** Interior reinstates Arctic drilling safety measures
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Monday, May 10, 2021
Arctic Drilling, U.S. Department of the Interior ([link removed])

On Friday, the Interior Department reversed ([link removed]) the Trump administration's last minute attempt to remove safety regulations for offshore drilling in the Arctic. In December, President Trump's Interior Department tried to revise a slate of safety measures instated during the Obama administration. However, the rule was not finalized before the Biden administration took office and is now withdrawn.

"The Arctic exploratory drilling regulations released in 2016 are critical to ensuring adequate safety and environmental protections for this sensitive ecosystem and Alaska Native subsistence activities," said ([link removed]) an Interior Department spokesperson. The Trump administration's attempted rollback would have removed the requirement to have plans for containment in case of a spill, among other commonsense protections. It would also have eliminated a requirement that oil operators submit thorough plans for any new drilling operations. The rules were put in place as a result of other catastrophic oil spills, including Deepwater Horizon.

This is the latest action in the Biden administration's moves to undo Trump-era rollbacks of environmental protections. From restoring protections for migratory birds ([link removed]) to temporarily blocking oil and gas activity in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ([link removed]) , Biden's Interior Department is prioritizing the safety of wildlife and communities.
Quick hits


** America the Beautiful plan is a big deal
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Vox ([link removed]) | Native News Online ([link removed]) | Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])


** Biden's Civilian Climate Corps would tackle climate change, care for public lands
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NPR ([link removed])


** Idaho governor signs bill to allow killing of 90% of state’s wolves
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Arizona tribe prepares for a fight over a gold mine on ancestral lands
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Arizona Republic ([link removed])


** Opinion: Biden administration must take the next step at Grand Staircase-Escalante
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Interior Department withdraws Trump rule loosening Arctic drilling regulations
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Man accused of organizing illegal 153-person Grand Canyon hike
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NBC ([link removed]) | Daily Beast ([link removed])


** Opinion: Taxpayers are left to clean up orphan oil and gas wells
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The 30x30 proposed policy serves as a vitally important opportunity to safeguard the environment and Tribal cultural values, strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and uphold Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
—Letter from a coalition of 13 tribal leaders, Native News Online ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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To conserve at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030, Interior will engage with agricultural and forest landowners, fishers, outdoor enthusiasts, sovereign Tribal Nations, states, territories, local officials, and all communities with a stake in our future. #AmericaTheBeautiful

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