BLM Headquarters Returning to Washington, D.C.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says the leadership of the Bureau of Land Management will be moving back to Washington, D.C., from Grand Junction, CO. The Trump Administration had moved the office out west.

“The bureau must have the appropriate structure and resources to serve the American public,” Haaland said.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council condemned the decision. Kaitlynn Glover, NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the PLC says that more than 5.5 million acres have burned in catastrophic wildfires this year. “

Nationwide, 4 states are going through an extreme drought that’s thrown rural communities into crisis,” she says. “In a normal season, this would be a disappointing decision, but in the middle of immense threats to public lands, ecosystems, wildlife, businesses, and residents, this is dangerously irresponsible.”

Glover also said BLM’s operations did suffer as a result of their move, but “playing political football” with their mailing address is something western communities can’t afford.

“Implementing another move now is a bad idea when the BLM staff’s time and attention are needed more than ever,” Glover added.

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