** Ethics investigation into Trump official's distribution of COVID aid to tribes
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Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Northstar Island, built six miles off the Alaskan coast to drill for oil | Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ([link removed])
The Interior Department Inspector General has launched a conflict-of-interest investigation ([link removed]) into the senior official overseeing the distribution of $8 billion in coronavirus aid to tribes. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney issued guidance that Alaska Native corporations—of which she is a shareholder and has deep personal ties to—would be eligible to receive substantial funding, depriving tribal governments of needed aid.
Alaska Native corporations were established in 1971 as for-profit organizations, owned by shareholders and governed by state law, but not formal tribal governments. One in particular, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation ([link removed]) (ASRC), has extensive oil and gas operations and has long pushed to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where it holds mineral rights. According to press reports, ASRC is the wealthiest tribal entity that has applied for coronavirus funds. Sweeney is a shareholder of ASRC ([link removed]) , and previously served as a top executive and lobbyist for the corporation, making more than $650,000 per year. Further, Sweeney's husband is a lobbyist ([link removed]) for another Alaska Native corporation that quickly applied for coronavirus relief.
Tribes in the Lower 48 have been hard hit by the coronavirus, particularly in the Four Corners region, and have pushed for the swift distribution of funding. A broad coalition of tribal governments quickly sued to overturn Sweeney's interpretation, which could send up to half of all available funding to Alaska Native corporations, and demanded ([link removed]) her resignation. A federal judge recently sided ([link removed]) with the tribes, blocking Interior from distributing money to Alaska Native corporations.
Quick hits
** Judge blocks Trump plan to increase diversions from California rivers
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The Hill ([link removed])
** Interior Department oil leasing near Utah parks compared to despoiling a Picasso
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed])
** Major Western utility takes step towards influx of renewables
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Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])
** Federal judge upholds ruling that denies Keystone pipeline permit
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Reuters ([link removed])
** Rocky Mountain National Park to begin phased reopening on May 27
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CBS 4 ([link removed]) | 9 News ([link removed])
** Woman burned by Yellowstone geyser after illegally entering park
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CNN ([link removed]) | Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])
** Vandalism up at New Mexico's Petroglyph National Monument
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Lawmakers seek to increase protections for New Mexico's Gila River
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Associated Press ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Tribal governments have already waited nearly six weeks for these badly needed resources. The Trump administration’s troubled handling of the distribution of Tribal government relief cries out for robust oversight as Indian Country is experiencing some of the worst impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
—U.S. Senator for New Mexico Tom Udall, ABC News ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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The National Elk Refuge, located right in the Jackson Hole area is a treat for viewing wildlife such as elk, bison, pronghorn, eagles & swans #Wyoming ([link removed])
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