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


** Burgum kneecaps parks fund ahead of congressional hearing
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Friday, September 5, 2025
Wyoming State Representative Liz Storer speaks at the Keep Parks Public gathering in Jackson, Wyoming. CWP photo.

Hours before a congressional field hearing on renewing the Great American Outdoors Act, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a secretarial order ([link removed]) to significantly limit the effectiveness of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), one of the cornerstones of the law that President Trump signed in 2020.

"It’s not just a policy mistake—it’s a betrayal of the values that GAOA represents," LWCF Coalition spokesperson Amy Lindholm told National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) .

Burgum's order creates "more red tape and more restrictions" on LWCF funds, according to Ellen Montgomery ([link removed]) of Environment America. LWCF advocates noted that the order tries to limit the rights of private property owners by giving state governors veto power over land sales for conservation.

Just before Burgum signed the LWCF order, the Keep Parks Public ([link removed]) campaign held a community gathering in Jackson, Wyoming ([link removed]) urging Congress to renew the other cornerstone of the Great American Outdoors Act, the Legacy Restoration Fund. Speakers at the event decried the Trump administration's firing of thousands of employees across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other land management agencies, and urged Congress to fully fund America's parks.

“Being terminated from my wilderness ranger job with the Forest Service obviously makes the issue personal to me, but this should feel personal to everyone,” said Peggie dePasquale ([link removed]) , a former Forest Service Ranger in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. ”These places belong to all Americans and reversing the recent staffing cuts needs to be a shared priority if we have any hope in getting boots back on ground.”

The House Natural Resources Committee will hold its field hearing on the Legacy Restoration Fund and "modernizing" parks at 10:00 am Mountain Time ([link removed]) today inside the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at Grand Teton National Park.

Forest Service antagonist lands temp job at Interior as DOGE operative exits under ethical cloud

Secretary Burgum appointed Michael Boren ([link removed]) as the Interior department's new acting assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget on Thursday. Boren is also awaiting Senate confirmation as the Department of Agriculture undersecretary in charge of the Forest Service.

Boren has a long history of conflict on public lands and no experience working at land management agencies. In June, the New York Times published a detailed account ([link removed]) of Boren’s construction of an airstrip on his ranch located inside a national recreation area. At the time, Boren told the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that he was flattening the land “to eliminate gopher holes and weeds.” In 2020, the Department of Justice sought a restraining order against Boren after his helicopter flew near a Forest Service trail in what the Forest Service believed was an attempt to intimidate Forest Service employees.

Boren replaces DOGE operative Tyler Hassen, who announced he is leaving the Interior department amidst allegations ([link removed]) that he may have owned prohibited stocks, particularly the mining company Albemarle, as he oversaw massive layoffs and buyouts across the department.

Public Domain reports ([link removed]) that Hassen was replaced two days after Reps. Jared Huffman and Maxine Dexter sent a letter to Burgum ([link removed]) asking for all of Hassen's financial disclosures and any ethics waivers.


** Quick hits
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The House just voted to break public lands by targeting management plans

Outdoor Life ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Wes Siler's Newsletter ([link removed])

Agriculture department nominee lands temp job at Interior

E&E News ([link removed]) | Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) [Statement]

‘Incredible’ win for outdoor recreation in Montana land deal

GearJunkie ([link removed]) | Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])

Idaho preparing to sell 160 acres of state land near the Tetons

States Newsroom ([link removed])

Copper miners hire Bernhardt's lobbying firm

E&E News ([link removed])

U.S. Park Police chief to report directly to Burgum, bypassing chain of command

WTOP ([link removed])

Colorado opens spectacular new wildlife area on former ranch property

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Opinion: Selling off Nevada's public lands threatens millions in jobs and growth

Nevada Independent ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” We cannot address the maintenance backlog in America’s national parks while leaders in Congress like Bruce Westerman sit silent as President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum keep firing the very people who care for our public lands. Our message is simple: Renew the Legacy Restoration Fund that was created by the Great American Outdoors Act and rehire the rangers, land managers, and scientists who were fired and forced to quit!”

—Lauren Bogard, Center for Western Priorities Senior Director of Advocacy ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])

For many people, seeing wildlife on our public lands is thrilling! But for wildlife, seeing us in their homes where they eat, sleep, and breed may not be such a thrill. Let's celebrate National Wildlife Day with space and respect for these amazing creatures!

Photo at @isleroyalenps ([link removed]) by Carl TerHaar

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