The government just removed a rule meant to protect federal lands. It was less than a month old.

The US land management agency just canceled a rule that would have prioritized conservation on federal lands. This means the agency will now focus on allowing more drilling, mining, and other resource use on public lands.

The previous rule, issued just weeks ago, aimed to make ecological health a primary goal for federal lands. This reversal means that goal is gone. Companies that want to drill, mine, or graze on public lands will now face fewer regulatory hurdles. It also means environmental groups have lost a tool for protecting these areas.