Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Cuts to Forest Service ignite fears over wildfire risks
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Friday, April 25, 2025
Prescribed burn at Letts Lake near Stonyford California in Mendocino National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Susan Knight-Ashley. ([link removed])
Over the last three months, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE have cut 10 percent of the total workforce at the U.S. Forest Service, ([link removed]) the federal agency responsible for managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, including fighting wildfires.
About 75 percent ([link removed]) of the agency's staff are trained in wildland firefighting. With the current cuts plus more layoffs anticipated, and an agency reorganization on the way, there will be fewer firefighters across the country to reduce the risk and intensity of wildfires, not to mention respond when fires inevitably ignite.
Laura Dee, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Colorado at Boulder studies the impact and aftermath of wildfires. In an article published by The Conversation ([link removed]) , she writes about the effectiveness of prescribed burns for maintaining healthy forests and reducing the severity of wildfires. This type of preventative work requires knowledge of how forests are changing over time, including where trees are dying, and where undergrowth has built up and increased fire hazards ([link removed]) . "When careful, evidence-based forest management is replaced with a heavy emphasis on suppressing every fire or clear-cutting forests, I worry that human lives, property, and economies, as well as the natural legacy of public lands left to every American, are at risk,” Dee writes
([link removed]) .
Interior to slash environmental reviews for energy projects
On Wednesday, the Interior department said it would fast-track environmental reviews and approvals for drilling and mining projects on public lands. ([link removed]) The department is arguing that President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency allows for radically reducing otherwise thorough and often lengthy environmental reviews that are required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Under the new process proposed by Interior ([link removed]) , reviews that typically take a year to complete would be finished in 14 days, and more complicated environmental impact statements that usually take two years or more would be completed in 28 days.
House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Rep. Jared Huffman said in a statement ([link removed]) , “These guys are dreaming. Even if you could do this with federal permits, which you can’t, and even if you could overcome waves of litigation that would ensue, you’re still going to have to navigate state and other permitting. Show me the energy developer that is going to feel confident going forward under this laughable approach.”
** Quick hits
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Trump expected to shrink six national monuments to expand drilling and mining in the West
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Interior to slash environmental reviews for energy and mining projects
The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
A look inside Burgum's draft strategic plan for Interior to promote mining and fossil fuels
National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Native organizations push back against Interior's proposed cuts in Indian Country
Native News Online ([link removed])
Trump laid off nearly all the federal workers who investigate firefighter deaths
ProPublica ([link removed])
Forest Service cuts ignite fear, fury over wildfire risks
Politico ([link removed]) | The Conversation ([link removed])
Colorado launches collaborative vision for outdoor rec, conservation, and climate resilience
KOAA News 5 ([link removed]) | Denver Gazette ([link removed]) | Montrose Daily Press ([link removed])
DOGE is now in charge of national parks
Fodor's Travel ([link removed]) | Powell Tribune ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” This draft plan confirms what we expected: the Trump administration sees public lands as nothing more than numbers on a balance sheet or products to be sold off and exploited. It resembles a business plan from a desperate CEO, not a framework to steward public lands for the benefit of all Americans.”
—Center for Western Priorities executive director Jennifer Rokala, E&E News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Did you know? A new moon is the perfect time for night sky photography – and there's one coming up on April 27th! With no moonlight to compete with the stars, it's your best chance to capture those breathtaking dark sky shots. Head out to your public lands and let the stars steal the show! 🌠
Here are a few quick tips for shooting great night photos:
✨Use a tripod
✨Shoot in manual mode
✨Aperture: f/2.8
✨Shutter: 15-25 seconds
✨ISO: 1600-3200
📸Granite Mountains (Nevada), Bob Wick
📸Owens Peak from Pacific Crest Trail (California), Kyle Sullivan
📸Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (Oregon), Kyle Sullivan
@nevadapubliclands ([link removed]) @blmoregonwashington ([link removed])
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