** Colorado announces new state park—on federal land
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Thursday, October 21, 2021
Sweetwater Lake | State of Colorado ([link removed])

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced the addition of a new state park ([link removed]) —Sweetwater Lake, a former ranch adjacent to the scenic Flat Tops Wilderness. Notably, a first-of-its-kind agreement will allow Sweetwater Lake to be the first state park in the country that is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, but operated by the state.

Neighbors have long sought to protect Sweetwater Lake, which faced a slew of development proposals ([link removed]) in recent decades, including a water bottling plant, golf courses, and luxury homes. After an extensive public fundraising campaign, support from Great Outdoors Colorado—funded by state lottery revenue—and money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, The Conservation Fund purchased the 488-acre property and transferred it to the Forest Service ([link removed]) .

State officials hope the new state park can serve as a model going forward. "There could be partnerships for a state park on Bureau of Land Management land or just greater collaboration, whether it’s on oil and gas or state parks or forest management,” said ([link removed]) Dan Gibbs, director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources. “My hope is this will be one of many as we look to partner with the U.S. Forest Service. If we can make it seamless for everyone in the state to have these great partnerships, we are going to do it." While Sweetwater Lake currently has few facilities, officials expect to install ([link removed]) a boat launch and other amenities by next summer.
Quick hits


** Biden administration to consider banning copper mines threatening Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Oregon rancher reaches deal to transfer 10,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat to Colvile Tribes
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Spokesman-Review ([link removed])


** New projections for low Colorado River flows speed need for dramatic conservation
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Heinrich backs bill to reform public lands oil and gas leasing
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Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])


** Inaction on climate change will threaten millions of lives, doctors say
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Wildfire smoke harms more people in the Eastern U.S. than the West, study finds
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Series of storms to bring much-needed rain to drought-stricken California
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Colorado, Forest Service announce first-of-its-kind deal for new state park
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Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed]) | Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The process for non-competitive oil and gas leases is bad for our public lands and ends up costing taxpayers. That’s why I’m joining Senators Hickenlooper and Rosen to close this loophole and ensure our public lands are managed fairly, while increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation and conservation.”
—Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWS ([link removed])
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This is a coho salmon. DYK male salmon get a hook jaw when they return to spawn? This week we're taking you to some of the clearest waters of interior Alaska to catch the scoop on the late run of coho salmon: [link removed] ([link removed]) Bureau of Land Management #AllTheFish ([link removed])

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