The latest reauthorization of the Defense Production Act (DPA) presents a major threat to public lands. First passed in 1950, the DPA was originally designed to give the president limited authorities to ensure that domestic industry can meet the country’s national defense needs. If passed, the DPA Modernization Act would pave the way for the federal government to waive environmental regulations, expand its financial interests in mining projects it’s supposed to be regulating, and prioritize mining on public lands in the name of national “emergencies.”
In a new Westwise blog post, Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby examines how the the DPA Modernization Act proposes to grant agency heads new authority to waive environmental regulations in the name of national security. This authority, coupled with decreased oversight and transparency, would come at the expense of the public’s ability to protect landscapes, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation in the West and across the country, and pave the way for providing taxpayer-subsidized financial incentives for the mining industry.
The DPA Modernization Act could be considered as early as this week by the House Rules committee for potential inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense spending bill that is considered a “must-pass” piece of legislation before the end of the year.
3 firefighters killed and 2 injured battling a blaze on the Colorado-Utah border
Three firefighters were killed and two sustained burn injuries when they were overcome by flames from fast-moving wildfires near the Colorado-Utah border. The firefighters worked for the Interior department’s new consolidated U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Wildfire activity is intensifying across the West following consecutive days of hot, dry, and windy weather that is fueling wildfires in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Much of the West is also grappling with the dangerous consequences of record-low snowpack and an exceptionally warm winter, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning for southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah on Sunday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared an emergency last week to clear the way for the state to ban fireworks ahead of the July Fourth holiday. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared an emergency on Saturday, and authorized the use of the National Guard to help battle the fires.
Quick hits
Three firefighters killed and two injured battling wildfire on Colorado-Utah border
Associated Press | Denver Post
Lawmakers probe troubled Reflecting Pool renovations, allegations of ‘vandalism’
CNBC | Washington Post | E&E News
Advocates say Interior’s review of wilderness policies is laying the groundwork for an attack on public lands
Why carbon capture and storage won’t fix the climate crisis
Firm that worked on previous Reflecting Pool renovations passed after deeming Trump’s requests ‘unfeasible’
Glacier National Park employees unionize
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon protects ‘Path of the Pronghorn’ migration corridor
Opinion: You can’t sanitize national parks
Quote of the day
After railing about waste, fraud, and abuse, Donald Trump spent more than $16 million on a renovation of the Reflecting Pool that’s now peeling and chock full of algae. This is a massive waste of working families’ hard-earned tax dollars.”
—Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, E&E News
Picture This
Exploring the great outdoors is even better with a four-legged friend by your side. Keep your adventures fun and safe with these simple tips:
• Keep dogs leashed in developed areas like trailheads and campgrounds.
• Get pets trail-ready with some conditioning before long hikes.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
(Photo by Michaela Dunnam/Share the Experience.)
Featured image: The Mountain Pass rare earth element mine in California, U.S. Geological Survey.