National

 

AP | Zinke expected to OK block on mining claims near Yellowstone. “U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has scheduled a visit next week to Montana, where he’s expected to finalize a proposal to block new mining claims on the forested public lands just outside Yellowstone National Park. Zinke, a former Montana congressman, plans to sign documents and make a ‘major announcement’ about conservation on Monday in the Paradise Valley area, Zinke spokeswoman Heather Swift said Thursday. Swift said it was an issue Zinke had been working on for years but declined to give further details.” [Washington Post, 10/4/18 (=)]

Democrats want answers on cancellation of officer program at wildlife refuges. “Two Democratic members of Congress are asking for answers from the administration regarding news that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is cancelling a key law enforcement program at National Wildlife Refuges. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), ranking member on the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) expressed their concerns about the decision to end the dual-officer program in a letter to Cynthia Martinez, the head of the National Wildlife Refuge System.” [The Hill, 10/4/18 (=)]

AP | Interior Secretary to announce $3M Boston Navy yard project. “U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is announcing plans to refurbish the old Navy yard in Boston that’s home to the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Zinke and Navy Secretary Richard Spencer are expected to visit the Charlestown Navy Yard on Friday to discuss a $3 million project to address long-deferred maintenance at the complex, which dates to 1800 and is one of the Navy’s original yards.” [Associated Press, 10/5/18 (=)] 

Utes demand discipline for 'school yard bully' Bishop. “The Ute Indian Tribal Business Committee yesterday said House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) bullies his fellow lawmakers at the expense of the tribe and its homelands and called for Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to refer him to the Ethics Committee. ‘Bishop has gone too far,’ the business committee said in a statement. ‘All Utahans should expect their Congressional representatives to act with respect and fairness. Instead, Bishop is acting like a school yard bully stomping on others to get what he wants.’ In a letter to Ryan, the business committee pointed to a Natural Resources Committee markup on Sept. 26 as evidence of its accusation (Greenwire, Sept. 26).” [E&E News, 10/5/18 (=)]

 

Forest Service to float changes on Obama-era plans. “The Forest Service tomorrow will unveil proposed changes to Obama-era greater sage grouse conservation plans covering more than 5 million acres of national forest and grasslands in five Western states. A draft environmental impact statement and proposed amendments to land management plans covering sage grouse habitat in Forest Service units in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah will be published in tomorrow’s Federal Register. The draft documents will be open for a 90-day public comment period running through Jan. 3.” [E&E News, 10/4/18 (=)]

 

State and Local

 

Trump officials blame ‘environmental terrorists’ for wildfires. California loggers disagree. “Ryan Zinke knew exactly whom to blame for the catastrophic wildfires that have scorched California and the West this year. Touring the scarred neighborhoods of Redding in August, President Donald Trump’s interior secretary blasted ‘special interest’ environmental groups for blocking logging projects that he said would have made forests safer. His words recalled the timber wars of the 1990s, when conservative politicians and out-of-work loggers blamed environmentalists for court rulings and a thicket of regulations that silenced chainsaws in many Western forests to protect the spotted owl and other threatened wildlife.” [Sacramento Bee, 10/4/18 (=)]

 

Colorado’s recreation roadmap makes it one of the only states to fuse outdoor play, environmental protection. “Colorado Parks and Wildlife has infused its latest five-year recreation roadmap with a heaping serving of conservation, making Colorado one of the only states to fuse outdoor play with environmental protection as it struggles to manage an exploding population of adventure-ready residents. Colorado needs the 2019 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP, to qualify for federal money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Since 1965, the venerable fund has funneled $61 million in offshore gas royalties toward more than 1,000 projects in Colorado.” [Colorado Sun, 10/4/18 (+)]

 

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

 

Op-Ed: Prioritizing our nation’s lands and resources. “Only in Washington is it controversial to use a portion of a fund to take care of existing public lands instead of just blindly buying more land year after year. National parks should be preserved for the future, not ignored into disrepair. With so many beautiful lands and cultural resources to enjoy, Americans do not have to go far to escape from life’s everyday stresses. However, for future generations to be afforded the same experiences, we must face our responsibility to care for these resources so they will be worth visiting for many years to come.” [The Hill, 10/4/18 (-)]

Op-Ed: Hiking, hunting experiences aren't possible without LWCF. “This experience wouldn't have been possible without access to our public lands and conservation of our country’s wildlife. The Land and Water Conservation fund helps fund both. Unfortunately, due to congressional inaction, on Sept. 30 this popular bi-partisan program officially expired, putting future funding of up to $900 million in public access and conservation funding that LWCF is authorized to receive each year. The LWCF has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Nevada's forests by protecting air and water quality, wildlife habitat and access for recreation. But it’s not too late. Please join me in urging your elected officials to help keep this longstanding public access funding program alive.” [Reno Gazette Journal, 10/4/18 (+)]

 

Op-Ed: Zinke threatens Russian oil — Russia threatens war. “Zinke should focus on getting his own house in order before interfering further in geopolitical disputes. Later this week, Zinke will appear at an event with Navy Secretary Spencer in Boston. We hope he uses this opportunity to clarify his role on naval policy and renew his commitment to actually doing the job he was appointed to do.” [The Hill, 10/4/18 (+)]