** Trump administration faces overwhelming public opposition to weakening bedrock environmental law
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Friday, March 20, 2020
Joshua Tree National Park worked with the U.S. Military to resolve an issue regarding the impact of military flight training exercises on visitor experiences using an Environmental Assessment | Brad Sutton, National Park Service ([link removed])

A new analysis ([link removed]) from the Center for Western Priorities finds that 94% of public commenters oppose the Trump administration's proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The comment period for the proposed changes closed on March 10; a total of 172,661 comments were submitted.

The changes to the landmark environmental protection law ([link removed]) would exempt major projects from environmental reviews and eliminate opportunities for the public and local communities to provide input. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former oil and gas lobbyist, has long sought to weaken NEPA and voiced his support ([link removed]) for the proposed changes shortly after the rulemaking was announced.

Under the law, the public and key stakeholders must be given opportunities to provide input on federal rulemakings and activities. However, this administration has severely limited public participation ([link removed]) in land management planning, including eliminating mandatory comment periods, silencing public advisory committees ([link removed]) , and fighting transparency laws ([link removed]) .

Groups across the country have called on the Trump administration ([link removed]) to pause major policy changes, rule makings, and comment periods in the face of the virus outbreak. The public is increasingly isolated, with its attention turned to health and well-being rather than providing input on deregulatory actions.

Previously, CWP conducted analyses of 10 major policy changes ([link removed]) proposed over the last three years and found the Interior Department ignored overwhelming public opposition to enact 8 of the policies.
Quick hits


** Virus may speed coal sector decline, industry seeks bailout
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S&P Global ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Bureau of Land Management resource plans open central Montana to oil, gas development
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Public News Service ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Rocky Mountain animals will move as the climate warms. These corridors could give them an easier path.
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Oil prices crash to lowest levels in two decades, increases risk of default by independent producers, threatens state budgets
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Houston Chronicle ([link removed]) | S&P Global ([link removed]) | Albuquerque Journal ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** National park employee quits over inadequate response to coronavirus threat
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KHNS ([link removed])


** Public land managers look to handle increased traffic amid virus outbreak
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Grand Junction Sentinel ([link removed])


** Bureau of Land Management, wildlife refuges drop entrance fees, shutter visitor centers
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Billings Gazette ([link removed]) | ABC4 News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Editorial: Amid coronavirus response, Congress must support parks and open-space fund
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Seattle Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
To me, being outdoors defines us as Idahoans.”

—Steve Frost, Sawtooth National Forest Recreation Manager, I ([link removed]) daho Statesman ([link removed])
Picture this


** @I ([link removed]) nterior ([link removed])
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Wildflowers! Butterflies!! Baby animals!!! We’re so excited about the First Day of Spring. Pic from 2017 #California ([link removed]) #Superbloom ([link removed])

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