** Lake Mead drops to lowest level on record
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Monday, June 14, 2021
Lake Mead, National Park Service ([link removed])

As drought conditions intensify across the West, the country's largest reservoir has dropped to its lowest level ([link removed]) on record. Lake Mead's water level has been in decline since 2000, an effect of the region's 20-year drought. As of last week, the reservoir hit a record of 140 feet below "full," a level not seen since it was first filled in the 1930s.

The record low comes ahead of a week of extreme temperatures ([link removed]) sweeping the Southwest. 72% ([link removed]) of the region is in a "severe" drought, and conditions continue to worsen. A dry winter and early warm temperatures are depleting snowpack, which usually releases water into the Colorado River watershed throughout the summer. As a result, water restrictions are expected, particularly in the area surrounding Lake Mead. This will be the first time ([link removed]) that a water shortage will trigger mandatory cuts in Arizona and Nevada, which will have significant impacts on the states' metropolitan areas. Las Vegas receives 90% ([link removed]) of its water from Lake Mead, and
the lake is the main source of water for 25 million people ([link removed]) .

Dropping water levels could impact the region's energy supply, with insufficient water supply affecting the efficiency of hydropower produced by the Hoover Dam. If water levels continue to drop, it is likely that the dam will be unable to produce hydropower ([link removed]) year-round in the near future.


** Biden administration reinstates roadless rule in Tongass National Forest
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On Friday, the Biden administration announced plans ([link removed]) to restore protections for Alaska's Tongass National Forest. The forest was stripped of 20-year old protections under the "roadless rule" in the final months of the Trump administration. Last week's action will reinstate protections that restrict roads and other types of development across 9.3 million acres of forest.
Quick hits


** U.S. national parks are overcrowded and closing their gates
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Wall Street Journal ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) [Yellowstone]


** Firefighters prepare for severe wildfires in drought-gripped West
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NBC ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** Biden officials move to reinstate Alaska roadless rule, overturning Trump policy
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | Vox ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** Southwest drought hits record levels
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Forbes ([link removed]) | CNBC ([link removed])


** Deb Haaland: My grandparents were stolen from their families as children. We must learn about this history.
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Discovery of gray wolf pups won’t change Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s reintroduction work
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Busiest state parks hike fees for nonresidents in Idaho
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Opinion: 30x30 plan is no land grab
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Lincoln Journal Star ([link removed])
Quote of the day
It’s pretty hard to argue with a conservation framework that promotes job creation; makes our communities more resilient to floods, drought and climate change; protects our air and water; and ensures that our children and our grandchildren will be able to enjoy our vast grasslands and the wildlife heritage that we inherited.”
—George Cunningham, board president of Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Lincoln Journal Star ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Congratulations. You've traveled the loneliest road to get to the loneliest national park. Now you are following the loneliest stream to get to the loneliest alpine lake. @GreatBasinNPS ([link removed]) level unlocked. Pic by Michael McCook ([link removed] ([link removed]) )

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