National

 

Interior has 5 versions of the secretary's schedule -- but they don't always match. “During the early days of the Trump administration, lawmakers and government watchdogs complained agencies weren't turning over Cabinet secretaries' schedules as has been practice. Now, one department has presented those groups with the opposite problem, creating new questions about a lack of consistency and transparency. The Interior Department has released five different versions of Secretary David Bernhardt's schedule for the first five months of 2019. The department released Google calendar entries, two versions of daily cards -- which are synopses of the secretary's calendar given to him as a reminder of upcoming events, according to Interior -- briefing book pages and secretary's schedules, which are released on the same section of the Interior website as press releases.” [CNN, 6/5/19 (+)]

Dem lawmakers blast Trump for opening door to mining in Grand Canyon. “Democratic lawmakers are challenging a new Trump administration report they say is – along with other White House moves – a precursor to opening the Grand Canyon to uranium mining.  Speaking at a House natural resources hearing Wednesday, various lawmakers challenged the plan, arguing the U.S. did not need to mine for its own uranium – and definitely didn't need to mine the Grand Canyon.” [The Hill, 6/5/19 (+)]

AP | US land managers shift position on Chaco protection bill. “A top official with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said Wednesday the agency is open to Congress considering legislation limiting federal leases for oil and natural gas development near a national park in New Mexico held sacred by Native Americans. Michael Nedd, the agency’s deputy director of operations, testified before a congressional subcommittee that the agency had no objection to the Democrat-sponsored bill. He said Congress has the authority to dispose of or establish rules for federal property as it sees fit.” [Washington Post, 6/5/19 (+)]

Trump administration announces major expansion of hunting and fishing access on federal lands. “The Interior Department on Wednesday announced a plan to expand hunting and fishing opportunities in several federal wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries. The plan would increase hunting and fishing access across 1.4 million acres of public land in 74 national wildlife refuges and 15 national fish hatcheries.” [The Hill, 6/5/19 (=)]

 

Senate confirms Susan Combs in bipartisan vote. “After waiting 695 days, Susan Combs is now officially the Interior Department's assistant secretary for policy, management and budget. The Senate this afternoon confirmed the former Texas comptroller and agriculture commissioner to the post in a 57-36 bipartisan vote.” [E&E News, 6/5/19 (=)]

 

Trump's latest Interior pick wins unexpected support from environmentalists. “President Trump’s most recent Interior Department nominee is garnering support from an unexpected group: environmentalists. Robert Wallace, nominated to help oversee the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service (NPS), is bucking the trend of opposition from green groups, even though he ticks several boxes that would otherwise draw a strong rebuke from environmentalists: He’s a Trump appointee, earns thousands of dollars from stock in the oil industry and spent nearly two decades as a lobbyist for General Electric Energy.” [The Hill, 6/5/19 (=)]

 

State and Local

Bureau of Land Management more likely to relocate to Denver than Grand Junction, Polis says. “Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says the Bureau of Land Management is more likely to relocate its headquarters to Denver than Grand Junction, even though his administration is more supportive of the federal agency moving to the Western Slope. Either way, the Democrat said he’s “cautiously optimistic” Colorado will win the bidding war with other Western states and land hundreds of new jobs.” [Colorado Sun, 6/6/19 (=)]

 

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

 

Op-Ed: Outdoor recreation has never been more popular — and more in need of funding. “Users already fund certain recreation opportunities directly. Paying for admission to a national park or buying a campground permit to stay in one generates revenue for that park. But rather than making user-generated funds the cornerstone of sustainable recreation, they remain more the exception than the norm. The National Park Service brings in far more fee revenue than any other agency, yet fee receipts equal less than 10 percent of the agency’s budget. Leaving the management of recreation lands to politicians hasn’t been enough to maintain, let alone improve, them. More creative and flexible funding mechanisms stand a chance to succeed where politics has failed.” [The Hill, 6/5/19 (+)]