** GAO: Interior broke law in opening parks during government shutdown
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Friday, September 6, 2019
Closed campground in Joshua Tree National Park during the recent government shutdown | National Parks Conservation Association ([link removed])
A top government watchdog concluded ([link removed]) the Interior Department broke the law by diverting funds from national park entrance fees to keep parks open, but understaffed, during the latest government shutdown. The controversial order by Secretary David Bernhardt authorized the diversion of up to $250 million ([link removed]) that had been directed by Congress for improving park facilities and visitor programs.
"Interior disregarded not only the laws themselves but also the congressional prerogatives that underlie them. Instead of carrying out the law, Interior improperly imposed its own will," wrote Thomas Armstrong ([link removed]) , General Counsel for the Government Accountability Office. The agency noted that the Interior Department did not cooperate with the investigation and that similar decisions in the future would be considered "knowing and willful violations" of the law.
Quick hits
** Former BLM leadership opposes 'ill-advised move' of the agency
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Colorado Public Radio ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed])
** GAO: Interior Department broke law in reopening national parks during government shutdown
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | ABC News ([link removed])
** Groups ask New Mexico court to block reopening of long-idled uranium mine
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Despite increased foraging on public lands, mushroom populations in Colorado are fine
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Durango Herald ([link removed])
** As industry struggles, Wyoming lawmakers propose $1 million fund to market coal
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** After Permian basin towns register unsafe levels, New Mexico readies plan to reduce ozone pollution
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Carsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
** Opinion: Utah's iconic Escalante River threatened by new monument management plans
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The Hill ([link removed])
Quote of the day
We are opposed to this proposal and feel it is a very ill-advised move, not only for BLM, but for the sound management of America’s public lands entrusted to the agency’s care.”
—Former high-level Bureau of Land Management employees, The Hill ([link removed])
Picture this
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona
Photo by Andrew Slaton | @Interior ([link removed])
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