Over 120 Western Local Officials Call for More Protections for Bureau of Land Management Lands
Officials Urge the Biden Administration to Take Administrative Action as Part of the America the Beautiful Initiative
On May 24, 2022, The Mountain Pact released a letter signed by 123 local elected officials from Western states that calls on the Biden administration to protect more Bureau of Land Management lands as part of the administration’s America the Beautiful initiative. The initiative is an effort to protect, conserve, connect, and restore 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 in response to the warning by scientists that globally we must conserve and restore at least 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030 if we hope to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Worldwide biodiversity is deteriorating at a faster rate than at any time in human history with one million species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, loss of connectivity, and other factors.
The letter, signed by county commissioners, mayors, and council members from U.S. Western states, urges the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management to “do all that it can through administrative processes to better restore, conserve, and protect our nation’s important public lands and waters in tandem with locally-led efforts.”
It goes on to ask the administration to: “Use your authority to advance conservation across the West, by using all of the conservation tools at your disposal. Some conservation designations we recommend utilizing include: Backcountry Conservation Areas; Wilderness Study Areas; Areas of Critical Environmental Concern; and working with The White House to designate national monuments through the use of the Antiquities Act.”
Some of the lands the letter highlights that need protection in the West include Vermillion Basin in Colorado, Granite Range in Nevada, the Bodie Hills in California, Hatch Canyon in Utah, Otero Mesa in New Mexico, and the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon.
Chaffee County, Colorado County Commissioner Keith Baker said, “When used wisely, the Bureau of Land Management conservation mechanisms will support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation as well as provide certainty for our rural and gateway communities so we can make long-term investments.”
Town of Truckee, California Mayor Courtney Henderson said, “Our nation’s protected public lands are tremendous assets to our Western communities. They play a critical role in our way of life and support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, health, and well-being. They help make the communities where we live what they are while contributing to a healthier and better tomorrow for future generations. We must protect and restore more of these Bureau of Land Management lands.”
Nevada State Assemblyman Howard Watts said, “Many of our communities are located near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, which include traditional homelands of Indigenous populations, vital watersheds for downstream communities, and outstanding fish and wildlife habitat. They also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing, and picnicking. I was happy to join with 100 of my colleagues in encouraging the BLM and the administration to do more to protect these important places.”
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico Mayor Alan Webber said, “Many of our Western communities are being devastated by the impacts of the climate crisis—wildfires, floods, mudslides, drought, and smoke. We hope that as the largest land manager in the nation, the Bureau of Land Management will play a leading role in protecting our public lands for the future.”
Anna Peterson, Executive Director of the Mountain Pact said, “Many BLM lands are at risk. For example, here in Colorado, BLM lands make up one-third of the federal public lands in our state, but only 8% of these lands are protected, significantly less than the amount of public lands managed by other agencies. Nationally, only 14% of BLM lands are permanently protected. As a result, many of the areas important to Westerners and visitors are at risk of being unnecessarily degraded or lost. It’s time for action - the administration should do more to protect more of these lands and waters, and in turn, our communities.”
MORE INFORMATION: 80 percent of voters in the Rocky Mountain West support setting a national goal of conserving 30 percent of land and waters in the United States by 2030 and 61 percent of voters are concerned about the future of land, water, air, and wildlife.
The Honorable Debra Haaland, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
CC: Tracy Stone-Manning, Director, Bureau of Land Management
Nada Culver, Deputy Director of Policy and Programs, Bureau of Land Management
Dear Secretary Haaland,
Our nation’s protected public lands are tremendous assets to our Western communities. They play a critical role in our way of life and support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, health, and well-being. They help make the communities where we live what they are while contributing to a healthier and better tomorrow for future generations.
As Western local elected officials tasked with finding creative solutions to the many challenges that come with the ever-increasing popularity of our public lands; our growing infrastructure needs; as well as the devastating and expensive impacts of climate change, we are encouraged by the President’s America the Beautiful initiative. We are excited about the initiative’s focus on addressing ways land management agencies can help conserve and restore more of our nation’s lands and waters. Accomplishing the America the Beautiful goal is essential to providing continued opportunities for outdoor recreation, equitable access to nature, and ultimately safeguarding the climate.
On top of what we are experiencing locally and regionally, scientists warn that globally we must conserve and restore at least 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030 if we hope to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems as well as mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, worldwide biodiversity is deteriorating at a faster rate than at any time in human history with one million species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, loss of connectivity, and other factors.
