Category «News»

Take action to comment on greater sage grouse BLM draft plan

The public comment period for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft plan for conservation of the greater sage grouse in western states is open until June 13. This important species of the sagebrush ecosystem in Colorado and other western states needs a very good science-based conservation plan on public lands to guide future management …

BLM announces final Public Lands Rule

On April 18, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management announced its final Public Lands Rule. Its purpose is to elevate conservation so that it is fully considered an essential equal element in the agency’s work to balance multiple uses. CWF and NWF issued a lengthy comment letter to the proposed rule in June of 2023. …

BLM draft solar development programmatic EIS comment letters

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had issued a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for UtilityScale Solar Energy Development (Solar PEIS). This programmatic process for western states is intended to identify lands suitable for siting utility-scale solar development. It is important to ascertain areas that will be available for this development that pose fewer conflicts …

Dept. of Interior issues oil and gas leasing reform rule

Today [April 12] the US Department of the Interior issued its awaited ” Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule.” CWF applauds BLM for today’s oil and gas leasing program reforms because it prioritizes balanced management of public lands – a balance that benefits our rural communities, wildlife habitat they need to survive, recreation, grazing, …

DOI Sec. Haaland announces 20-year mineral withdrawal of Thompson Divide public lands

On April 3, 2024, Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the 20-year mineral withdrawal for the Thompson Divide area of 221,898 acres of public lands managed by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in Colorado. CWF and NWF, in conjunction with the local communities, ranchers, hunters, anglers, other conservationists, and recreationists …

BLM schedules Greater Sage-Grouse planning process public mtgs

On March 14, 2024 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the beginning of its planning process to strengthen conservation for this bird and its sagebrush home. The Greater sage-grouse is confronting challenges from habitat loss, climate change and invasive species. Certainly the moment for decisive action is now. We all want this conservation effort, …

2024 Conservation in the West Poll’s Colorado findings

The annual 2024 bipartisan Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll surveyed the attitudes of voters on matters below. The Poll was conducted by Lori Weigel and Kathryn Hayne of New Bridge Strategy and by Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates. The link to the poll results …