The Landscape

Kate and Aaron are joined by pollsters Lori Weigel and Dave Metz to talk about the most interesting and important statistics from the recently released 2023 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll. The poll found that voters care just as much about protecting public lands and waters, as well as about transitioning to renewable energy, as ever—despite feeling the pressures of inflation and high gas prices. News State of the Rockies 2023 Conservation in the West poll – Colorado College After record profits, House panel considers massive taxpayer giveaway to oil and gas companies – Center for Western Priorities Recommendations for the Rulemaking to Revise Existing Regulations for the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program – The Wilderness Society Border plant joins ESA list despite Texas AG’s objections – E&E News Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Ear Mountain Conservation Mgmt Area, Lewistown, Montana; Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management The post What Western voters think about conservation appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Exploring the urgent need for states to address dropping water levels on the Colorado River, complexities of water allocation, historical events shaping current water law, challenges with reservoirs like Lake Powell, successful water conservation efforts in cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, urgent need for adaptive water management strategies, and exploration of the Colorado River Science website.

Roger Flynn, mining reform expert, joins Aaron and Kate to discuss the need to update century-old mining laws and regulations. They explore the environmental impact of mining, the presence of mining for critical minerals in the Western U.S., and the efforts to improve mining regulations on public lands.

Exploring the rise of domestic mining for critical minerals in the US, the challenges of permitting mining operations on public lands, and efforts to reduce China's dominance in the global supply chain for minerals. The podcast also discusses the impact of recent US EV tax incentives on supply chain dynamics and the importance of community acceptance in securing approval for large mining projects.

On this episode of The Landscape, Kate and Aaron are joined by Grand Canyon Trust staff attorney Michael Toll to discuss a plan to mine hundreds of thousands of barrels of waxy crude oil in Utah near Dinosaur National Monument, using billions of gallons of Colorado River Water. A loophole in Utah law enabled an Estonian state-owned company called Enefit to buy 3.2 billion gallons of Colorado River water for just $10 in 2015. Now, Enefit wants to use that water to extract oil in the Uinta Basin using a novel method that is around 75 percent more carbon-intensive than traditional fossil fuel drilling. Toll discusses how Enefit acquired its massive water right and how the Grand Canyon Trust is fighting Enefit’s plan. News House speaker vote could portend ‘pure chaos’ for GOP policy agenda – Washington Post In Arizona, Colorado River crisis stokes worry over growth and groundwater depletion – Los Angeles Times How a Utah utility is helping an Estonian oil company hoard Colorado River water – Grist New national monument proposed south of Joshua Tree National Park – Desert Sun Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Staplegunther, Wikimedia Commons The post Fighting a plan to mine oil in Utah using billions of gallons of Colorado River water appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

On this episode of The Landscape, Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala and CWP Director of Campaigns and Special Projects Lauren Bogard join Aaron and Kate to go over the past year in public lands. From the passage of the largest climate bill in U.S. history (which includes major oil and gas leasing reforms) to a new national monument to the launch of a new conservation funding program, 2022 was a big year for public lands. The CWP team talks about what all of these developments mean and how they will continue playing out in 2023. Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Aaron Weiss/Center for Western Priorities The post The past year in public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Renowned nature photographer Pete McBride joins Aaron and CWP’s Director of Campaigns and Special Projects Lauren Bogard on the pod to discuss his work documenting the Colorado River. Pete is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer who has been to more than 75 countries on assignment for clients ranging from the National Geographic Society to the Smithsonian. After a decade documenting expeditions from Everest to Antarctica, he turned his cameras to his own backyard—the Colorado River—which turned into a book, three documentaries, and a PBS show. His National Geographic Channel documentary “Into the Grand Canyon” was nominated for an Emmy in 2020. News Manchin’s last-gasp permitting effort fails – E&E News What to expect in the lame-duck session – E&E News An evidence-based look at permitting reform – The Landscape podcast Pete McBride on Instagram Into the Grand Canyon (documentary) – National Geographic/Disney+ Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Ken Lund/Flickr The post Photographer Pete McBride on the Colorado River appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

This week on The Landscape, Aaron and Kate talk to Drew McConville and Sam Zeno from the Center for American Progress about their new report, which identifies the top 8 actions Biden can take to meet his America the Beautiful goal of protecting 30 percent of American lands and waters by 2030. Drew McConville is a senior fellow at CAP and a former member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where he helped develop and implement President Obama’s climate action plan. Sam Zeno is a conservation Research Assistant at CAP who worked on the report. News Biden commits to honoring tribes by protecting public lands in Nevada – Washington Post Report: Top 8 Opportunities President Biden Should Pursue To Meet His America the Beautiful Commitment – Center for American Progress Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management The post The top 8 actions Biden can take to protect 30×30 appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

CWP Executive Director Jennifer Rokala and Colorado-based political consultant Curtis Hubbard join Aaron to break down the 2022 election results and what they mean for public lands across the West. Producer: Aaron WeissMusic: Purple PlanetFeatured image: @POTUS The post What the 2022 election means for public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

This week on The Landscape, Aaron and Kate talk to forest scientists Megan Cattau and Nayani Ilangakoon to find out what’s up in the world of wildfire risk reduction and forest recovery. Specifically, they ask about the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to plant a billion trees over the next decade, as well as how climate change is affecting forest recovery after wildfires. Megan Cattau is an assistant professor of human-environment systems at Boise State University, who uses geospatial techniques on large datasets to explore patterns of forest disturbance and recovery. Nayani Ilangakoon is a postdoctoral associate at University of Colorado Boulder’s EARTH LAB, who uses remote sensing technology to research the post-fire recovery of Western conifer forests.  News Prescribed Burns Are Encouraged. Why Was a Federal Employee Arrested for One? – New York TimesUS to plant 1 billion trees as climate change kills forests – Associated PressU.S. Taking Emergency Steps to Protect Sequoias From Wildfires – New York TimesThe Unconventional Weapon Against Future Wildfires: Goats – New York TimesWild Horses Could Keep Wildfire At Bay – NPRCould ‘Smokey Beaver’ help fight wildfires? – OPBFeds want the ability to cut back on Colorado River reservoir releases over the next two years – KUNC Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: U.S. Forest Service The post What the science says about national forest management appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.