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


** Biden creates $1 billion grant program to help reach 30x30 goal
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Tuesday April 12, 2022
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico was established on May 21, 2014, by presidential proclamation, Bob Wick/BLM, Flickr ([link removed])

The Biden administration has launched ([link removed]) a $1 billion program meant to advance its "America the Beautiful" goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s land and waters by 2030. Known as the "America the Beautiful Challenge," the program will make grants available to states, tribes, territories, non-governmental organizations, and others to apply for conservation and restoration projects.

The program is backed by an initial commitment of $440 million in federal funding ([link removed]) to a new public-private grant program, which will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ([link removed]) , a private non-profit. This funding is meant to draw in private contributions ([link removed]) to make up the $1 billion commitment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a major source of the initial federal investment ([link removed]) in the America
the Beautiful Challenge.

“Kudos to President Biden and Interior Secretary Haaland for giving this boost to locally-driven conservation efforts. Protecting 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by the end of the decade can only be accomplished through partnerships and knowledge on the ground in all 50 states. This billion-dollar commitment shows the administration is on the right track to reaching 30×30," Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala said in a statement ([link removed]) .
Quick hits


** Montana coal plant owner files for bankruptcy
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Helena Independent Record ([link removed])


** Indigenous people reflect on history of America's first national park
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Billings Gazette ([link removed])


** Gas prices on longest decline since 2020
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Bloomberg ([link removed])


** A plan to save California's salmon stirs hope and controversy
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Skull, antler illegally removed from elk carcass in Rocky Mountain National Park
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Interior announces $46 million in funding for tribal climate resilience
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The Guardian ([link removed]) | Native News Online ([link removed]) | The News Tribune ([link removed])


** FBI seeks information about petroglyph vandalism in Santa Fe
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KOAT ([link removed]) | Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])


** A lake in Florida is suing to protect itself
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The New Yorker ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” We're locked into a system of fossil fuels that time and time and time again is being shown to be actually quite a vulnerable, fragile system."
—Matto Mildenberger, assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, E&E News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @ ([link removed]) Interior ([link removed])
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Save the date!
This coming Saturday, in celebration of National Park Week, the @NatlParkService ([link removed]) will offer free admission so everyone can explore our country's vast history and beauty. There is a national park closer than you think — find yours today: [link removed] ([link removed])

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