Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Conservation investments target sagebrush sea
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Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Pronghorn in Montana's Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge, USFWS ([link removed])

Millions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are making their way to the Mountain West this year, boosting restoration efforts across the sagebrush sea ([link removed]) .

The Missoulian reports on the Interior Department's Sagebrush Keystone Initiative ([link removed]) , which is funding 12 projects across seven states. The $7 million investment will improve the quality of habitat across a third of the remaining core sagebrush ecosystem.

“These new designations cover ‘the best of the best’ of the biome where sage-grouse still thrive, endemic fish spawn, and pronghorn migrations pass for hundreds of miles,” said Matt Cahill, Sagebrush Sea Program director for the Nature Conservancy.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also partnering with the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, a Montana rancher-led conservation group, to convert former cropland to sustainable grasslands that support cattle as well as native species.

Elsewhere in Montana, the Bureau of Land Management is directing infrastructure funds to riverbank restoration and mine rehabilitation, according to Montana Public Radio ([link removed]) .


** Quick hits
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Nature has value—could we literally invest in it?

New York Times ([link removed])

Climate change denial heats up at Wyoming Capitol

WyoFile ([link removed])

Poll: Utah voters want more progressive environmental policy

Axios Salt Lake City ([link removed]) | Capital Press ([link removed])

New Utah law sets up 'constitutionally problematic' fight with federal government

CNN ([link removed])

Are artificial wetlands the future of the Great Salt Lake?

Deseret News ([link removed])

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will build one of the largest solar farms in the U.S.

KSUT ([link removed])

FERC denies permits for hydro projects on Navajo Nation, citing lack of Tribal consultation

Inside Climate News ([link removed])

Veterans lobby for expansion of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Los Angeles Daily News ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” This is a federal commission acknowledging Tribal sovereignty. If a company wants to do business on the Navajo Nation, it, of course, needs to talk to and get the approval of the Navajo Nation. And in the eyes of FERC, that has not yet happened.”

—George Hardeen, spokesman for Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Inside Climate News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@utahpubliclands ([link removed])

Oh, the joys of setting an alarm for what feels like the middle of the night, all in the name of 'catching the sunrise'. 🌄🐦 But hey, thanks to the generous winter schedule, we get to hit snooze a few more times before the sun graces us with its presence. So, to all the not-so-morning birds out there, winter's got your back. Prepared to embrace the early morning vibe without the 'early'? On BLM Utah's #publiclands ([link removed]) every sunrise is worth the bleary-eyed start, especially when the world looks this good bathed in the first light. Let's go, sleepyheads!

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