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The Interior Department is moving forward with lease sales and controversial rulemakings in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The effort continues at a time when the public is increasingly isolated, with its attention turned to health and well-being.
Interior has made no indication that it will halt looming oil and gas lease sales or regulatory revisions, or extend comment periods for major policy changes. Among these policy changes is a proposal to permanently weaken enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the law that protects birds against 'unintentional' deaths at the hands of corporations. The public comment period deadline is March 19.
Interior has over 20 public comment periods set to expire within the next 30 days, all of which the public may now have limited ability to engage with. The continued push for deregulation and leasing comes after the Trump administration has already stifled and ignored public input.
Park Service, Interior, finally move toward shutdown
After delayed guidance from Interior Department leaders, a federal directive has finally given national park superintendents the power to close facilities as needed. In response, national parks across the country began to shutter their most popular locations and visitor centers.
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Elected officials ignore the will of Western voters not just at the peril of the planet, but also at the peril of their own political futures.”
