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


** Lawmakers unveil legislation to restore wetland protections
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Thursday, October 19, 2023
Wood River Wetland, Oregon. Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, Flickr ([link removed])

More than 100 policymakers in the U.S. House of Representatives gathered ([link removed]) Wednesday to unveil the Clean Water Act of 2023, legislation that would restore protections for wetlands in the United States.

The legislation is a response to Sackett v. EPA ([link removed]) , a landmark Supreme Court decision that gutted protections for most of the nation's wetlands. In the ruling, the court concluded that waters are not protected under the Clean Water Act of 1972 unless they have a continuous surface connection to key lakes and rivers that affect interstate commerce. In other words, waters that have an underground connection to lakes or rivers, or are at all separated by barriers, are no longer protected by the Clean Water Act.

The proposed Clean Water Act of 2023 would reinstate the prior definition ([link removed]) of protected waters. Under this definition, waters are protected if they have a "significant nexus" to larger bodies of water through physical, chemical, or biological links. The legislation would also finalize permitting exemptions for activities including farming, ranching, construction, and waste treatment, and it would require the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to periodically review Clean Water Act exemptions to keep regulations up to date with current science.


** Quick hits
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Western states opposed Tribes' access to the Colorado River 70 years ago. History is repeating iteself

ProPublica ([link removed]) | High Country News ([link removed])

With a full set of tools, there has never been a better time to protect America’s public lands

Westwise ([link removed])

U.S. fire season on track to be one of slowest in years

Boise State Public Radio News ([link removed])

Flame retardant chemicals detected in 100+ species worldwide

E&E News ([link removed])

Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument celebrates one year

KUNC ([link removed])

New report helps Utahns prepare for extreme heat waves

KSL ([link removed])

Congress will debate whether to rename the Mount Evans Wilderness west of Denver

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Opinion: Exxon Mobil's Pioneer acquisition is a direct threat to democracy

New York Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” I think (the designation of Camp Hale) is just step one in a new era for protecting Colorado's public land. For prioritizing conservation and recreation, making sure that the wildlife that live in western Colorado have connected and safe habitats, protecting the watershed and the drinking water for millions of people, and giving outdoors enthusiasts a lot of space.”

—Ellen Montgomery, director of Environment America, KUNC ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
What creature is fluffy, boldly colored and packs a chemical defense so powerful it can stop even bears in their tracks? That’s right, we’re talking about our iconic friend clad in black and white: the skunk. 🦨🦨🦨

Skunks, in all their smelly glory, play a key role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. They are both prey and predators, keeping populations of small mammals and insects in check. Our public lands wouldn’t be (or smell) the same without them!

Photo at Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge by Colin Dunleavy

#skunk ([link removed]) #wildlife ([link removed]) #publiclands ([link removed])

Alt Text: Three curious young black and white skunks are on an evening stroll on a rocky trail.

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