Interior Department's Draft Plan Prioritizes Resource Extraction Over Conservation

A recently leaked Interior Department draft outlines a major shift in the management of U.S. public lands, favoring economic development and resource extraction over environmental protection. This five-year strategic plan advocates increasing oil, gas, and mineral exploitation to boost economic returns.

Taylor McKinnon, a conservation advocate focusing on Southwestern lands, described the strategy as a plan to industrialize public lands. He also noted that legal challenges from conservation groups are expected in response to the proposals.

While broad, ambitious proposals like these often face obstacles in Washington, the current administration has been rapidly reshaping federal agencies, catching many opponents off guard as it embarks on its second term.

Jacob Malcom, formerly head of policy analysis at the Interior Department, emphasized the significance of this draft by comparing it to Project 2025 — a comprehensive policy blueprint influential in shaping the administration’s agenda, including its approach to public lands management. Notably, the Interior section of Project 2025 was largely authored by conservative activist William Perry Pendley.

Among the plan’s primary objectives, “Restore American Prosperity” stands out. The strategy calls for opening Alaska and other federal lands to mineral extraction, enhancing revenue streams from grazing, timber, critical minerals, and gravel, and accelerating permitting processes to increase coal, oil, and gas production.