** Forest Service to allow oil trains in Utah roadless area
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Friday, December 17, 2021
The Green River in the Ashley National Forest in Utah. Photo: Pattiz Brothers/USFS Flickr ([link removed])
According to the U.S. Forest Service, an 88-mile-long rail line that would transport mainly crude oil and sand for hydraulic fracturing operations in the Uinta Basin can pass through a 12-mile stretch of the Ashley National Forest, including roadless areas prohibited from development. ([link removed])
In a letter ([link removed]) responding to the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the opponents of the project, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said ([link removed]) the Uinta Basin Railway would help the local economy and would not pose significant environmental harm or violate roadless-area protections because rail lines aren't considered roads under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The project ([link removed]) would include the construction of five bridges and three tunnels, with a right of way that would range from 100 feet to 2,100 feet wide, with the bigger dimensions needed for tunnels. Moore's response letter follows a draft record of decision
([link removed]) approving the portion of the project in the national forest.
Before the record of decision was published, the Center for Biological Diversity and other opponents of the project urged ([link removed]) the Forest Service to reject the project. Their letter states ([link removed]) , "We ask that the Forest Service decline to issue the right of way because it directly conflicts with the administration’s climate change policies to significantly reduce emissions by 2030 and the roadless rule." According to their estimates ([link removed]) , the group believes that if the project is approved trains bound for Gulf Coast refineries could carry as much as 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day through the forest—four times the amount currently trucked to Salt Lake City. "Conservative estimates of carbon
pollution from this expansion of fossil fuel extraction equal to up to 53 million tons of CO2, 6 times more than the annual emissions of the dirtiest coal plant in Utah," they said.
Quick hits
** 2021 was a game-changing year for trees
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Vox ([link removed])
** Charles Sams sworn in as director of the National Park Service, a position that had been vacant for five years
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Instead of conserving water, Utah is trying to build its way out of drought with new pipelines
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ProPublica ([link removed])
** Tribal voices have the White House's ear but they're still waiting on results
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed])
** Federal judge dismisses Ute Tribe's claim to 2 million acres of eastern Utah
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Fox13 ([link removed])
** How to cool Phoenix, one of the fastest warming cities in the West
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High Country News ([link removed])
** Forest Service to allow oil trains in Utah roadless area
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Opinion: Reforms to federal oil and gas leasing system could help New Mexico children
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KRWG ([link removed])
Quote of the day
I am honored to serve as Director of the National Park Service and thank President Biden and Secretary Haaland for entrusting in me the care of one of America’s greatest gifts: our National Park System. I am also incredibly proud to work with the dedicated employees of the National Park Service. I have no doubt that together, we’ll be able to expand access to the outdoors, protect America’s public lands, and upgrade our nation’s infrastructure system through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."
—Newly sworn-in director of the National Park Service, Charles F. "Chuck" Sams III ([link removed])
Picture this
** @nationalparkservice ([link removed])
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Stuck behind a slow bison for 30 minutes. Finally get to your turn. Slow bison takes same turn. D’oh! Bison can be fast and furious. They can also be slow and serious. They also have never heard of turn signal. (That’s right, Bob! You herd that!) Give ‘em a break. Literally! Walking in deep snow can be difficult for anyone. Bison use their strong necks to push forward and make a path, their shaggy faces keep them from getting too cold and they usually take turns leading the way. These adaptations allow them to thrive in the harsh winter conditions of parks like Yellowstone.
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