Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Interior protects sacred lands in New Mexico from mineral development
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Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Pronghorn in the oil patch. Source: BLM New Mexico, Flickr ([link removed])
The Interior Department is moving forward with a plan to protect more than 4,000 acres in New Mexico from future oil and gas development and mining ([link removed]) within the Placitas area in Sandoval County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a 50-year mineral withdrawal that would prevent new mining claims and oil and gas development in the area, subject to valid and existing rights. The move is intended to safeguard sacred Tribal lands, boost important local recreation opportunities, and support wildlife habitat connectivity ([link removed]) .
“Today we’re responding to [a] call from Tribes, elected leaders, and community members who want to see these public lands protected,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement ([link removed]) . “We look forward to hearing more from the public to inform decisions about how activities, like gravel mining, may impact these lands, including the important cultural and natural resources.”
The Pueblos of San Felipe and Santa Ana have long sought protections for the Placitas area ([link removed]) , saying they consider the lands ancestral and sacred. The Interior Department concurs that the area contains known archaeological resources from as far back as the prehistoric Paleoindian period through the early days of New Mexico's statehood. The proposed withdrawal area is also near the Albuquerque metro area and is a popular place for hiking, camping, sightseeing, and hunting, according to Interior's statement ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
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After a century, oil and gas problems persist on Navajo lands
Capital & Main ([link removed])
A year after the Great Salt Lake's record low, half the lake is still left for dead
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Report: Economic impact of New Mexico's Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
New Mexico Political Report ([link removed])
Company to persist after federal judge rules environmental analysis for Utah oil train was incomplete
NPR ([link removed])
Lawmakers revive push for Civilian Conservation Corps
E&E News ([link removed])
Interior protects sacred land in New Mexico from mineral development
New Mexico Political Report ([link removed]) | Source NM ([link removed]) | Albuquerque Journal ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | KRQE ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Interior Department ([link removed]) statement
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Telluride's Via Ferrata could get first-ever Forest Service trail designation
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | KJCT ([link removed])
BLM considers fifth major solar energy project in California renewable energy zone
E&E News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Utah is going through the couch looking for loose change to try and put water into the Great Salt Lake instead of doing what every future homeowner does, which is establish a plan about how to pay the debt. We are in debt because we’re overusing water on our homes and on our farms.”
—Zach Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council, Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
Coati mama and her kits are out for an afternoon stroll at Bonita Creek in Arizona. With their tails-up, formidable front claws and long snouts, this band of coatis sniff along the ground in search of insects, frogs and reptiles.
A member of the raccoon family, coatis live on the canyons and hills of southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as in Central and South America. Unlike the nocturnal raccoon, coatis like to snack during the day. They can flip over rocks in search of snakes and lizards or use their excellent climbing skills to forage for nuts, berries or bird eggs in trees.
Photo by Christina Porter / @mypubliclands ([link removed])
#wildlife ([link removed]) #coati ([link removed]) #publiclands ([link removed]) #arizona ([link removed])
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