** Supreme Court ruling gives Oklahoma tribes authority over oil and gas drilling
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Monday, July 20, 2020
Photo: BLM Flickr ([link removed])

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court decided ([link removed]) a landmark case declaring that almost half the land in eastern Oklahoma belongs to five Native American tribes. The ruling has significant implications ([link removed]) for oil and gas industry operators whose activities will now fall under the jurisdiction of tribal nations and potentially the federal government instead of the state of Oklahoma.

The court's 5-4 decision acknowledged that several unanswered questions ([link removed]) remain, particularly related to taxation and the enforcement of environmental rules for oil and gas drillers. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote ([link removed]) in the majority opinion, “In reaching our conclusion about what the law demands of us today, we do not pretend to foretell the future and we proceed well aware of the potential for cost and conflict around jurisdictional boundaries, especially ones that have gone unappreciated for so long.”

Oklahoma shale producers have been hit hard by declining demand and falling prices amid the coronavirus pandemic layered on top of high extraction costs. One of the state's biggest producers, Chesapeake Energy, recently filed for bankruptcy ([link removed]) .


** Latino Conservation Week, July 18-26
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The National Park Service and National Park Foundation are hosting virtual events this week in celebration of Latino Conservation Week ([link removed]) from July 18th through the 26th. Launched by the Hispanic Access Foundation in 2014, Latino Conservation Week provides in-person and virtual events to honor Latino history and culture.
Quick hits


** Lawmakers contemplate legislative tactics to undo Trump's deregulatory agenda
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New York Times ([link removed])


** Opinion: Protect public lands for all communities, especially during Covid-19
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Aspen Times ([link removed])


** Supreme Court ruling gives Oklahoma tribes authority over oil and gas drilling
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Inconsistent mask policies at national parks are putting lives at risk
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Outside ([link removed])


** Opinion: Support grows for protecting 30% of America's land and ocean even in land-locked states like Colorado
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Westword ([link removed])


** Local opposition intensifies against proposed Utah oil and gas lease sale in September
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Deseret News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Historic mining ghost town in Colorado to be preserved under conservation easement
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Opinion: Now is the time to pass the Great American Outdoors Act and fund LWCF
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Las Cruces Sun News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Like many of us lucky to grow up in this special place, I spent much of my childhood and adult life visiting public lands to hunt, hike and explore. Our public lands tell the stories of our individual communities, our traditions and our heritage. More than ever, Congress must come together to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and pass the Great American Outdoors Act."
—U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small ([link removed])
Picture this


** @JoshuaTreeNPS ([link removed])
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Night sky viewing in Joshua Tree National Park is always spectacular, but until July 23rd, you may spot something extra special in our dark skies!
Comet #NEOWISE ([link removed]) can be seen hovering just below the Big Dipper right after sunset and late into the evening.
Photo: NPS / E. Hassell

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