March, in brief
What you may have missed and need to know
Key news from March:
- As cities across the country began lockdowns and Americans practiced social distancing, many national parks remain open with park entrance fees waived. Local elected officials and park rangers are growing worried about the ability of gateway communities to handle the floods of visitors to the parks. At least one park service employee tested positive for the virus. Local communities and first responders pleaded with tourists to stay home as ski areas and recreation hotspots closed down.
- While much of the country was focused on the coronavirus pandemic, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt continued to lease public lands for oil and gas development for dirt cheap prices. Meanwhile, oil prices have crashed, making drilling on public lands economically unviable for many operators swimming in debt. Groups have called on the BLM to halt or delay lease sales and land management planning. The Center for Western Priorities’ oil and gas dashboard will continue to track lease sales.
- Despite the pandemic, the Trump administration continued to advance rollbacks of environmental policies, from permanently weakening enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to offering oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Lawmakers halted a plan to buy crude oil amid the market downturn, although the buyback could surface in future stimulus packages.
- The Government Accountability Office released a report warning that the Interior Department’s plans for relocating the Bureau of Land Management headquarters out of Washington, DC did not establish key performance measures to determine if the reorganization was successful. More than half of the Bureau of Land Management employees whose positions were relocated out of Washington, DC have left the bureau.
- President Trump tweeted his support for a bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide funding to address maintenance needs in national parks. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt testified that he will support the legislative efforts. The bill could get a second look as a jobs measure in a stimulus package amid the economic downturn.
What to watch for in April:
- The acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, William Perry Pendley, faces the end of his appointment. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is likely to reappoint Pendley.
- Following in the footsteps of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department could waive enforcement of regulations at the behest of the oil and gas industry.
- Congress is expected to consider additional stimulus measures, which could include bailouts for coal and oil companies.
Best Reads of the Month
Federal scientists hold the line against regulatory rollbacks
Interior using coronavirus crisis to push controversial policy changes that benefit the oil and gas industries
As government battles coronavirus, Trump pushes ahead with major reversals of environmental regulations
Trump administration continues oil and gas leasing on public lands during price drop and coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus is making us less prepared for wildfire season
Outdoor voters all want the same things
From the Center for Western Priorities:
Mapping the legacy of drilling in a protected monument
According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument contains 193 oil and gas wells and drilling sites. Many of these wells have been “abandoned” or “shut-in” and not properly reclaimed. As a result, the monument is littered with decaying oil and gas equipment that companies have failed to clean up.
Westwise Blog:
The Trump Administration’s Unfinished Business on Public Lands
Tracking the Interior Department’s remaining policy changes impacting lands, water, and wildlife
Trump administration faces overwhelming public opposition to weakening bedrock environmental law
94% of public comments oppose attempt to roll back enforcement of the National Environmental Policy Act
David J. Hayes on the 100-year anniversary of the Mineral Leasing Act
Former Deputy Interior Secretary reflects on the BLM relocation, the administration’s dismal court record
Reflecting on ten years of conservation in the West
Colorado College celebrates a decade of the State of the Rockies Project’s Conservation in the West Poll
National park visitation broke records in 2019
Highlights need for sustained investment to conserve parks for future generations
Go West, Young Podcast:
David J. Hayes on the Interior Department and how states must lead on conservation
A conversation with David J. Hayes, former Deputy Interior Secretary and head of the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law. The Impact Center is tracking state attorney general actions in support of the environment, some 300 and counting so far.
Quote of the month:
“Parks inherently funnel people to see overlooks and waterfalls and rivers. People stop at various points to view the wonderful scenery. They’re more conducive to people gathering. Parks are built for visitation. Our concern is that Interior is practicing trial and error instead of being proactive where they know visitors are going to gather.”
Picture this:
