** Coronavirus impacts reach national parks
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Monday, March 16, 2020
Crowds at National Parks are common, driving fears about the spread of coronavirus | National Park Service, Neal Herbert ([link removed])

As the coronavirus spreads across the nation, its impacts have finally reached national parks. The National Park Service has begun to close ([link removed]) especially crowded locations within the system, while avoiding all-out closures.

With spring break approaching, large crowds normally surge in parks such as Zion and the Grand Canyon. Although hotel reservations are slumping and some visitors may hold off on their vacation, campers remain e ([link removed]) nergized ([link removed]) .

If you're still one of those headed for the parks, it's best to follow some tips ([link removed]) to stay healthy, including avoiding especially popular national park sites and exploring less-crowded ([link removed]) parks and public lands.

The official list of National Park Service closures ([link removed]) includes the Washington Monument, Alcatraz Island, and numerous sites within Golden Gate National Recreation Area.


** Mapping the legacy of drilling in a protected monument
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A new Center for Western Priorities mapping analysis ([link removed]) shows oil and gas wells within Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwestern Colorado. Many of the wells have been shut in, but not properly abandoned, including several from operators who are either bankrupt or can no longer operate within the state.



** COVID-19
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In the context of the Coronavirus disease, Look West will be released slightly later in the morning for the next few weeks. Stay safe out there, and we hope that public lands can play a role in your social distancing activities!
Quick hits


** Congress clamps down on Secretary Bernhardt in wake of damaging report on BLM move
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Durango Herald ([link removed])


** Courts continually slow Trump agenda to open public lands to oil, gas drilling
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** 4 astonishing signs of coal’s declining economic viability
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Vox ([link removed])


** Coronavirus impacts reach national parks
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** National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
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** Trump rule all but encourages industry to kill birds
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Huffpost ([link removed])


** Loose Texas regulations resulted in companies burning off gas at twice the rate as in New Mexico, analysis shows
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R ([link removed]) euters ([link removed])


** Opinion: Here's why the Land and Water Conservation Fund is good for all Americans
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Opinion: Public lands are a critical climate change solution
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T ([link removed]) imes-News ([link removed] areas are a critical climate change solution)
Quote of the day
You can search it on YouTube.”
—Interior Secretary David Bernhardt,
on the scientists who believe carbon dioxide release is not bad for the climate
D ([link removed]) urango Herald ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])

Happy [Belated] Birthday to @USFWSRefuges ([link removed]) ! President Theodore Roosevelt established the 1st national wildlife refuge on March 14 in 1903 at Pelican Island, Florida. With over 560 refuges today, we take a moment to celebrate how they make our lives better: [link removed] ([link removed])
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