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


** U.S. appeals court stalls Arizona land transfer for copper mining
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Thursday, August 21, 2025
Oak Flat, Arizona is sacred land for the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Elias Butler ([link removed]) , CC BY-SA 4.0 ([link removed])

A U.S. appeals court temporarily blocked ([link removed]) the transfer of U.S. Forest Service land in Arizona to international companies that plan to build the proposed Resolution Copper Mine on an area sacred ([link removed]) to the San Carlos Apache people and other Tribes. The transfer was scheduled for Tuesday, but a panel of judges with the 9th U.S. District Court of Appeals issued a temporary injunction in response to appeals by a Native American Tribe and environmentalists.

Native American Tribes and other plaintiffs celebrated the injunction. Apache Stronghold, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and environmental groups have been fighting for years ([link removed]) to save Oak Flat, which Tribal members call Chi’chil Bildagoteel. The area is dotted with oak groves and traditional plants the Apaches consider essential to their religion.

“We will continue praying that the court understands the grave injustice of trading our sacred grounds to foreign mining companies that seek to destroy Chí’chil Biłdagoteel to extract copper that will be exported overseas,” said Tribal Chairman Terry Rambler ([link removed]) .

Keep Parks Public campaign stops in Salt Lake City and Grand Junction

The Keep Parks Public tour stops in Salt Lake City tonight ([link removed]) for a live podcast recording at Fisher Brewing to discuss the impacts of funding cuts, new laws, and layoffs on our beloved public lands. The tour then heads east to Grand Junction ([link removed]) for another live podcast taping tomorrow featuring public land advocates, former National Park Service leaders, and local voices to spotlight the importance of keeping our parks public and resisting harmful rollbacks and policies threatening our shared lands. Both events are filling up quickly, so be sure to RSVP ([link removed]) !


** Quick hits
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Wyoming lawmakers advance bill decriminalizing corner crossing

WyoFile ([link removed])

Study: Industry-managed forests are more likely to fuel megafires

University of Utah ([link removed])

Trump slams ‘anti-American’ pushback after fresh delay to Arizona copper mine

Reuters ([link removed]) | CNBC ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | AZPM ([link removed])

Trump says U.S. will not approve solar or wind power projects

CNBC ([link removed]) | USA Today ([link removed])

Navajo Nation moves to take over air permits for small oil and gas operations

Navajo Times ([link removed])

Colorado River water conservation program remains stalled in U.S. House

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Interior deputizes border agents to National Park sites amid DC takeover

The Hill ([link removed]) | Daily Kos ([link removed])

Grand jury indicts infamous Wyoming wolf captor on felony animal cruelty

WyoFile ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” I don’t think there is a person who believes that someone should be taken off the public lands in handcuffs because they stepped on the wrong blade of grass.”

—Ryan Semerad, attorney representing hunters in Wyoming corner crossing case, WyoFile ([link removed])


** Picture This
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[link removed]

@keepparkspublic ([link removed])
Some behind the scenes shots from the road!! 🚗 🌵

Denver > Las Cruces > Tucson > Flagstaff > Page > Moab down, Salt Lake > Grand Junction to go!

#publiclands ([link removed]) #nationalparks ([link removed]) #nationalmonuments ([link removed]) #keepparkspublic ([link removed])

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