BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota, Montana and Idaho are suing over a rule that would give the Bureau of Land Management 245 million acres of land to manage for conservation. Community, tribal and environmental groups in those states filed a motion to intervene in the federal lawsuit that challenges the new public lands rule. The coalition aims to defend the Bureau's authority to adopt the rule, while the states, for whom a big part of the economy revolves around oil and gas, are attempting to prevent the land from being controlled by the Bureau. Supporters of the rule say it would better position the agency to manage public lands and serve as a cornerstone of ecological and community resilience in the face of a changing climate. The Bureau is guided by a multiple-use mandate, which includes fracking, mining and grazing. The new rule would also recognize conservation as a use. For decades, the Bureau has made 90% of its public lands available for oil and gas leasing. Fossil fuel extraction causes significant harm to the climate because of the greenhouse gas emissions it generates. The rule is wildly popular, with 92% of comments submitted to the Bureau supporting conservation. What's more, 82% of voters in the Rocky Mountain West support a national goal of conserving public lands and waters in the next decade. Members of Congress, scientists, and many businesses, among others, support the public lands rule. Iraqi oil and gas officials come to Minot to discuss reducing emissions Comments about the rule Barbara Chillcott, senior attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center: “It comes as no surprise that certain states hostile to conservation are suing to prevent the Bureau of Land Management from considering conservation of public lands alongside mining and fracking. We are asking the court to allow us to make the case that modernizing public lands management for conservation and climate protection in the 21st century completely adheres to the broad authority and responsibility the agency bears under well-established law. The public lands rule will serve as a key tool to help the U.S. meet its climate goals. We are decades behind on reaching them.” Shannon Straight, Badlands Conservation Alliance executive director: “The Bureau of Land Management public lands rule can help North Dakota to reach Gov. Burgum’s admirable goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. North Dakota has over 4 million acres of public lands and waters, and our grasslands are a vital habitat for wildlife and fish that feed our growing recreation economy. Grasslands store carbon naturally in their deep root systems and are a dwindling natural resource due to the impacts from extractive industries.” John Rader, public lands program manager at the San Juan Citizens Alliance: “The Federal Land and Policy Management Act (FLPMA) includes conservation of natural and cultural resources in its multiple use mandate. But for decades the Bureau of Land Management has prioritized extractive industry at the expense of our ecosystems and communities. The public lands rule elevates conservation so the Bureau can fulfill FLPMA's mission and manage our resources responsibly.” Randi Spivak, public lands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity: “For too long the Bureau of Land Management has sacrificed our public lands to industry extraction, but this new rule begins to set things right and we’re eager to defend it in court. Congress intended these lands to be managed for conservation as part of its multiple-use mandate. The states fighting this rule care more about shilling for corporations than conserving wildlife, rivers, forests and canyons for future generations.” Dan Ritzman, director of the Sierra Club’s Conservation Campaign: “The Bureau of Land Management is the largest manager of public lands in the United States, and it has a critical role in the effort to take on the climate crisis. For years, the Bureau managed public lands to maximize extraction and profit over conservation, cultural values, and enjoyment, and some want to make sure it stays that way. We need an energetic Bureau that truly upholds its multi-use mandate — including conservation — not one that privileges industry and extraction.” Chris Krupp, public lands attorney at WildEarth Guardians: “Public lands are ingrained in the lives of so many people that live in these states. They want more wildlife, not less. They want favorite landscapes that aren’t threatened with industrial extraction. They want public lands conservation. We’re seeking to intervene in these lawsuits to defend the rule from state leaders whose overriding concern is corporate profits rather than their residents’ values.” Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW