Public Lands
With the Trump administration's support, private industry is busy building new broadband infrastructure on public lands. The effect is already obvious in many national parks.
High Country News
A decision by the Bureau of Land Management on Oct. 3 may reverse the outcome of a 2013 lawsuit against the Obama administration by two environmental groups that effectively halted drilling in Fresno, Monterey and San Benito counties.
The Hill
The Trump administration is working on multiple fronts to liquidate public land in Alaska as the state struggles to balance its budget.
Center for American Progress
Developers want to build roads through the Kaibab National Forest to serve a controversial development, including a resort and hundreds of homes, planned for a location just South of the Grand Canyon.
Arizona Republic
Wealthy buyers are snapping up large parcels of land and imposing new rules. Residents say restricting access is not fair and the actions are affecting communities and their way of life.
The New York Times
It's not all gloom and doom for the environment.
Outside
The Bakersfield Office of the Bureau of Land Management released an environmental study that is the basis for undoing a 2013 de facto moratorium on fracking on federal lands in California. The Supplemental EIS triggers a 45-day public comment period.
San Francisco Chronicle
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) recently published a detailed plan to protect public lands.
Pacific Standard
The politics of the Department of the Interior under the Trump administration aren't likely to change, but new Secretary David Bernhardt is distinguishable from his predecessor thanks to a long history of oil industry lobbying.
Vox
The Natural Resources Management Act enjoyed bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. But it left out contentious issues like wildfires, greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting wildlife corridors.
High Country News
Zinke’s tenure at the Interior Department was not lengthy, but the damage he inflicted will be long-lasting.
Vox
A thriving natural environment creates opportunity for private developers and local economies, an economist argues.
New York Times
Unlike energy issues that will appear in the form of ballot initiatives on Tuesday in three western states, voters in New Mexico will cast their energy vote in their choice for state land commissioner, an arcane position with considerable authority.
NPR
Newly obtained documents reveal the extent of the state's efforts to strip protections from federal lands around the United States.
Pacific Standard
Former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat wants to transform three failing golf courses into free public spaces.
The Toronto Star
Why is the Department of Interior considering a reduction of the size of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument?
Oregon Public Broadcasting
It's been a tough couple of years for advocates of public lands. Could the cause of conserving and protecting public lands be gaining public support in a staunchly conservative state?
Pacific Standard
EnergyNet auctions off oil and gas leases for state and federal lands—and business is booming under the Trump Administration.
Outside Online
The Sabinoso Wilderness is designated public land, but it's completely surrounded by private property. That could soon change.
High Country News
The Executive Order does not roll back the Antiquities Act nor rescind any designations made by presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, or Obama, but does call for their review if over 100,000 acres. President Trump feels that the act has been misused.
The Washington Post
