Biden to restore Tongass protections
Thursday, July 15, 2021
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The Biden administration is expected to announce today that it will move forward with its plan to restore environmental protections to Alaska's Tongass National Forest that were removed by former President Trump.
As one of the world's largest intact temperate rain forests, the Tongass is also one of the world's largest carbon sinks, storing the equivalent of about 8% of the carbon stored in all the forests of the lower 48 combined. Protecting the region will ensure that this carbon remains safely captured, making an important step for the country toward reaching ambitious climate goals.
The Biden administration's new plan will fully reinstitute all protections removed by President Trump, in addition to ending large scale logging of old growth timber across the forest's entire extent. The plan is also expected to include $25 million in federal funds for local sustainable development in Alaska, which will help support local communities and improve forest health.
2021 Western states legislative summary
The Center for Western Priorities has released a new analysis of conservation accomplishments during the 2021 legislative session in Western states.
The analysis finds that despite significant disruptions and budget shortfalls caused or exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, states across the West continued to invest in conservation, renewable energy, and improve access to the outdoors during the 2021 legislative session. In some cases, the ability and the necessity to conduct hearings and testimony over Zoom actually led to improvements for democratic participation.
Highlights include substantial funding for state parks and trails in Arizona, a new source of sustainable revenue for parks and wildlife in Colorado, new state parks in Utah, a resolution to protect 30% of Nevada's land and waters by 2030, and much more! Read the overview.
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 Every month, there’s going to be more and more [oil and gas] operators where this is an issue, because the boom and bust nature of the oil and gas industry is just such that companies are always going bankrupt, and there’s not a good way to actually get the money for plugging and reclamation right now.”
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Nature is essential to the health, well-being, and prosperity of every family and community in America. Learn more about the America the Beautiful challenge and our collaborative effort to conserve at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030. https://doi.gov/priorities/america-the-beautiful
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