The Daily Yonder. (2020, February 19). Politics of oil and gas override public in federal land use decision report says. Retrieved August 31, 2020, from https://dailyyonder.com/politics-of-oil-and-gas-override-public-in-federal-land-use-decisions-report-says/2020/02/19/
In Western Colorado, the Burea of Land Management is opening nearly a million acres of land to fossil fuel extraction, despite various local and federal input wishing otherwise. The decision is especially controversial as information came out that the decision overrode a process by local environmental officials and was at odds with the governor and public opinion. It comes as part of a larger trend by the Department of the Interior to implement a new framework for public land under the Trump administration — even when that framework is at odds with environmental groups and the public.
The article gives great insight into the impacts of politics on environmental policy. Understanding how the federal government and political appointees shape national policy by making decisions regarding the environment is (for better or worse) essential to a comprehensive education in environmental science. I think it’s unfortunate that the Interior Department has completely disregarded the feedback of public servants, environmental science, and the public in the name of a political vision. There seems to be a disconnect between those in Washington DC making decisions and those living in the places affected by them. While politics are (in theory) the voice of the people, this is a trend we should be wary of moving forward.
I appreciate your commentary on this Peter. I wonder what Pinchot would say about this use of public lands. People have complained about this disconnect between DC and what’s going on in their community for a long time. In the past it was the other way… federal govt was limiting what they could do. Now it flipped and the federal govt is trumping local wishes it seems. Definitely interesting times. That being said, BLM land is mostly range land… lots of wide open space. Do you think that it will be easier for fossil fuel extraction than other places, like forests? Should that sway any decisions around this issue?
I wasn’t aware of the type of land that fell under the BLM. I would guess that would make this fossil fuel extraction less environmentally destructive than doing so in a national forest. However, I still think the fact that environmental and local officials all wished for the opposite is telling. The fact alone that this decision subverted an established system is a concerning precedent, especially going forward as decisions around environmental matters become more and more pressing.
Oh and thank you Mr. Powell.