New analysis finds the Interior Department ignored overwhelming public opposition to enact policy changes favored by drilling and mining companies


** Cutting the public out of public lands
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Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Bureau of Land Management sign near Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Powder River | Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Last week, the Trump administration unveiled a controversial proposal ([link removed]) to weaken implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, a move that would reduce, and in some cases eliminate, environmental reviews of new pipelines, mines, and drilling proposals. Critically, the proposal would eliminate key opportunities for the public to comment on projects impacting their communities.

The plan follows years of efforts by the Interior Department to systematically suppress public input while advancing drilling and mining on our public lands. Today, the Center for Western Priorities (CWP) released a new analysis ([link removed]) finding the department ignored overwhelming public opposition to ram through major policy changes favored by extractive industries.

CWP analyzed public comments submitted in response to 10 major policy changes proposed by the Interior Department, finding that more than 95% of public comments opposed each proposal. Nevertheless, the Interior Department ultimately finalized ([link removed]) 8 of the 10 changes. While the department relented on policies to enact fees for protesting on the National Mall and to reduce government transparency, it proceeded with almost every policy change favored by drilling and mining companies.
Quick hits


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NPR ([link removed])


** Interior Department still threatening to deny incentives to employees forced to relocate West
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Government Executive ([link removed])


** Border wall threatens national wildlife refuge that's been 40 years in the making
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NPR ([link removed])


** 25 years after the reintroduction of Yellowstone wolves, meet the man who told their story
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Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])


** New oil and gas operators in Idaho face skepticism after years of shirked royalties, disputes with neighbors
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Idaho Statesman ([link removed])


** Trump administration nears decision to allow LNG shipping by train
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Financial Times ([link removed])


** Glacier National Park's Sperry Chalet reopens for business after fire
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Flathead Beacon ([link removed])


** Analysis shows overwhelming public opposition to major policy changes by Trump Interior Department
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Westwise ([link removed])
Quote of the day
This analysis reveals just how strongly the public is opposed to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt’s drilling and mining agenda. All too often, the Trump administration ignores the public to roll back key policies. The laws that bring local communities to the table for discussions on land management are being undermined while loopholes are being opened up for the fossil fuel industry.”
—Andre Miller, Media and Data Manager, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
Picture this
Mountain biking in southern Utah's red rock country
Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

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