Congress Signals Disapproval of BLM’s North Dakota Resource Management Plan,www.govinfo.gov

Congress Signals Disapproval of BLM’s North Dakota Resource Management Plan

Washington D.C. – A significant legislative development has emerged from the U.S. Capitol concerning a rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pertaining to the North Dakota Field Office’s Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan. On July 12, 2025, at 02:10, the official government repository, GovInfo.gov, published S.J. Res. 62 (IS), a Joint Resolution providing for congressional disapproval of this specific BLM rule under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.

This action signifies a formal expression of objection by Congress to the BLM’s recently finalized plan for managing public lands within the North Dakota Field Office’s jurisdiction. The Congressional Review Act (CRA), codified in chapter 8 of title 5 of the U.S. Code, grants Congress the authority to review new federal agency rules and, within a specific timeframe, to pass a joint resolution of disapproval, which, if enacted, effectively nullifies the rule.

While the specific details of the BLM’s North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan are not fully elaborated in the provided citation, the introduction of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval strongly suggests that lawmakers have identified substantial concerns regarding the plan’s substance, implementation, or potential impacts. These concerns could encompass a wide range of issues, such as land use designations, resource allocation, environmental considerations, or the process by which the plan was developed and finalized.

The move to disapprove a rule through a Joint Resolution of Disapproval is a potent tool available to Congress to assert its oversight role over the executive branch and its agencies. It reflects a divergence in opinion between the legislative and executive branches regarding the management of these public lands in North Dakota.

Further analysis of S.J. Res. 62 (IS) will be crucial to understand the precise nature of the objections raised by Congress. It is anticipated that the resolution will outline specific provisions within the BLM’s plan that have drawn criticism. This legislative action will likely lead to a period of review and potential debate as the resolution proceeds through the legislative process. The outcome will determine whether the BLM’s plan for the North Dakota Field Office will be overturned, requiring the agency to potentially revisit its decision-making process and develop an alternative plan that aligns with congressional expectations.

S.J. Res. 62 (IS) – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan.