Public Lands News (April 21 - 25)

This week, we cover moves inside the Department of the Interior (DOI) alongside new polling that shows the public isn’t on board with these drastic changes.

Colorado College’s 2025 Conservation in the West Poll reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for clean water, wildlife, and public lands protections, including 51% of MAGA voters siding with conservation over expanded energy development.

Yet while public support rises, the Trump administration is accelerating environmental rollbacks. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum handed sweeping authority over all DOI operations to DOGE operative Tyler Hassen, consolidating decision-making for 500 million acres of public lands under a single corporate-aligned figure.

Meanwhile:

• Protections for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument revoked, opening endangered marine habitats to commercial fishing.

• New offshore oil and gas leasing program launched, targeting protected coastal waters.

• Fast-tracked mining projects and slashed permit timelines under a fabricated “National Energy Emergency.”

• Yosemite National Park closed backpacker campgrounds due to severe staffing shortages.

• Minnesota’s BWCAW halted permit issuance at ranger stations amid federal hiring freezes.

It’s a coordinated, high-speed dismantling of decades of conservation protections with direct consequences for ecosystems, communities, and the climate.

Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9⁠⁠⁠)

Sources:

Colorado College's Poll - https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2025-poll-data/CC%20Poll%202025%20-%20National%20Press%20Release.pdf

The Hill - https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5259589-interior-secretary-doug-burgum/

White House EO - https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/unleashing-american-commercial-fishing-in-the-pacific/ https://usa.oceana.org/press-releases/trump-administration-moves-to-undo-science-based-ocean-management-and-protections/

Oceana - https://usa.oceana.org/press-releases/trump-administration-moves-to-undo-science-based-ocean-management-and-protections/

Department of Interior - https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-announces-eleventh-national-outer-continental-shelf-oil-and-gas-leasing 

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/trump-administration-adds-key-mining-projects-fast-41 

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