Category: News (Older posts)

December 20, 2018 the President signed the huge Farm BIll.

The Farm Bill not only will benefit farmers and ranchers, but will also help address wildlife by improving key conservation programs and and increasing investments in wildlife habitat on working lands. Senator Bennet deserves credit for his sustained work to double the minimum percentage of funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for wildlife friendly practices. He secured much greater support for farmers and ranchers to provide wildlife habitat and protections for their lands. By championing the inclusion of numerous provisions for grasslands and grazing management, he ensured that ranchers have the tools they need to undertake sustainable grazing initiatives.

December 20, 2018 the President signed the huge Farm BIll.

The Farm Bill not only will benefit farmers and ranchers, but will also help address wildlife by improving key conservation programs and and increasing investments in wildlife habitat on working lands. Senator Bennet deserves credit for his sustained work to double the minimum percentage of funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for wildlife friendly practices. He secured much greater support for farmers and ranchers to provide wildlife habitat and protections for their lands. By championing the inclusion of numerous provisions for grasslands and grazing management, he ensured that ranchers have the tools they need to undertake sustainable grazing initiatives.

BLM issued its final environmental impact statement for the greater sage grouse on December 6, 2018.

Here is our take::

It really will dismantle one of the nation’s largest land conservation plans created by a coalition of bipartisan Western governors, oil and gas industry members, conservationists, ranchers and wildlife lovers. That coalition and Governor Hickenlooper had worked diligently for many years culminating in 2015 with a common-sense approach to protect the imperiled greater sage grouse and 350 other plant and wildlife species that depend on a healthy sagebrush ecosystem.

The FEIS (final environmental impact statement) will open more public lands for leasing and allowing waivers for oil and gas drilling. Here in Colorado, more than 224 thousand acres of land that had been protected will now be open for development.

Most troubling in the Colorado plan is the new role that counties will have to recommend waivers or modifications to the critical “no surface occupancy” leasing stipulation within one mile from active leks. It means that drilling could be permitted to happen near the fragile breeding grounds of sage grouse. The new plan also eliminates requirements on the oil and gas companies to compensate off-site for any damages except voluntarily within a state mitigation plan.

The Colorado plan takes away the power and protections of the BLM and means Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have to engage fully and firmly– parcel by parcel– to protect this priority habitat. Such a patchwork approach will make comprehensive conservation planning nearly impossible.

Not only do these actions have dire consequences for the greater sage grouse, its habitat and hundreds of other animal and plant species, but it will have a direct impact on anyone who enjoys Colorado’s public lands for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.

Sportsmen and women and wildlife advocates understand the health of sage grouse populations is a barometer of the overall health of the sagebrush steppe and many other species, including mule deer, pronghorn and golden eagles. If this new plan is allowed to go forward, some of Colorado’s most critical habitats will be compromised for generations to come.

As background —

BLM issued draft environmental impact statements on May 2 to amend its 2015 greater sage grouse plans. The drafts were issued for each of these including Colorado. We had hoped that the 2015 Colorado plan would remain largely intact, recognizing that likely there would be some tweeking. The 2015 plan was developed through collaboration among federal, state and local governments, conservation organizations, agriculture and industry. the plan “clarifies” mitigation requirements.

Here are the points we had made during the process: Keep strong standards for enforcing “no surface occupancy” and other protections from oil and gas leasing and development in greater sage grouse habitat. Ensuring that the least amount of ground is disturbed means less habitat is destroyed and a stronger chance for grouse to continue to use an area slated for development.The BLM should honor the state’s commitment to ensure damage to habitat is limited and, where damage cannot be avoided, that grouse habitat is restored or other habitat is improved or acquired. BLM has an obligation to avoid and mitigate harm to wildlife from energy development and other activities in grouse habitat. BLM should ot make changes to the Colorado plan beyond those supported by the state and stakeholders

BLM issued its final environmental impact statement for the greater sage grouse on December 6, 2018.

Here is our take::

It really will dismantle one of the nation’s largest land conservation plans created by a coalition of bipartisan Western governors, oil and gas industry members, conservationists, ranchers and wildlife lovers. That coalition and Governor Hickenlooper had worked diligently for many years culminating in 2015 with a common-sense approach to protect the imperiled greater sage grouse and 350 other plant and wildlife species that depend on a healthy sagebrush ecosystem.

The FEIS (final environmental impact statement) will open more public lands for leasing and allowing waivers for oil and gas drilling. Here in Colorado, more than 224 thousand acres of land that had been protected will now be open for development.

