conservation

The Trump administration's proposal to rescind the BLM Conservation Rule and sell federal lands for housing is drawing opposition from conservationists, who warn of negative environmental impacts.

The Trump Administration is directing federal agencies like the Department of the Interior to ramp up mining operations on federal public lands. The order singles out copper, uranium, potash, and gold.

Under the Biden Administration, the Bureau of Land Management developed a rule that prioritized conservation as a use on its public lands, equal with other uses like mining and grazing. While lauded by public lands and environmental advocates, many in the Trump Administration oppose the policy.

This week on Regional Roundup, we commemorate the 10th Mountain Division’s WWII heroics, check out Mixed Doubles Curling trials, and discuss housing costs and wildfire insurance issues.

The USDA faces criticism for cuts and delays affecting farmers, including staff reductions and frozen funds. The bird flu crisis also raises concerns over vaccination plans for poultry.

The majority of voters in Rocky Mountain states, including Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, would rather see the government focus more on conservation of public lands rather than extractive activities like mining and oil and gas.

Troubled by the possibility of a new national monument along the Lower Dolores River, county commissioners for both Montezuma and Dolores counties met Tuesday and voiced support for creating a National Conservation Area instead.

Farm and ranchers receive only a small portion of total food costs, agriculture may be one of the first industries to meet net-zero emissions goals, and how conservationists and ranchers are working together to save grassland bird populations.

The 2022-2023 water year seems to be off to a good start, Utah is experiencing exceptional drought conditions, the Interior Department plans to write new rules governing dams along the Colorado River, and cover crops are becoming more popular with farmers.

Conservation groups are praising a scientific proposal to protect a large swath of Western land that could help restore wolf and beaver populations. And new legislation has been introduced in the US Senate that would protect parts of the Dolores River Canyon as a National Conservation Area.