Many of our communities are located near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, which include traditional homelands of Indigenous populations, vital watersheds for downstream communities, and outstanding fish and wildlife habitat. They also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing, and picnicking. Yet, many BLM lands are at risk. For example, Colorado’s BLM lands make up one-third of the federal public lands in the state, but only 8% of these lands are protected, significantly less than the amount of public lands managed by other agencies. Nationally, only 14% of BLM lands are permanently protected. As a result, many of the areas important to our citizens and visitors are at risk of being unnecessarily degraded or lost.
Additionally, just last year, many Western communities were devastated by climate impacts - wildfires forced evacuations in all Western states, entire communities burned to the ground, floods overwhelmed communities in Arizona, mudslides closed major highways in Colorado and the Northwest, smoke-filled air socked in many communities for months, drought dried up the West, national forests were closed, and temperatures reached levels never seen before, killing hundreds.
As the largest land manager in the nation, the Bureau of Land Management must play a leading role in protecting our public lands for the future. Because of this, we encourage you to use your authority to advance conservation across the West, by using all of the conservation tools at your disposal. Some conservation designations we recommend utilizing include: Backcountry Conservation Areas; Wilderness Study Areas; Areas of Critical Environmental Concern; and working with The White House to designate national monuments through the use of the Antiquities Act.
When used wisely, these conservation mechanisms will support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation as well as provide certainty for our rural and gateway communities so we can make long-term investments.
Some of the lands that need protection include Vermillion Basin in Colorado, Granite Range in Nevada, the Bodie Hills in California, Hatch Canyon in Utah, Otero Mesa in New Mexico, and the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon.
It’s time for action - we must do more to protect more of these lands and waters, and in turn, our communities. 80 percent of voters in the Rocky Mountain West support setting a national goal of conserving 30 percent of land and waters in the United States by 2030 and 61 percent of voters are concerned about the future of land, water, air, and wildlife.
We are grateful for your leadership and commitment to see the America the Beautiful initiative succeed and strongly encourage the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management to do all that it can to better restore, conserve, and protect our nation’s important public lands and waters in tandem with locally-led efforts – our Western communities are depending on it.
Sincerely,
Council Member Joni Giacomino, City of Bisbee, Arizona
Mayor Paul Deasy, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Council Member Adam Shimoni, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Council Member Jim McCarthy, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Council Member Alan Lee, City of Big Bear Lake, California
County District 5 Supervisor Hardy S. Bullock, Nevada County, California
Council Member Cody Bass, South Lake Tahoe, California
Mayor Courtney Henderson, Town of Truckee, California
Council Member David Polivy, Town of Truckee, California
Council Member Jan Zabriskie, Town of Truckee, California
Council Member Anna Klovstad, Town of Truckee, California
Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes, Town of Avon, Colorado
Mayor Pro-tem Amy Cramer Phillips, Town of Avon, Colorado
Council Member Chico Thuon, Town of Avon, Colorado
Mayor Torre, City of Aspen, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Ward Hauenstein, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member John Doyle, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member Rachel Richards, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member Skippy Mesirow, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member Glenn Drummond, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Council Member Elyse Hottel, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Council Member David Knight, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Former Council Member Bill Infante, Town of Basalt, Colorado
County Commissioner Claire Levy, Boulder County, Colorado
County Commissioner Matt Jones, Boulder County, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Friend, City of Boulder, Colorado
Council Member Lauren Folkerts, City of Boulder, Colorado
Mayor Eric Mamula, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
County Commissioner Keith Baker, Chaffee County, Colorado
County Commissioner Randall Wheelock, Clear Creek County, Colorado
Council Member Gabi Prochaska, Town of Crested Butte, Colorado
Mayor Barbara Noseworthy, City of Durango, Colorado
County Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle County, Colorado
County Commissioner Matt Scherr, Eagle County, Colorado
Mayor Hunter Mortensen, City of Frisco, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Burley, Town of Frisco, Colorado
Council Member Rick Ihnken, Town of Frisco, Colorado
Council Member Andy Held, Town of Frisco, Colorado