Most troubling in the Colorado plan is the new role that counties will have to recommend waivers or modifications to the critical “no surface occupancy” leasing stipulation within one mile from active leks. It means that drilling could be permitted to happen near the fragile breeding grounds of sage grouse. The new plan also eliminates requirements on the oil and gas companies to compensate off-site for any damages except voluntarily within a state mitigation plan.

The Colorado plan takes away the power and protections of the BLM and means Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have to engage fully and firmly– parcel by parcel– to protect this priority habitat. Such a patchwork approach will make comprehensive conservation planning nearly impossible.

Not only do these actions have dire consequences for the greater sage grouse, its habitat and hundreds of other animal and plant species, but it will have a direct impact on anyone who enjoys Colorado’s public lands for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.

Sportsmen and women and wildlife advocates understand the health of sage grouse populations is a barometer of the overall health of the sagebrush steppe and many other species, including mule deer, pronghorn and golden eagles. If this new plan is allowed to go forward, some of Colorado’s most critical habitats will be compromised for generations to come.

As background —

BLM issued draft environmental impact statements on May 2 to amend its 2015 greater sage grouse plans. The drafts were issued for each of these including Colorado. We had hoped that the 2015 Colorado plan would remain largely intact, recognizing that likely there would be some tweeking. The 2015 plan was developed through collaboration among federal, state and local governments, conservation organizations, agriculture and industry. the plan “clarifies” mitigation requirements.

Here are the points we had made during the process: Keep strong standards for enforcing “no surface occupancy” and other protections from oil and gas leasing and development in greater sage grouse habitat. Ensuring that the least amount of ground is disturbed means less habitat is destroyed and a stronger chance for grouse to continue to use an area slated for development.The BLM should honor the state’s commitment to ensure damage to habitat is limited and, where damage cannot be avoided, that grouse habitat is restored or other habitat is improved or acquired. BLM has an obligation to avoid and mitigate harm to wildlife from energy development and other activities in grouse habitat. BLM should ot make changes to the Colorado plan beyond those supported by the state and stakeholders

November 29, Denver announced its intention to certify as a Community Wildlife Habitat through NWF by the end of 2019. CWF is a partner in this program, along with Denver Water, Denver Public Schools and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Here is the City and County of Denver’s press release:

DENVER, Nov. 29, 2018 – Today, the City and County of Denver announced its intention to certify as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation
(NWF) by the end of 2019. The process of certifying as an NWF Community Wildlife Habitat will result in the creation of habitat gardens throughout the city while elevating citizens’ awareness of their multiple benefits for Denver’s people, wildlife and water. Spearheaded by Denver Parks and Recreation, these efforts are in partnership with NWF, Denver Water, Denver Public Schools, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Colorado Wildlife Federation. This coalition will collectively engage and collaborate with residents, businesses, schools and other stakeholders to beautify
and enhance the places where Denverites spend most of their time.

œThe Denver Park system is a diverse compilation of landscapes totaling approximately 6,000 acres of urban parkland and over 14,000 acres of mountain parks, forming one of the most expansive and unique park systems in the country, said Happy Haynes, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. œIt only makes sense for Denver Parks to lead this important community engagement endeavor that will result in Denver being the largest Western city to be designated as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

To successfully certify the city, partners will encourage and support the creation of water-friendly habitat gardens in yards, businesses, schools, universities, places of worship, parks and other community spaces. The Community Wildlife Habitat<http://www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Create/Communities.aspx> program empowers citizen leaders to act on behalf of wildlife throughout their communities. The program provides these leaders with a framework to create and restore high-quality wildlife habitat. This program also educates and engages community
members while working to attain NWF’s esteemed certification as a wildlife-friendly community. The City and County of Denver and its partners have chosen this framework to advance their collective goals of improving the city’s livability, enhancing habitats for wildlife and improving water quality and quantity.

œAs a resident of Denver, I know that this city is special. By seeking to certify the city as a Community Wildlife Habitat, once again, Denver is demonstrating its leadership in sustainable practices and its commitment to improve the city’s habitat for both wildlife and people alike, said Brian Kurzel, NWF’s Regional Executive Director. œThrough the creation of habitat gardens in the spaces in-between, Denverites can beautify the places where they live, study, work, play and worship to the betterment of the whole City.

