Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** No such thing as "No Harm, No Foul" with oil and gas leasing
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Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Photo Credit: Theo Stein / USFWS ([link removed])

A new report ([link removed]) from the Center for Western Priorities, Wilderness Workshop, and the Colorado Wildlands Project finds that rampant speculative leasing of public lands by oil and gas companies has put pristine landscapes at risk across the West.

The first-of-its kind analysis ([link removed]) looked at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) resource management plans (RMPs) across the West. It found that lands with wilderness-quality characteristics are three times less likely to be managed to protect those wilderness characteristics when that land overlaps with oil and gas leases, even if those leases aren’t producing oil. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive reform of the oil and gas leasing system, which has not been updated in decades.

“This study proves that the rigged system of leasing our public lands puts oil CEOs ahead of people and wildlife,” said Jesse Prentice-Dunn, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities. “We should be conserving our most pristine landscapes for generations to come, but the federal government has repeatedly let oil and gas drilling take precedence.”

The report includes case studies of high profile places where areas with wilderness characteristics are currently unprotected due to oil and gas leases. These include the Grand Hogback near Rifle, Colorado, and the Book Cliffs and Nine Mile Canyon in Utah. The full report and policy recommendations, including maps showing areas at risk, are online now ([link removed]) .


** Amache Historic Site to join the National Park System
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The Senate voted unanimously Monday night ([link removed]) to pass the Amache National Historic Site Act just in time for the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 ([link removed]) , which led to the internment of more than a hundred thousand Japanese Americans. The bill was sponsored by both of Colorado’s Senators, as well as Representatives Joe Neguse and Ken Buck.

“I’m thrilled the Senate passed our bill to establish Amache as a part of the National Park System,” said Senator Bennet in a statement ([link removed]) after the vote. “The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II at sites like Amache is a shameful part of our country’s history. Our bill will preserve Amache’s story to ensure future generations can learn from this dark chapter in our history.”

To get it through the Senate, proponents agreed to an amendment ([link removed]) from Utah Senator Mike Lee that requires the NPS accept the land as a donation from the town of Granada. Because of the amendment the bill will have to return to the House for final approval, where it originally passed that chamber 416-2.
Quick hits


** Study: Western drought is worst in 12 centuries
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed])


** Climate, systemic inequities driving push to reform California water laws
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Colorado's largest oil and gas producer wants permission to drill closer to homes
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Analysis: No such thing as "No Harm, No Foul" when it comes to oil and gas leasing
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Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])


** Visitors are flocking to California's newest and smallest national park
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** The devastating Marshall Fire destroyed homes belonging to climate scientists who study extreme weather events
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Amache Historic Site to join the National Park System
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed])


** Too much of a good thing: Increased camping activity is hurting public lands
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CBS4 Denver ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Without climate change, this would not be even close to as bad as one of those historical megadroughts. The thing that is really remarkable about this drought period is that temperatures have been warmer than average in all of the years but one.”
—Park Williams, climate scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles, Washington Post ([link removed])
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