Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Feds disburse funds to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions
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Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Pronghorn. Photo by Ryan Howell, BLM Flickr ([link removed])

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico on Tuesday to tout a first-of-its-kind pilot program ([link removed]) to both improve habitat connectivity for wildlife and prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Native American Tribes, as well as state and local governments, will be able to tap into $350 million in funds ([link removed]) available through the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build wildlife corridors along busy roads and add warning signs for drivers.

“Every year, Americans are injured and killed in crashes involving cars and wildlife,” said Buttigieg ([link removed]) . “By launching the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, we are taking an important step to prevent deadly crashes in communities across the country and make America’s roadways safer for everyone who uses them.” Nationwide, about 200 people are killed each year in collisions involving wildlife and vehicles, according to federal data.

Several Western states have already invested substantially in wildlife crossings in recent years through the passage of legislation or the allocation of funds. New Mexico lawmakers passed legislation this spring to set aside $100 million for conservation projects ([link removed]) , including building the state’s first wildlife highway overpasses for mountain lions, black bears, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife.

Technological advances have helped wildlife managers and public safety officials identify the best locations for highway crossings where they can protect public safety and accommodate wildlife migration routes. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich joined Secretary Buttigieg's visit to the Santa Ana Pueblo and emphasized that the migration patterns of elk, deer, mountain lions, and other animals have existed for millennia longer than paved road systems, saying ([link removed]) , “Thinking we can change those patterns with four lanes of asphalt has resulted in dangerous driving conditions and hundreds of human fatalities on our roads each year.”
Quick hits


** Can the oil and gas industry crack geothermal energy?
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Wall Street Journal ([link removed])


** Feds disburse funds to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** National Park Service opposes legislation to allow fixed climbing anchors in wilderness areas
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National Parks Traveler ([link removed])


** Forest Service plans prescribed burns in New Mexico, Washington to prevent out of control blazes
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Source NM ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed])


** From popular to polarizing: the Endangered Species Act at 50
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Abundant Rocky Mountain snowpack is welcome, but not enough to overcome decades of drought
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Feds scrap Clean Water Act permit for proposed Arizona copper mine
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Montana train derailment spills beer and clay in Clark Fork River
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Associated Press ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” The challenge that the basin states face is, what will people do in response to this gift, this tremendous success? Are we going to squander it? Or are we going to store it and rebuild resiliency in this potentially once-in-a-decade, potentially once-in-a-century, type of runoff?”
—Chuck Cullom, executive director of the Upper Colorado River Commission, Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Picture this


** @NatlParkService ([link removed])
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As the great Obi Wan "Canoebi" said, “You must do what you feel is right, of course.”

Canoeing can be peaceful or exhilarating – depending on where and how you do it. Parks offer many opportunities to get out on the water. 🛶

Have you canoed in a park? Did it feel right?

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