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


** What will Joe Biden's conservation legacy be?
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Tuesday, July 30, 2024
President Joe Biden established the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in August 2023; DOI/Flickr ([link removed])

While no longer running for president, Joe Biden still has the opportunity to shore up his legacy as one of the most consequential presidents on conservation in history.

"You now have a White House with nothing to think about other than President Biden's legacy, and they have six months to define that," Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, told E&E News ([link removed]) .

Biden's conservation legacy is already impressive. His administration has protected over 1.6 million acres ([link removed]) of public land using the Antiquities Act and has promulgated important rules that will protect public lands from unfettered oil and gas leasing, as well as allow lands to be leased for restoration.

Designating just one more large national monument ([link removed]) before the end of the year would solidify his position as the recent president with the greatest first-term conservation achievement. There are a number of national monument proposals that would get him there, including 660,000 acres of the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument ([link removed]) in California, the proposed Dolores River Canyons National Monument ([link removed]) in Colorado, and the million-acre Owyhee Canyonlands ([link removed]) proposal in eastern Oregon.

But why stop there? Biden could still use the Antiquities Act to put his legacy on par with two-term presidents like Barack Obama, who protected over 550 million acres ([link removed]) (the majority of which are at sea), and Bill Clinton, who protected around 6 million acres ([link removed]) .


** Quick hits
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Yellowstone finalizes bison plan to increase herd size

Daily Montanan ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

Colorado water officials dream big, team up after feds drop $450 million for water projects

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Advocates blast counties’ ‘grossly inadequate’ Dolores Canyon conservation plan

Colorado Newsline ([link removed])

Barrasso and Manchin file bill to streamline energy projects on federal lands at expense of public lands

Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])

Climate change is behind rising metal and acid pollution in Colorado's mountain rivers

KUNC ([link removed])

Conservation groups file to intervene in controversial BLM Public Lands Rule case

WyoFile ([link removed])

Opinion: Balanced management of public lands is good for all Nevadans

Nevada Independent ([link removed])

The coming battle over the Arctic

Time ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Every poll practically everywhere shows that presidential action to protect outstanding cultural and environmental values of public lands is very popular across the political spectrum and an important part of a president’s legacy.”

—John Leshy, Interior Department solicitor during the Clinton administration, E&E News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Looking for a place to go stargazing or relax under the moon's glow? 🌘🌠

Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument, an official International Dark Sky Park, is the perfect destination. This year, Craters of the Moon is celebrating 100 years! ❤️

This 750,000-acre geologic wonderland offers countless opportunities for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing and backcountry travel. This time of year, the evenings are the best time to visit so you can enjoy the beautiful night sky in cooler weather.

📸 Matt Dieterich

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