Interior Secretary tours potential national monument

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


** Haaland visits Avi Kwa Ame
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Thursday, September 8, 2022
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Rep. Susie Lee, and Interior Department leaders meet with advocates for the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada. @HonorAviKwaAme ([link removed])

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada on Wednesday, raising hopes that President Biden could invoke the Antiquities Act to protect public lands that are sacred to several Tribal nations ([link removed]) .

Haaland traveled to the Mojave desert along with Rep. Susie Lee, Bureau of Land Management State Director Jon Raby, and Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis. The officials met with members of the Fort Mojave Tribe to visit the landscape, also known as Spirit Mountain, which is the place of origin of ten Yuman-speaking Tribes.

“Photos don't do this beautiful view justice,” Haaland wrote on Twitter ([link removed]) later in the day. “I met with Tribal and community leaders to discuss what this area means to them and the challenges that lie ahead.”

E&E News reports that the Interior Department declined to answer questions ([link removed]) about whether Haaland has made any recommendations to President Biden about a monument proclamation in Nevada. Creating new national monuments would be a major step towards the president's America the Beautiful goal of protecting 30 percent of America's lands and waters by the end of the decade.

The Center for Western Priorities visited Avi Kwa Ame last year ([link removed]) as part of our Road to 30: Postcards ([link removed]) multimedia series. Locally-led conservation campaigns are also asking President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to create national monuments at the Castner Range ([link removed]) in Texas and Camp Hale-Continental Divide ([link removed]) in Colorado.
Quick hits


** Biden administration agrees to reexamine potential climate costs of Trump-era oil leases; industry vows to keep fighting Wyoming ruling
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** As Forest Service wraps up 90-day pause on burns, New Mexico scientist fears what comes next
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Source NM ([link removed])


** After a wet summer, a dry fall could quickly change Colorado's wildfire year
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Canadian coal mine expansion raises water concerns in Montana
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Flathead Beacon ([link removed])


** Opinion: Oil and water don't mix in southwest Montana
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Helena Independent Record ([link removed])


** What the Inflation Reduction Act means for Indian Country
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High Country News ([link removed])


** Is the climate law a win for environmental justice? It's complicated
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Bloomberg CityLab ([link removed])


** How to keep hikers from falling 300 feet down a mine shaft: Foam
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” We were treated in Tuba City like we were in the military. We were marched; we were physically abused by being kicked. I did not know anything at the time of the decree.”
—Diné Tribal member Willie Grayeyes to High Country News ([link removed]) , recounting his forced relocation into the federal boarding school system in the 1950s
Picture this


** @mypubliclands ([link removed])
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This #WildernessMonth ([link removed]) , follow along with us as we highlight wilderness across #yourpubliclands ([link removed]) ! First up is Arizona's Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, located about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona.

Here, visitors enjoy extended horseback riding and backpacking trips, sightseeing, photography, rock climbing and day hiking which are all enhanced by the topographic diversity, scenic character, size, as well as the botanical, wildlife, and cultural values of the area.

📸 Bob Wick

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