Category: News (Older posts)

On Monday, February 6, 2017 the House of Representatives voted to revoke the Bureau of Land Management’s planning rule 2.0.  To do so, the House used the Congressional Review Act.  We strongly request the Senate not to follow suit and to leave the rule intact.

We strongly support multiple use planning by BLM on the public lands it manages.  This rule has updated the BLM’s plannning process for the first time in 30 years for these lands.  The rule provides for the very importnat landscape level approaches that identify conflicts among land uses early on and then facilitates options and solutions — incorporating energy development, safeguarding important wildlife habitat and corridors, streams, public access, and the other interests.  The repeal, if it were to move forward, would relegate BLM to antiquated planning processes that are unworkable for all users and interests.

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz halted his bill, H.R. 621, on February 2 that provided for disposal by sale of 3,368,278 acres of public lands in 10 western states, including approximately 93,741 acres in Colorado managed by BLM.  These are lands that were identified by BLM in a 1997 Department of Interior report as suitable for sale or exchange (pursuant to the Agricultural Reform Act, Sec.390) . It is an arduous process to identify each of the parcels.  Here is the withdrawn bill: www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr621/BILLS-115hr621ih.pdf

We believe that he pulled the bill due to the outcry of a large and diverse array of people who value our public lands.  We all are making a difference … but must remain vilgilant.  For example, another bill, H.R. 622, would “terminate the law enforcement positions in the US Forest Service and in Bureau of Land Management, relegating this function to local law enforcement authorities through block grants to states.  Here is that bill: .www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr622/BILLS-115hr622ih.pdf

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz halted his bill, H.R. 621, on February 2 that provided for disposal by sale of 3,368,278 acres of public lands in 10 western states, including approximately 93,741 acres in Colorado managed by BLM.  These are lands that were identified by BLM in a 1997 Department of Interior report as suitable for sale or exchange (pursuant to the Agricultural Reform Act, Sec.390) . It is an arduous process to identify each of the parcels.  Here is the withdrawn bill: www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr621/BILLS-115hr621ih.pdf

We believe that he pulled the bill due to the outcry of a large and diverse array of people who value our public lands.  We all are making a difference … but must remain vilgilant.  For example, another bill, H.R. 622, would “terminate the law enforcement positions in the US Forest Service and in Bureau of Land Management, relegating this function to local law enforcement authorities through block grants to states.  Here is that bill: .www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr622/BILLS-115hr622ih.pdf

In his nomination hearing for Secretary of the Interior on January 17, Representative Ryan Zinke testified he is absolutely opposed to sale or transfer of the nation’s public lands.  He also emphasized public access to public lands, stating, “Americans should not be locked out of their national treasures.”    He expressed his concern that fishing and hunting were heading toward becoming a “lease sport.”  “I am concerned about fences, closed roads and lack of access.”

He believes the Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization should be permanent.

Rep. Zinke favors all types of energy development, stating, “It is better to produce energy here with regulations than elsewhere [in the world] without regulations.”

He admires Theodore Roosevelt and in articulating his philosophy, stated, “Some [lands]  are better managed under the Muir model of wilderness … most are better suited to the Pinchot model of multiple use.”

Rep. Zinke noted “decisions are often better made at the front lines if empower your people to do so.”  He said he is committed to looking at Department of Interior across the board and that “we must think bold and big” in preparing for the future and determining “how Interior should look in 100 years. Recreation will be a bigger piece.”   He also noted that he must restore trust as many believe they have no voice in federal land management policy. Rep. Zinke repeated the importance of the “front line” numerous times – more decisions should be made at the local level and on the ground. He intends to ensure professionals in the agency have the tools, resources and flexibility.

When questioned about the greater sage grouse planning, Rep. Zinke spoke generally of the importance of using sound science and setting “management targets –numbers.”

As to water, he said it is a commodity and that we must invest today in policies for tomorrow . “Some of it is infrastructure to reach requirements, some is efficiency, and some is building better storage/holding capacity, and keeping water clean.”  Clean water also was discussed in the context of invasive species.

Rep. Zinke, as well as several senators, also expressed concern with the maintenance backlog in our national parks of $12.5 billion.

In his nomination hearing for Secretary of the Interior on January 17, Representative Ryan Zinke testified he is absolutely opposed to sale or transfer of the nation’s public lands.  He also emphasized public access to public lands, stating, “Americans should not be locked out of their national treasures.”    He expressed his concern that fishing and hunting were heading toward becoming a “lease sport.”  “I am concerned about fences, closed roads and lack of access.”

He believes the Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization should be permanent.

Rep. Zinke favors all types of energy development, stating, “It is better to produce energy here with regulations than elsewhere [in the world] without regulations.”

He admires Theodore Roosevelt and in articulating his philosophy, stated, “Some [lands]  are better managed under the Muir model of wilderness … most are better suited to the Pinchot model of multiple use.”

Rep. Zinke noted “decisions are often better made at the front lines if empower your people to do so.”  He said he is committed to looking at Department of Interior across the board and that “we must think bold and big” in preparing for the future and determining “how Interior should look in 100 years. Recreation will be a bigger piece.”   He also noted that he must restore trust as many believe they have no voice in federal land management policy. Rep. Zinke repeated the importance of the “front line” numerous times – more decisions should be made at the local level and on the ground. He intends to ensure professionals in the agency have the tools, resources and flexibility.

When questioned about the greater sage grouse planning, Rep. Zinke spoke generally of the importance of using sound science and setting “management targets –numbers.”

