(Reuters) – The Biden administration took steps on Monday to protect the Ruby Mountains in northeastern Nevada from oil, gas and geothermal development for 20 years.
The Interior Department said it has approved a request by the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw 264,442 acres of federal lands in the Ruby Mountains from mineral and geothermal leases.
Approval of the request removes the land from development for up to two years and begins a 90-day period for the public to comment on the proposed 20-year withdrawal.
The proposal comes three weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to boost domestic oil and gas production, succeeds President Joe Biden, a Democrat who has sought to preserve large swaths of public land.
The land will remain open to mining claims, the Interior Department said.
“The Ruby Mountains are cherished by local communities for their scenic value, cultural heritage, abundant wildlife and benefit to the local economy through a thriving outdoor recreation industry,” Interior Minister Deb Haaland said in a statement. “Today we are taking an important and sensible step to pause new oil and gas leases to ensure we have the scientific and public input needed to inform the proposed protection of the Ruby Mountains area for future generations.”
