PLS Blog
Keeping you informed on the issues that matter.
Interior department rescinds memo allowing off-road vehicles in Utah’s national parks
Nov 1, 2019
Interior department rescinds memo allowing off-road vehicles in Utah’s national parks by Katie Ross | Nov 1, 2019 Proposed rule sparked backlash from local communities, businesses Last week the National Park Service announced it was scrapping plans to allow...
Interior Department Advisory Committee Recommends Expanding Private Business at National Park Campgrounds
Oct 29, 2019
A Trump administration advisory panel has recently released a memorandum that recommends a plan that would give private businesses a stronger foothold in national park campgrounds. Supporters of the plan argue that the infrastructure needs to be modernized making the...
Public Land Solutions Attends Public Hearing on Methane Emission Rollbacks
Oct 22, 2019
Last week on October 17th in Dallas, TX, the EPA held its sole public hearing on a proposal to eliminate methane controls for oil and gas facilities. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and responsible for 25% of the global...
New Mexico’s Proposed Methane Regulations To Benefit Outdoor Recreation
Aug 29, 2019
New Mexico is getting serious about the importance of its vast natural resources. Earlier this year, the state established Outdoor Recreation Division within the state’s Economic Development Department. But oil and gas operations in New Mexico release more than 1...
The Methane Rule: where are we now?
Jun 4, 2019
Last month, House Democrats introduced the Methane Waste and Prevention Act of 2019, a bill designed to restore some of the regulations on methane emissions previously established by the 2016 Methane Rule, which has been effectively repealed by the Trump Administration.
National park visitors contributing billions to U.S. economy
May 24, 2019
According to a Department of the Interior (DOI) press release sent out Thursday, visitors to national parks contributed $40 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 329,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and recreation.
Utah’s San Juan County votes to leave Bears Ears lawsuit
Apr 26, 2019
The San Juan County Commission voted last week to withdraw from a lawsuit over the Trump Administration’s 2017 decision to shrink Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent.
Public Land Solutions and outdoor businesses lobby Congress in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Mar 28, 2019
Public Land Solutions and outdoor businesses lobby Congress in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund by Katie Ross | Mar 28, 2019 Business owners discuss the need to fully fund the LWCF On Tuesday, March 26, Public Land Solutions (PLS) and representatives...
Land and Water Conservation Fund permanently reauthorized
Mar 15, 2019
On March 12, President Trump signed the broad public lands package that contains permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), creates four new national monuments, and adds protections for millions of acres of public land and hundreds of miles of river.
Farmington community turns out for trail planning meetings
Mar 1, 2019
Farmington community turns out for trail planning meetings by Katie Ross | Mar 1, 2019 Public Land Solutions, City of Farmington working on future of outdoor recreation for the area Public Land Solutions (PLS) has partnered with the City of Farmington, New Mexico as...
San Juan County Commission votes to support Bears Ears
Feb 25, 2019
The three-member commission of San Juan County, Utah voted 2-1 on a resolution that dissolves all previous resolutions opposing the establishment of the monument or calling for its downsizing.
Land and Water Conservation Fund close to permanent reauthorization
Feb 13, 2019
On Tuesday, February 12 the Senate voted 98-2 to pass what some are calling the biggest conservation legislation in a decade, ensuring protections for millions of acres of land and hundreds of miles of rivers.
Shutdown damage still being measured
Jan 31, 2019
As various federal agencies and businesses begin to assess the damage caused by the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, impacts on public lands and the people who depend on them are coming to the forefront.
Senate moves forward with public land package
Jan 11, 2019
The Senate is reviving its efforts to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which expired in September 2018 after Congress failed to pass legislation to fund it.
Land and Water Conservation Fund’s future in flux
Dec 13, 2018
Land and Water Conservation Fund’s future in flux by Katie Ross | Dec 13, 2018 More than $176 million in funding lost as Congress limps through lame duck session The Land and Water Conservation Fund, a legacy program that has existed for more than fifty years, remains...
New Colorado Governor Polis pledges public land protections
Nov 14, 2018
New Colorado Governor Polis pledges public land protections by Katie Ross | Nov 14, 2018 Recreation economy high on governor-elect’s agenda Jared Polis gave his first remarks as governor-elect of Colorado at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market last week, promising to...
An update on the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Oct 18, 2018
An update on the Land and Water Conservation Fund by Katie Ross | Oct 18, 2018 Congress may consider LWCF reauthorization and funding during this Fall’s lame duck session After Congress failed to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) on September 30,...
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
Oct 8, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Grand Canyon uranium mining ban by Katie Ross | Oct 8, 2018 Court rejects mining industry’s challenge to 20-year moratorium on new claims Supreme Court decided last week not to hear a case challenging the current ban on new uranium mining in...
