** Can we mine critical minerals with less harm to wildlife?
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Colorado's Animas River runs orange after the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill | MMoorr, Flickr ([link removed])
Critical minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, are an essential part of modern life. They are in your phone, car, and computer, and are needed to build wind turbines, solar panels, and airplanes. The Trump administration is pushing to dramatically expand ([link removed]) domestic mining of these minerals, citing the threat of relying on foreign supply chains. However, such an expansion could dramatically harm ([link removed]) our public lands, including key wildlife habitat.
According to a new report ([link removed]) by Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and the National Wildlife Federation, nearly half of our nation's critical mineral deposits are in trout and salmon habitat, and one in ten deposits lies beneath protected public lands.
The report issued a conservation perspective ([link removed]) on how to produce these critical minerals while conserving big game habitat and Blue Ribbon trout streams. From recycling and reprocessing mine waste piles to dedicating revenue from mining for habitat conservation, there are ways we can reduce the impact of mining for critical minerals.
"We want to make sure that those minerals, as they're extracted, are done so in a responsible way," said John Gale ([link removed]) of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. "And we hope that we've learned from the past. That should teach us something about how we move forward to our mining future here."
** Join the Road to 30 today in Montana!
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Today at Noon MT, the Center for Western Priorities and Montana Wildlife Federation will host the next stop ([link removed]) on our "Road to 30" virtual tour, highlighting the pressing need to protect 30% of America by 2030. Join us ([link removed]) to hear about key issues in Montana, from grizzly bear conservation to wildlife migration corridors.
Quick hits
** Pendley order leaving himself in charge of BLM sidesteps longstanding policy, top career official
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The Hill ([link removed])
** The battle for Utah's San Juan County, home of Bears Ears and uranium
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Slate ([link removed])
** What happens when wildfire smoke meets coronavirus?
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
** Trump push to eviscerate Migratory Bird Treaty Act causes uncertainty for oil and gas industry
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Despite industry downturn, Interior Department set to resume oil and gas lease sales today
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Reuters ([link removed])
** Greater sage-grouse numbers increase slightly across West, halting three year decline
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WyoFile ([link removed])
** New Mexico regulators say they lack authority to deny oil and gas permits due to excessive ozone
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New Mexico Political Report ([link removed])
** One man's cure for coronavirus cabin fever, a 50-mile run through Montana wilderness
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Seattle Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
So the exposure to the smoke does not make someone more likely to get COVID. It could make them more likely to have a more severe case of COVID should they be exposed.”
—Colleen Reid, University of Colorado Boulder geographer, Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Happy Birthday @NatlParkService ([link removed]) ! Established in 1916 to preserve our national treasures & help tell the American story, we're thankful for these special places & dedicated employees who are always there to greet us with a smiling face & helping hand. Pic @YellowstoneNPS ([link removed])
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