public lands
Newsletter
Congress moves to enhance mining rights on federal land
A bipartisan bill expanding legal rights for mining companies on federal lands has passed the House and is progressing in the Senate.
Esther Frances, Megija Medne, and Phillip Powell report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act passed the House with bipartisan support and now awaits Senate approval.
- The bill aims to overturn a 2022 court decision that restricted mining waste dumping on federal lands without a valid mineral claim.
- Environmental and Indigenous groups argue the legislation threatens sacred lands and critical environmental protections.
Key quote:
“It makes no sense on its face, that a mining company can dump toxic waste on areas where they have no claims on public land.”
— Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The proposed legislation could significantly weaken environmental safeguards and legal precedents protecting public and Indigenous lands from unregulated mining activities. Federal lands are often home to unique ecosystems and wildlife, and increased mining activities could lead to habitat destruction, water contamination, and increased carbon emissions.
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Credit: Pacific Southwest Forest Service, USDA/Photo courtesy of Natividad Chavez, BLM/Flickr
Indigenous tribes advocate for co-management of sacred lands
Indigenous tribes in northern California seek greater decision-making power over sacred lands recently protected by a national monument expansion.
In short:
- The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and allies have successfully lobbied to include Molok Luyuk in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, protecting it from wind farm development.
- Tribes are negotiating a co-stewardship agreement with federal agencies, aiming for stronger management roles over Molok Luyuk, though full co-management requires congressional approval.
- True co-management, as seen in Bears Ears National Monument, grants tribes significant decision-making power, integrating traditional knowledge into federal land management.
Key quote:
“Co-management means decision-making authority. Co-stewardship means one entity still has the decision-making authority.”
— Melissa Hovey, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument manager.
Why this matters:
Empowering Indigenous tribes in land management enhances conservation efforts and acknowledges their traditional ecological knowledge while honoring sacred sites. Read more: Giving Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante the protection they deserve.
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Credit: Wild & Scenic Rivers/Flickr
Preserving the Owyhee Canyonlands: the push for monument status
Local advocates are urging President Biden to create new national monuments in order to meet his administration's conservation goals, but the push has encountered resistance from some locals in the region.
In short:
- The Owyhee Canyonlands are one of the last intact sagebrush habitats in the Western U.S., spanning around 7 million acres across three states.
- Threats to the region include invasive species, mining, and suburban development, leading advocates to push for national monument designation to protect the area.
- A coalition is working to urge President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to protect 1 million acres of the canyonlands, but legislation faces political hurdles.
Key quote:
“National monuments really are the most effective tool that we have as a country to protect biodiversity and ward off this extinction crisis.”
— Kate Groetzinger, communications manager for the Center for Western Priorities
Why this matters:
Conserving the Owyhee Canyonlands is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and protecting the region's fragile ecosystem, which is threatened by development and climate change. Read more: Giving Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante the protection they deserve.
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Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior/Flickr
New rule prioritizes conservation on US public lands
A new rule introduced by the Biden administration aims to balance conservation with economic activities on America's public lands, enhancing protections and sustainable use.
In short:
- The rule impacts 245 million acres, promoting ecological restoration and compensating for environmental damage.
- Conservation will now be considered as significant as grazing, mining, and other land uses.
- The measure responds to the increasing environmental pressures such as climate-induced wildfires and droughts.
Key quote:
"As stewards of America's public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts."
— Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Why this matters:
This policy represents a strategic shift in how public lands are managed, intertwining ecological health with national economic and security interests, and addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Read more from EHN's newsroom: Public lands are not neutral. We must grapple with their racist roots.
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Photo by Patrick Weissenberger on Unsplash
GOP AGs denounce trading ‘natural asset companies’ on stock exchange
Republican state attorneys general have accused the Biden administration of being part of an "interlocking scheme" to constrain use of public lands.
Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior/ Jacob W. Frank/Flickr
Tough choices could make 2024 a wild ride for Interior
NPS morale challenges, a BLM conservation proposal, changes to oil and gas drilling on public lands, and a 20-year plan for tackling the West's drought are
Credit: Utah Reps/Flickr
GOP climate champion John Curtis launches Utah Senate bid
The House lawmaker joins a crowded field to succeed Sen. Mitt Romney, who is retiring. Two conservative climate groups have already backed his campaign.
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