On Tuesday, the so-called ‘God Squad’ voted to override Endangered Species Act restrictions to allow more oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Officially called the Endangered Species Committee, the group consists of a high-level federal panel that has the power to override protections granted by the Endangered Species Act, hastening the extinction of species already on the brink.
This was the group’s first meeting in over 30 years, and it approved the exemption in a discussion that only took about 15 minutes.
The Trump administration is attempting to justify the ESA exemption for “reasons of national security,” marking the first time a security claim has been made to override the Endangered Species Act.
The Gulf is home to the critically endangered Rice’s whale, a species that isn’t found anywhere else and only 50 of whom remain on Earth. The population dropped 20 percent following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and advocates warn increased drilling in the Gulf could lead to the species’ extinction.
Forest Service will move its headquarters to Utah
The U.S. Forest Service announced plans to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. It will also shutter research facilities in 31 states. Critics warn that the move could end up hollowing out the Forest Service, especially considering its similarity to President Trump’s first-term attempt to move the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Colorado, which resulted in many staffers leaving who had valuable years of management experience.
Quick hits
‘God squad’ waives Endangered Species Act to allow drilling in Gulf of Mexico
Public Domain | The Guardian | New York Times | Reuters | The Hill | Washington Post | NPR | Associated Press
Forest Service to move headquarters to Utah
Washington Post | Associated Press | The Guardian | High Country News | E&E News | Utah News Dispatch | Montana Free Press | The Hill
A border wall plan unites Republicans and Democrats in Texas: ‘This is insane’
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He wrote the Clean Air Act. He fears for its future
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Quote of the day
Sensible people who look at what’s being proposed here think this is insane.”
—JP Bryan, a conservative former oil executive who owns two ranches and a popular hotel in the Big Bend region, New York Times
Picture This
Bears are waking up across Grand Teton National Park!
Spring in the Tetons means grizzlies are emerging from winter dens. Adult males typically appear in March, while females with cubs arrive between April and early May.
All of the park is grizzly bear habitat. Spring offers the chance of seeing a bear in the wild—but it also comes with the responsibility of sharing this landscape. Unsecured food or garbage can quickly attract bears, and lead to dangerous habits.
Keep bears wild & people safe:
Store garbage in bear-resistant containers
Never leave food, coolers, or backpacks unattended
Store food and scented items in bear boxes or a hard-sided vehicles
Keep a clean camp and follow food storage rules
Carry bear spray and know how and when to use it
Stay at least 100 yards from bears, including while in vehicles
Whether you live here or are visiting for the day, your actions help prevent human-bear conflicts.
NPS Photo/Adams
(Featured image: Rice’s whale in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA))