The Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit by three states challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Department of Justice says states don’t have case against BLM public lands rule
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Thursday, September 12, 2024
Pumpjack operating on Utah BLM lands. Jonathan D. Mallory, BLM Utah ([link removed])
The Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss ([link removed]) a lawsuit by three states challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule ([link removed]) . The motion argues that North Dakota, Idaho, and Montana have failed to make sufficient legal claims of harm caused by the rule in their joint federal lawsuit ([link removed]) filed in June in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
North Dakota, Idaho, and Montana claim in the lawsuit that the rule oversteps BLM’s authority by making “the radical leap of establishing ‘conservation’ as a ‘use’ that is ‘on par with other uses of the public lands.’” The BLM maintains that the rule does not give it any new authorities by putting conservation on equal footing with other uses on public lands, including livestock grazing, oil and gas drilling, and mining. The Justice Department previously dismissed ([link removed]) similar claims filed by Utah and Wyoming because the states could only provide “vague theories” on the potential impacts of the rule.
The Public Lands Rule ([link removed]) directs BLM staff to identify priority landscapes for protection and restoration using Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) designations. It also formalizes the practice of “restoration leasing” and “mitigation leasing” for land restoration or protection, and applies the concept of measuring landscape health to all BLM-managed lands, bringing consistency and the best science to land management practices across BLM.
** Quick hits
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Is climate change making the Colorado Trail a thirst trap?
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
First ever Indigenous marine sanctuary in U.S. one step closer to reality
Native News Online ([link removed])
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission OKs lower tier of protections for mule deer migration
WyoFile ([link removed])
BLM releases solar energy plan for 11 western states
KNAU ([link removed])
Interior official fights bill to block BIDEH refuge plan
New Mexico Political Report ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Migratory bird and wetland conservation projects get $157M in federal funding
E&E News ([link removed]) | UPI ([link removed]) | Department of the Interior ([link removed]) [press release]
Travel and tourism spending is trending up in Glacier’s gateway communities
Flathead Beacon ([link removed])
Fall foliage tracker—this map helps plan trips to national parks
Forbes ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Across the country, migratory birds and their habitat are at risk due to drought, warmer temperatures, and rising seas. Projects supported through these grants help bolster wetland biodiversity and increase habitat for billions of migrating birds while expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for surrounding communities.”
—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams, Department of the Interior ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Steens Mountain, one of the largest fault-block mountains in the country, is 30 miles long and big enough to catch its own weather. Clouds can build up along the western slope of the mountain, bringing rain or snow. This capturing effect is what keeps Steens lush and cool while the Alvord Desert, directly to the east, remains hot and dry.
In 2000, Congress designated Steens Mountain as protected Wilderness. This means that these 170k acres receive the highest level of our protection.
A visitor captured this beautiful picture of Kiger Gorge. #DYK ([link removed]) you can share your photos too? Join our Flickr group and start sharing today. Link in bio 🔗
📷 Kiger Gorge at Steens Mountain, BLM Oregon/Washington; Masako Metz.
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