Denver seeks to become the largest Community Wildlife Habitat in the West with this endeavor, hoping to join such large cities as Houston and Baltimore that have achieved full certification. In total, 116 other communities have been certified across the nation.

œDenver Public Schools welcomes the exciting move to certify our city as a Community Wildlife Habitat, said Dr. Ron Cabrera, Denver Public Schools Interim Superintendent. œThis move presents both an engaging learning opportunity for our students and community and an intentional move to protect our environment for their futures.

NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people take personal action on behalf of wildlife for more than 40 years. The program engages homeowners, businesses, schools, churches, parks and other institutions that want to make their communities wildlife-friendly. The Community Wildlife Habitat project is part of NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program. Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines for making their landscapes more wildlife-friendly. There are more than 200,000 certified habitats nationwide. For more information, please go to: www.nwf.org/garden<http://www.nwf.org/garden>.

November 29, Denver announced its intention to certify as a Community Wildlife Habitat through NWF by the end of 2019. CWF is a partner in this program, along with Denver Water, Denver Public Schools and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Here is the City and County of Denver’s press release:

DENVER, Nov. 29, 2018 – Today, the City and County of Denver announced its intention to certify as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation
(NWF) by the end of 2019. The process of certifying as an NWF Community Wildlife Habitat will result in the creation of habitat gardens throughout the city while elevating citizens’ awareness of their multiple benefits for Denver’s people, wildlife and water. Spearheaded by Denver Parks and Recreation, these efforts are in partnership with NWF, Denver Water, Denver Public Schools, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Colorado Wildlife Federation. This coalition will collectively engage and collaborate with residents, businesses, schools and other stakeholders to beautify
and enhance the places where Denverites spend most of their time.

œThe Denver Park system is a diverse compilation of landscapes totaling approximately 6,000 acres of urban parkland and over 14,000 acres of mountain parks, forming one of the most expansive and unique park systems in the country, said Happy Haynes, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. œIt only makes sense for Denver Parks to lead this important community engagement endeavor that will result in Denver being the largest Western city to be designated as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

To successfully certify the city, partners will encourage and support the creation of water-friendly habitat gardens in yards, businesses, schools, universities, places of worship, parks and other community spaces. The Community Wildlife Habitat<http://www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Create/Communities.aspx> program empowers citizen leaders to act on behalf of wildlife throughout their communities. The program provides these leaders with a framework to create and restore high-quality wildlife habitat. This program also educates and engages community
members while working to attain NWF’s esteemed certification as a wildlife-friendly community. The City and County of Denver and its partners have chosen this framework to advance their collective goals of improving the city’s livability, enhancing habitats for wildlife and improving water quality and quantity.

œAs a resident of Denver, I know that this city is special. By seeking to certify the city as a Community Wildlife Habitat, once again, Denver is demonstrating its leadership in sustainable practices and its commitment to improve the city’s habitat for both wildlife and people alike, said Brian Kurzel, NWF’s Regional Executive Director. œThrough the creation of habitat gardens in the spaces in-between, Denverites can beautify the places where they live, study, work, play and worship to the betterment of the whole City.

Denver seeks to become the largest Community Wildlife Habitat in the West with this endeavor, hoping to join such large cities as Houston and Baltimore that have achieved full certification. In total, 116 other communities have been certified across the nation.

œDenver Public Schools welcomes the exciting move to certify our city as a Community Wildlife Habitat, said Dr. Ron Cabrera, Denver Public Schools Interim Superintendent. œThis move presents both an engaging learning opportunity for our students and community and an intentional move to protect our environment for their futures.

NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people take personal action on behalf of wildlife for more than 40 years. The program engages homeowners, businesses, schools, churches, parks and other institutions that want to make their communities wildlife-friendly. The Community Wildlife Habitat project is part of NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program. Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines for making their landscapes more wildlife-friendly. There are more than 200,000 certified habitats nationwide. For more information, please go to: www.nwf.org/garden<http://www.nwf.org/garden>.

Governor Hickenlooper, in conjunction with the governors of California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, signed a letter November 1 affirming their commitment “to adopt the strong environmental standards of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to protect human health and the environment in our states, regardless of changes at the federal level that might weaken protections of air and water quality.”

Here is the link to the full text of the letter:

www.colorado.gov/governor/sites/default/files/gov_signon_statement-clean_airwater_final.pdf

Governor Hickenlooper, in conjunction with the governors of California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, signed a letter November 1 affirming their commitment “to adopt the strong environmental standards of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to protect human health and the environment in our states, regardless of changes at the federal level that might weaken protections of air and water quality.”

