Navigating the 2024 BLM Public Lands Rule & Mountain Biking
Navigating the 2024 BLM Public Lands Rule & Mountain Biking
IMBA's Analysis
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the largest land management agency in the U.S., managing one-tenth of America’s land base (or some 245 million acres). For many years IMBA has worked closely with the BLM, partnering to champion mountain bike access in rural communities throughout the west. The BLM is well known for its multiple-use mandate. The 2024 BLM Public Lands Rule elevates conservation alongside other uses like outdoor recreation, underscoring the link between recreation and ecosystem health. Sustainable recreation requires balanced management, sometimes limiting access for resource protection. IMBA's advocacy influenced the rule's positive development, with our comments echoed by many others. The final rule sets a framework to elevate the tools for land protection, restoration, protection, and conservation in future Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and subsequent site-specific and project-level planning through National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning. Download the full IMBA brief document to dig in to the 2024 BLM Public Land Rule, and what it means for mountain bikers.
IMBA + BLM Webinar
Hungry for more? On Monday, August 12th, 2024, IMBA invited leaders from the Bureau of Land Management to discuss the 2024 Public Lands Rule, the Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation, and their intersections with mountain bikers and trails communities. Give it a view!
Trail advocates and mountain bikers will need to, as always, continue to engage in the public comment aspects of the NEPA process and develop strong relationships and partnerships with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders. Armed with the knowledge of the landscapes for which the NEPA process is addressing, this rule, and other relevant agency regulations, the advocates can better inform and influence the process for their goals. Use this webinar to set up a discussion with your team and/or board on the role of mountain biking, outdoor recreation and land management conservation in the US. IMBA staff remain available to help assist local mountain bikers and organizations in navigating the increasingly complex federal regulatory structure.
