Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Utah leaders reject Bears Ears land swap
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024
House on Fire cultural site inside of Bears Ears National Monument, BLM/Flickr ([link removed])
Utah Governor Spencer Cox and the state's top lawmakers have called off ([link removed]) an agreement with the federal government to swap out 130,000 acres of land managed by the Utah Trust Lands Administration (formerly known as SITLA) that lie within Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah. The trade would have transferred valuable federal land and mineral resources ([link removed]) to the state in exchange for the parcels inside the monument.
Utah lawmakers approved the trade ([link removed]) last May, and it was introduced in Congress. But the agreement failed to pass the U.S. House and Senate, which means it is not legally binding. Utah leaders are justifying calling off the deal by saying ([link removed]) the Interior Department's not-yet-released management plan for the monument doesn't meet their wishes.
“The federal government has signaled that it once again plans to adopt a restrictive land management plan that will harm recreational access, grazing and other traditional public uses of these lands,” the state leaders said in a statement. ([link removed])
Greg Sheehan, Utah state director of the Bureau of Land Management, told the Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) that Utah’s move is a “setback” but said “the BLM remains committed to exploring avenues of collaboration with the State of Utah to the benefit of all.”
** Quick hits
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How 14 universities benefit from extractive industries on stolen Indigenous land
Grist ([link removed])
Mark Udall: Biden administration's commitment to public lands can unite us
Denver Post ([link removed])
Suncor agrees to the largest air pollution penalty in Colorado history
Colorado Public Radio ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Former BLM head wants to do away with Antiquities Act
E&E News ([link removed])
Counties are blocking the future of renewable energy. These maps, graphics show how
USA Today ([link removed])
Wyoming public lands advisory committee is back after years without a quorum
Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
A rural Montana county has found a unique way to share its groundwater
Reasons to be Cheerful ([link removed])
Meet Chico, the camel helping Mojave National Preserve recover from wildfire
Vox ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” As we reflect on the transformational journey of America’s public lands, let us acknowledge our shared responsibility to conserve, protect, and cherish these spaces. President Biden’s commitment to this cause is not just a policy directive: It is a declaration that our public lands are a quilt that binds us all—a source of healing and unity for generations to come.”
—Former U.S. Senator Mark Udall, Denver Post ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@GrandCanyonNPS ([link removed])
Tonight's sunset - and the storm is arriving. Arizona road condition updates/closures > [link removed] ([link removed]) and the weather forecast at [link removed] ([link removed])
Call 928-638-7496 for recorded park road closure/reopening info, or > [link removed] ([link removed]) (14476) #AZWX ([link removed])
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