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


** States must now consider treaty rights when crafting water quality rules
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Monday, July 29, 2024
Salmon fishing in the Klickitat River, Washington; USFWS/Flickr ([link removed])

A new Environmental Protection Agency rule ([link removed]) requires states to consider Tribal hunting, fishing, and gathering rights when crafting water regulations. The rule is a revision of how the Clean Water Act is implemented ([link removed]) and requires states to consider Tribal treaty rights when crafting water quality regulations. The rule could protect resources such as wild rice, sturgeon, salmon, and shellfish.

The federal rule covers off-reservation lands on which Native people exercise their rights to hunt, fish, and gather. Such areas cover millions of acres ([link removed]) mapped out in dozens of treaties. For example, in Washington state, Tribes successfully petitioned state regulators ([link removed]) to increase water quality standards to account for the fact that Tribal members eat much more wild-caught salmon that non-Native residents.

While some states have accepted the rule, others are resisting it. A dozen states have filed a joint lawsuit ([link removed]) against the rule, arguing that states should not be responsible for upholding federal treaty rights. The states challenging the rule are Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Great Salt Lake emitting tons of CO2

As it dries up, the Great Salt Lake is becoming a significant contributor ([link removed]) to global warming, according to a new study ([link removed](24)00326-9#%20) . The lake has shrunk by half in recent years due mainly to water diversions. Scientists spent seven months ([link removed]) sampling emissions coming off the dry lake bed and found it emitted 4.1 million tons of carbon dioxide, roughly equivalent to the total annual emissions of 140 commercial planes.


** Quick hits
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Senate Interior-EPA spending bill includes big wins for public lands

E&E News ([link removed])

For Southern Paiute Tribe, water settlement will bring land for a permanent home

Arizona Republic ([link removed])

Massive California wildfire spreads at stunning rate

Washington Post ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed])

As the Great Salt Lake dries up, it's also emitting millions of tons of CO2

NPR ([link removed])

Neighbors take final stand against massive oil drilling plan near Denver drinking water source

Denver Post ([link removed])

Yellowstone closes Biscuit Basin following hydrothermal blast

WyoFile ([link removed])

Extreme heat is wilting and burning forests, making it harder to curb climate change

Washington Post ([link removed])

Project 2025 plan calls for demolition of NOAA and National Weather Service

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Our effort protects America’s beautiful public lands, honors our trust and treaty obligations to tribes, addresses staffing shortages at our national parks and helps combat the ever-growing threat of wildfires, including by giving permanent raises for wildland firefighters.”

—Sen. Jeff Merkley, chair of the Senate Interior-EPA Appropriations Subcommittee, E&E News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@BeringLandNPS ([link removed])
In celebration of summer, wildflowers are popping up across the tundra. Cotton grass, Labrador tea, and fireweed shoots are out now near the preserve's headquarters in Nome.

What wildflowers are you excited to see this year?

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