** Federal judge cancels hundreds of BLM oil & gas leases in Montana
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Monday, May 4, 2020
Some of the canceled leases are adjacent to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])

A federal judge canceled 287 oil and gas leases ([link removed]) in Montana last Friday following a court battle over the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) lack of analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the leases, including risks to groundwater supply.

In 2017, the BLM offered the leases on public lands in an area covering almost 227 square miles in eastern and central Montana. The agency was sued by nearby residents and environmental organizations for not adhering to the requirements for environmental reviews to consider cumulative environmental impacts, including climate change.

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris sided with the plaintiffs, writing in his opinion ([link removed]) , "The Court does not fault BLM for providing a faulty analysis of cumulative impacts or impacts to groundwater, it largely faults BLM for failing to provide any analysis." Following the judge's decision to cancel the leases, the BLM is tasked with conducting the necessary environmental reviews.


** Public lands community mourns the passing of John Freemuth
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John Freemuth ([link removed]) was a trusted expert on public lands and environmental issues with an ability to understand and explain an issue from all sides. He was also an encouraging and supportive professor of public policy at Boise State University and a long-time collaborator and associate of the Andrus Center for Public Policy. He was entertaining, knowledgeable, and dedicated to teaching and mentoring his students to give them the necessary tools and policy frameworks to become the next generation of conservation and public lands leaders. He died of a heart attack on Saturday and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Quick hits


** Trump's oil and gas industry allies get millions in Covid-19 aid meant for small businesses
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** Idahoans and public lands advocates mourn the passing of John Freemuth
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Idaho Statesman ([link removed]) | Idaho Press ([link removed])


** Federal judge cancels hundreds of BLM oil and gas leases in Montana for failure to consider environmental impacts
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Uranium mining company, UR Energy receives close to $1 million in coronavirus relief funds
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** Concern for abandoned oil and gas wells mounts as drilling permits fall 96% in Colorado compared to last year
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** Senator Udall, tribes call on BLM to halt virtual meetings for Chaco resource management plan
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Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])


** Utah fails to issue fines to bad actors in oil and gas industry
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Public News Service ([link removed])


** Editorial: the BLM should pause completion of Resource Management Plan in Wyoming during pandemic
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The impact John [Freemuth] would be proudest of is the impact he had on students. He saw them as the leaders of tomorrow. So I think when you look at all the wonderful things John accomplished, he’d be proudest of those people who he helped build their voice and give the tools to lead.”
—Tracy Andrus ([link removed]) , speaking on the passing of beloved professor and public lands expert, John Freemuth
Picture this


** @ ([link removed]) Interior ([link removed])
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If you look outside & see monarch butterflies, they're making their long migration north this time of year. We wish them luck!

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