The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced the department is rescinding the Biden-era Public Lands Rule, which sought to elevate conservation to the same importance as other uses on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Writing in Public Domain, Chris D’Angelo explains that unlike the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies, the BLM often prioritized extractive uses over conservation.
The law has come under fire from Republicans, some Western states, and industry interests. The rule has wide public support. “An analysis by the Center for Western Priorities found that 92% of public commenters supported the rule.”
The change could undo decades of conservation progress and threaten sensitive ecosystems and species. “In addition to the Public Lands Rule, the White House moved to eliminate a Biden-era rule that barred oil and gas development across more than 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve, on Alaska’s North Slope.”
FULL STORY: Trump To Scrap Biden-Era Rule That Elevated Conservation On Public Lands

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service