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


** It's been 100 days since Biden promised to protect Avi Kwa Ame
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Friday, March 10, 2023
Avi Kwa Ame, Center for Western Priorities

It’s been 100 days ([link removed]) since President Joe Biden promised to protect an area in southern Nevada called Avi Kwa Ame. According to anonymous sources who spoke to the Washington Post ([link removed]) , scheduling difficulties are causing the delay.

They say the White House contacted Nevada lawmakers about scheduling the announcement during Biden’s visit to Las Vegas next week, but Nevada Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, who both support the monument designation, couldn't make it because the Senate is in session next week. Sources say the Biden administration is now exploring ([link removed]) whether to hold a designation ceremony at the White House, rather than in Nevada, to accommodate Rosen and Cortez Masto.


** Presidential budget invests in public lands and the West
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The Biden administration's budget for fiscal year 2024 ([link removed]) includes $18.9 billion for the Interior Department, an increase of $2 billion, or 12 percent, over the fiscal year 2023 enacted budget. If appropriated by Congress, that funding will help address ([link removed]) climate challenges, like drought and wildfire, take care of public lands, expand renewable energy on federal lands and waters, and strengthen Tribal nations.

The administration's proposal ([link removed]) specifically increases funding for Colorado River stabilization projects as well as wildland firefighting capacity. It also includes an increase of $75 million over the 2023 budget for the National Park Service. This funding will help restore parks impacted by fire and drought as well as fund climate vulnerability assessments to better identify, plan for, and mitigate impacts on park resources.

The proposed budget also makes significant investments in programs to expand renewable energy ([link removed]) at the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and it includes $12 million ([link removed]) for the creation of a new Tribal Land and Water Conservation Fund land acquisition program.
Quick hits


** Manchin: Why I won't support President Biden's nominees
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Houston Chronicle ([link removed])


** Some bears weather winter out of dens in Montana
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Missoulian ([link removed])


** TikTok users are mobilizing against proposed Alaska oil drilling project
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Forbes ([link removed])


** Federal vote to rename Mount Evans in Colorado delayed
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CPR News ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Greeley, Colorado is purchasing 970 acres of land—but not the nuclear missile complex in the middle of it
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KUNC ([link removed])


** Lawsuit targets Colorado wolves killed at Wyoming border
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WyoFile ([link removed])


** New Utah oil railroad by Colorado River raises health and climate fears
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Guardian ([link removed])


** Group warns world’s smallest rabbit is in danger of going extinct
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” I’m out here screaming in the woods because we have less than a week to stop Willow, which is a proposed oil drilling project in Alaska that would put an already fragile ecosystem and the Indigenous communities that rely on it at further risk. Plus, we cannot keep opening new fossil fuel projects if we want to address climate change.”
—TikTok creator Alaina Wood ([link removed]) , Forbes
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** @YellowstoneNPS ([link removed])
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Good morning, from a wintry sunrise over Bunsen Peak! Have you hiked this mountain? Share your photos and experiences with us!

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