** Interior reverses last-minute Trump changes that undermined LWCF
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Friday, February 12, 2021
The popular Land and Water Conservation Fund has funded conservation efforts, as well as urban parks and recreation opportunities all across the West | Bureau of Land Management, Lisa Clark ([link removed])

At the very end of the Trump administration, then-Interior Secretary Bernhardt pushed through ([link removed]) devastating changes to the wildly popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that was funded with bipartisan support through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Bernhardt's order had the effect of allowing local government officials and governors to veto land purchases through the LWCF, undermining the program after years of attempting to cut its funding. The change would've cut into the rights of private landowners willing to sell their land to the federal government, preventing acquisition for conservation efforts.

Now, the Biden administration has reversed course ([link removed]) on the changes. Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega issued an order revoking Bernhardt's previous order. The new order also returns money to a LWCF grant program that benefits urban areas, the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. The Trump administration had shifted money away from the program, taking resources away from low-income communities and communities of color.

Aaron Weiss, deputy director for the Center for Western Priorities, summed up the series of events ([link removed]) : "After the president flip-flopped on LWCF in a futile attempt to help Cory Gardner ([link removed]) , Bernhardt tried to make an end-run around Congress. Repealing Bernhardt's order gives the Biden administration room to properly spend LWCF funds, and make sure it continues to be America's most successful conservation program."
Quick hits


** Judge finds Trump's lifting of mining ban in the West was wrong on sage grouse grounds
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Biden administration delays Trump rule allowing companies to pay less money for drilling on national public lands
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Push for new monument in Nevada would help the 30x30 goal, protect native spiritual center
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Nevada Independent ([link removed])


** Public lands extremists use pandemic to build out militia
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Popular Information ([link removed])


** Opinions: Biden’s oil and gas leasing pause will protect public lands and promote clean air, allow for antiquated leasing system to be reformed
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])


** Oil industry has host of financial issues to sort out even as prices and demand start to rise
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Interior sets tribal consultation dates, follows through on Biden promise
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Indian Country Today ([link removed])


** Denver Mountain Parks growing for first time since 1939
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Denver Post ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Having indigenous folks at the table ensures they are not left out. But it also ensures that we don't make assumptions about what the community's needs are.”

—Nevada Assemblywoman Cecelia González, Nevada Independent ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Access to @GlacierNPS ([link removed]) during the winter is limited, but there are still spectacular sights for those who are prepared for winter adventure. The view from this snowshoe hike to Apgar Lookout rises nearly 2,000 feet above the glacially-carved, Lake McDonald Valley #Montana ([link removed])

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