Wildfire Update
Number of new large fires or emergency response: 11
Number of active large fires: 42
Acres in active fires: 184,464
Fires contained: 0
As of June 26, National Interagency Fire Report
nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf
PLC: Registration open for PLC’s 56th Annual Meeting in Grand Junction, CO
Registration Opens for PLC’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Colorado, American Ag Network – Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s 56th Annual Meeting, taking place in Grand Junction, Colorado, from September 17–19. PLC President Mark Roeber emphasized the importance of this gathering amid increased government regulations affecting federal land ranchers. The meeting will focus on policy coordination and advocacy efforts to protect the industry. The event, held at the DoubleTree Hilton, costs $375 with discounts for family, students, and media. PLC advocates for cattle and sheep producers using federal lands, and the meeting aims to address key issues and influence policy.
TO REGISTER: https://americanagnetwork.com/2024/06/registration-opens-for-plcs-2024-annual-meeting-in-colorado/
DOI: UT and WY sue over BLM public lands rule; Rep. McMorris Rodgers criticizes agency’s report on Columbia River Basin dams
Biden Public Lands Rule Draws Legal Challenge From Utah, Wyoming, Bloomberg Law – Utah and Wyoming have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, arguing that the recently finalized Public Lands Rule did not properly assess environmental harms as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The lawsuit claims the Interior Department improperly excluded the rule from necessary scrutiny. The rule, finalized by the Bureau of Land Management, designates conservation as a use of public land on par with other activities and governs 245 million acres of federal land. While BLM officials argue the rule is necessary for ecosystem restoration, Western states and Republican politicians fear it will limit other land uses. The lawsuit highlights concerns about potential impacts on old-growth forests, landscape health, and wildlife habitats.
McMorris Rodgers Responds to Biden Administration’s Sham Report on Columbia River System, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers – Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers criticized the Department of the Interior’s report on the impacts of federal dams on Columbia River Basin Tribes, accusing the Biden administration of using a politically motivated, poorly sourced report to push for dam breaching. She argues that the report undermines necessary regional dialogue and overlooks the significant benefits of the dams to the region.
USFS: Agency makes $1M investment in ID to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health
$1M earmarked for North Idaho forests, Coeur d’Alene Press – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Northern Region is investing $1 million to collaborate with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) under the Good Neighbor Authority to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. The funds will support 3,000 acres of fuels reduction, road repairs, and IDL staffing in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This investment aims to enhance forest management capacity and meet Shared Stewardship goals, doubling the treated acres on National Forest System lands in Idaho by 2025. The initiative focuses on the Wildland Urban Interface to protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.
Congress: Western Senators introduce bipartisan bill to extend water conservation program amid Colorado River Basin drought
Romney, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Extend Colorado River Conservation Program, Sen. Mitt Romney – U.S. Senators Mitt Romney, John Hickenlooper, John Barrasso, Michael Bennet, and Cynthia Lummis have introduced the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act, a bipartisan bill to extend the System Conservation Pilot Program through 2026. This program, aimed at testing voluntary water conservation measures, has been successful in improving water efficiency and mitigating drought impacts in the Colorado River Basin. The extension will support continued efforts to manage water resources effectively amidst ongoing drought conditions and help develop long-term water management strategies for the Upper Basin.
Wildfires: CO prepares for heightened wildfire risks
Colorado’s Forest Service is trying to create more fire-resistant forests after they burn, KKCO 11 News – As the summer solstice approaches, Colorado faces increasing wildfire risks, exacerbated by rising temperatures. Recent wildfires, including a significant brush fire near Loma, underscore the urgency of wildfire prevention efforts. With the state experiencing its 20 largest wildfires since 2001, the Colorado State Forest Service focuses on strategic tree replanting to enhance forest resilience. By adopting tactics such as tree cutting and prescribed burns, the agency aims to mitigate wildfire threats and create more resilient forest ecosystems.
Wildlife: BLM to partners with state in WY juniper removal project
BLM to Remove Junipers to Improve Wildlife Habitat, The Cheyenne Post – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is teaming up with the Little Snake River Conservation District (LSRCD) and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) for a collaborative juniper removal project. Juniper encroachment, facilitated by aggressive wildfire suppression, has become prevalent in Wyoming and other western states. This expansion threatens vital habitat for wildlife species like Mule Deer and Greater Sage Grouse, prompting the collaborative effort to address the issue.
