** ‘America the Beautiful’ plan garners near-universal praise
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Friday, May 7, 2021
Valley of the Gods, Utah. Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

President Biden pulled off a rare feat unveiling his ten-year “America the Beautiful” conservation plan ([link removed]) —it was greeted by near-universal praise across political and geographic lines. The report from four agencies, which is a 24-page road map for increasing environmental equity and protecting 30 percent of America’s land and ocean by 2030, was welcomed by farmers and ranchers ([link removed]) , conservation groups ([link removed]) , Republicans ([link removed]) , and Democrats ([link removed]) .

The Nature Conservancy’s Lynn Scarlett, a former deputy Interior secretary under George W. Bush, praised the plan’s focus on using multiple forms of protection to reach the 30x30 goal.

“Protected areas and federal designations are important,” Scarlett said ([link removed]) , “but integrating other management authorities and working waters, lands and oceans is also necessary to achieving this goal.”

Muted criticism of the plan primarily focused on its lack of detail ([link removed]) , which will be filled in as dozens of agencies begin implementing it in the coming weeks and months. Notably, the report calls for the creation of an interagency Conservation and Stewardship Atlas ([link removed]) to define and measure conservation designations across the country, a data set that does not currently exist.

Later this year, the Interior Department, in collaboration with other agencies, will start publishing an annual “America the Beautiful” report ([link removed]) to track progress on the coordinated conservation efforts.
Quick hits


** Biden administration moves to restore protections for migratory birds
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** 30x30 conservation plan to rely on local efforts, garners widespread praise
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NBC News ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Wall Street Journal ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Nevada Current ([link removed]) | Colorado Politics
([link removed]) | Drovers ([link removed])


** Analyst: oil and gas leasing system needs an overhaul
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Billings Gazette ([link removed])


** Montana on the brink of rolling back clean water standards
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Montana Free Press ([link removed])


** Can hydropower power America’s energy transition without starting a conservation fight?
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Natural gas is now more deadly than coal in 19 states
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Earther ([link removed])


** Meet the Southwest scam artist who definitely can’t solve the climate crisis with mushrooms
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Buzzfeed ([link removed])


** Outdoor summer adventures: Get ready for higher prices, tight reservations
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Washington Post ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Land and water conservation is a critical part of our effort to tackle the climate crisis. This report is a strong start and lays out a vision that aligns with the kind of conservation efforts we know to be successful in Colorado — efforts that take a locally-led, collaborative, and inclusive approach and bring into the fold the private landowners, farmers, and ranchers who are already stewards of our natural resources.”
—Sen. Michael Bennet, Colorado Politics ([link removed])
Picture this


** @mypubliclands ([link removed])
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Happy #WildlifeWednesday ([link removed]) from this little Sagebrush lizard that was spotted enjoying the sunshine on California #publiclands ([link removed]) ! 🦎

Sagebrush lizards are common throughout most BLM-managed lands west of the Rockies. Despite their name, sagebrush lizards occur in a variety of habitats including deserts, open conifer forests, mixed forests, grasslands, sand dunes, and shrublands.

📸 Laguna Mountain Area; Jesse Pluim, BLM-CA.

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