2019 in Review

In 2019, The Mountain Pact continued our work elevating the voices of western mountain communities on federal policies related to public lands, climate, wildfire, outdoor recreation, and other conservation issues. It is a historical time in American politics as we continue to see attacks on the values we hold dear. What a year 2019 has been and we are excited to share with you some of what made this year special.

LWCF Funding Falls Short

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 spending package that will fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $495 million was approved by the House and Senate the week of December 16. The LWCF received its highest level of appropriated funds in 17 years. This increase in funding over previous years is a rejection of President Trump's proposal to fund the program at less than zero dollars. However, the $495 million is still significantly below the full $900 million legally allotted to the LWCF, continuing the over 50-year trend of diverting important funds away from conservation purposes.

December Conservation Update

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season! In this month’s December Conservation Update we cover how federal policies and agencies are impacting western mountain communities related to public lands, climate change, and outdoor recreation. You will find updates on: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s oil and gas leasing policies; drilling in the arctic; the border wall’s impacts on National Park Rangers and local water resources; the impacts of climate change on endangered species; Secretary Bernhardt’s ethics; and how the BLM is ignoring a judge’s order to abide by the 2015 sage-grouse management plan; with a special highlight on the BLM’s move west.

Tell Congress to Pass Full and Permanent Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund

In mid-November, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee took an exciting step towards finalizing permanent funding for LWCF through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act (S. 1081) which passed out of the committee.

It is important to keep the pressure on your Senators and Representatives so that America's best conservation program can receive, full, permanent, and dedicated funding. Call your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the future of America's best conservation program by pushing leadership to move forward with a vote on LWCF funding either through a budget deal or with a vote on the floor.

November Conservation Update

In this newsletter we cover: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leadership and headquarters relocation, public opinion about drilling on public lands, off-road vehicles in Utah’s national parks, Secretary Bernhardt’s move to strip protections from the delta smelt, the status of sage grouse protections, President Trump’s science advisory council, the United States’ official withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and the latest Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) news.

October Conservation Update

In the last two months, the Trump administration has announced a plan that would repeal the Methane Waste Prevention Rule; repealed wetland protections put in place in the 2015 Clean Water Rule; started a legal battle with California by revoking the state's vehicle emissions standards waiver; and put limits on the ability of National Park superintendents to submit public comments to other parts of the federal government regarding oil and gas development.

Mountain Communities Get a Voice in D.C.

In mid-September, The Mountain Pact traveled to Washington, D.C. with five local elected officials from mountain communities in the West. These local elected officials shared hometown examples of the need for solid conservation practices and climate action. They participated in meetings with members of the Western Congressional delegation including Representative Tipton, Representative Neguse, Senator Gardner, as well as staff from the offices of Senators Daines, Bennet, McSally, Murray, Feinstein, and Tester; and Representatives McClintock, DeGette, O'Halleran, Perlmutter, and Pelosi.

REPORT RELEASE: Public Lands Conservation in the Trump Era

President Trump claimed in a July 8, 2019 speech that his administration is "being good stewards of our public land," reducing carbon emissions, and promoting the "cleanest air" and "crystal clean" water. These claims are simply false. Instead, President Trump has made rolling back critical environmental protections a focus of his presidency.

The Trump Administration's Latest Attacks on Conservation

To add to the already insurmountable list of disastrous conservation news, the Department of Interior (DOI), under Secretary Bernhardt's leadership, has recently taken more steps to reverse conservation efforts on public lands - Endangered Species Act (ESA) Revisions, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Relocation, and Bears Ears National Monument Management Plan.

New Proposed Rule Would Gut NEPA, Keep Public out of Decision Making-- COMMENT DEADLINE AUGUST 26

The Forest Service has issued a proposed rule that would undermine the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)core principles of government transparency, accountability, public input, and science-based decision-making by weakening the triggers for when a NEPA review is required and greatly expanding the list of "categorical exclusions," a list of actions that have been predetermined to not need a NEPA review.

Secretary Bernhardt's Conflicts of Interest

Secretary Bernhardt signed an ethics agreement where he recused himself from interactions and meetings with 22 of his former clients - the recusal period ends this week - on August 3, 2019.

However, despite his recusal, Secretary Bernhardt has been found to have violated this agreement on multiple occasions.

Update: Federal Coal Leasing and Valuation

Since taking office, the Trump administration has been working to reverse both of the Obama administration decisions in an attempt to 'bring back coal.'

House Committee on Natural Resources Advances Bill to Fully Fund the LWCF

The long battle over funding for the LWCF, America's best conservation program, continues as bills requiring full funding for the program advance through the House and Senate.

Over 150 Western Local Elected Officials Urge Congress to Fully Fund Land and Water Conservation Fund

151 local elected officials from 46 communities covering all 11 Western states, including 19 full councils/commissions signed on to a letter to urge their members of Congress to support full, dedicated Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funding.

Royalty Policy Committee Disbanded Amidst Controversy

At the end of April 2019, the Royalty Policy Committee (RPC) was disbanded by the Department of Interior (DOI). The controversial committee made many decisions that short-changed taxpayers to advance the agenda of extractive industries.

David Bernhardt Confirmed as Secretary of Interior

On Thursday, April 11, Bernhardt was confirmed as Secretary of Interior by the Senate with a 56-41 vote. Bernhardt has been Acting Secretary since Ryan Zinke resigned amidst ethics scandals but has since been faced with several ethics scandals of his own. The former lobbyist has been questioned regarding his stance on offshore oil and gas drilling and endangered species protections reductions that would directly benefit a former client. The Colorado native has been working hard at the Department of Interior to pursue the Trump administration's 'energy dominance' agenda even before Ryan Zinke's resignation.

Full Funding Must Follow Permanent Authorization of the LWCF

On March 12, President Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management,and Recreation Act into law after it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and Senate. This Act includes extensive support for public lands,including permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). However, despite this step in the right direction, President Trump and Acting Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt's proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget still refuses to fund LWCF at it's full $900 million and instead proposes practically eliminating LWCF funding.

Historic Lands Package Passes the Senate

The Senate passed a sweeping public lands package that would provide protection for millions of acres of public lands, start a public lands restoration program for kids and veterans, and permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF expired on September 30, 2018, after 52 years of conservation funding for national, state, and local public lands projects. It's expiration left many of our communities in limbo, unsure if funding to finish certain projects would become available again.

January 23, 2019

Andrew Wheeler Has Hearing to be Confirmed as EPA Administrator

Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, has been officially nominated to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).On Wednesday, January 16, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held Wheeler's confirmation hearing. Wheeler is expected to be confirmed, likely once the government shutdown ends, as Republicans hold a majority in the Senate.