National

US Geological Survey director wrongly reassigned whistleblower, watchdog says. “ennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, a group generally critical of the Trump administration’s environmental policies, said Bernhardt should fire Reilly. “This investigation is a damning indictment of Reilly and the way Secretary Bernhardt runs the Interior Department,” Rokala said. The Senate confirmed Reilly, a geologist, retired NASA astronaut and Navy veteran, to his position by voice vote in April 2018.” [Roll Call, 10/29/20 (=)]

Trump admin sets stage for Pendley appeal. “The Trump administration has seen enough of Montana District Chief Judge Brian Morris in the ongoing legal battle over William Perry Pendley and his leadership role at the Bureau of Land Management. Morris today issued an order granting a Justice Department request that gets the case out of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana — where the Trump administration has suffered two major setbacks.” [E&E News, 10/29/20 (=)]

Gray wolf loses Endangered Species Act protections. “Brett Hartl, chief political strategist for the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, called Bern­hardt's announcement a "desperate attempt to woo a few voters in Minnesota." Conservation groups say the delisting is out of step with the general public. According to an analysis by the Center for Western Priorities, more than 757,000 people commented on the proposed delisting plan last year — nearly all opposed.” [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/29/20 (=)]

Trump admin says gray wolves are restored; enviros doubt it. “The Trump administration today announced the imminent removal of Endangered Species Act protections for the Lower 48 states' population of the gray wolf, claiming victory in a long-running fight that many wildlife advocates vow is far from over. Appearing in the presidential battleground state of Minnesota, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt cast the wolf's recovery as an unalloyed success story for the Trump team. "Today's action reflects the Trump administration's continued commitment to species conservation based on the parameters of the law and the best scientific and commercial data available," Bernhardt said.” [E&E News, 10/29/20 (=)]

Alaska Republicans cheer Tongass decision, greens pounce. “Alaska's congressional delegation today praised the Trump administration for lifting restrictions on logging and road construction in parts of the Tongass National Forest, while environmental groups warned of renewed fights over development in the nearly 17 million-acre expanse. The contrasting responses reflect ongoing disagreements about the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a regulation dating to 2001 that prohibits road construction and logging in certain areas of national forests.” [E&E News, 10/29/20 (=)]

Judge upholds Bush-era land use rules in win for industry. “A federal court upheld a pair of Interior Department mining rules from the George W. Bush era this week after an industry association helped beat a challenge from environmental groups. The opinion by U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Rudolph Contreras, an Obama appointee, is a blow to environmental groups that have long sought to reform the industry-friendly General Mining Law of 1872.” [E&E News, 10/29/20 (=)]

State and Local

Federal oil and gas leases in New Mexico attacked despite billions in revenue. “A Monday study from the Center for Western Priorities found the Trump administration planned to lease another 400,000 acres of public land to oil and gas companies by the end of 2020. In New Mexico, that means leasing about 7,000 acres in the October sale, many of which are near Carlsbad Caverns National Park.” [Carlsbad Current-Argus, 10/29/20 (=)]

Activities on Interior Department-managed land in Colorado contributed $7.4B to state’s GDP last year. “Colorado’s economy received a boost last year from activities that took place on lands managed by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), according to the federal government. The DOI this week released its report on economic activity for 2019, which found various activities on federal lands in Colorado contributed $7.4 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), $11.4 billion in economic output, and supported over 62,400 jobs.” [Washington Examiner, 10/29/20 (-)]

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

Op-Ed: The administration's policies have led to the serious damage of our national parks. “Instead of stewardship, images from Trump’s America show the cost of greed and mismanagement. National parks and public lands are places that can provide us with healing in difficult times — but they also need healing themselves. If Ansel Adams set out today, what would he find?” [The Hill, 10/29/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Outdoor recreation isn't just for white people. Invite Black youth outside. “Black Americans have long faced barriers when it comes to recreating in natural spaces and deep, generational fears that contribute to a gap in access, causing many to miss out on the benefits linked to spending time outdoors.” [USA Today, 10/29/20 (+)]