** Trump proposes massive budget cuts to Interior
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
The proposed FY2021 Interior budget proposal reiterates the administration's commitment to lease the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for potential oil and gas drilling. Photo credit: Lisa Hupp/USFWS ([link removed])

Yesterday, the Trump administration released a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 ([link removed]) . The document proposes a dramatic 16 percent funding cut ([link removed]) for the Interior Department and severe cuts to other agencies as well ([link removed]) . Unsurprisingly, the budget blueprint for Interior ([link removed]) emphasizes the President's "energy dominance" agenda above all other priorities, and reiterates the administration's controversial goal to hold a lease sale in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The proposed budget recommends cutting funding for the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund by 97%. Also worrisome is the administration's proposal
([link removed]) to provide $150 million in funding for the Department of Energy to create a domestic uranium stockpile.

The Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities, Jennifer Rokala, responded ([link removed]) to the proposed budget, saying "This attempt to kneecap the agency in charge of our parks and public lands is clearly dead on arrival,” especially given that "bipartisan majorities in Congress have rejected previous attempts to gut the Interior Department budget and are poised to do so again."


** Ruling on the proposed Rosemont copper mine in Arizona
------------------------------------------------------------
A federal judge overturned ([link removed]) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s approval of a controversial open-pit copper mine in southern Arizona’s Santa Rita Mountains because of threats to jaguars and other endangered species.
Quick hits


** Denver to host hearing on controversial proposal to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act
------------------------------------------------------------

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** Pro-hunting panel created by disgraced former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is disbanded
------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Federal judge rules against Rosemont copper mine in Arizona
------------------------------------------------------------

Arizona Daily Star ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** Interior's proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget cuts funding for the agency by 16%
------------------------------------------------------------

KJZZ ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Podcast: Representative Diana DeGette on her wilderness protection legislation
------------------------------------------------------------

Go West, Young Podcast ([link removed])


** Emails uncover efforts to falsify fire emissions data for political ends
------------------------------------------------------------

Outside ([link removed])


** Opinion: The proposed changes to the Environmental Policy Act are designed to take away the public's voice
------------------------------------------------------------

Denver Post ([link removed])


** Editorial: Utah's revised national monument plans reflect the state's past, not its future
------------------------------------------------------------

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
How much longer are we going to persist with the idea that the path to prosperity in some of the most beautiful places on earth is to drill oil wells and drag chains across the desert?"
—Editorial Board, Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Picture this


** Photo by Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Cedar Mesa Citadel Ruins in Utah.

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
820 16th Street
Suite 450
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])