The Bureau of Land Management finalized a proposal to update land use plans for millions of acres of public land in Colorado to better balance oil
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** BLM proposes plan to conserve wildlife and manage oil and gas in Colorado
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Monday, July 22, 2024
Pronghorn in Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, BLM/Bob Wick ([link removed])
The Bureau of Land Management finalized a proposal ([link removed]) to update land use plans for millions of acres of public land in Colorado to better balance oil and gas development with the protection of habitat corridors for big game species including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. The updates were added to comply with rules ([link removed]) made by the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission for oil development in big game habitat, aligning federal land management with state standards.
BLM released the proposal with a final environmental impact statement ([link removed]) that amends 13 resource management plans across Colorado, adding new oil and gas leasing restrictions across 8.3 million surface acres and 4.7 million acres of mineral estate. The new conservation measures ([link removed]) require oil and gas drilling operators in high-priority habitats to develop and implement plans that minimize impacts on wildlife, and give BLM the ability to require an operator to change or add specific mitigation measures “when supported by scientific analysis and consistent with existing rights.”
“Providing safeguards for crucial big game habitat by creating continuity and clarity between how the state of Colorado and the BLM manage these areas makes sense on numerous levels,” said Aaron Kindle ([link removed]) , director of sporting advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation. “It is a welcome outcome that took years of hard work by sporting conservation partners and the agencies. We look forward to seeing improved outcomes for big game herds in Colorado.”
** Quick hits
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Oil and gas firms backpedaling on climate goals, report finds
The Hill ([link removed])
Project 2025’s extreme vision for the West
High Country News ([link removed])
Colorado senators release guidelines for protecting Dolores River Canyon
Durango Herald ([link removed])
Montana is a frontier for deep carbon storage, and the controversies surrounding the potential climate solution
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
Will the Northwest Forest Plan finally respect Tribal rights?
High Country News ([link removed])
Paralyzed mountain lion found in Colorado is first case of “staggering disease” in North America
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
How the San Carlos Apache Tribe and U.S. Forest Service are working together to reduce wildfires
KJZZ ([link removed])
State, feds seek information about two California condors illegally killed in Utah
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Deseret News ([link removed]) | KSL ([link removed]) | KUTV ([link removed]) | St. George News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” If we’re able to empower Indigenous people, we’re also going to empower the various communities that are directly impacted by fire and have limited access to traditional foods or cultural practices.”
—Ryan Reed, Indigenous fire practitioner and wildland firefighter, High Country News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
“I told you no photos!” Mountain lion 1, camera 0. This young cougar thought the camera was a fun new toy. Good thing @bandeliernps ([link removed]) had two, so they could capture this cute moment.
Photo by Hari Viswanathan
#mountainlion ([link removed]) #wildlife ([link removed]) #usinterior ([link removed])
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