Land and Water Conservation Fund passes key Senate committee
Oct 2, 2018
Land and Water Conservation Fund passes key Senate committee by Katie Ross | Oct 2, 2018 All eyes now look toward end-of-year negotiations to reauthorize and fund this important recreation and conservation program The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a...
More states pursuing outdoor recreation offices
Aug 17, 2018
More states pursuing outdoor recreation offices by Katie Ross | Aug 17, 2018 More support needed from outside the outdoor industry According to an Outside Magazine article published last week, 11 states now either have an office of outdoor recreation, or have...
Comment period opens for management plans at downsized Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monuments
Aug 16, 2018
Comment period opens for management plans at downsized Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monuments by Katie Ross | Aug 16, 2018 Lands cut from Grand Staircase National Monument part of a separate draft plan On August 15, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)...
More than half a million acres set to be auctioned off in Utah
Aug 1, 2018
More than half a million acres set to be auctioned off in Utah by Katie Ross | Aug 1, 2018 Approximately 334 parcels set for September, December oil & gas lease sales Later this year, the Utah office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be offering up over...
Interior announces mineral withdrawal for Wyoming’s Johnny Behind the Rocks
Jun 11, 2018
Interior announces mineral withdrawal for Wyoming’s Johnny Behind the Rocks by Katie Ross | Jun 11, 2018 Popular Mountain bike trail system protected from mining for 20 years Last week Interior Secretary Zinke announced a 20-year mineral withdrawal for the Johnny...
Court keeps implementation of Methane Rule on hold
Jun 5, 2018
Court keeps implementation of Methane Rule on hold by Katie Ross | Jun 5, 2018 Case to revive the rule can continue On Monday June 4th, a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a request from California, New Mexico, and various environmental groups asking to...
Local elected officials travel to DC and voice support for the recreation economy
May 4, 2018
Local elected officials travel to DC and voice support for the recreation economy by Katie Ross | May 4, 2018 Recreation investments and the Land Water Conservation Fund key to economic prosperity Last week, Public Land Solutions (PLS) and a group of local elected...
Outdoor businesses speak out against methane rule revisions
May 3, 2018
Outdoor businesses speak out against methane rule revisions by Katie Ross | May 3, 2018 Companies of all sizes express concerns over rollback Public Land Solutions (PLS) recently submitted a letter signed by 35 outdoor industry businesses outlining concerns over the...
Report: national public lands in Western states see 290 million visits annually
Apr 3, 2018
Report: national public lands in Western states see 290 million visits annually by Katie Ross | Apr 3, 2018 Estimated visitor numbers equivalent to 90 percent of U.S. population The Center for Western Priorities (CWP) released a report last week estimating that the...
Public Land Solutions kicks off recreation economy project
Mar 23, 2018
Public Land Solutions kicks off recreation economy project by Katie Ross | Mar 23, 2018 New effort highlighting outdoor recreation communities around the nation As part of its Prosperous Communities Initiative, Public Land Solutions has begun a survey of communities...
Methane Rule revisions open for public comment
Mar 14, 2018
Methane Rule revisions open for public comment by Katie Ross | Mar 14, 2018 Proposed changes would roll back taxpayer and environmental protections After multiple failed attempts at repeal, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has published its draft revision the 2016...
Forest Service proposes streamlining environmental review procedures
Feb 6, 2018
Forest Service proposes streamlining environmental review procedures by Katie Ross | Feb 6, 2018 Changes needed to clarify permitting process In recently submitted comments, Public Land Solutions (PLS) offered several suggestions on the United States Forest Service’s...
Land and Water Conservation Fund up for permanent renewal
Jan 30, 2018
Land and Water Conservation Fund up for permanent renewal by Katie Ross | Jan 30, 2018 Bill to fund conservation program gains large co-sponsorship A bipartisan bill (H.R. 502) to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has gained 219...
Reservation system proposed for Arches National Park
Jan 19, 2018
Reservation system proposed for Arches National Park by Katie Ross | Jan 19, 2018 New system would drastically cut down on overcrowding, wait times National Parks, long the crown jewels of our country’s natural wonders, have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent...
Good Start for Proposed Utah Ozone Regulations
Jan 2, 2018
Utah’s Division of Air Quality board will vote January 3 on whether to adopt the proposed rule changes to the way oil and gas development is regulated on public lands in the state. The updated rules could go into effect later this month. Below is Public Land Solutions’ statement on the current proposed rules.
National Monument cuts evoke swift response
Dec 5, 2017
National Monument cuts evoke swift response by Katie Ross | Dec 5, 2017 Tribal, environmental groups sue over the reduction of Utah’s protected lands On Monday, in front of a crowd of handpicked supporters at Utah’s capital in Salt Lake City, President Trump issued...
