Department of Interior Secretarial Order Gives Locals More Authority in Federal Land Acquisitions

On November 13, 2020, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) released a Secretarial Order requiring the DOI to seek and receive explicit written support from a state’s governor and county government before federal Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars can be used to acquire a parcel of land. The Order, which becomes effective immediately, is the result of efforts by the National Association of Counties (NACo), RCRC’s national advocacy partner, and its members to obtain more say for local governments in federal land acquisitions.  The complete text of the Order can be viewed on the DOI website here.