Interior Secretary Burgum Advocates for Multi-Use of Public Lands

Burgum says federal lands should be open for mining, grazing, timber, and housing, not just conservation.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:37am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone cowboy on horseback against a vast desert landscape, the scene bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the multiple uses and competing interests surrounding public lands.The Interior Secretary's visit highlights the delicate balance between conservation, industry, and community needs on America's public lands.Las Vegas Today

In an interview during a visit to Las Vegas, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that public lands in the U.S., aside from those set aside for conservation or national parks, should be open for multiple uses such as mining, grazing, timber, and housing development. Burgum said his job is to work for the American people and ensure these lands are used to their full potential.

Why it matters

Burgum's comments reflect a shift in the federal government's approach to public land management, moving away from a focus on conservation towards a more balanced, multi-use policy. This could have significant implications for industries like mining, ranching, and timber, as well as for affordable housing development in areas like Las Vegas.

The details

During his visit, Burgum met with officials from the Bureau of Land Management, including the BLM Nevada chief, as well as local rangers and firefighters. He discussed the department's efforts to make more federal land available for affordable housing development in Las Vegas, a priority for the city's governor. Burgum also addressed the ongoing dispute over water allocation from the Colorado River, urging the basin states to reach an agreement before the federal government has to impose a plan.

  • Burgum made these comments during a visit to Las Vegas on April 8, 2026.
  • The meeting with Nevada's governor, Joe Lombardo, was part of Burgum's swing through western states.

The players

Doug Burgum

The current U.S. Secretary of the Interior, appointed by the President to oversee the management of federal public lands and natural resources.

Joe Lombardo

The Governor of Nevada, who has repeatedly urged the federal government to release more Bureau of Land Management land in the Las Vegas Valley for affordable housing development.

Jon Raby

The BLM Nevada chief, who met with Burgum during his visit.

Varlin Higbee

A Lincoln County rancher who uses public lands to graze his cows and calves, and who expressed optimism about the government's support for ranching after meeting with Burgum.

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What they’re saying

“The rest is for multi-use. It was meant for mining and grazing and timber and housing. It was meant for those things. It's America's balance sheet and we've got to get the appropriate return on it. So my job is to work for the American people and literally, the law says that these lands are for the benefit of the use of the American people.”

— Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

“Affordablility is key in this country. It's key to this administration and not only getting land for housing here, but also speeding up permitting for timber. I mean, we stopped developing timber in our country.”

— Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

“The federal agency, the BLM, is willing to work with us for multiple use, which is a good thing. Past agencies haven't always been that friendly to us. In fact, like I said earlier, 70% of the livestock industry here in the state of Nevada is gone since 1960; it doesn't exist anymore. And you're wondering about livestock shortages, and people are wondering where their meat is coming from.”

— Varlin Higbee, Lincoln County Rancher

What’s next

Burgum said a recent meeting of basin-state governors in Washington, D.C. almost reached an agreement on the allocation of water from the Colorado River, but differences remain. He said if the states don't come to an agreement, the federal government will have to announce an operating plan for the year, which could be a worse outcome than the states compromising.

The takeaway

Burgum's comments signal a shift in the federal government's approach to public land management, moving away from a focus on conservation towards a more balanced, multi-use policy that could benefit industries like mining, ranching, and timber, as well as affordable housing development. However, this change in direction could also raise concerns about the long-term preservation of sensitive ecosystems and natural resources.