Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** More calls for Biden to designate Chuckwalla National Monument
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Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Mecca Hills Wilderness in California. Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
According to Mark Butler ([link removed]) , former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park and 38-year career employee of the National Park Service, the California desert needs increased protections for vulnerable public lands.
The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument ([link removed]) would protect approximately 660,000 acres of federal public lands south of Joshua Tree, and would also protect lands adjacent to the national park. If designated, the monument would safeguard the biodiverse Colorado Desert ([link removed]) , which is an area of the Sonoran Desert in California that includes species like the desert tortoise, desert bighorn sheep, and chuckwalla lizard.
Representative Raul Ruiz has introduced legislation ([link removed]) that would establish Chuckwalla National Monument and expand the national park. Now, he—along with a diverse coalition ([link removed]) of local, regional, and national organizations—is calling on President Biden ([link removed]) to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the national monument.
According to Butler ([link removed]) , there has never been a better time to designate Chuckwalla National Monument. New national monuments are widely supported ([link removed]) by voters, and if President Biden uses executive action to designate Chuckwalla National Monument, he will have protected ([link removed]) more land than any other first-term president in modern American history.
** Quick hits
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US production of planet-heating fuels hits record levels
The Hill ([link removed])
More than 4,000 acres of public land in southeast New Mexico could be sold to oil and gas
Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
Want to test a theory on how to fix the Colorado River’s drought issues? There’s a model for that
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
National Park Service drawing a line on fixed climbing anchors in wilderness
National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Former coal towns get money for clean-energy factories
New York Times ([link removed])
How did humans get to the brink of crashing climate?
Associated Press ([link removed])
Colorado land trusts want increased support for easement tax credits to help “double down on conservation”
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Second season of "Native America" showcases Indigenous impact in modern America
KUNC ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” At a time when conserving nature and meeting renewable energy goals are critical, a Chuckwalla National Monument would accomplish both.”
—Mark Butler, former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park, Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@katmainpp ([link removed])
"If bear not friend, why friend-shaped?" is a question we get A LOT here at Katmai NP&P. (Especially when you see such a perfect specimen like this bear.)
As cute as they are, bears are wild animals. It is essential to keep your distance for your safety and the bears'. When bear viewing at Katmai, maintain a minimum distance of at least 50 yards between you and the bear at all times. Give more space if a bear gives off signals that it's uncomfortable. (We'd like everyone to enjoy the park without busting out the trauma kit please. ❤️)
Photographers, bring a long lens. (So the bears can strut their stuff comfortably.) Admire these friends from afar and keep bears wild. 😍
Photo description: A fluffy subadult bear stands on the tundra.
Photo credit: NPS Photo/F. Jimenez
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