Biden’s CSP expansion could face Hill resistance, staffing questions
The centerpiece of Joe Biden’s plan to help farmers address climate change is a “dramatic” expansion of the Conservation Stewardship Program, but he’ll quickly find skeptics on Capitol Hill and…
Read More...Western politicians from both parties back wildfire bill
The Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 would require the U.S. Forest Service to pick forests in three western states on which to carry out landscape projects to reduce fire…
Read More...The BLM to award contracts for seven new wild horse off-range pastures
The BLM is completing contracts with ranchers in four states to place as many as 5,000 wild horses and burros rounded up off federal rangelands onto private pastureland. As part…
Read More...USFWS proposes listing New Mexico thistle
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting as threatened the Wright’s marsh thistle. Along with the litigation-pressured Endangered Species Act listing, the federal agency proposed designating as critical habitat 159…
Read More...Judge rules Pendley illegally leading BLM
A federal judge in Montana has ordered William Perry Pendley, the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, to leave the position after finding that he had served unlawfully…
Read More...Groups threaten suit over rare bird’s fate in Colorado, Utah
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Watersheds Project said yesterday they intend to file a lawsuit contending that several federal agencies are relying on an outdated plan to…
Read More...USDA to provide additional direct assistance to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus
President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced up to an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup…
Read More...USDA invests $50 million in innovative, partner-driven conservation projects
USDA’s NRCS today announced a $50 million investment in 10 conservation projects across 16 states through its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). Through these projects, partners will contribute more than…
Read More...A cuckoo keeps its protections, but debate continues
The Fish and Wildlife Service declared today the western population of yellow-billed cuckoo still warrants federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In a noteworthy defeat for mining and ranching…
Read More...‘Growing Climate Solutions Act’ gives farmers a seat at the carbon market table
At last, farmers and foresters might have a seat at the carbon market table. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House to create incentives and…
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