** BLM relocation hearing leaves questions unanswered
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Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, near Grand Junction, Colorado, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Yesterday morning, acting BLM director William Perry Pendley testified before Congress on the agency's relocation plans, leaving many lawmakers without the answers ([link removed]) they needed. Questions focused ([link removed]) on the difficulty of transportation and collaboration with other agencies from remote offices, concerns over the loss of employees as a result of the move, and inquiries for the justifications of which locations were selected. "The Department of the Interior has done nothing to alleviate concerns that this move has been hastily planned, poorly researched, and questionably motivated. There is no doubt this plan fits this administration's pattern of trying to sell out our environment and natural resources," said
([link removed]) Chairman Raúl Grijalva after the hearing.

Pendley's controversial history was also raised by concerned lawmakers, including questions ([link removed]) about his National Review article claiming that the government shouldn't own any land and his use of air-quotes when talking about Native American sacred sites. Although Pendley testified for 90 minutes, it did little to relieve the concerns that have been mounting since the relocation plans were announced in July.
Quick hits


** Trump administration leading public lands liquidation in Alaska
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Huffington Post ([link removed]) | National Geographic ([link removed]) | Center for American Progress ([link removed])


** Counties seek BLM chief recusal on Grand Staircase-Escalante
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E&E News ([link removed])


** California lawmakers challenge Trump's bid to expand oil drilling and fracking statewide
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Pendley defends BLM move on the Hill
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Westword ([link removed])


** Natural gas may face same fate as coal
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Activists, tribal leaders encourage opposition to oil and gas leases in New Mexico
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Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])


** Opinion: If you want to neuter a crucial federal agency, this is how you do it
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed])


** Opinion: We can still save Chaco Canyon
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Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Acting director Pendley made it clear the agency performed little to no analysis of why the move is necessary or how many staff would be lost. This remains a cynical ploy to dismantle the Bureau of Land Management national headquarters and drain the agency of career expertise. With anti-public lands extremists like William Perry Pendley in charge, this is a relocation plan only drilling and mining companies would love.”
—Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Time to get deep. How about the canyon panorama of cliffs & brightly colored rock formations at #Colorado ([link removed]) National Monument? Pic by Claudia Cooper ([link removed] ([link removed]) )

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