Fishermen, former loggers, and conservationists are just some of the groups with a stake in whether a mining operation takes root in Washington state.
The U.S. Forest Service has permitted exploratory drilling in Washington's Green River Valley, near Mount St. Helens, after Canadian company Ascot Resources proposed drilling over 900 acres to determine whether the area holds enough gold and copper to warrant a full mine.
In an area that has lost employment opportunities from a declining logging industry, the potential mine has support. But the location is also one of the Wilderness Society's 15 places in the U.S. deemed "too wild to drill," and environmentalists say that an open-pit mining operation could pollute drinking water and threaten steelhead. One advocate suggested to Northwest Public Radio that looking to mining for renewed prosperity could also preclude an alternative economic future in outdoor recreation.
FULL STORY: Possible Mount St. Helens Mine Sparks Familiar Debate: Economy Or Environment?
Trump Administration Wants to Remove Conservation From Approved 'Uses' of Public Land
The Department of the Interior moved to officially rescind the Public Lands Rule passed in 2024, which elevates the conservation of public lands to the same level of protection as other uses.
US Forest Service Could Open Millions of Roadless Acres to Logging
The USDA indicated it plans to repeal the ‘Roadless Rule,’ a Clinton-era regulation that prevents new road-building in undeveloped federal forest areas.
The Link Between Transit Access and Employment
Inadequate access to transportation hinders many Americans’ access to job opportunities.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
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Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
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The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association