On Monday, the Trump administration announced plans to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protects nearly 60 million acres of designated roadless areas on National Forest System lands from logging and ecosystem destruction.
The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at the Western Governors’ Association conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rollins framed the announcement as a way to preserve forests from devastating wildfires and to sustain the health of forests and grasslands, even though fire ecologists have said that logging does not prevent wildfires.
Clear cutting forests makes the long-term threat of wildfire much worse. Mature and old-growth forests are some of America’s best defenses against climate change as they sequester carbon and provide clean drinking water, clean air, and refuge for wildlife.
“It’s ridiculous for Secretary Rollins to spin this as a move that will reduce wildfire risk or improve recreation,” said Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby. “This is nothing more than a massive giveaway to timber companies at the expense of every American and the forests that belong to all of us.”
Senate parliamentarian rejects Senator Lee’s public lands sell-off in reconciliation bill
The Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that the public land sell-off plan Senator Mike Lee inserted into the budget reconciliation bill does not meet the criteria necessary to be included in the bill because it does not comply with the Byrd Rule, which prevents extraneous matters from being included in a reconciliation bill. It also advised the removal of provisions permitting the Ambler Road and exempting oil and gas sales from full NEPA review, among other provisions in the proposed Senate Energy and Natural Resources bill text.
Quick hits
Historic land deal ends controversial mining fight near Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp
Associated Press | Washington Post | Florida Phoenix | Atlanta Journal-Constitution | WABE
Senate parliamentarian rejects public land sales, offshore oil, gas drilling provisions in budget bill
The Hill | E&E News | HuffPost
Former national forest supervisor concerned about impact of staffing cuts
High-profile Colorado conservation projects threatened by proposed cuts to Land and Water Conservation Fund
“Alarm bells are ringing” over the 2025 wildfire season. Here’s why
Public lands protesters picket Western governors’ conference
‘A glimmer of hope’ emerges from long-stuck Colorado River negotiations
There might not be a map for that: Budget cuts threaten geological surveys
Quote of the day
People need to pay attention if they care about public lands. Because I worry about it. I spent so much time on public lands, and they mean so much to so many people.”
—Scott Fitzwilliams, former supervisor of Colorado’s White River National Forest, 9NEWS
Picture This
It’s sploot season, folks.
Already? With temperatures on the rise, sometimes sploot happens. What the sploot? “Splooting” is when an animal sprawls out, usually face down with all arms and legs sticking out. Why the sploot? It could be that an animal wants an all-body stretch, it’s simply a comfortable and relaxing position, or stretching out on a cooler surface may help lower their body temperature. Be the sploot. Geez, how many times have you said the word “sploot?”
Just a couple more. It’ll be hot out there for many this week. Remember to stay hydrated and find the shade. Sploot as needed.
Check out some splootacular examples of sploot including squirrels, bears, tortoises, and marmots.
(Featured image: Arial view of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Photo by Velkiira, Flickr)