National

As National Parks Reopen, Nearby Businesses Play It Safe. “When Yosemite National Park finally reopened in June after a nearly three-month closure because of the coronavirus pandemic, Bryan Imrie was both relieved and nervous. The 49-year-old, who co-owns an attraction that features a zip line and horseback rides, wanted to start making money again from his family’s business that draws tourists visiting the park. But he has had his spleen removed and suffers from an immune-compromised system.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/21/20 (=)]

Democrats call for expedited hearing for Trump's public lands nominee. “A group of Democratic senators from Western states are pushing for an expedited hearing for a public lands nominee that they strongly oppose, saying that this will more quickly expose his record.  The letter, spearheaded by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), urged leaders of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine William Perry Pendley’s nomination as soon as possible.” [The Hill, 7/21/20 (=)]

Trump's Iowa campaign chief to lead statue garden push. “President Trump's drive to create a new statue garden honoring American heroes will be headed by a political ally who led the president's campaign in Iowa in 2016. Charles "Chuck" Laudner, who also worked as chief of staff to Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), will serve as executive director of the task force charged with developing a plan for Trump's "National Garden of American Heroes."” [E&E News, 7/21/20 (=)]

Report: Minority and low-income communities short on nature. “Majority-minority and low-income communities are more likely to be located in "nature-deprived areas" — or those with a high rate of natural lands lost to infrastructure or urban sprawl — according to a new analysis from Conservation Science Partners. The report, commissioned by the Hispanic Access Foundation and the left-leaning Center for American Progress, examines disparities in access to natural areas, based on information including census tract data.” [E&E News, 7/21/20 (=)]

Bundy drops plan to attend Black Lives Matter protest. “Anti-government activist Ammon Bundy has announced he won't appear at a Black Lives Matter rally scheduled for today in Boise, Idaho, citing concerns about potential violence from fellow "patriots" who have criticized his public support for the organization. Bundy revealed Sunday night that protest organizers had invited him to speak at today's rally on the need to cut funding for federal and state police departments.” [E&E News, 7/21/20 (=)]

BLM chooses former top FWS official as Utah director. “The Bureau of Land Management has chosen a former senior Fish and Wildlife Service official as the new director of BLM's Utah state office. Greg Sheehan, who left FWS two years ago as principal deputy director to return home to Utah, has decades of wildlife conservation management experience on the federal and state level, including as director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.” [E&E News, 7/21/20 (=)]

State and Local

Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’ national parks suffer mightily from low visitation. “The closure of Utah’s national parks this spring and their phased reopenings with multiple restrictions naturally led to drastic reductions in visitation, but the parks continue to struggle as people hunker down and stay closer to home. Zion National Park, for example, experienced a 45% decrease in recreational visits in June compared to last year and had to cope with its popular shuttle service shuttered until the month of July, according to the National Park Service.” [Deseret News, 7/21/20 (=)]

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

Op-Ed: I won’t let Nevada voices be ignored on wildlife refuge. “Bishop’s amendment was wrong for Nevada and wrong for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The community I represent will not allow outside forces to decide the future of their home, and I will continue to work on my constituents’ behalf. That is why I secured passage of my measure to guarantee full protection for the Wildlife Refuge and ensure Nevadans are consulted and prioritized.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/21/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Let’s create jobs in the outdoors because hard work pays off for all of us. “From 1936-41, workers enlisted as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped construct and open to the public Colorado’s famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. One of the most popular of all New Deal programs, the CCC provided 3 million jobs for young men challenged to find employment during the Great Depression. It improved workers’ physical condition, morale and employability while contributing to the enhancement and care of natural resources.” [Colorado Sun, 7/22/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Great American Outdoors Act would be great for Minnesota. “Rarely does Congress get an opportunity to vote on a bill with broad bipartisan support that would provide a victory to all the voters back home at no cost to the taxpayers. When the Great American Outdoors Act comes up, we hope our representatives in Congress do the right thing and vote to support our schools and environment.” [Duluth News Tribune, 7/21/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Why most of Utah’s delegation is choosing not to support new opportunities for outdoor recreation. “Many western lawmakers have a longstanding connection to the land, and we need their input as we work to live sustainably going forward. Utah’s delegation should take cues from Utah. Rep. Ben McAdams, who supports for the Great American Outdoors Act. Change is inevitable, and moving beyond the watch words of your ancestors can be necessary to prosper in a changing world. Nature is part of the human experience and providing outdoor opportunities for all Americans is both a powerful economic initiative and an honorable pursuit.” [Deseret News, 7/21/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: How Congress can fix our national parks. “For years, I have been proud to speak up for our national parks, along organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association, local elected officials and businesses. Along with fellow park advocates, I have long urged lawmakers to make the strong investment our national parks desperately need and deserve. Today, we are closer than ever before. But we need to stand up for the future of America’s national park legacy and pass the Great American Outdoors Act. Preserving and protecting our national parks means preserving our military history and stories.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Close the deal on the Great American Outdoors Act. “Even though the program has made more than 42,000 grants to states, including so many here in Oregon, Congress has historically undervalued the great outdoors by diverting more than half of the funding from this program to other budget items. This has limited the program’s ability to expand access to open space and nature in Oregon and elsewhere nationally. With last month’s vote on the Great American Outdoors Act, our senators embraced the concept of investing in America’s landscape. Now it’s time for Oregon’s representatives to step up and seize this historic opportunity for our country’s treasured public lands by voting to pass this vital bill.” [Register-Guard, 7/22/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Great American Outdoors Act would fund long-neglected national parks. “Congress has within its sights a meaningful opportunity to make America a little more beautiful in ways that will benefit hikers and bikers, anglers and hunters, and those of us who just want to go for a walk or a picnic or toss a frisbee at the park down the street. That is all of us. Congress should pass the Great American Outdoors Act.” [Tennessean, 7/21/20 (+)]