Montana supports Public Lands and Renewable Energy
Guest post by Hayley Connolly-Newman This week, Senator John Walsh signed on as co-sponsor of the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act (S. 279). This demonstrates several things to Montanans. First, Sen. Walsh supports smart development of renewable energy in our wind rich state. Montana is ranked 2nd for wind energy potential, which requires Montanans to […]
What’s Good for the Grouse is Good for the Grandeur … and Big Game Hunting
Due to its decreased numbers and status as a warranted species for Endangered Species Act listing, the greater sage grouse is no longer a popular game species. Some Western states do still offer very limited hunts on sage grouse, but in general, when it comes to hunting, it’s about the importance of sage grouse habitat for […]
New Public Lands Policies Could Mean Better On-the-Ground Practices
The National Wildlife Federation and its partners in the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development coalition have been urging the Interior Department to fully implement its promised reforms of oil and gas leasing on public lands since the agency announced the changes in 2010. The reforms would include more comprehensive, upfront planning – a “look-before-you-lease” approach […]
The Carbon Impact of Coal Exports
This week, NWF released an issue brief entitled “Accounting for Carbon Pollution from Coal Mining on Federal Lands” which looks at the overall carbon impact of the coal being leased and exported from public lands. In primarily western states like Wyoming and Montana, coal on public lands is leased to coal companies for mining. Increasingly, […]
Can Congress Renew Hope for Renewable Energy Development?
As the second session of the 113th Congress develops, it is my great hope that Congress can leave its abysmal bill passage record in the past. In 2013, Congress signed just 57 bills into law, the lowest count in history. Much of the stalemate characterizing the last two congressional sessions has been blamed on bipartisan gridlock. […]
Antiquities Act Attack Latest Affront to Sportsmen
Whether you are an avid angler, only go fishing occasionally, or have fished just a time or two, you likely remember the first fish you caught. I can’t remember the first time I watched the television show Knight Rider or the first time I played the Nintendo game Super Mario Brothers, but I remember vividly […]
Obama Uses Pen to Protect California Shoreline: More on Way?
President Barack Obama promised in his State of the Union address to use his authority to protect “more of our pristine federal lands for future generations” to get around congressional resistance to new wilderness areas, national parks and monuments. So far, so good. Responding to overwhelming local support, Obama has used the power of the […]
DOI Secretary Jewell Meets the Future: the Next Corps of Conservationists
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell sees fostering the next generation of conservationists as a priority. In a speech last fall, Jewell said it’s critical to establish meaningful connections between young people and the outdoors for “the health of our economy and our public lands.” Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development recently introduced Jewell to young people who are […]
Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes Gains Wilderness Protection
When you think of walking along a sandy beach at dusk with waves lapping at your feet, watching the sun dip below the horizon, you’re probably not picturing somewhere in northern Michigan. But that is exactly the scene I was able to soak almost every year in as a kid when I would visit Sleeping […]
Weekly News Roundup: Youths and DOI Secretary Talk Public Lands and More!
Getting the Dirt on Earthworms As spring approaches, many gardeners are ready to dive back into planting their favorite flora; but anyone prone to working the soil knows that you will encounter slimy annelids known as earthworms. So, before you dig in… Here are 10 things you may want to know about earthworms. What’s happening […]