Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Why is the Rock Springs RMP generating so much interest?
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Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Sand Dunes Open Play Area 2 near the Rock Springs Field Office. Source, BLM Wyoming Flickr ([link removed])
The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) recently released draft Resource Management Plan ([link removed]) (RMP) for millions of acres in southwest Wyoming is generating an unusual amount of attention ([link removed]) for a public lands agency planning document, including a recent write-up in the New York Times. ([link removed])
The bureau is recommending a more conservation-focused approach for 3.6 million acres that will update the plan currently in place. In part, the updated plan will prioritize wildlife habitat and movement, which will require closing some portions of the region to energy development, a fact that has attracted the ire of several Wyoming elected officials, including Representative Harriet Hageman, who is introducing legislation ([link removed]) to prevent the RMP from being implemented, claiming, “the Rock Springs RMP poses an existential threat to Wyoming’s recreation and energy industries.”
As Jonathan Thompson recently pointed out in a High Country News story ([link removed]) , the Rock Springs RMP is actually intended to fulfill the BLM's multiple-use management objective—the draft RMP proposes designating 1.6 million acres as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, increasing protections for areas important to eight Tribal nations, closing about 2 million acres to new oil and gas leasing and hardrock mining claims, while still leaving 99 percent of the planning area open to livestock grazing, 1.4 million acres would still be open to oil and gas leasing and development, over 200,000 acres open to coal leasing, and just under 2 million ares open to oil shale and hardrock mining.
In response to the unprecedented interest in the RMP, the Wyoming Outdoor Council held a meeting in Pinedale ([link removed]) to explain what's in the RMP and how to submit public comments. Meghan Riley, public lands and wildlife advocate for the group, suggested ([link removed]) individuals should "focus on what matters to you, and share your personal connection to the lands, resources and uses of interest to you." The BLM extended the public comment period for 60 days. Comments on the draft RMP can be submitted until January 17, 2024 ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
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Biden names Laura Daniel-Davis as acting Interior deputy secretary
The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Dozens of bird names honoring racist individuals are about to change
Washington Post ([link removed])
Secretary Haaland announces funding for Colorado coal mine cleanup
E&E News ([link removed])
Billionaire proposes massive land trade with the feds, sparking public land access concerns
Nevada Independent ([link removed])
"Mr. Sagebrush Rebellion" heirs to pay EPA millions for cleanup of hazardous materials cache
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
The federal government's plan for managing the Colorado River's reservoirs
High Country News ([link removed])
Rep. Hageman introduces bill to block BLM's draft Rock Springs Resource Management Plan
Big Horn Basin Media ([link removed])
Can we save every species from extinction?
Scientific American ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Laura Daniel-Davis is the obvious and well-qualified choice for the number two spot at Interior. She has the experience and deep knowledge of the challenges facing America’s public lands today, and as an existing member of Interior’s top leadership team, she will be able to step into the deputy secretary’s office with ease.”
—Deputy Director Aaron Weiss, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
Invasive plants are very, very frightening. 😱
But fear not! Frost – an invasive species sniffing super doggo – is on a mission to keep @grandtetonnps ([link removed]) invasive plant free! 🐾
Frost and his caretakers with the Working Dogs for Conservation and Teton County Weed and Pest are working with Grand Teton National Park to locate, remove and eradicate the salt cedar shrub, also known as “tamarisk,” and the shrubby, long-lived perennial pepperweed. These aggressive plants alter ecosystems, displace native plants and animals, threaten and endanger species, decrease plant diversity and reduce nesting frequency of waterfowl in wetlands.
They’re just some of the heroes safeguarding our pristine habitats. On Halloween, let’s give a round of appaws to Frost and his squad for helping to keep our public lands and their ecosystems healthy! 👏
Photos by C. Adams / NPS
#workingdog ([link removed]) #publiclands ([link removed]) #grandtetonnationalpark ([link removed]) #dog ([link removed]) #halloween ([link removed])
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