Mayor Jonathan Godes, City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Council Member Shelley Kaup, City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Chair/County Commissioner Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County, Colorado
County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton, La Plata County, Colorado
County Commissioner Matt Salka, La Plata County, Colorado
County Commissioner Clyde Church, La Plata County, Colorado
Mayor Joan Peck, City of Longmont, Colorado
Council Member Marcia Martin, City of Longmont, Colorado
Council Member Patrick Berry, Town of Mountain Village, Colorado
Mayor Kristopher Larsen, City of Nederland, Colorado
Trustee Dave Knutson, Town of Paonia, Colorado
County Commissioner Greg Poschman, Pitkin County, Colorado
County Commissioner Francie Jacober, Pitkin County, Colorado
County Commissioner Steve Child, Pitkin County, Colorado
Mayor John Clark, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
Council Member Beth Lakin, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
County Commissioner Beth Melton, Routt County, Colorado
Mayor Dan Shore, City of Salida, Colorado
Council Member Harald Kasper, City of Salida, Colorado
County Commissioner Scott Fetchenhier, San Juan County, Colorado
County Commissioner Lance Waring, San Miguel County, Colorado
County Commissioner Hilary Cooper, San Miguel County, Colorado
Mayor Bill Madsen, Town of Snowmass Village, Colorado
County Commissioner Josh Blanchard, Summit County, Colorado
County Commissioner Elisabeth Lawrence, Summit County, Colorado
County Commissioner Tamara Pogue, Summit County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County, Colorado
Council Member J. Meehan Fee, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Council Member Lars Carlson, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Former Town Mayor Pro Tem Todd Brown, Town of Telluride, Colorado
County Commissioner Angenie McCleary, Blaine County, Idaho
Mayor August Christensen, City of Driggs, Idaho
Former Mayor Hyrum F. Johnson, City of Driggs, Idaho
City Council President Kaz Thea, City of Hailey, Idaho
Mayor Neil Bradshaw, City of Ketchum, Idaho
County Commissioner Cindy Riegel, Teton County, Idaho
County Commissioner Bob Heneage, Teton County, Idaho
Representative Alice Buckley, Montana State House of Representatives, House District 63, Montana
Representative Connie Keogh, Montana State House of Representatives, Montana
County Commissioner David Strohmaier, Missoula County, Montana
County Commissioner Juanita Vero, Missoula County, Montana
Mayor John Muhlfeld, City of Whitefish, Montana
Assemblymember Howard Watts, Nevada Legislature, Nevada
Assemblymember Rochelle Nguyen, Nevada State Legislature, Nevada
State Senator Fabian Doñate, Nevada State Legislature, Nevada
Assemblymember Venicia Considine, Nevada Legislature, Nevada
Assemblymember Lesley Cohen, Nevada State Legislature, Nevada
County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, Clark County, Nevada
Councilmember At-Large Devon Reese, City of Reno, Nevada
Mayor Daniel Corona, City of West Wendover, Nevada
Council Member Becky Corran, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Council Member Johana Bencomo, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Council Member Kasandra Gandara, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
County Commissioner Anna Hansen, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
County Commissioner Hank Hughes, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Mayor Alan Webber, City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Councilwoman Renee Villarreal, City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Supervisor Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District and Former Mayor Pro Tem Gill Sorg, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Council Member Tonya Graham, City of Ashland, Oregon
Council Member Barb Campbell, City of Bend, Oregon
County Commissioner Joe Berney, Lane County, Oregon
Mayor Roger Bourke, Town of Alta, Utah
Former Mayor Harris Sondak, Town of Alta, Utah
Former Council Member Margaret Bourke, Town of Alta, Utah
Council Member Sheridan J. Davis, Town of Alta, Utah
Mayor Ann Leppanen, Town of Bluff, Utah
Council Member Pamela Gibson, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
Council Member Robert O'Brien, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
Council Member and Treasurer, Tory Hill, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
County Commissioner Chairman Jacques Hadler, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Sarah Stock, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Kevin Walker, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Gabriel Woytek, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Evan Clapper, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Mary McGann, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Trisha Hedin, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Josephine Kovash, Grand County, Utah
County Attorney Christina Sloan, Grand County, Utah
Council Member Kalen Jones, City of Moab, Utah
Council Member Rani Derasary, City of Moab, Utah
Council Member Luke Wojciechowski, City of Moab, Utah
Mayor Pro Tem Max Doilney, Park City, Utah
County Council Member Glenn Wright, Summit County, Utah
Mayor Carl Florea, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Mayor Sally Ranzau, Town of Winthrop, Washington