E-Newsletters BLM Action Center Update #25 (04/28/2005) BLM web site down. Otero Mesa in the news. BLM Right-of-Way Rule. Comments Needed Now! MT, NV, UT. Update on status of BLM planning efforts.   WILDALERT NEWS: April 2006 Update (04/04/2006) Prince William Sound. Siskiyou National Forest logging. The Wilderness Society's community wildfire work. Arctic Refuge drilling dropped from House budget bill. Interior Secretary Norton rushes out damaging roads policy. New rules could lead to more jet skis, noise, pollution in National Parks.   WILDALERT: An Offering of Thanks (11/22/2005) A special Thanksgiving message from Eleanor Huffines, Anchorage, Alaska.   WILDALERT: Help Us Stop Gale Norton's Last Public Lands Giveaway (03/22/2006) In her final weeks at the Department of Interior, Secretary Gale Norton is spearheading an effort to streamline a policy to make it easier for states and counties to build highways on public lands. The end result of this last-minute maneuver could be the construction of thousands of miles of roads on some of our most unspoiled public lands.   Wilderness Report #97 (07/25/2003) Senate Committee Approves Wild Sky Wilderness Bill - Hearing on Puerto Rico Wilderness Shows Bill Has Broad Support - Wilderness Protections Sought for Eastern Nevada Public Lands - House Debates Administration "RS 2477" Policy - House Turns Back Pro-Conservation Amendments to Interior Appropriations Bill   Fact Sheets & Analysis Administration's Record on Public Lands at Earth Day 2004 (04/21/2004) Bush Administration policies are a significant and often radical departure from past approaches to stewardship. The move is away from balance and conservation for future generations and toward a short-term orientation that puts industrial development ahead of long-term conservation. Key examples of these changes are set out below.   Bush Rhetoric vs His Record (08/08/2003) Bush Rhetoric vs His Record   Department of Interior's Wilderness Assault (06/30/2003) In early April, 2003, The Department of the Interior (DOI) launched a devastating three-pronged attack on unprotected wilderness-quality lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These interconnected decisions - all made during the week of April 7 through 11 - open the door for a broad wilderness assault that is intended to lead to more drilling, mining, and road construction on much of America's remaining wild but unprotected western public lands.   Fact Sheet: HR 6298 - The "Wrong" Rights-of-Way Act (10/23/2006) Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM), Chairman of the House Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on National Parks, recently introduced a bill (H.R. 6298) that, if passed, could have devastating consequences to all federal lands due to its re-interpretation of an obscure 19th Century law known as “R.S. 2477.”   Utah Travel Management Planning Fact Sheet (06/09/2008) This fact sheet outlines many of the issues that are occurring in Utah around travel and recreation management planning.   Handbooks & Guides Conservationist's Guide to BLM Planning & Decision-Making (08/08/2003) A set of tools for conservationists designed to teach them how to use the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to engage the BLM during the agencies' land use planning and decision-making processes.   Wilderness Act Handbook -- 40th Anniversary Edition (2004) (05/04/2004) This handbook is designed as a reference for those working to protect what is left of wild America. It sets forth the relevant laws, regulations, and policies that govern the creation, expansion, and management of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and addresses important wildenress management issues. The Wilderness Act is printed in its entirety, along with interpretation and excerpts from and analysis of subsequent legislation that has influenced the designation or management of wilderness.   Legal Documents Kane County Order Regarding R.S. 2477 (05/22/2008)   Settlement Between Department of Interior and State of Utah (04/18/2003) Settlement Between Department of Interior and State of Utah. The BLM renounces authority to conduct inventories in any state or to establish any new Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) in any state.   Library US Forest Service Travel Management Planning Authorities (01/31/2008) This document lists Forest Service travel planning legal authorities to manage off-road vehicles, including regulations, executive orders, and national and regional guidance.   Maps & Spatial Analysis Kane County Utah Land Classification Map (07/09/2005) Lands in Kane County represented by land classification (ownership).   Kane County, UT, sign locations within GSENM (10/12/2005) Map Showing Location of Kane County, UT, Signs Within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT. Map courtesy Easthjustice.   