Experts say monuments and “unappropriated” federal lands will likely be the target for expanded drilling, mining, and other development under a new Trump administration.
According to an article from Bloomberg, environmental groups are preparing for “copious litigation” in the coming years to hold the line against a second Trump administration’s efforts to open up federal land for fossil fuels and other development. “Though President-elect Donald Trump disavowed the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, his new administration is expected to take cues from its approach to public lands and natural resources development, and he repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he’d promote oil drilling,” writes reporter Bobby Magill.
The chapter of Project 2025 pertaining to federal lands was written by a former Bureau of Land Management official who served under the first Trump administration and calls for “a rapid ramp-up of oil, natural gas, and coal production,” including in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which the Biden administration moved to restrict last week.
While it remains unclear how much the Trump administration will rely on Project 2025, the document represents a “is a ‘wish list’ for the oil and gas and mining industries and private developers,” Melinda Taylor, senior lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law told Bloomberg. The article says, “Environmental attorneys and legal experts say they’ll be watching how the new administration approaches calls for the abolishment of national monuments, Utah’s push to take over public lands from the federal government, and its adherence to federal law.”
FULL STORY: Public Lands Outlook Under Trump to Face 'Copious Litigation'
Nevada BLM Land to Stay in Federal Hands
The Honor the Nevada Enabling Act, proposed by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) to transfer some Bureau of Land Management property to state control, will not be brought to Congress.
National Monuments Under Threat From Mining Under New Executive Order
An executive order from the Department of the Interior could gut protections for public lands established under the Antiquities Act.
Key Wins for Conservation in 2024
The year brought some important victories to advocates for public lands, national monuments, and the reclamation of Indigenous history.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service