** A wilderness showdown in Montana
------------------------------------------------------------
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

The Bureau of Land Management, led by controversial de facto director William Perry Pendley, has announced plans to remove protections from several Wilderness Study Areas in Montana ([link removed]) . Pendley is attempting to create a new designation, the "Backcountry Conservation Area," which would prioritize big game hunting over the needs of the greater ecosystem, while also allowing oil and gas leasing across the conservation areas ([link removed]) .

Aubrey Bertram of the Montana Wilderness Association warns that the Lewistown Resource Management Plan, which includes two of the proposed Backcountry Conservation Areas, would allow oil and gas leasing on 95 percent of the 650,000 acres covered by the RMP ([link removed]) .

The management plans are part of Montana Governor Steve Bullock's lawsuit ([link removed]) that attempts to block Pendley from running BLM while his nomination is pending before the Senate. The lawsuit accuses Pendley of ignoring public input and the recommendations of BLM staff on the ground in Montana.
Quick hits


** Trump administration extends life of toxic coal ash ponds
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hill ([link removed])


** Interior moves ahead with oil and gas rules written by industry
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed])


** Conservation groups warn New Mexico fracking wastewater rule puts people at risk of radioactive contamination
------------------------------------------------------------

Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])


** Opinion: New Mexico's orphaned wells need a solution now
------------------------------------------------------------

Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])


** New BLM plans remove Montana wilderness protections over state objections
------------------------------------------------------------

Missoulian ([link removed])


** Rewards offered after dirt bike vandalism and fires in Grand Teton, Glacier
------------------------------------------------------------

Jackson Hole News&Guide ([link removed]) | Missoulian ([link removed])


** California's only known gray wolf pack has eight new pups
------------------------------------------------------------

A ([link removed]) ssociated Press ([link removed])


** Opinion: Congress needs to pass the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act
------------------------------------------------------------

Missoula Current ([link removed])
Quote of the day
We’re elated at the birth of the Lassen Pack’s endearing pups, who are breathing new life into the Golden State’s wolf recovery. These little ones give hope to everyone who wants to see wolves reestablished in the places these beautiful animals once called home.”
—Amaroq Weiss, Center for Biological Diversity
Associated Press ([link removed])
Picture this


** @BryceCanyonNPS ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Monsoon season is 🌈season. As storms drift east and the sun sets, the park is often directly between the ☀️ with rays and the 🌧
This one was seen from Black Birch Canyon and appeared to land most appropriately on Rainbow Point itself.
📷NPS/P Densmore

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])