** Bernhardt's law firm cashes in since nomination
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Thursday, December 19, 2019
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve: where lobbying firm clients are getting their way | S ([link removed]) ean Tevebaugh, NPS ([link removed])

A new analysis ([link removed]) by the Center for Western Priorities finds that in the 31 months since David Bernhardt was nominated to become the Deputy Interior Secretary, his former lobbying firm has been paid nearly $12 million to influence the Interior Department, boosted by at least 19 new lobbying clients. The revenue marks a 310 percent increase from the same period before Bernhardt’s nomination. In return, at least two-thirds ([link removed]) of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s (BHFS) lobbying clients with business before Interior have seen their projects or policies advanced in some way by the department.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is one of the country's top lobbying firms and touts that their "political connections deliver results." Bernhardt was a repeat player for the firm before his nomination.

The new analysis ([link removed]) includes several egregious cases where BHFS clients saw results from Interior after Bernhardt’s arrival, including: Trilogy Metals' quest to build a mining road through Gates of the Arctic National Preserve ([link removed]) , the expansion of a Rocky Mountain Resources mine that threatens a Colorado tourist town ([link removed]) , and removing endangered species protections ([link removed]) to assist Westlands Water District (arguably Bernhardt's largest client while with BHFS).
Quick hits


** Astronaut wants to donate land to Rocky Mountain National Park
The Denver Post ([link removed]) | C ([link removed]) olorado Public Radio ([link removed]) | Backpacker ([link removed]) | Loveland Reporter-Herald ([link removed])
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** Bernhardt's law firm cashes in since nomination
E ([link removed]) &E News ([link removed]) | W ([link removed]) estwise ([link removed])
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** Plan emerges for Minnesota mining project near wilderness area
E&E News ([link removed])
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** Deal reached to make full length of Zion Narrows permanently open to the public
St. ([link removed]) George News ([link removed])
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** Oil and gas operators of 900,000 wells can self-audit methane emissions
Deseret ([link removed]) News ([link removed])
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** Montana governor releases plan to preserve, develop state's outdoor recreation industry
Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])
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** Carolers across the country have been crooning for land and water funding
WJLA ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
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** Opinion: Wild horses groomed as scapegoats for public land destruction from oil and gas
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
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Quote of the day
With a direct line to the political appointees who set America’s energy and wildlife policies, Brownstein Hyatt has cashed in... it’s clear that under Secretary Bernhardt, corporations have a roadmap to get their projects approved—just hire a high-powered lobbyist, preferably at his old firm.”
—Jesse Prentice-Dunn,
Center for Western Priorities Policy Director
E&E News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @I ([link removed]) nterior ([link removed])
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If the holiday season has you feeling stuck in the muck, we hope you find the support you need. Take a walk in nature, open up to a trusted friend, spend time doing something worthwhile. You are not alone.

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