USFS: Heithecker appointed new regional forester to Rocky Mountain Region
U.S. Forest Service appoints new regional forester for Rocky Mountain Region, Sky Hi News – The USDA Forest Service appointed Troy Heithecker as the new regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced the appointment Thursday, May 30. Heithecker will lead more than 2,000 permanent and seasonal employees while sharing stewardship of 22 million acres of national forests and grasslands with partners and 48 affiliated tribes in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. “Troy is a proven and compassionate leader who will bring experience to the Rocky Mountain Region essential to carrying out agency and regional goals. Through his guidance, we will continue our vital work with partners to improve ecological function, reduce the threat from wildfire to forests and grasslands and the surrounding communities, enhance the user experience, provide outstanding recreational opportunities and, internally, care for the physical, mental and psychological wellness of the workforce,” Moore said.
Grazing: Adaptive grazing practices prove useful when protecting land from natural disasters
Regenerative ranching focuses on forages, FarmProgress – Adaptive grazing consists of prioritizing soil health, water availability and rotating cattle. By using these principles, McGinn has tripled his carrying capacity by paying close attention to soil health and the environment. At the 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, hosted by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, McGinn shared his grazing experiences. With this new technique, he can keep his ranch resilient against natural disasters while still improving land and cattle performance.
Congress: Sen. Lee introduces 3 public lands bills
Lee Introduces Trio of Bills Defending Access to Public Lands, U.S. Senator Mike Lee – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a trio of bills today to ensure access to federal lands and reaffirm the authority of state and local jurisdictions. “In each of these bills, we aim to return control to those who are closest to our public lands — the states and local communities,” said Sen. Lee. “By doing so, we can ensure that our conservation efforts are practical, effective, and tailored to the unique characteristics of each area, while expanding access for all Americans to enjoy our nation’s natural beauty.” The legislative package includes three key proposals: Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act. Since Congress passed The Wilderness Act of 1964 prohibiting motorized vehicles in certain wilderness areas, the bill has been incorrectly interpreted to inhibit human-powered travel. Senator Lee’s bill reaffirms that human travel was never meant to be restricted by the Wilderness Act of 1964.
BLM: CA land acquisition targets public access under America the Beautiful initiative
BLM acquires lands to improve conservation and recreation opportunities, Bureau of Land Management – The Bureau of Land Management is acquiring more than 1,500 acres of land near Lake Clementine to enhance recreation opportunities, improve habitat conservation, and expand public access in the area. BLM, in collaboration with Placer Land Trust and Trust for Public Lands, is acquiring lands offered by willing sellers east of Highway 80 in Placer County along the North Fork American River. The acquisition, made possible through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and state grants, helps advance the America the Beautiful initiative, a locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife. These new public lands will provide access to the North Fork American River from the north side of the river.
USDA: FLSP program provides funding to farms and ranches
USDA Provides $50 Million to Farms, Ranches for Migrant Labor Program, Progressive Farmer – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be in Palisade, Colorado, a peach-growing area, on Friday to announce that USDA is awarding $50 million to 141 farms and businesses in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program). The money will be used to improve the lives of more than 11,000 farmworkers, help improve the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing agriculture labor challenges and instability, strengthen protections for farmworkers, and expand legal pathways for labor migration, USDA said in a news release. The grants to farms range from as small as $25,000 to as large as $1.72 million. Most of the grant awardees note the challenge of finding workers and labor shortages they face. While most of the farms are involved in fruit and vegetable production, others also are custom harvesters and livestock operations.
Wild Horse: BLM to begin Wyoming wild horse gather on July 1
BLM to begin North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather in Wyoming, Bureau of Land Management – The Bureau of Land Management will begin a wild horse gather on or after July 1, 2024, in the North Lander Wild Horse Complex, located in Fremont County. The gather is being conducted to prevent further deterioration of land health due to wild horse overpopulation in the Complex. The Complex is made up of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin, and Rock Creek Mountain herd management areas in central Wyoming. Based on August 2023 aerial surveys using infrared technology and methodology, the Complex’s wild horse population is approximately 3,035 wild horses, well above the scientifically determined appropriate management level (AML) of 320-536 wild horses. In accordance with the agency’s management plan, the Bureau plans to gather and remove approximately 2,715 wild horses over 10 years to achieve AML. The management plan was informed by substantial public input received during the 2022 scoping and environmental assessment comment periods.
