebert opposes the new rules. She is concerned they will hurt Colorado’s oil and gas industry.
“Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration and the radical progressives in charge of BLM are attempting to lock up our public lands from critical uses like oil and gas exploration,” Boebert said.
She stresses the far-reaching effects for Coloradans. They would lose high-paying jobs and millions in education funding that depend on oil and gas revenues, Boebert says.
“There is nothing balanced about this,” Boebert added, referencing similar past efforts under the Obama Administration. “This new land grab attempt doubles down to lock up tens of millions of acres more of surface and subsurface mineral rights.”
House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman echoed Boebert’s concerns. He framed the decision as part of a larger political struggle.
“This is just the latest attempt from BLM to prioritize environmental activists over the economic needs of local communities,” Westerman said. He notes that limiting energy production on public lands could raise energy costs for American families. “House Republicans will work to stop this nonsensical war on American energy.”
The issue highlights the wider debate surrounding public lands and energy development. Conservationists say that protecting habitats of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse is vital to biodiversity. But Boebert and Westerman argue it harms economic stability, especially in energy-producing areas like Colorado’s Western Slope.
Chelsie Miera, of the Western Slope Oil & Gas Association, is frustrated with the BLM’s actions. She notes that Colorado has some of the toughest oil and gas regulations in the country.
“It is frustrating for our oil and gas employees to watch the Biden-Harris Administration continue to make production of our clean, reliable, and affordable natural gas nearly impossible,” Miera said. She praises Boebert’s advocacy for the thousands of Colorado families who rely on the industry.
The new land management plans also create new wilderness areas. Critics say this could raise the risk of catastrophic wildfires. These designations limit active forest management and thinning. These practices are often needed to reduce fire risks. Boebert and her allies argue that blocking these measures will cause more destructive fires. Drought-prone areas like the Western Slope will be especially affected.
The BLM’s new plans will affect six million surface acres and 16 million acres of subsurface mineral rights in Colorado. These changes restrict low- and medium-potential oil and gas areas in the Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices. They further narrow the scope for energy development.
As the debate intensifies, Boebert has vowed to fight the land restrictions. She positions herself as a defender of local economies and energy independence.
“I will fight this newest land grab just like I’ve done for every ridiculous attempt from the Biden-Harris Administration and BLM to damage our economy,” Boebert said.
The Gunnison Sage-Grouse, found mainly in Colorado and Utah, is at the center of many land use debates. The species is not federally listed as endangered. But, it has been a focus for conservation efforts, especially under the Obama and Biden administrations. The latest BLM actions include creating a one-mile buffer zone around the bird’s habitat. This aims to reduce surface disturbances in areas proponents say are critical to its survival.
Critics argue that the restrictions are excessive and unnecessary. This is especially true in areas with low oil and gas production potential. Supporters see the species as vital to the region’s biodiversity. This fuels their argument of ensuring future generations are able to enjoy these public lands.