Map of R.S. 2477 claims in Moffat County, CO (03/22/2006) This map shows the spaghetti web of R.S. 2477 claims made by Moffat County, in Colorado's northwest corner, including 240 miles of routes slicing through Dinosaur National Monument, 50+ miles through Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge, and scores more through proposed wilderness. The map is based on Moffat County's data.   Other Documents Detailed analysis of Mr. Bernhardt's responses to Senators' questions (03/22/2006) This analysis, prepared by conservationists, explains in detail numerous concerns raised by Mr. Bernhardt's responses to Senators' questions concerning the Interior Department’s new policy on highway construction and R.S. 2477.   Letter from CO DNR Dir. Greg Walcher to DOI Sec. Gale Norton, re: Rs 2477 (05/16/2003) Letter from Colorado Department of Natural Resources Director Greg Walcher to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, asking that Colorado and Interior cut a closed-door deal on routes claimed under the ancient repealed law, RS 2477. The State's letter suggests that Colorado intends to press claims of highways through National Parks, Monuments and Wildlife Refuges, through Wilderness Study Areas, National Forests and BLM lands.   Letter from Rep. Mark Udall to CO Gov. Owens, re: RS 2477 Claims (06/03/2003) Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) urges Colorado Governor Owens on June 3, 2003 to reconsider memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Interior Department regarding road claims by state and county.   Letter requesting extension of comment deadline on Weiss Hwy Disclaimer Applications (UT) (03/19/2004) Letter from The Wilderness Society and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance requesting extension of public comment deadline on Weiss Highway Disclaimer Application because Interior Department web site was shut down as a result of a federal judge's ruling in another case.   Letter to Gale Norton on Wilderness Rollbacks (04/08/2003) Letter to Gale Norton on Wilderness Rollbacks.   Places at Risk Due to Kane County's Actions (10/12/2005) Kane County, Utah -- home of Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and significant portions of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area -- continues to defy federal officials and put visitor safety and natural resources at risk.   Responses of Solicitor-Designate David Bernhardt to Questions from Senators Bingaman and Salazar (03/22/2006) The Interior Department made plain its proposal to validate claims to alleged highways across National Parks, Wildlife Refuges and other lands in written responses to Senators' questions drafted by David Bernhardt on March 13, 2006. Mr. Bernhardt has been nominated to be the Department's chief lawyer.   Weiss Highway Historical Documents (05/10/2004) Weiss Highway, Utah: Documents unearthed by conservationists showing that the 99-mile Weiss Highway in Utah's west desert region, claimed by the state of Utah as a potential highway under the repealed and outdated law known as R.S. 2477, was built by and for the U.S. government, meaning that it cannot be claimed by the state under the R.S. 2477 loophole.   Reports & Scientific Papers Environmental Record of Bush Administration (05/12/2006) A list of Bush Administration actions targeting our public lands.   Natural Dividends: Wildland Protection and the Changing Economy of the Rocky Mountain West (09/26/2007) In this report, we synthesize recent research from economists and other scientists to provide a new picture of the economy of the contemporary Rocky Mountain West. This picture—broader and more accurate than the commonly held view that the region’s economy is heavily dependent on resource extraction—recognizes the full value of protected public lands in ensuring sustainable economic development.   Roadless Area Conservation Along Montana's Rocky Mountain Front: Are We Losing Ground? (08/25/2004) New report demonstrates how the Forest Service's proposed road and motorized trail network would threaten the ecological integrity of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana.   State of the Environment: Bush Strikes Out (04/18/2002) This report documents failures by the Bush administration to protect air, water, land, and wildlife, showing how the administration consistently sides with industry eager to make a quick profit.   Taxation Without Representation: Taking the Public out of "Public Land Management" (04/15/2002) While the country is focused on the war on terrorism, the Bush Administration is methodically shutting out the public's right to participate in the management of our public lands. This report provides a brief description of seven Administrative decisions, responses from the conservation community, related press coverage and other background information.   Testimony and Comments Weiss Hwy: Official TWS Comments to BLM (05/10/2004) Weiss Highway, Utah: Wilderness Society's formal comments to the BLM on "Weiss Highway" disclaimer application.