Betsy Levinson / Correspondent
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Two Massachusetts Congressional representatives announced the passage of the landmark Great American Outdoor Act on Jan. 25.
Rep. Lori Trahan, MA-03, joined Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House Katherine Clark, MA-05, at Minute Man National Park in Lincoln for the outdoor event. The bipartisan act passed in December 2020.
Trahan and Clark cosponsored the Act, calling it “a landmark piece of conservation legislation.” The act also establishes a restoration fund to help national parks close their deferred maintenance backlogs, including $12.4M for Minute Man.
Included in the legislation is the permanent annual funding of $900 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund which draws on oil and gas revenues for the funding and applies to parks and outdoor venues nationally.
Biden’s ban would result in $33.5 billion in lost GDP in his first term
President’s action risks over $8.8 billion in conservation funding
DENVER – Today, Western Energy Alliance filed a lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s executive order banning oil and natural gas leasing on federal public lands. The
complaint challenges Biden’s order as exceeding presidential authority and constituting a violation of the Mineral Leasing Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act.
The Alliance filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. The state ranks first in federal natural gas production and third in oil and has more federal acres leased than any other state. The Alliance will be represented by L. Poe Leggette, Mark S. Barron and Alexander K. Obrecht of BakerHostetler.
With huge bipartisan and public support, and an ability to make personal the importance of conservation (over 300 million people visited the parks in 2019), the National Park Service could see itself as a figurehead for larger efforts like 30 by 30, though the path to get there may be rocky
Biden’s pause on oil and gas development on public lands splits conservationists, industry
Durango, Colorado Currently Tue 23% chance of precipitation 57% chance of precipitation 51% chance of precipitation 66% chance of precipitation
Energy producers predict billions in losses for Western communities
Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 6:52 PM Updated: Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 8:10 PM The Bureau of Land Management in 2018 deferred the lease-sale of an oil and gas development parcel near Great Sand Dunes National Park to allow time to discuss plans with the Navajo Nation, which owns adjacent land. Jason Blevins/The Colorado Sun file
Biden’s pause on oil and gas development on public lands splits conservationists, industry
Biden’s pause on oil and gas development on public lands splits conservationists, industry
Durango, Colorado Currently Sat
Energy producers predict billions in losses for Western communities
Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 6:52 PM Updated: Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 8:10 PM The Bureau of Land Management in 2018 deferred the lease-sale of an oil and gas development parcel near Great Sand Dunes National Park to allow time to discuss plans with the Navajo Nation, which owns adjacent land. Jason Blevins/The Colorado Sun file
Biden’s pause on oil and gas development on public lands splits conservationists, industry The Bureau of Land Management in 2018 deferred the lease-sale of an oil and gas development parcel near Great Sand Dunes National Park to allow time to discuss plans with the Navajo Nation, which owns adjacent land.