** The land seizure movement rises from the grave
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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020
Recapture Canyon, Utah, via Google Earth
Like a zombie film franchise with too many sequels, the movement to take public lands from the American people just won't die. KUER reports that the American Lands Council is seeking $50,000 from Utah taxpayers ([link removed]) to "build support" for the state taking control of national public lands.
The measure is sponsored by State Representative Phil Lyman, a former county commissioner who was convicted and served time in jail ([link removed]) for leading an illegal ATV ride into the archaeologically sensitive Recapture Canyon. Lyman is currently repaying nearly $100,000 in damages at a rate of $100 a month ([link removed]) .
Four years ago, Utah lawmakers set aside $4 million to sue the federal government for control of public lands. In 2018, Utah's attorney general said he was working on a lawsuit ([link removed]) , but has still not filed anything.
** Bernhardt spars with senators
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Interior Secretary David Bernhardt defended longtime land seizure advocate William Perry Pendley ([link removed]) during a testy Senate budget hearing on Wednesday. Pendley is now the de facto head of the Bureau of Land Management. Bernhardt, who was visibly shaking during several exchanges ([link removed]) , also told Senator Chris Van Hollen that he will move ahead with a controversial reinterpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that would no longer fine oil companies for birds killed by oil spills.
Quick hits
** Record-breaking national park visitation highlights need for investment in public lands
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Westwise ([link removed])
** Looming fight over grazing rules surfaces old tensions over who controls the West
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Bloomberg ([link removed])
** American Lands Council wants taxpayer money to build support for land seizure lawsuit
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KUER ([link removed])
** Trump tweet raises hopes for permanent LWCF funding
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CPR News ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** Bernhardt admits a majority of Interior employees have rejected forced reassignments
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Government Executive ([link removed])
** Bernhardt defends migratory bird killing rule, acting BLM head in tense Senate hearing
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed])
** Colorado bill would use remote cameras to detect wildfires
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Durango Herald ([link removed])
** Short film follows runner through three threatened national monuments
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GearJunkie ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Sometimes you are acting like BP’s lawyer, and that is the problem here because the reality is that BP was fined, and other folks, $100 million under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, because of the massive loss in bird life.”
—Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen ([link removed])
to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt
Picture this
** @USFWSSouthwest ([link removed])
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Doesn’t that vole look delicious? When short-eared owls consume small mammals, they will either swallow them whole, or clip the head off first. More: [link removed] ([link removed])
Photo: Short-eared owl eating a vole at an NWR, by Tom Koerner/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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