In Southern Nevada, we are surrounded by beauty and recognize the importance the outdoor recreation industry plays in keeping local economies vibrant. As a Western local elected official, I know many of our communities are near lands that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), including traditional homelands of Indigenous populations, vital watersheds for communities, and outstanding fish and wildlife habitats. These lands also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing, and are critical for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Clark County is home to more than 2 million residents who enjoy our public lands. As someone who deeply cares about Nevada’s public lands, I welcome the recent announcement from the Bureau of Land Management of a final Public Lands Rule that will prioritize the recreation and conservation of our public lands and cultural resources. As the nation’s largest land manager, the BLM plays a critical role in Nevada managing lands that are vitally important to the conservation of water, wildlife and the growing demand for access to the outdoors.

The final rule highlights the need for the agency to work with local communities to conserve land, water and wildlife, and ensure communities can protect future access to federal public lands while combating the growing impacts of climate change. 

Elected officials — local and federal — businesses, outdoor enthusiasts and the public have wanted to see more administrative protections by the BLM and welcome the final Public Lands Rule. In fact, 92 percent of public comments submitted during the open comment period last year backed the draft policy. I am encouraged that the agency listened to our voices and has implemented these needed changes. 

With our BLM lands, recreation areas, national monuments (including the new Avi Kwa Ame) and even through land use policies, local land managers and governments play a crucial role in conservation and addressing climate change. For example, thanks to the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA), we have a unique opportunity for using the proceeds from BLM land sales to support local conservation efforts. Like SNPLMA, the new Public Lands Rule gives communities additional tools and direction to ensure our public lands into the future.

The final Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule will better balance and uphold its multiple-use mission. The Biden administration’s bold, comprehensive framework places climate change mitigation, outdoor recreation, cultural lands protection and conservation on equal footing with industrial development in Nevada and across the West. I hope our state’s congressional leaders will continue to support public lands by raising their voices in support of this rule.  

I join small business owners, outdoor recreation leaders, sportsmen, community members and other local elected officials throughout the Battleborn State and across the West who are celebrating this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Now is the time for local collaboration with the agency to address intensifying drought, wildfires and other threats to public lands and waters. 

Tick Segerblom is the Clark County commissioner representing District E.

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