** BLM releases seismic plan for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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Monday, October 26, 2020
Canning River & Brooks Range on the northwestern border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Lisa Hupp/USFWS ([link removed])

On Friday, the Bureau of Land Management released a proposal ([link removed]) to conduct seismic testing on half a million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as a precursor for oil and gas drilling. The seismic surveys would take place within the 1002 Area ([link removed]) , one of the most remote and pristine wilderness areas in the United States, which the Trump administration opened to oil and gas development in 2017, reversing decades of protections.

Environmental advocates immediately criticized the proposal ([link removed]) , saying its rapid timeline (the BLM is only accepting comments on the proposal for 14 days) will not allow for thorough environmental reviews, and seismic testing activities threaten to harm both wildlife and the delicate tundra ecosystem. Scientists and environmental advocates have consistently expressed ([link removed]) concerns ([link removed]) that seismic testing could disturb and possibly crush polar bear dens which provide winter homes for mothers and cubs.

Lois Epstein, Director of the Arctic program for The Wilderness Society, said in a statement ([link removed]) , "The submission of this application and BLM’s choice to act on it so close to the election shows how desperate the administration is to turn over one of the nation’s most sensitive landscapes to the oil industry. The federal government is recklessly rushing and irresponsibly denying the public adequate time to assess the application and submit comments.”


** Pendley remains at BLM despite court ruling, exposing Interior to legal risk
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Last month, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that William Perry Pendley had been serving unlawfully as the de facto head of the BLM for 424 days. Lawmakers have urged ([link removed]) the department to pause any pending public lands decisions and fully comply with the court's order, but Interior refuses ([link removed]) to remove Pendley from the BLM completely, exposing the department to further legal risk ([link removed]) through lawsuits and injunctions.
Quick hits


** New maps show the full extent of the Trump administration's assault on wilderness, protected places
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** Colorado wildfires provoke fears of "multi-level emergency" caused by climate change
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** California faces highest wildfire danger of 2020 with 70-mph wind and record dry conditions expected
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** BLM releases plan for seismic testing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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New York Times ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed])


** Opinion: End the wasteful practice of venting and flaring natural gas
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Pendley remains at BLM despite court order, exposing Interior and its decisions to legal risk
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Roll Call ([link removed]) | Outside ([link removed]) | Mountain Journal ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Blog: Long, intense wildfire season takes a toll on firefighters' mental health
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Stateline (Pew Trust) ([link removed])


** Opinion: Protecting public lands is a national health issue, especially for Latinos
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Roll Call ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Thankfully, the technology exists today to capture wasteful pollution while creating jobs and expanding our economy. Methane mitigation companies are a burgeoning industry in Colorado, bringing high-paying, quality jobs to the state for both entry-level and highly skilled employees."
—Isaac Brown ([link removed]) , Executive Director of the Center for Methane Emission Solutions
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Bristlecone pines @GreatBasinNPS ([link removed]) are some of the oldest trees in the world. They don't just survive in harsh conditions, they thrive. Pic by Thomas Sikora ([link removed] ([link removed]) ) #Nevada ([link removed])

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