Public Land Solutions Urges the Bureau of Land Management To Reconsider Oil and Gas Leases Near Chaco Culture National Historic Park
Oct 20, 2017
Today Public Land Solutions urged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reconsider proposed oil and gas leases near Chaco Culture National Historic Park and more carefully analyze how these developments may negatively affect the regional recreation economy, including...
Methane rule safe for now
Oct 16, 2017
Methane rule safe for now by Katie Ross | Oct 16, 2017 California court rules Interior Department must continue with regulations Earlier this month, a federal court in California ruled that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unlawfully postponed key compliance dates...
Utah Representative co-sponsors Recreation Act
Oct 13, 2017
Utah Representative co-sponsors Recreation Act by Katie Ross | Oct 13, 2017 Rep. Mia Love joins others on Recreation Not Red-Tape bill Last week, Utah Congresswoman Mia Love joined Reps. Simpson (R-ID), Beyer (D-VA), and Polis (D-CO) in co-sponsoring the Recreation...
Grand County, Utah Affirms Support for Moab Master Leasing Plan
Oct 10, 2017
Grand County, Utah Affirms Support for Moab Master Leasing Plan by Katie Ross | Oct 10, 2017 County Council approves letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging use of planning tool Utah’s Grand County Council voted to send a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan...
BLM defers two controversial lease parcels near Dinosaur National Monument
Sep 28, 2017
BLM defers two controversial lease parcels near Dinosaur National Monument by Katie Ross | Sep 28, 2017 Agency moves forward other contested parcels Earlier this month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will not include two parcels of land near...
Directive threatens balanced recreation planning
Sep 8, 2017
Directive threatens balanced recreation planning by Katie Ross | Sep 8, 2017 Administration imposes clumsy changes to NEPA, our bedrock environmental protection law Prior to Labor Day weekend, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke issued Secretarial Order 3355 (SO 3355)...
Recreation spending report highlights importance of BLM sagebrush lands
Aug 15, 2017
Recreation spending report highlights importance of BLM sagebrush lands by Katie Ross | Aug 15, 2017 Sagebrush habitat contributes heavily to the economies of six Western states Today, Public Lands Solutions (PLS) pushed back against Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s...
BLM proposes leases near Dinosaur National Monument
Jul 14, 2017
BLM proposes leases near Dinosaur National Monument by Katie Ross | Jul 14, 2017 Energy development proposals at Dinosaur National Monument jeopardize businesses and recreation economy The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently proposed several parcels of land for...
PLS urges Interior Secretary against shrinking monument
Jul 10, 2017
PLS urges Interior Secretary against shrinking monument by Katie Ross | Jul 10, 2017 Zinke’s interim Bears Ears report leaves landscapes vulnerable In a document released in June, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke recommended shrinking the borders of Bears Ears...
BLM defers leases threatening Zion National Park
Jun 6, 2017
BLM defers leases threatening Zion National Park by Katie Ross | Jun 6, 2017 Gov. Herbert, Zion communities urged deferral of leases On June 1, the Utah state office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a decision to defer three controversial lease...
Huge Victory for Public Lands!
May 15, 2017
The BLM Methane Rule survived an attempt to repeal the regulation under the Congressional Review Act, ensuring protections for public lands and recreation remain in place.
Public Land Solutions Brings the Recreation Conversation to DC
May 3, 2017
On April 27 Public Land Solutions partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association and The North Face on Trails to Prosperity ( this will be a link), a briefing and panel highlighting the Prosperous Communities Initiative.
PLS Report: Balancing recreation and energy development
Apr 25, 2017
A new PLS white paper outlines proven strategies and policies for allowing recreation and energy development to exist in harmony.
Public Land Solutions Whitepaper Highlights Economic Potential for Bears Ears National Monument
Apr 20, 2017
PLS discuss the cultural tourism white paper with Senator Orrin Hatch and staff in Moab.
Outdoor businesses oppose Methane Rule rollback
Apr 4, 2017
On March 7 several leading outdoor businesses, such as Patagonia, Petzl, Woolwich, and Oars wrote Congress urging member of the US Senate to vote against the use of the Congressional Review Act for the Bureau of Land Management Methane and Waste Prevention Rule.
Local businesses oppose proposed oil and gas leasing near Zion
Mar 7, 2017
Today, approximately 25 local businesses sent a letter to the Bureau of Land Management St. George Field Office opposing a plan to sell three oil and gas leases near to Zion National Park. The businesses join a chorus of concern for the leases. Washington County, the City of Springdale, and over 40,000 citizens have also voiced concerns for the proposed lease sale.