** Court ices Alaska oil project
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, August 19th, 2021
A truck off the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Photo: Craig McCaa, BLM Alaska ([link removed])

A federal judge tossed out the Trump administration's environmental review ([link removed]) of a massive oil and gas project on Alaska's North Slope. The 110-page ruling ([link removed]) found that the approval didn't thoroughly consider the greenhouse gas impacts of the project, and didn't specify how polar bears would be protected.

The Willow project was touted as being able to produce 160,000 barrels of oil a day, but Alaska Natives and conservation groups sued, saying the Trump administration's review violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Environmental Protection Act.

Judge Sharon Gleason agreed, saying the Bureau of Land Management made "serious" errors in its review. “BLM also failed to adequately analyze a reasonable range of alternatives for the Willow Project,” Gleason wrote ([link removed]) , noting that considering alternatives is “a process that is ‘the heart of the environmental impact statement.’”

Environmental activists were surprised when the Biden administration chose to defend the project earlier this year. Lead attorney Jeremy Lieb of Earthjustice said ([link removed]) the ruling “gives the Biden administration the opportunity to reconsider whether to approve the project in light of its commitment to address climate change.”


** Biden picks tribal leader to run Park Service
------------------------------------------------------------

President Biden announced he'll nominate Chuck Sams, a longtime Oregon tribal leader ([link removed]) , as the next director of the National Park Service. If confirmed, Sams would become the first Native American director of the Park Service, which did not have a Senate-confirmed director ([link removed]) for the entirety of the Trump administration.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown praised Sams' nomination ([link removed]) , saying “I have worked closely with Chuck for many years, and have witnessed firsthand his unparalleled devotion and service to his Tribe, our state, and our nation.”
Quick hits


** California builds "Noah's Ark" to protect wildlife from extinction by climate change
------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Indigenous leaders fight John McCain's toxic legacy at Oak Flat
------------------------------------------------------------

Arizona Republic ([link removed])


** Deb Haaland asks America to teach the history it doesn't want to repeat
------------------------------------------------------------

The 19th ([link removed])


** Court blocks massive Alaska drilling project, citing climate dangers
------------------------------------------------------------

New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed]) | A ([link removed]) ssociated Press ([link removed]) | Alaska Public Media ([link removed])


** Biden nominates first Native American to lead National Park Service
------------------------------------------------------------

OPB News ([link removed]) | Oregonian ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])


** What we do about methane will make or break our response to climate change
------------------------------------------------------------

Vox ([link removed])


** Rep. Boebert reveals husband made nearly $500k working for oil company as she ran for Congress
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed])


** BLM warns potential attendees of alternate Burning Man event
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
What hurts is knowing that, you know, they already have a contract with a construction company that, as soon as the land transfer takes place, the first thing to do is they're going to cut the oak trees and plant them elsewhere.... These trees need to stay because they are the parents since the beginning of time.”
—Former San Carlos Apache Chairman Wendsler Nosie, A ([link removed]) rizona Republic ([link removed])
Picture this


** @usfws ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Mexican spotted owls are one of the few owls with dark eyes. Those eyes help them hunt at night by reducing eye shine and making them less visible to their prey. Photo: Shaula Hedwell/USFWS

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])