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A new analysis 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 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 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 in land management planning, including eliminating mandatory comment periods, silencing public advisory committees, and fighting transparency laws.
Groups across the country have called on the Trump administration 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 proposed over the last three years and found the Interior Department ignored overwhelming public opposition to enact 8 of the policies.
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To me, being outdoors defines us as Idahoans.”
