** Government watchdog finds severe flaws in BLM relocation plan
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, March 9, 2020
Grand Junction, Colorado, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

On Friday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report assessing the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management's headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado. The report ([link removed]) found that the BLM failed to create a plan with metrics for success, conducted a shoddy cost-benefit analysis, and has no plan to recruit replacements after staff quit. Out of the 170 employees whose positions will be relocated, 81 have declined ([link removed]) so far. "This is an agency with more than 10,000 staff that manages one-tenth of the country. In dismantling the BLM headquarters in such a shoddy, irresponsible way, Secretary Bernhardt is playing with people’s livelihoods and threatening our public lands," said
([link removed]) Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities.

Despite the significant deficiencies highlighted in the report, the GAO acknowledged that the plan is too far along to be stopped at this point. With dozens of staff already gone and a lease for the new Grand Junction headquarters ([link removed]) already underway, much of the damage has already been done.
Quick hits


** Exxon to cut drilling activity in New Mexico as oil prices plummet
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed])


** Government watchdog blasts limited planning behind BLM relocation
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Colorado Public Radio ([link removed]) | Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed]) | Bloomberg Environment ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Deserted oil wells haunt Los Angeles with toxic fumes and enormous cleanup costs
------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Study assesses increasing national park fees for wildlife conservation
------------------------------------------------------------

Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** BLM tells oil firm to protect Native American women
------------------------------------------------------------

Wyofile ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Wyoming considers massive land, mineral rights purchase from oil company
------------------------------------------------------------

Denver Post ([link removed])


** Surveillance along border threatens public lands and indigenous rights
------------------------------------------------------------

Al Jazeera ([link removed])


** Poll shows Utahns are increasingly concerned with environment
------------------------------------------------------------

Deseret News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
This report reveals what many of us were very concerned about – that this relocation was poorly-planned and ill-advised, and that the Trump administration didn’t think through how this would impact people’s lives or the effectiveness of the BLM in the short or long term. I fear this unnecessary and irresponsible institutional damage will have serious ramifications for the agency’s ability to carry out its essential mission for years to come.”
—Senator Tom Udall, The Hill ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The beautiful blue water found only @CraterLakeNPS ([link removed]) is dazzling in winter splendor. Photo by Vince Warren ([link removed] ([link removed]) ) #FindYourPark ([link removed]) #Oregon ([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
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
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])