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


** Fight over Uinta Basin Railway heats up
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Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Colorado River running through Glenwood Canyon, Colorado; Steve Martin, Flickr ([link removed])

The first stage of construction on a railway meant to carry oil from from Utah's Uinta Basin through western Colorado is already underway ([link removed]) . But state and local politicians in Colorado say they are not giving up ([link removed]) their fight against the Uinta Basin Railway.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse held a press conference ([link removed]) on the bank of the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs earlier this month in order to raise concerns about the Uinta Basin railway in the wake of the Ohio train derailment disaster.

The two lawmakers have asked ([link removed]) the U.S. Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and two other federal agencies to cancel the railroad's permits. They say the project poses a risk to both the Colorado River, which the railroad will run alongside, as well as communities in western Colorado. And there's more to come, according to Bennet and Neguse.

“The advocacy will grow more muscular in coming months,” Neguse said.

Meanwhile, the Utah government group behind the project is planning to ramp up its messaging efforts as well. The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, which is orchestrating a public-private partnership to build the estimated $3 billion railway, voted to spend $1,000 a month ([link removed]) on a communications campaign to promote the railroad.


** Utah pushes monuments lawsuit
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Utah officials are asking a federal court ([link removed]) to hear their challenge to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, asserting that the monuments are causing it to lose revenue from mineral leasing and grazing fees.

Utah, as well as Kane and Garfield counties, filed a lawsuit in August ([link removed]) alleging President Joe Biden exceeded his authority under the Antiquities Act when he restored more than two million acres to the monuments that had been removed by the Trump administration.

In the filing, Utah argues ([link removed]) that the two monuments, which together constitute 3.23 million acres of land, should actually be no larger than 6,480 acres.


** CWP at SEJ
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The Center for Western Priorities is excited to be attending the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Boise, Idaho this week. If you are at the conference and would like to meet up, please get in touch (mailto:[email protected]) . Look West will be back in your inbox on Monday.
Quick hits


** U.S. methane emissions are 70 percent higher than EPA estimates
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CNN ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinion: Stop dumping trash at Caja del Rio
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Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])


** BLM OKs two fertility control vaccine trials for wild horses
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KUNR ([link removed]) Public Radio ([link removed])


** Rio Gallinas in New Mexico ranks among nation’s most endangered rivers
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Albuquerque Journal ([link removed]) | KUNM ([link removed])


** Colorado’s top oil and gas regulators could get a new name and a new perspective
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CPR ([link removed]) News ([link removed])


** Sanctuary considered for waters around Pacific Remote Islands
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Maui Now ([link removed])


** Ranch owner in Wyoming corner-crossing lawsuit speaks out
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WyoFile ([link removed])


** Meet the Black Coloradans who are making outdoor recreation more accessible
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” People of color have always been involved in nature... It can be going outside and walking the dog. For a lot of people of color, it’s going outside and barbecuing. If you look at it as chasing adrenaline, you’re missing a lot.”
—Patricia Cameron ([link removed]) , founder of Blackpackers
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Save the date! This coming Saturday, in celebration of National Park Week, the @NatlParkService ([link removed]) will offer free admission so everyone can explore our country's vast history and beauty. There is a national park closer than you think — find yours today: [link removed] ([link removed])

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