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


** New report shows importance of saying 'no' to oil and gas companies
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Wednesday, February 12, 2025
White Rim Trail in Moab, Utah. Photo by Zach Dischner, Flickr ([link removed])

In a new interactive report ([link removed]) , the Center for Western Priorities highlights special landscapes with high recreational, ecological, and cultural value that were wrongfully nominated for leasing by oil and gas companies, but rightfully deferred—or removed—from lease sales by the Bureau of Land Management.

The report, titled Don't Drill Here ([link removed]) , showcases examples in which companies sought to drill on the doorsteps of prized landscapes, like Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. The report demonstrates that when oil and gas companies nominate lands for leasing that are inappropriate for drilling, the Bureau of Land Management's ability to remove those lands from leasing in response to bipartisan public protest is critical.

These types of conflicts are likely to reemerge as President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attempt to remove “burdens” on oil and gas development on public lands, handing the keys to the leasing process over to the oil and gas industry.

“Reducing conflicts while still allowing oil and gas companies the opportunity to drill in appropriate areas should be the goal of the Bureau of Land Management,” said ([link removed]) Communications Manager Kate Groetzinger in a statement. “Not enriching oil and gas CEOs at the expense of rural communities and national parks.”

Trump names Kathleen Sgamma as next BLM director

President Donald Trump picked ([link removed]) Kathleen Sgamma, a staunch oil and gas industry advocate, as the next director of the Bureau of Land Management. Sgamma is the president of Western Energy Alliance, an oil and gas trade group that has long advocated for greater industry access to public lands and less regulation of oil and gas mining interests.


** Quick hits
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Lawmakers move to dismantle Biden public lands rule

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Utah News Dispatch ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

Former head of Fish and Wildlife Service goes to bat for Okefenokee

Capitol Beat News Service ([link removed].)

Bill to strip Wyoming landowners’ right to sell property to the federal government dies

WyoFile ([link removed])

Feds ask Colorado River official to resign, leaving another leadership gap during “existential time” for the river

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Days before Trump took office, Interior approved oil and gas leases for land bought during 2019 public auction

High Country News ([link removed])

BLM announces free program to help recreationists navigate public lands

Sierra Sun Times ([link removed])

Opinion: Beware the Trojan horse targeting public lands

Writers On The Range ([link removed])

Colorado biologists caught 3 rare Colorado pikeminnows. What does that mean for the future of this critically endangered fish?

Aspen Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Public lands are supposed to benefit all Americans. The Trump administration will be met with swift condemnation if it forgets that.”

—Kate Groetzinger, communications director, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@mountrainiernps ([link removed])
Keep your children from chillin’ and spillin' while visiting snowy Mount Rainier! Prepare for your visit in advance to ensure they stay warm, dry, and safe while exploring nature's wintry snow globe.

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