Monument: DOI holds hearings on Chuckwalla and Dolores River monument proposals
One of Colorado’s least-visited canyonlands could become a national monument — but would that lead to overcrowding?, Union Bulletin – Those who love the Dolores River canyonlands agree — the swath of rugged land along Colorado’s western border is one of the state’s last, best wild places. The tract encompasses staggering red rock cliffs, broad valleys and rolling hills that burst into green in the spring. Cutting through it all is the beloved river, which sometimes dwindles to a trickle. Nobody wants to see it overrun with tourists and trash, like so many of the West’s wild places. But disagreements about whether to designate some of the river and its canyonlands as a national monument have driven a caustic rift between the people who love the area. What those protections look like, and who gets to shape them, are at the center of a fiery debate that, in some instances, has sunk to name-calling and declarations of evildoing.
Interior holds hearing on possible California monument, E&E News – The Biden administration continues to signal that it’s seriously evaluating a potential new national monument proposal in Southern California. Senior officials with the Interior Department, including Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, attended a community meeting Friday to gather feedback on the possible designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. The hearing — also attended by Laura Daniel-Davis, Interior’s acting deputy secretary — was held at the Riverside County Fairgrounds and drew about 700 people, most of whom spoke in favor of the new monument, according to advocates who attended.
Wildfire: Sen. Wyden pushes bipartisan wildfire solutions with new legislation; Wildfires across west start fire season
Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Urges Support for His Bills to Use Prescribed Burns and Protect Water Sources, Sierra Sun Times – Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), recently urged bipartisan backing for his bills—the National Prescribed Fire Act and the River Democracy Act—to tackle devastating wildfires with prescribed burns and safeguard local water access. At a Senate subcommittee hearing, Wyden emphasized the urgent need for proactive wildfire management in Western states, highlighting the bills’ support from diverse stakeholders and their potential to enhance federal wildfire risk reduction efforts through significant funding provisions.
Wildfire season arrives in northwest Montana, The Western News – Wildfire season has commenced in northwest Montana, with high winds causing four wildfires on Kootenai National Forest land. Crews swiftly contained three fires under one-quarter acre each on Tuesday. The largest, the Pine Creek Fire, grew to 11.2 acres before containment. Additional fires included the Elk Haven Fire and two escaped debris burns on private land. Despite the current low fire danger, forest officials urge caution with campfires and debris burning. Weather forecasts predict gusty winds and a chance of showers, complicating fire conditions over the weekend.
USDA: ‘Harm to Competition’ rule seeks to prevent beef cattle producers from differentiation in the marketplace
USDA proposes new rule under Packers & Stockyards Act to clarify ‘unfair practices’, Brownfield Ag News – The USDA proposed a new rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act that Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says will better protect farmers, ranchers, and other market participants. Vilsack made the announcement during an event hosted by the Center for American Progress on Tuesday. “Today we provide an enforcement tool that I think will provide for greater balance in the relationship between farmers and the integrator,” he says. The Secretary says the proposed rule is designed to create the opportunity to develop new and better markets. “And that translates to an opportunity for more farmers to have an opportunity for their operation to remain successful and profitable,” he says. The rule would expand transparency, making it easier for farmers to understand the contracts they are making. Vilsack says the administration has worked to ensure that farmers couldn’t be discriminated against or retaliated against. “We made sure that the tournament system would operate fairly and that there would not be any specific deductions that caught the farmers by surprise,” he says. Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it is a direct attack on producer profitability and creates criteria that would deem any innovation or differentiation in the marketplace improper. Lane says those practices are central to how cattle producers around the country differentiate their marketplace products, derive premiums, and attempt to be profitable. “USDA is attempting yet again to undermine that,” he says. “To get everybody back to some point where they are all receiving the same price for their cattle, regardless of quality in some sort of a misguided attempt to achieve fairness in the marketplace is disappointing, but not unexpected.”
Upcoming SCOTUS decision could overturn Chevron doctrine, limiting federal environmental regulations
Supreme Court may overturn major environmental precedent this week, E&E News – As the Supreme Court approaches the final opinion release dates of its term, environmental and administrative lawyers are waiting with bated breath to learn the fate of a legal doctrine that federal agencies have used since the Reagan administration to defend themselves in court. In two of the term’s most closely watched cases — Loper Bright v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Commerce — the justices have been asked to overturn the 40-year-old Chevron doctrine, which says judges should generally defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretations of their powers when Congress has been unclear. The justices could decide the cases by the end of this week. While Chevron is not inherently ideological, it has become a target for some members of the high court’s conservative supermajority, who have called for the doctrine’s demise. The court has options to weaken Chevron short of overturning it, but Loper Bright and Relentless are part of a broader set of recent cases in which the justices have sought to diminish the power of expert agencies. Legal observers expect that whatever conclusion the justices reach in the cases, the Chevron doctrine is unlikely to emerge intact.
