** Biden picks Rep. Deb Haaland as first Native American Interior Secretary
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Friday, December 18, 2020
Representative Deb Haaland | DebforCongress.com ([link removed])

In a historic move, President-elect Joe Biden has selected Representative Deb Haaland to serve as Secretary of the Interior ([link removed]) . If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet and as head of the Interior Department.

A member of the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico, Haaland was one of the first Native American women ever elected to Congress. Throughout her tenure, Haaland served on the House Natural Resources Committee, taking the lead on efforts to conserve 30% of America's lands and waters by 2030 ([link removed]) , protect national monuments ([link removed]) , and increase renewable energy generation ([link removed]) on public lands to combat climate change.

In addition to managing our nation's national parks and public lands, the Interior Department is also responsible for upholding trust and treaty obligations with the 574 federally recognized Native American tribes, an often fraught relationship built on a history of dislocation and genocide. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez noted the historical significance of the nomination, calling it ([link removed]) "truly a historic and unprecedented day for all Indigenous people.”

Responding to the nomination, Haaland said ([link removed]) , "A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior. Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household made me fierce. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land. I am honored and ready to serve."


** Winning the West: Election 2020
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A new report by the Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) finds that public lands—how they are used, their importance to local economies, and the way they define life in the West—were a key component of winning campaigns in 2020, with
19 of the 21 races tracked in six Western states featuring significant pro-public lands advertising or messaging. Going forward, we expect the influence of the growing “outdoor voting bloc”—currently estimated at more than 2 million voters across the West—to continue shaping campaigns and legislative action on public lands.
Quick hits


** In historic move, Biden picks Rep. Deb Haaland as first Native American Interior Secretary
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | NPR ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | NBC News ([link removed])


** Towering smokestacks of Arizona's Navajo Generating Station set to come down
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Blown up mountains, toppled cacti just some of the damage from Trump's border wall
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Government scientists predicted border wall would harm wildlife refuge that protects endangered species
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Biden administration faces calls to quickly limit new oil and gas development on public lands
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** As the pandemic tanks oil and gas, solar shines
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KUNR ([link removed])


** Brenda Mallory, experienced environmental attorney, chosen to lead Council on Environmental Quality
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Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])


** Workers at Yosemite's famed Ahwahnee Hotel appalled by massive Thanksgiving feast with unmasked guests
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SFGate ([link removed])
Quote of the day
This brilliant, tested, trailblazing team will be ready on day one to confront the existential threat of climate change with a unified national response rooted in science and equity.”
—President-elect Joe Biden | Washington Post ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Protecting one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, @PetroglyphNPS ([link removed]) features designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans & Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago #NewMexico ([link removed])

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