** Tribal opposition to Trump's mask-less July 4th event
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Mount Rushmore, National Park Service ([link removed])
On Friday, President Trump will travel to South Dakota for his Fourth of July event at Mount Rushmore. The event, which will draw thousands to the area, will not require ([link removed]) attendees to wear masks and has been strongly opposed by tribes. On Monday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem declared that social distancing will not be enforced at the event, and although masks will be available attendees will not be required to wear them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally impacted ([link removed]) tribal nations, and bringing large crowds to a concentrated area will significantly increase the risk for residents of the Black Hills. Julian Bear Runner, Oglala Sioux president, stated ([link removed]) , “Trump coming here is a safety concern not just for my people inside and outside the reservation, but for people in the Great Plains. We have such limited resources in Black Hills, and we’re already seeing infections rising.” Trump's disregard for tribes is compounded by the fact that Mount Rushmore is part of the land belonging to the Sioux according to a 1868 treaty, but was subsequently taken by the U.S. government after gold was found in the area, a move ruled as illegal in 1980. Harold Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, said
([link removed]) , "Nothing stands as a greater reminder to the Great Sioux Nation of a country that cannot keep a promise or treaty than the faces carved into our sacred land."
Quick hits
** Lake Powell reached capacity 40 years ago and will continue to decline
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KUER ([link removed])
** No social distancing planned for Trump's Mt. Rushmore visit, concerning tribal leaders
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The Guardian ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | Sioux Falls Argus Leader ([link removed])
** New Mexico State Land Office tracking oil spills, mineral theft using satellite imagery
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Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
** White House debuts new regulatory playbook after virus delay
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Bloomberg ([link removed])
** Trump to release rule allowing companies to flare public natural gas without paying a dime to taxpayers
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E&E News ([link removed])
** One-third of Colorado is now in a severe drought
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Aspen Times ([link removed])
** Editorial: Choice at Bureau of Land Management lousy, even for Trump
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Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
** Opionion: COVID-19 gives us good reasons to go to parks, but now we need to fully fund their upkeep
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Arizona Central ([link removed])
Quote of the day
In Pendley, Trump has a nominee with a record of opposing public land ownership by the federal government, ironic since the BLM manages some 247 million-plus acres of federal land. That includes stewardship of 30 percent of the nation’s minerals.”
—Editorial Board, Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Summer is spectacular @CraterLakeNPS ([link removed]) . Here's a photo that brings out the amazing blue color of America's deepest lake. Pic by Ankit Biradar ([link removed] ([link removed]) ) #Oregon ([link removed]) #RecreateResponsibly ([link removed])
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