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


** New federal guidance aims to strengthen Indigenous land management
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Monday, September 19, 2022
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland during a visit to Yellowstone National Park in 2021, Flickr ([link removed])

Last week, the Interior Department announced ([link removed]) new guidance ([link removed]) to expand tribal co-management of federal lands, waters, and wildlife. This guidance is a follow-up to commitments made by the Interior Department and other agencies during November's White House Tribal Nations Summit. The Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service each individually released policy memorandums with specific measures ([link removed]) about how each department will collaborate with Tribes.
Tribes have fought for years to play a role in decision-making about federal lands, and this new guidance will give Tribes a more powerful voice ([link removed]) in the management of the lands they were wrongfully removed from.

"All national parks are located on Indigenous ancestral lands and this policy will help ensure Tribal governments have an equal voice in the planning and management of them," said NPS Director Chuck Sams ([link removed]) . Increasingly, Tribal co-management is being treated as a vital part of responsible land management ([link removed]) . Indigenous knowledge around fire management, wildlife, and water management sustained these lands for years, and it only makes sense to turn to Tribes as experts on how to manage these lands.

Earlier this summer, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service formalized an agreement ([link removed]) with five Tribes to co-manage Bears Ears National Monument. “What can be a better avenue of restorative justice than giving Tribes the opportunity to participate in the management of lands their ancestors were removed from?” said Carleton Bowekaty, lieutenant governor of the Zuni Pueblo in response to the Bears Ears agreement.
Quick hits


** Utah’s youth climate activists held a funeral for Great Salt Lake
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High Country News ([link removed])


** It’s the thirstiest crop in the Southwest. Will the drought put alfalfa farmers out of business?
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** ‘Extraordinary’ pile of prehistoric puke found in Utah uncovers new ancient animal behavior
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** New federal guidance aims to strengthen Indigenous land management
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Grist ([link removed]) | T ([link removed]) hrillist ([link removed])


** As wildfire risk grows, campfires fade across an arid West
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Opinion: BLM must take action to address climate impacts
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])


** The upstream water used to keep Lake Powell afloat is running out
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CNN ([link removed])


** Criticism intensifies after big oil admits ‘gaslighting’ public over green aims
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The Guardian ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” A lot of environmentalists come to it from places of privilege; they’re worried about snow and skiing. But for youth organizers of color, this is our life. This is our autonomy and our agency. So, climate justice to me is giving agency back to communities of color. We’re not in this for the skiing. This is our lives.”
—Muskan Walia, organizer with Utah Youth Environmental Solutions, High Country News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Breathe. Now take in the beauty that’s all around you. Repeat.
Photo @MountRainierNPS ([link removed]) by Scot Eliot

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