Environmental rulings to watch at the Supreme Court, E&E News – As the Supreme Court gears up for its final term rulings, several crucial cases loom large and are poised to reshape environmental policies and agency authority. Key decisions expected include challenges like Loper Bright v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Commerce, which may potentially strike down the Chevron doctrine, impacting federal regulatory powers. Additionally, cases such as Corner Post v. Federal Reserve and Ohio v. EPA could open up old federal rules to new legal challenges and hinder the EPA’s efforts to regulate cross-state pollution. These imminent rulings are anticipated to have profound implications for environmental regulations and legal precedents in the United States.
House Appropriations Committee releases FY2025 Interior spending bill, prioritizes conservation and energy independence; House NR Committee approves “Fix Our Forests Act”, focusing on wildfire prevention & forest thinning
The House Appropriations Committee unveiled the Fiscal Year 2025 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which will be reviewed tomorrow. Chairman Mike Simpson emphasized full funding for PILT and tribal investments, while Chairman Tom Cole highlighted cuts to unnecessary spending and regulatory rollbacks. The bill allocates $38.478 billion, focuses on wildfire management, and supports domestic energy production, with contentious provisions on environmental regulations and public land access.
Republican wildfire, forest-thinning bill clears committee, E&E News – The House Natural Resources Committee passed the “Fix Our Forests Act” proposed by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), focusing on forest management to combat wildfires. The bill would establish federal “firesheds,” streamline environmental reviews, and create programs for community wildfire risk reduction. Despite bipartisan efforts and support from California Democrats, its prospects in the Democratic-led Senate remain uncertain due to opposition from environmental groups and disagreements over climate change’s role in wildfires.
Plumas National Forest issues orders amidst unauthorized group use incident
Plumas Forest Supervisor Issues Forest Closure Order over Rainbow Gathering Incident, Sierra Daily News – Plumas National Forest has implemented a Forest Order to address concerns arising from an unauthorized group camping incident near Antelope Lake Recreation Area. With over 500 dispersed campers impacting the area, the order aims to safeguard public health, natural resources, and uphold permitted special uses. Forest Supervisor Chris Carlton emphasizes the Forest’s commitment to stewardship and public safety, indicating the order’s daily evaluation until conditions allow resumption of normal public access.
CO Cattlemen’s Assoc. meets to discuss wildlife resources at annual convention
Wolverines, wolves, chickens and cougars: Oh, my, The Fence Post – It was standing room only meeting June 24, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Colorado Springs, as the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association kicked off their 157th Annual Convention with a special “Wildlife Resources” session, exclusively devoted to wildlife and its impact on Colorado livestock producers. This meeting was chaired by Lenny Klinglesmith, a well-known rancher from Rio Blanco County, with guest speakers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Department of Agriculture and from the “Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better” coalition. A lot of information was packed into two hours, and there were multiple hard-hitting questions from the audience. Klinglesmith set the ground rules early on — calling for a respectful exchange of ideas and information, and his lead was followed by all in attendance.
Wildfire Seasonal fire restrictions put in place for certain CA counties
BLM Bishop Field Office announces seasonal fire restrictions, BLM – The Bureau of Land Management is issuing fire restrictions for all public lands managed by the Bishop Field Office effective Monday, July 1, due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger. These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order. This seasonal fire order will remain in effect until further notice. The BLM-managed public lands affected by these fire restrictions extend from the southern Owens Valley in Inyo County, north to Topaz Lake, and the Nevada border in Mono County. These fire restrictions also apply to popular BLM-managed recreational areas in the region, including the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, Inyo Mountains Wilderness, Volcanic Tableland, Long Valley, Adobe Valley, Mono Basin, Bodie Hills, Bridgeport Valley and Slinkard Valley. “The warming temperatures and increasingly dry conditions in these areas have made it necessary to enter into fire restrictions for BLM managed lands within the Bishop Field Office,” advises Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “We ask that visitors follow these restrictions and do their part to help us minimize fire potential when visiting public land.”