This page will provide the interested reader a synopsis of environmentally focused news and other information links like blogs that offer related information. I encourage readers to check out the link (in bold) as my information will be brief.
In this linked article, The New York Times reports on the Trump administration’s opening of land previously designated as a national monument for oil and gas exploration. Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was reduced significantly in size by this administration, and now there is a push by the administration to lease the land for the use of private companies.
An outside perspective: This is an article written three years ago and published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser about aspects of the aftermath to the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. I found it to be interesting even if it did not cover the occupation itself. It does explore some of the responses to the occcupation.
Good News: In a brief by electrek, they report that the sage grouse has been given a reprieve against oil and gas development. This article describes the issues and the current status of this iconic western bird.
Hammond Grazing Rights: An article in Western Watersheds Project reports on a significant development in the continuing saga of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The story states that the Trump administration will not continue its attempt to appeal the 2019 court decision to block Ryan Zinke’s attempt to reinstate grazing rights for the Hammond family on refuge lands.
This report by The Guardian discusses the problems with the Wildlife Services. The basic issue is the fact that there are few controls on their actions. According to the report, the agency seems to cater to ranchers and farmers without considering the science and the danger to humans.
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