** BLM removes oil and gas leases near Utah's national parks
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Thursday, August 13, 2020
Double O Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert ([link removed])

Facing strong and far-reaching opposition ([link removed]) , the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reversed its decision ([link removed]) to include land near Utah's stunning Arches and Canyonlands National Parks near Moab in its planned September oil and gas lease sale.

Greg Sheehan, the newly appointed head of the BLM in Utah said of his decision ([link removed]) to remove the controversial leases, “Understanding the nature of the proposed parcels, as well as gathering input from local communities, partners and the public are a priority for me as the new state director for BLM Utah. The BLM supports the recreation and tourism industry as an important source of revenue in Utah, while also responsibly leasing and supporting our nation’s energy independence.”

Phil Francis, head of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks said ([link removed]) of the decision, “We are grateful to all of the park advocates, tribal communities, partners and members of the public who raised their voices in protest. While we must continue to be vigilant in the fight to protect our national parks, today we celebrate the victory.”


** Look West will return on Monday, August 17
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We'll be back with more public lands and energy news delivered straight to your inbox on Monday. Have a great weekend!
Quick hits


** Women battle blazes and barriers as wildland firefighters
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National Geographic ([link removed])


** Nevada tribes want sacred land designated as a national monument
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KSNV ([link removed])


** Unresolved water rights settlements are fueling the coronavirus crisis for the Navajo Nation
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High Country News ([link removed])


** Federal workers say they'd rather retire than return to unsafe work environments due to coronavirus risk
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed])


** New model predicts that large, long wildfires could lead to between 1 and 13 firefighter fatalities due to Covid-19
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Wildfire Today ([link removed])


** BLM reverses course on offering oil and gas leasing near Utah's iconic national parks
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Deseret News ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Hydroelectric dam proposal near Grand Canyon worries Navajo Nation
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** Opinion: William Perry Pendley is unfit to manage my Indigenous homelands
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
If the Department of the Interior has its way, many mockingbirds and other migratory birds that delight people and support ecosystems throughout the country will be killed without legal consequence."
—Judge Valerie Caproni ([link removed]) , in her ruling striking down the Interior Department's 2017 interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that removed penalties for activities that harm birds.
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Your prescription is ready for pick up. It's a picture-perfect sunset by a stream in
@RockyNPS ([link removed]) . Pic by Eric Ritchie ([link removed] ([link removed]) ). #Colorado ([link removed])

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