Bruce Westerman: “This isn't just a minor rule. This is a major rule that the BLM is pushing out. When they held their listening sessions…”

“This isn't just a minor rule. This is a major rule that the BLM is pushing out. When they held their listening sessions, they were located in places that were inconvenient for communities and stakeholders who are most affected by the rule to actually participate in. Only three of the listening sessions held by the BLM were in person, and they were all three in major cities. They were in Albuquerque, Denver, and Reno. Two of the five listening sessions were held virtually, affecting rural communities who have limited access to the internet. The BLM refused to hold listening sessions in the following Western States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington. You would think if they really cared about what the local stakeholders thought, they would have gone out to them and had listening sessions where people could have participated. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.”