US Fish and Wildlife Service Restores Protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act On May 7, 2021 the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued a rule to formally withdraw the prior administration’s rollbacks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulations. The rollbacks had removed well-established, bipartisan protections for migratory birds — including revoking the incidental …
The Administration issued its report, “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful,” on May 6, 2021. The Executive Order issued on January 27 (EO 14008), entitled Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, stated that “the U.S. should aim to conserve ‘at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.’ This challenge is the first-ever …
On April 16. 2021, Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued two Secretarial Orders. Order No. 3399 addresses climate and establishes a Climate Task Force. Order No. 3398 implements a review of earlier Sec. Orders and revokes those specific Orders found to be ” inconsistent with protecting public health and the environment and restoring science …
An awaited study released March 30, 2021 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) confirms a precipitous decline in greater sage grouse populations since 2002. USGS and Colorado State University researchers, assisted by state wildlife agencies, BLM and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies compiled the data in 11 western states. In 2015 BLM adopted …
On March 25, 2021 the Department of Interior (DOI) convened a public forum to gather input from panelists as DOI conducts a comprehensive review of oil and gas permitting processes on federally managed public lands and waters. DOI seeks to “restore balance to public lands and waters and create a path to align with climate …
On March 19, 2021 Colorado’s Congressman for the 2nd District and new Chair of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands released his Plan, “Restoring Our Lands and Communities.” Sections include “Strengthening our Dedication to Conservation, and Supporting Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Economy,” “Preparing and Responding to Wildfire,” “Making Historic Investments in the …
On March 15, 2021 Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) was confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. National Wildlife Federation and 45 state and territorial affiliates, including CWF, had urged her confirmation since her nomination. Secretary Haaland is the first Native American to serve in this critical Cabinet position. We firmly believe Secretary Haaland …
On March 4, 2021 Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced a bill that would end speculative oil and gas leasing on federally managed public lands. In Colorado, for example, the Bureau of Land Management has offered in its quarterly lease sales lands with low oil and gas potential that are relied upon by bighorn sheep …
On Friday February 26 the House passed Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act. It combines eight earlier pieces of legislation. Title VII is the Colorado Recreation and Economy Act (CORE), the bill earlier introduced by Colorado Rep. Neguse. Title II is the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2021, the bill earlier introduced by Colorado …
Colorado College’s State of the Rockies – Conservation in the West Poll was released on February 4, 2021. Very encouraging results! They are in line with what CWF focuses upon in our work. As to Energy on Public Lands – for Colorado, “70% would prefer their member of Congress emphasize conservation and recreation on public …
Colorado Wildlife Federation