Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Former Interior Secretary Bernhardt is back, lobbying for big business
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Friday, June 5, 2026
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Source: Trump White House Archive; Flickr ([link removed])
During President Donald Trump’s first term in office, former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt worked to prioritize corporate interests ([link removed]) over those of the American people. Now he's back as a lobbyist ([link removed]) , representing oil and gas companies, mining companies, and big agriculture.
A new report from Public Citizen ([link removed]) found that Bernhardt’s new lobbying firm, the Bernhardt Group, has made almost $9 million since it was founded one year ago ([link removed]) . According to Interior Department visitor logs reviewed by Public Citizen, Interior employees met with Bernhardt Group staffers 33 times in 2025, including two visits by David Bernhardt himself.
The Interior department has already taken steps to benefit Bernhardt's clients, according to the report ([link removed]) . Antofagasta gained access to federal mining leases near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters after the Trump administration reinstated a legal opinion supporting the Twin Metals project. Resolution Copper benefited from a public land transfer enabling a large Arizona copper mine to move forward. And the Trump administration is currently evaluating a federal investment in a controversial plan to tap a Mojave Desert aquifer by Bernhardt client Cadiz Inc.
Meanwhile, the Interior department is operating without an Inspector General ([link removed]) , meaning there's no one watching out for ethics violations. The IG position has been vacant since January 2025, when Trump fired Mark Lee Greenblatt ([link removed]) . No replacement has been nominated.
** Trump spending $5 million to restore, gold-plate Lincoln Memorial statues
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The Trump administration is spending $5 million ([link removed]) to restore and coat four bronze horse statues near the Lincoln Memorial in 24-karat gold leaf as part of preparations for America’s 250th anniversary. The contract was awarded without full competitive bidding ([link removed]) , mirroring the no-bid contracts awarded for the Lincoln Reflecting Pool ([link removed]) and Lafayette Park fountains ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
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There are thousands of dirty old drill sites in Colorado. The state gave oil firms a $1 billion pass
The Guardian ([link removed])
NM Senator questions Forest Service chief on pending Canjilon uranium mine
Source New Mexico ([link removed])
After a grim Colorado ski season, drought is crippling rafting
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Trump officially made it easier to fire thousands of federal workers
NOTUS ([link removed])
Park Service orders removal of ‘woke’ quotes at Boston’s Bunker Hill monument
Washington Post ([link removed])
Trump announces $700 million in new support for struggling coal industry
Associated Press ([link removed])
Major expansion announced for Montana's Shared Stewardship agreement with USFS
KTVH ([link removed])
Endangered sheep dies after getting entangled in razor wire at the border
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” More than any other industry, fossil fuels get away with doing far less than the bare minimum... We all pay the consequences.”
—Anti-fracking activist Christiaan van Woudenberg, The Guardian ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usfws ([link removed])
California condor global population exceeds 600 - a milestone for California condors!
As of December 31, 2025, the global population of California condor exceeded 600 individuals, including birds in the wild and those in zoos and breeding centers dedicated to their recovery. Together the partners in the California Condor Recovery Program have grown the free-flying, wild population from a low of 22 birds in 1982 back to almost 400 today. The wild population increased to 392 individuals, up from 373 in 2024, including captive breeding and release and chicks produced in the wild. In 2025, an estimated 16 condor chicks successfully fledged in the wild across six release sites. But the work is not done. The long-term goal is to grow the wild population to be self-sustaining.
The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction.
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