Doug Burgum in as Secretary of the Interior: What’s His New Job?

President-Elect Donald Trump has selected North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to serve as Secretary of the Interior, a key post in his incoming administration. The Department of the Interior, which manages vast federal lands and resources, plays a crucial role in shaping policies related to conservation, energy, natural resources, and Native American affairs. As the new head of the department, Burgum’s conservative approach to governance could bring significant changes to how federal lands are managed and how environmental regulations are enforced.

The Role of the Secretary of the Interior

The Secretary of the Interior oversees the management and conservation of more than 500 million acres of public land, about one-fifth of the entire U.S. landmass. The department is responsible for the protection of national parks, wildlife refuges, and monuments, as well as overseeing the extraction of natural resources like oil, gas, coal, and minerals from federal lands.

The Interior Department also plays a central role in Native American affairs, managing relations between the U.S. government and over 570 federally recognized tribes. Other responsibilities include administering federal water projects, protecting endangered species, and overseeing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and National Park Service (NPS).

In addition, the department regulates public lands in the context of energy and resource development. The Secretary of the Interior has significant influence over decisions involving drilling, mining, and land leasing, often balancing economic development with conservation and environmental protection.

Shifting Policies Under a Trump Administration

With Burgum, a Republican governor known for his support of economic growth and energy development, at the helm, significant policy shifts could take place. Trump’s administration has repeatedly emphasized expanding domestic energy production, deregulation, and reducing the influence of federal environmental protections, all of which may result in a rethinking of the Interior Department’s approach to land use and conservation.

Energy Development

One of the most significant changes under a conservative Secretary of the Interior could be a loosening of restrictions on fossil fuel exploration and extraction. Under the Obama administration, the department placed restrictions on oil, gas, and coal development on public lands in an effort to curb climate change. Trump, who has made increasing U.S. energy independence a priority, has advocated for expanding drilling, mining, and fracking on federal lands. Burgum, who has been a proponent of North Dakota's oil industry, could push for more leases and incentives for energy companies to explore and extract resources from public lands.

Environmental Regulations

Environmentalists are likely to be concerned about a shift towards less stringent environmental regulations. Burgum, like many conservatives, has expressed skepticism about the impact of environmental regulations on economic development. A Trump administration could seek to reduce federal protections for national parks and monuments, potentially opening these areas to new resource extraction projects. In addition, the department may work to scale back the enforcement of climate change-related policies such as emissions standards for public lands.

Tribal Relations

Burgum’s tenure as governor has involved some positive steps toward improving relations with Native American communities in North Dakota, particularly in addressing issues such as infrastructure and economic development on reservations. However, Trump’s broader approach to Native American policy, which includes cutting funding for some federal programs, may shape how Burgum approaches these issues as Secretary of the Interior. Burgum will likely be tasked with balancing the need for economic development on Native lands with the importance of respecting tribal sovereignty and protecting sacred sites.

Public Lands and Conservation

The future of national parks and public lands could see a sharp ideological divide under Burgum’s leadership. Trump’s administration has expressed interest in reducing the size of national monuments, reversing land protections enacted under the Antiquities Act. Critics argue that this could open up public lands to private development, while proponents say it would return control to state and local governments. With Burgum's focus on economic growth and energy development, there may be a push to allow more commercial activity on public lands, potentially at the expense of conservation efforts.

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What Does This Mean for North Dakota?

For North Dakota, Burgum’s appointment as Secretary of the Interior is particularly significant. As governor, he has been a staunch advocate for the state’s booming oil industry and has overseen rapid economic development in the Bakken shale oil region. His policies as Secretary of the Interior may prioritize accelerating energy production, which could benefit North Dakota’s economy and its energy sector. However, this approach could also spark debates over environmental protections, especially concerning air and water quality in oil-producing regions.