Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Biden announces historic $1 billion investment to protect Florida Everglades
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Thursday, January 20, 2022
Everglades National Park Flickr. NPS Photo by Carlos Lopez ([link removed])
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to spend $1 billion ([link removed]) to restore and preserve South Florida’s Everglades. According to the White House, this represents the single largest investment ([link removed]) in the Everglades in history.
The funds will be used to increase the ecosystem’s resilience against climate change by storing surface water runoff and minimizing seepage losses during dry periods, address long-standing environmental justice issues, and help coastal communities. Florida Representative Lois Frankel said in a statement ([link removed]) , “The Everglades is a beautiful and delicate ecosystem that serves as drinking water for more than eight million Floridians and home to hundreds of endangered plant and animal species. This new funding will significantly boost efforts to make sure that this unique and vibrant environment is kept alive and thriving for future generations.”
The Everglades project is just one of several environmentally minded projects the Army Corps will pursue using funds made available by the recently passed infrastructure law. Although record-breaking, the $1 billion for Everglades restoration is significantly less than the estimated $23.2 billion total cost ([link removed]) to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Quick hits
** Lawsuit contends Forest Service isn't upholding public access in Montana's Crazy Mountains
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Outdoor Life ([link removed])
** ExxonMobil's net zero plan doesn't address carbon emissions from people using its oil and gas
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Popular Science ([link removed])
** Colorado oil and gas wells are constantly changing hands, increasing risk of being abandoned
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** BLM approves third large-scale solar project within Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan area
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Colorado coal town grapples with future as plant shuts down
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Biden announces historic $1 billion investment to protect Florida Everglades
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Miami Herald ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** BLM launches foundation to help manage public lands
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Opinion: Why the proposed Avi Kwa Ame national monument is special
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Nevada Independent ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Safety and economic benefits aside, wildlife crossings provide significant environmental benefits. Roads create a formidable barrier to wildlife moving to locate water, food, mates, and shelter, as well as migration. Oregon mule deer populations have been steadily declining for decades. Protecting their migratory corridors is essential to their health and resilience, particularly as a changing climate may require these populations to travel outside their traditional corridors."
—Zach Schwartz, Oregon program manager for Wildlands Network, Oregon Live ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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With rock formations that resemble something out of a science fiction movie, the @BLMNewMexico ([link removed]) Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is rich with fossils, hills, and inspiring starry nights. Pic by Rowdy Winters
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