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The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday unveiled new regulations for grazing livestock on public lands.

The new regulations, which take effect in 30 days, include a change that allows ranchers to share with BLM ownership of improvements they make on public lands.

"These new regulations are aimed at promoting more effective and efficient management of public lands grazing, which is a vital part of the history, economy and social identity of Western rural communities," BLM director Kathleen Clarke said in a news release.

The new regulations also limit who is allowed to protest grazing leases and allow lessees to hold permits for longer without having to graze the land.

The change allowing ranchers to make improvements on the land they lease is one of the most notable, according to BLM.

Jim Hughes, BLM deputy director for programs and policy, said the old policy was a hindrance for ranchers who want to lease public lands.

"It's clear, based on what ranchers have told us, it is a major disincentive for them to invest in public lands," Hughes said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters.

The change means that if ranchers pay for half of an improvement -- such as a corral or watering pond -- and the BLM pays for half, both sides will own half of the improvement, Hughes said.

John Raftopoulos, who runs cattle and sheep on BLM land in Moffat County, said allowing ranchers to share ownership is a welcome change.

"It's just like anything else: If you have ownership, the more likely you are to take better care of it," Raftopoulos said.

But critics say the change will make it harder for BLM to revoke permits.

Greta Anderson, range restoration coordinator for the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Ariz., said that if ranchers own part of the lease, the BLM will have to buy them out when their lease ends.

Anderson said that, in general, the regulations announced Wednesday are a handout to ranchers.

"Essentially, the new regulations limit the agency's ability to manage proactively, and it reflects the prioritization of the industry agenda," Anderson said.

BLM officials have said the new regulations are an effort to improve relations with ranchers, something Anderson said isn't fair to other residents.

"There are only 15,000 public lands ranchers. There are millions of Americans who are concerned about our public lands," she said.