The Department of the Interior is proposing to quit the public land conservation rule finalized last year under the Biden administration and then legally challenged by Montana.

With the removal of the rule, the agency intends for it to open up public lands across the nation for mostly industry interests like energy development and agriculture.

The government's move was praised by Republicans and industry groups, while environmentalists said it would threaten wildlife, hunting and public access.

“The harmful Public Lands Rule would have blocked access to use of public lands for outdoor recreation and also would have restricted energy production, grazing and forest management,” Sen. Steve Daines said in a statement. “By rescinding the Public Lands Rule and unlocking more timber sales in

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