Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Biden designated six new national monuments—can he do more?
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Friday, November 22, 2024
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, one of the six new national monuments designated by President Biden. Photo credit: Center for Western Priorities.
President Joe Biden has created more national monuments in a single term ([link removed]) than any president since Jimmy Carter left office in 1981—and there is still time to do more before he leaves office.
One of President Biden's first moves in office was to restore Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah after President Trump attempted to reduce their size. Since then, he has created six new monuments and expanded two more, totaling 1.6 million acres ([link removed]) . “He really started thinking about monuments right from the get-go,” said ([link removed]) Justin Pidot, a professor at the University of Arizona College of Law who worked in the Biden and Obama administrations. “So, you see much more activity than you usually see during the first term.”
California Tribes are advocating for three more new national monuments before Biden leaves office ([link removed]) , noting that a second Trump administration poses a risk for additional attempts to reduce national monuments, and possibly a broader challenge to the Antiquities Act itself ([link removed]) , the more than 100-year-old law that gives presidents the authority to designate national monuments via proclamation. Local advocates are also pushing for the protection of the Owyhee Canyonlands ([link removed]) in southeast Oregon and the Dolores Canyons ([link removed]) in southwest Colorado.
Conservation and public lands victories in 2024
Despite the looming threat of a second Trump administration, there are several key conservation and public lands victories achieved in 2024 ([link removed]) that are worthy of celebrating, as noted in a recent article by The Wilderness Society. Examples include the Bureau of Land Management's public lands and oil and gas rules, and its release of a plan to guide renewable energy development on public lands; enhanced protections for the Western Arctic; new and expanded national monuments and national wildlife refuges; mineral withdrawals to protect sensitive ecosystems and landscapes from drilling and mining; and historic funding for access to outdoor experiences. Read the article ([link removed]) for some good news to end the week.
** Quick hits
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Colorado's outdoor recreation economy worth more than $17 billion in 2023
Axios ([link removed])
Biden has designated six national monuments—can he do more?
KUNC ([link removed])
Roundup of bleak predictions for Trump's incoming energy and environment team, and what it means for public lands
The Guardian ([link removed]) [wildfire] | E&E News ([link removed]) [DOI] | ABC News ([link removed]) | CBS News ([link removed]) [drilling] | Associated Press ([link removed]) | CNBC ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed]) [DOE nominee] | E&E News ([link removed]) [Commerce nominee]
A fatal forecast: Extreme heat is killing more Las Vegas residents than ever
Las Vegas Review-Journal ([link removed])
Salmon are "coming home" to spawn in Klamath River after removal of dams
Associated Press ([link removed])
Study: Wildlife crossings need to incorporate climate change
E&E News ([link removed])
Decision on protections for Monarch butterflies coming soon
KDLG ([link removed])
The 10 best hikes in Utah's national parks
Outside ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” One of the coolest things about the fact that monarchs are kind of everywhere is that everyone can get involved with conservation. One of our goals at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to maintain that magic for the public.”
—Cat Darst, wildlife biologist and assistant field supervisor with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, KDLG ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@nationalparkservice ([link removed])
If you’re ever required to write a 1,000 word essay, we suggest submitting a picture instead.
People say they’re worth a 1,000 words. Who are we to argue? Here’s a great one of @grandcanyonnps ([link removed]) . Good luck, you got this!
Image: Pastel pink light tints the Grand Canyon landscape and clouds, just after sunset. The view is from Yavapai Point on the South Rim. NPS/M.Quinn
#sceniclandscape ([link removed]) #grandcanyon ([link removed]) #sunset ([link removed]) #travel ([link removed]) #beautifuldestinations ([link removed]) #nature ([link removed]) #apictureisworthathousandwords ([link removed])
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