National

 

Interior Dept. Opens Ethics Investigation of Its New Chief, David Bernhardt. “The Interior Department’s internal watchdog has opened an investigation into ethics complaints against the agency’s newly installed secretary, David Bernhardt. Mr. Bernhardt, a former lobbyist for the oil and agribusiness industries, was confirmed by the Senate last week to head the agency, which oversees the nation’s 500 million acres of public land and vast coastal waters. He has played a central role in crafting policies designed to advance President Trump’s policy of “energy dominance” and expanding fossil fuel exploration. He has been dogged by allegations of ethical violations since joining the Trump administration as Interior Department’s deputy secretary in 2017.” [New York Times, 4/15/19 (+)]

Bernhardt’s office acknowledges meetings left off schedule. “The Interior Department has acknowledged that Secretary David Bernhardt’s staff intentionally left controversial meetings with representatives of fossil fuel, timber and water interests off his public calendar, citing “internal protocol” governing his schedules. The department also confirmed that Bernhardt used a personal itinerary kept on a single Google document that was regularly overwritten by his scheduling staff and said he is still doing so as House Democrats probe whether the practice adheres to federal records laws.” [Roll Call, 4/16/19 (+)]

 

Elizabeth Warren Proposes Broad Plan to Protect Public Lands. “Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts unveiled a public lands proposal on Monday, thrusting land-use issues and the environment into the spotlight as she continues to set the pace on policy in a crowded field of Democratic presidential candidates. Ms. Warren’s plan, which she outlined in a post on Medium ahead of trips to Colorado and Utah this week, promises an executive order that would prohibit new leases for fossil fuel drilling offshore and on public lands, calls for the creation of ‘a 21st century Civilian Conservation Corps’ staffed by 10,000 young people and seeks to reduce inaccessible public acreage by 50 percent.” [New York Times, 4/15/19 (+)]

 

Elizabeth Warren Could Be the Public Lands President. “Elizabeth Warren just released an ambitious policy proposal detailing what she would do to protect public lands and improve public access to them if she’s elected president.  “America’s public lands are one of our greatest treasures,” the Senator from Massachusetts begins. “They provide us with clean air and water, sustain our fish and wildlife, and offer a place where millions of Americans go every year to experience the beauty of our natural environment.”” [Outside Online, 4/15/19 (+)]

 

Bernhardt to lawmakers: 'Let's chat' “Interior Secretary David Bernhardt appears to be looking for a fresh start on Capitol Hill. In fence-mending letters sent Friday to two key Democratic lawmakers — Reps. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Betty McCollum of Minnesota — Bernhardt asked for get-togethers with the two House members whose positions hold considerable legislative clout over his agency.” [E&E News, 4/15/19 (=)]

 

Trump's nominee to lead NPS lands new job. “David Vela, President Trump's pick to lead the National Park Service, has received a new assignment as the agency's acting deputy director of operations, effective today. P. Daniel Smith, who announced the move in an email sent to all NPS employees Friday, will remain in his post as acting director. In November, many considered Vela, the former superintendent of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, a shoo-in for the top job after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted overwhelmingly to advance his nomination.” [E&E News, 4/15/19 (=)]

 

State and Local

 

Dems push N.M. as 'clean energy state' “New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today made clear she expects her state to lead the country in mitigating the environmental impacts of fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy, while also working with an oil and gas industry that contributes significantly to the state's economy. The former Democratic congresswoman acknowledged during a House subcommittee field hearing in Santa Fe that the oil and gas industry provides for the "lion's share of the state's budget" and helps fund important policy priorities for her administration, including early childhood education initiatives.” [E&E News, 4/15/19 (=)]

 

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

Op-Ed: Protect Alaska’s precious resources for future generations. “What will our descendants make of this mad rush to exploit all the world’s resources within a few generations, leaving degraded food supplies and a climate gone haywire? We can’t help but see ahead to the appalling situation we are creating for them with our industrial-scale resource extraction. I envision them cursing us for letting the destruction of the global ecosystem happen on our watch and for not being brave enough to stop the bullies. The overriding importance of maintaining a stable global climate and sustainable food systems demands that we guard and protect our state’s precious resources. The world is counting on us.” [Juneau Empire, 4/15/19 (+)]

Op-Ed: Address the real threats to public lands. “Walden and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley can help protect our federal lands by increasing opportunities and funding for active management. They can help by removing the unscientific “eastside screen,” or tree-diameter limit that has stifled collaborative efforts to remove nonnative species on national forests. Our delegation can also help reverse the disinvestment in our National Forest System roads to allow more Americans to access and enjoy public lands, enable firefighters to safely respond to fires, and help facilitate the landscape management activities that are needed.” [Bend Bulletin, 4/15/19 (-)]