Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** The Trump administration is trying to take us 100 years back
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Friday, May 2, 2025
A 1900 photo of a mine in Butte, Montana. Butte-Silver Bow Public Library via Flickr ([link removed])
President Donald Trump is trying ([link removed]) to take America back in time by unwinding the last century of scientific, technological, and economic advancement.
In a new blog post ([link removed]) titled "Party Like It's 1899," Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby describes how the Trump administration is attempting to undo over 100 years of progress by reviving outdated and discredited Gilded Age policies that prioritize logging, drilling, and mining on national public lands at the expense of outdoor recreation access and wildlife habitat protection.
The American coal industry, for example, has ([link removed]) been declining ([link removed]) since at least 1997, but the Trump administration is trying to throw it a lifeline ([link removed]) . Even coal companies aren't enthusiastic—many have already invested ([link removed]) in plans to move on by selling or repurposing their coal plants.
The administration is also trying to ([link removed]) slash protections for national monuments, a move that is extremely unpopular ([link removed]) among the public. Most recently, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum suggested ([link removed]) that presidents have abused the Antiquities Act since its inception in 1906.
“While the Trump administration may be able to temporarily delay progress by releasing a barrage of memos and fact sheets, in the end, these attempted roadblocks will be overwhelmed by the combined forces of economics, public opinion, and the unstoppable passage of time,” Hamby writes ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
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Trump has launched more attacks on the environment in 100 days than his entire first term
The Guardian ([link removed])
Lawmakers plan billions in oil, gas sales to help pay for Trump's tax bill
Bloomberg ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Ammon Bundy talks about his life in Utah as a wanted man
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Vasquez, Zinke to launch caucus to oppose public lands sales
E&E News ([link removed])
Report: Inside Trump's plan to sell out America's public lands to mining
Center for American Progress ([link removed])
Lawsuit seeks for Trump admin to eliminate Chuckwalla National Monument
E&E News ([link removed]) | Desert Sun ([link removed])
Report: Wildfire risk and development challenges limit public lands available for housing
Headwaters Economics ([link removed])
Opinion: Idaho must build affordable housing and preserve public land
Idaho Statesman ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue that has brought together Democrats and Republicans for many decades, and we need to make sure we’re keeping the integrity of that.”
—U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, E&E News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@nationalparkservice ([link removed])
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Allergies.
But they’re so pretty. It’s a trade off. If someone suggests you should stop and smell the flowers, it’s fine to take pass and just enjoy nature however you’d like.
Many national parks are renowned for their wildflowers and spring is a great time to catch a glimpse. Just remember, although you may get the urge to pick a flower or take it with you, it’s best to leave them as they are. This helps ensure the continued health and vibrancy of a park’s ecosystems, including for the benefit of pollinators, other wildlife, visitors and you!
In conclusion, we leave you with the old adage, “You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick wildflowers in national park.” Something like that.
Image: Mexican gold poppies @tontonps ([link removed])
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