The Bureau of Land Management announced that it was extending the comment period for its proposed rule to improve the planning process for agency managed lands. The changes aim to make the process "more collaborative, transparent, and effective." Dubbed Planning 2.0, the rule will impact the development of and changes to Resource Management Plans that are mandated under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Many of the changes will codify land-use planning best practices BLM has identified over the last few decades. In addition, Planning 2.0 will expand opportunities for public involvement during the planning process.

"The proposed rule would enable the BLM to more readily address landscape-scale resource issues, such as wildfire, habitat connectivity, or the demand for renewable and non-renewable energy sources and to respond more effectively to environmental and social changes," the agency summarizes. "The proposed rule would further emphasize the role of science in the planning process and the importance of evaluating the resource, environmental, ecological, social, and economic conditions at the onset of planning. The proposed rule would affirm the important role of other Federal agencies, State and local governments, Indian tribes, and the public during the planning process, and would enhance opportunities for public involvement and transparency during the preparation of resource management plans. Finally, the proposed rule would make revisions to clarify existing text and use plain language to improve the readability of the planning regulations."

Comments will be accepted until May 25 and can be submitted online or by mail to the Bureau of Land Management's Washington, DC office.