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


** BLM foundation focuses on recreation opportunities
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Thursday, November 16, 2023
Sacramento Recreational River, California; Source: BLM, Flickr ([link removed])

The Bureau of Land Management's congressionally chartered nonprofit partner, the Foundation for America's Public Lands, has released a report with recommendations ([link removed]) for how the agency can improve recreation experiences on BLM-managed public land.

The report is the result of listening sessions with stakeholders, including more than 120 organizations ([link removed]) that represent interests including off-roading, hunting and fishing, conservation, and local, state and Native American Tribal governments.

One of the report's main recommendations is that the agency strengthen its commitment to partnership ([link removed]) , including by establishing a BLM National Partnership Office, in order to help balance resource protection ([link removed]) with recreational access for a growing numbers of visitors. More than 81 million people visited BLM lands last year—a 40 percent increase ([link removed]) over the past decade.

A summary of the report ([link removed]) includes a number of other recommendations related to the BLM's recently-released Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation ([link removed]) . It notes that the agency will likely need more funding to implement the blueprint's overarching vision, as well as better communication with partners and the public. It notes that the foundation can help with awareness building and funding programs, in addition to interfacing with partners.

Interior pumps money, jobs into economy thanks to Infrastructure Law

The Interior Department released an analysis ([link removed]) yesterday celebrating the two-year anniversary of President Joe Biden signing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It finds Interior Department projects funded by the law supported nearly 18,000 jobs and pumped $2 billion into the economy annually in 2022 and 2023.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contains over $28 billion ([link removed]) for Interior Department initiatives, including projects combatting legacy pollution, restoring critical habitats, addressing the drought crisis, assisting with wildland fire management, and helping communities prepare for extreme weather events. The Interior Department has pumped over $4 billion ([link removed]) of that money into the Mountain West in the past two years.


** Quick hits
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Analysis: Dolores River country rich in biodiverse but unprotected lands

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])

Silicon Valley investor broke rules, left mess after wedding at Utah landmark

Business Insider ([link removed]) | SFGate ([link removed])

Colorado wants more geothermal. But does it have the funding?

Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | CPR ([link removed]) News ([link removed])

Utah lawmaker wants to pump millions of gallons of groundwater near the Great Salt Lake

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])

New outdoor festival coming to Denver this spring to fill void left by Outdoor Retailer

Denver Post ([link removed])

Federal climate report says land theft and colonization amplify climate crisis for Indigenous peoples

Grist ([link removed])

In fight for scarce water, wild horses can push away other animals

KUNC ([link removed])

Colorado River in Crisis: A Los Angeles Times documentary

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Historical abuses of Indigenous rights have significant responsibility for the heightened severity of climate disruption.”

—The Fifth National Climate Assessment, Grist ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@BLMUtah ([link removed])
Once on the brink, #WildTurkeys ([link removed]) now flourish in Utah's wilderness, a testament to effective conservation. These birds, integral to Native American heritage, have rebounded from near extinction to a robust 25-35K population across Utah's landscapes.

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