Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Dangerously early wildfires burn 100,000 acres in three states
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Monday, April 25, 2022
The Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo: Arizona Emergency Information Network ([link removed])
Wildfires raging across Arizona, Nebraska, and New Mexico ([link removed]) are blamed for at least one death, thousands of evacuations, the loss of multiple structures, and the scorching of 130,000 acres of land—so far.
The Calf Canyon fire in New Mexico ([link removed]) threatens hundreds of homes near Santa Fe. New Mexico officials say it's rare to experience severe fire conditions in April, prompting Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to agree. "It’s going to be a tough summer," Lujan Grisham said. ([link removed])
Northern Arizona is under a state of emergency as firefighters struggle to contain the Tunnel Fire ([link removed]) about 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff that is responsible for burning "in its entirety ([link removed]) " the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument according to the National Park Service.
In Nebraska ([link removed]) , wildfires fueled by high winds and dry grass killed a retired fire chief and injured at least 11 other firefighters. Fires have been reported in 12 counties around the state since last Friday.
The official start to what was formerly known as "fire season" is still weeks away and it's already been an active fire year in California ([link removed]) , Colorado ([link removed]) , and Texas ([link removed]) as well.
** Responses to Gov. Ricketts' 30x30 lies pour in
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Last Friday, Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts hosted the "Stop 30x30 Summit ([link removed]) " in Lincoln where he was joined by former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt ([link removed]) and Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert ([link removed]) to spread lies and disinformation about the Biden administration's America the Beautiful plan to protect 30% of America's lands and waters.
One of the people who spoke up in countering Gov. Ricketts' false claims about the America the Beautiful plan and the use of voluntary private land conservation easements was former Nebraska governor and former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. "I believe its objectives are good, entirely voluntary and that Nebraska would be wise to embrace it," Nelson said of the America the Beautiful plan in an op-ed for the Lincoln Journal Star. ([link removed])
CWP deputy director Aaron Weiss also countered ([link removed]) the false characterization of the initiative as a “land grab,” as claimed by Gov. Ricketts and American Stewards of Liberty, which sponsored Friday’s summit. “I think it’s incredibly condescending for the governor to say that private landowners don’t know what’s best for their land,” Weiss said ([link removed]) .
Quick hits
** Exxon bans LGBTQ Pride flag, triggers employee backlash
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Bloomberg ([link removed])
** Study: Low producing oil wells cause 50% of emissions
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Colorado officials warn 2022 could be the worst wildfire year in the state's history
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Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Summit Daily News ([link removed])
** Poll: Majority of Nevadans worry about climate change, wildfires
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Reno Gazette Journal ([link removed])
** Haaland's first trip to Alaska includes visit to King Cove, finalizing land transfer options for Alaska Native veterans
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Alaska Public Media ([link removed]) | Anchorage Daily News ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Alaska News Source ([link removed]) [King Cove] | E&E news ([link removed]) [King Cove] Juneau Empire ([link removed]) [land transfer] | E&E News
([link removed]) [land transfer] | Washington Post ([link removed]) [land transfer]
** Utah declares drought emergency for the 2nd year in a row
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Wildfires are burning more than 100,000 acres in three states
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New York Times ([link removed]) | The Guardian ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) [New Mexico] | Associated Press ([link removed]) [Nebraska] | Associated Press ([link removed]) [New Mexico] | KPNX ([link removed]) [Arizona]
** Opinion: Celebrate National Park Week by protecting more parks
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The Hill ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” As a person working with the education of Native American students of all ages, I work hard to provide students with safe places that foster a love of learning, sense of community, leadership, and respect for diversity. But sometimes the best learning environment is not a classroom at all – it’s the natural world. Public lands are one teacher who leaves us all in fascination and awe, no matter our age."
—Chris Gomez, educational administrator & former lieutenant governor of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, El Paso Matters ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, including virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant, migrate to Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge every year to get some much-needed rest and dine at one of the world's largest eelgrass beds. Photos by Kristine Sowl, @USFWS ([link removed])
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