** BLM backpedals on oil and gas leases for famed Utah bike trail
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, February 24, 2020
Mountain biking on Utah's Slickrock Trail | Russell Brennan, Flickr ([link removed])
After widespread public outrage, the Bureau of Land Management announced it would not offer ([link removed]) oil and gas leases overlapping with Utah's Slickrock Trail, an iconic mountain bike trail sandwiched in between Moab and Arches National Park. The decision to temporarily defer ([link removed]) the controversial leases came after Utah's governor, Moab's mayor ([link removed]) , and more than 80 outdoor businesses ([link removed]) called for the leases to be withdrawn.
While local leaders celebrated the temporary lease withdrawal, some raised the need for reforming how public lands are managed in order to balance recreation with energy production. Ashley Korenblat, CEO of Moab-based Western Spirit Cycling, noted ([link removed]) , "The whole episode does illustrate that it is time for a new system."
The law that guides oil and gas leasing on public lands, the Mineral Leasing Act, was signed ([link removed]) 100 years ago this week, and hasn't been updated in decades. Instead of balancing uses of public lands to benefit local communities, the law allows oil companies to anonymously nominate ([link removed]) public lands they would like to see leased for drilling, then requires the BLM to analyze and offer leases to those lands at auction.
Quick hits
** Trump's proposed $1.5 billion uranium bailout triggers rush of mining plans near Grand Canyon
------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press ([link removed])
** BLM gives green light to 4,000-well drilling project in sage-grouse habitat
------------------------------------------------------------
Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Groups challenge BLM approval of drilling project threatening 6,000-year old pronghorn migration route
------------------------------------------------------------
The Guardian ([link removed])
** As Western coal plants close, what happens to their water rights?
------------------------------------------------------------
KUNC ([link removed])
** Interior Department withdraws controversial oil and gas leases overlapping with iconic Utah mountain bike trail
------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Deseret News ([link removed]) | KUER ([link removed])
** Groups demand more aggressive climate action from Colorado governor
------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
** Years after wildlife refuge standoff, Ammon Bundy still active across the West
------------------------------------------------------------
High Country News ([link removed])
** Opinion: Poll shows Westerners demand action to conserve public lands, waters, and wildlife
------------------------------------------------------------
Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])
Quote of the day
A movement is growing from the ground up, with Westerners of all political stripes clamoring for action to save our way of life, starting with a national conservation goal of protecting 30% of our natural land by 2030 to stave off a looming extinction crisis.”
—Senator Tom Udall, Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
Picture this
Eagletail Mountains Wilderness in Arizona
Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
============================================================
** 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])