As to water, he said it is a commodity and that we must invest today in policies for tomorrow . “Some of it is infrastructure to reach requirements, some is efficiency, and some is building better storage/holding capacity, and keeping water clean.”  Clean water also was discussed in the context of invasive species.

Rep. Zinke, as well as several senators, also expressed concern with the maintenance backlog in our national parks of $12.5 billion.

Bureau of Land Management announced on December 19, 2016 that it will apply its master leasing planning tool to 71,000 acres of the public lands it manages in Montezuma and La Plata Counties in southwest Colorado. (44,000 acres are in Montezuma County and 27,000 acres are in LaPlata County.) The original number of acres under consideration during the year long public meetings and input process had been 326,000. But the remaining area includes some mule deer severe winter range and migration routes. According to announcement the process will begin in June of 2018.

Through a master leasing plan the community may ensure that wildlife resources remain robust for future generations in this area and do not become slowly degraded as future oil and gas development occurs. For example, on BLM lands close to Mesa Verde National Park certain wildlife protection measures can be determined and imposed before parcels are leased, to minimize habitat fragmentation.

Bureau of Land Management announced on December 19, 2016 that it will apply its master leasing planning tool to 71,000 acres of the public lands it manages in Montezuma and La Plata Counties in southwest Colorado. (44,000 acres are in Montezuma County and 27,000 acres are in LaPlata County.) The original number of acres under consideration during the year long public meetings and input process had been 326,000. But the remaining area includes some mule deer severe winter range and migration routes. According to announcement the process will begin in June of 2018.

Through a master leasing plan the community may ensure that wildlife resources remain robust for future generations in this area and do not become slowly degraded as future oil and gas development occurs. For example, on BLM lands close to Mesa Verde National Park certain wildlife protection measures can be determined and imposed before parcels are leased, to minimize habitat fragmentation.

President-elect Trump has picked Rep. Zinke (Montana) for the cabinet post of Secretary of Interior. Here is NWF’s press release:

Zinke Pick Signals Trump Intends to Keep Public Lands Promise

Washington, DC (Dec. 13, 2016) – President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly offered Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to be his Secretary of the Interior nominee, a position that
holds great significance for the tens of millions of hunters, anglers, bird watchers, paddlers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts across the country.
The Secretary of Interior oversees the management of more than 500 million acres of public lands, hundreds of National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, and millions of
nautical square miles of oceans. These public trust resources annually serve hundreds of millions of hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts and serve as
the backbone of America’s $646 billion outdoor economy, which supports more than six million jobs.

Collin
O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

œThroughout the campaign, President-elect Trump campaigned vigorously for the vote of America’s hunters and anglers, pledging to honor the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt and to keep America’s public lands in public hands. In states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, the
votes from hundreds of thousands sportsmen and women helped the President-elect win these crucial states.

œBy offering Rep. Ryan Zinke”a sportsman and proponent of keeping public lands public and investing in conservation”the position of Secretary of the Interior, President-elect Trump is signaling that he intends to keep his promises to America’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Rep. Zinke has opposed efforts to sell
off America’s public lands and has supported investing in wildlife conservation and reauthorizing the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

œIf Rep. Zinke accepts the nomination, the millions of members of the National Wildlife Federation look forward to hearing his ideas for improving public land
management, increasing access for outdoor recreation, recovering at-risk wildlife populations, reclaiming degraded lands, expanding wildlife-friendly renewable energy development, and strengthening relationships with tribes. We also hope he will affirm previous statements that climate change is real and advocate for common-sense solutions that strengthen our economy, enhance energy independence, reduce emissions, and improve the resilience of wildlife habitat.

President-elect Trump has picked Rep. Zinke (Montana) for the cabinet post of Secretary of Interior. Here is NWF’s press release:

Zinke Pick Signals Trump Intends to Keep Public Lands Promise

Washington, DC (Dec. 13, 2016) – President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly offered Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to be his Secretary of the Interior nominee, a position that
holds great significance for the tens of millions of hunters, anglers, bird watchers, paddlers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts across the country.
The Secretary of Interior oversees the management of more than 500 million acres of public lands, hundreds of National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, and millions of
nautical square miles of oceans. These public trust resources annually serve hundreds of millions of hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts and serve as
the backbone of America’s $646 billion outdoor economy, which supports more than six million jobs.

Collin
O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

œThroughout the campaign, President-elect Trump campaigned vigorously for the vote of America’s hunters and anglers, pledging to honor the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt and to keep America’s public lands in public hands. In states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, the
votes from hundreds of thousands sportsmen and women helped the President-elect win these crucial states.

œBy offering Rep. Ryan Zinke”a sportsman and proponent of keeping public lands public and investing in conservation”the position of Secretary of the Interior, President-elect Trump is signaling that he intends to keep his promises to America’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Rep. Zinke has opposed efforts to sell
off America’s public lands and has supported investing in wildlife conservation and reauthorizing the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

œIf Rep. Zinke accepts the nomination, the millions of members of the National Wildlife Federation look forward to hearing his ideas for improving public land
management, increasing access for outdoor recreation, recovering at-risk wildlife populations, reclaiming degraded lands, expanding wildlife-friendly renewable energy development, and strengthening relationships with tribes. We also hope he will affirm previous statements that climate change is real and advocate for common-sense solutions that strengthen our economy, enhance energy independence, reduce emissions, and improve the resilience of wildlife habitat.

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act bill (S.2943/H.R.4909) would limit conservation actions to protect the greater sage grouse. See letter below signed on by CWF, along with numerous other organizations that are affilated with NWF, to Chairman and Ranking Member, Senate and House Committees on Armed Services.

media/Western Wildlife Federations Letter Re Sage Grouse and NDAA.pdf