Under the leadership of Karen Budd-Falen, a public lands rancher who is also the Interior department’s third-highest ranking official, grazing is getting its turn in the spotlight. Budd-Falen’s leadership at Interior on this issue has already raised a number of ethical questions. Her family owns ranches that could benefit from pro-grazing policy changes. This situation would normally require that she not work on grazing-related policy at the Interior department; however, Budd-Falen was granted a waiver to work on grazing issues despite the potential for her family to benefit directly.
In May, on the same day that the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule was officially rescinded, the BLM published new proposed grazing regulations. In a new Westwise blog post, Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby lays out some of the more significant potential changes and how the proposed regulations would impact public lands in the West.
Overall, the proposed regulations would loosen rangeland health standards, narrow grazing permits to strictly “production-oriented” uses, make a number of administrative procedures more favorable to ranchers, and significantly limit opportunities for public input. The proposed regulations are open for public comment through July 13. Learn more on Westwise where you can also subscribe to receive new blog posts straight to your inbox.
Quick hits
Trump admin’s coal investments breathe new life into plants with repeated violations
Heat, wind and drought conditions spark wildfires in US West
The cop-ification of National Park Service rangers
More than 130,000 acres leased in one of the largest BLM oil and gas sales in recent years
Oil regulators found hundreds of wells violating Oklahoma rules. Then they ignored their findings
Trump, claiming vandalism, says Reflecting Pool will be drained
Groups want more public say on mine exploration project on national forest in Montana
Missoula Current | Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Why is Kilian Jornet, a European ultrarunner, campaigning for America’s public lands?
Quote of the day
People say, ‘Oh, it’s just a road, it’s not like we’re selling off a national park.’ But that’s how truly wild places are lost, not all at once, but road by road, lease by lease.”
—Kilian Jornet, Outside
Picture This
The first sunrise of summer shines brightly over a wild place that helped shape one of America’s most influential presidents.
Theodore Roosevelt came to the North Dakota Badlands seeking adventure. Here, he hunted and experienced firsthand the rugged beauty of the West. The time he spent in these wide-open landscapes helped convince him that America’s natural wonders deserved to be protected for future generations.
As president, Roosevelt established national parks, national wildlife refuges, several national monuments, national forests and conserved more than 230 million acres of public land. His vision helped lay the foundation for America’s modern conservation movement, earning him the reputation as one of the nation’s greatest conservation champions.
On the first day of summer, we’re celebrating the longest day of the year in a place that helped inspire a presidential legacy that still benefits Americans today.
Photo at @theodorerooseveltnps by NPS
Featured image: Cattle grazing on public lands in Oregon, BLM Oregon and Washington