** Haaland’s day in the spotlight
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
@DebHaalandNM ([link removed])

As Congresswoman Deb Haaland sits down for her confirmation hearing to become America's first Native American secretary of the Interior this morning, her allies will be watching for a pattern ([link removed]) from her critics. Senators who announced early opposition to Haaland's nomination cited her “extreme” or “radical ([link removed]) ” views on public lands and energy policy—a level of criticism they seem to reserve for women of color.

Montana State Senator Shane Morigeau, a member of the Salish and Kootenai tribes, told Politico ([link removed]) that Haaland “became an easy target because we haven’t gotten to this place in our country where we give — especially women and people of color — a fair shot.”

Former U.S. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid agreed, taking aim specifically at Senator Steve Daines of Montana in an op-ed today ([link removed]) . Daines “claims these Indigenous values are radical; they are not,” Reid wrote. He noted that Daines supported the nomination of William Perry Pendley—someone who had frequently denigrated Native American religious practices—to lead the Bureau of Land Management under President Trump. Reid added, “The American people know what is best for the Interior Department’s leadership, and it is in Haaland.”

Haaland’s confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 am Mountain Time today. Watch the live stream ([link removed]) , or follow along with CWP's live tweets ([link removed]) .


** Culver heads to BLM
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The Biden administration announced Monday ([link removed]) that Nada Culver, one of the top conservation attorneys in the country, will be the Deputy Director for Policy and Programs at the Bureau of Land Management. Culver, who most recently worked at the Audubon Society, will take over a role last filled by William Perry Pendley, who a judge said served unlawfully after President Trump failed to nominate a BLM director for the entirety of his presidency. Culver has also been a regular guest on CWP's podcast; in 2018, she talked about the sage-grouse's uncertain future ([link removed]) in the West.
Quick hits


** Deb Haaland on the brink of history as first Native American cabinet secretary
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Politico ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Mountain Journal ([link removed]) | Las Vegas Review-Journal ([link removed]) | USA Today ([link removed]) (Opinion) | Las Vegas Sun ([link removed]) (Opinion)


** Culver to temporarily head up Bureau of Land Management
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Colorado Newsline ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed]) | Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])


** Biden administration reconsiders Trump rollbacks of spotted owl protections
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | OPB News ([link removed])


** Neguse wants wildfire prevention to feature in Biden's infrastructure plans
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CPR News ([link removed]) | Coloradoan ([link removed])


** Oil and gas companies overstate risk to school funding from leasing pause
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Roll Call ([link removed])


** Biologists: Oil leasing pause is not “bad for Wyoming’s wildlife”
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed]) (Opinion)


** Animas river sets record low flow for second month in a row
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Durango Herald ([link removed])


** Yellowstone superintendent Cam Sholly on wolves, climate change, and invasive trout
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National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Rep. Haaland’s nomination is both historic and long overdue. If confirmed, she would be the first Native American Cabinet member. Her record is in line with mainstream conservation priorities. Thus, the exceptional criticism of Rep. Haaland and the threatened holds on her nomination must be motivated by something other than her record.”
—Former senators Mark and Tom Udall
USA Today ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWSMtnPrairie ([link removed])
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Nighttime has been hustling and bustling at the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Colorado. This motion cam caught lots of visitors at one black-footed ferret burrow. Can you name all the species? Photos: @USFWS ([link removed])

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