Here is the link to the full text of the letter:

www.colorado.gov/governor/sites/default/files/gov_signon_statement-clean_airwater_final.pdf

On June 28, 2018 the Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill. The Senate version is a good bill for wildlife as it encourages wildlife conservation on farm and ranch lands. We thank Senator Bennet for working to add incentives for beneficial grazing and grasslands management practices.

Bill Highlights:

* EQIP: The minimum percentage of funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) going towards wildlife conservation was doubled to 10 percent. This will mean a dramatic increase in the amount of wildlife habitat on working lands. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
introduced this important provision during committee markup.

* Easements: Funding for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program is significantly increased, allowing USDA to expand its work to protect grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural land through conservation easements.

* CRP: The total area eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program is increased to one million acres (to 25 million acres) and a permanent easement option is included. An amendment by Senator John Thune (R-SD) added important provisions to increase flexibility for haying and grazing while safeguarding wildlife.

* Sodsaver: The 2014 farm bill included a provision, known as Sodsaver, that reduced taxpayer-funded incentives to convert native grasslands to cropland in six states in the Prairie Pothole Region (ND, SD, IA, MN, MT, NE). Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) worked with many other Senators to close a problematic loophole in this provision and to allow governors across the country to opt in to the program. NWF would ultimately like to see Sodsaver expanded nationwide, and we were disappointed that amendments to expand Sodsaver to three
additional states were not given votes during this week’s debate.

* RCPP: The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) helps protect critical landscapes and water quality by allowing local partners to leverage Farm Bill dollars through innovative conservation projects. The Senate bill increases RCPP funding and better targets its efforts while removing administrative burdens.

* Cover Crops: The bill removes barriers to cover crops within the crop insurance program, ensuring that farmers won’t be discouraged from adopting cover crops out of fear of losing crop insurance coverage. Senator Donnelly (D-IN) worked to ensure these provisions”which will protect soil health and water quality”were added to the bill.

* Grazing incentives: Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) worked to add incentives for beneficial grazing and grassland management practices aimed at helping control invasive species, increasing native vegetation, and improving habitat for birds and other wildlife.

* Measuring Impact: Language from the Agriculture Data Act (introduced by Senators Thune and Klobuchar) to collect data on the impact of conservation practices was added to the bill.

On June 28, 2018 the Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill. The Senate version is a good bill for wildlife as it encourages wildlife conservation on farm and ranch lands. We thank Senator Bennet for working to add incentives for beneficial grazing and grasslands management practices.

Bill Highlights:

* EQIP: The minimum percentage of funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) going towards wildlife conservation was doubled to 10 percent. This will mean a dramatic increase in the amount of wildlife habitat on working lands. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
introduced this important provision during committee markup.

* Easements: Funding for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program is significantly increased, allowing USDA to expand its work to protect grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural land through conservation easements.

* CRP: The total area eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program is increased to one million acres (to 25 million acres) and a permanent easement option is included. An amendment by Senator John Thune (R-SD) added important provisions to increase flexibility for haying and grazing while safeguarding wildlife.

* Sodsaver: The 2014 farm bill included a provision, known as Sodsaver, that reduced taxpayer-funded incentives to convert native grasslands to cropland in six states in the Prairie Pothole Region (ND, SD, IA, MN, MT, NE). Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) worked with many other Senators to close a problematic loophole in this provision and to allow governors across the country to opt in to the program. NWF would ultimately like to see Sodsaver expanded nationwide, and we were disappointed that amendments to expand Sodsaver to three
additional states were not given votes during this week’s debate.

* RCPP: The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) helps protect critical landscapes and water quality by allowing local partners to leverage Farm Bill dollars through innovative conservation projects. The Senate bill increases RCPP funding and better targets its efforts while removing administrative burdens.

* Cover Crops: The bill removes barriers to cover crops within the crop insurance program, ensuring that farmers won’t be discouraged from adopting cover crops out of fear of losing crop insurance coverage. Senator Donnelly (D-IN) worked to ensure these provisions”which will protect soil health and water quality”were added to the bill.

* Grazing incentives: Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) worked to add incentives for beneficial grazing and grassland management practices aimed at helping control invasive species, increasing native vegetation, and improving habitat for birds and other wildlife.

* Measuring Impact: Language from the Agriculture Data Act (introduced by Senators Thune and Klobuchar) to collect data on the impact of conservation practices was added to the bill.