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Axios
20-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Proposed federal land sale stokes concerns over Utah water pipeline
A proposed sale of federal land to local governments in Utah is raising concerns that it could help pave the way for a controversial water pipeline from Lake Powell. The big picture: The Lake Powell Pipeline is a proposed 143-mile duct that would transport 86,000 acre-feet of water annually from the lake into southwestern Utah. Water officials from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming — the six states that share the Colorado River basin with Utah — asked U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in 2020 to halt an environmental impact statement for the pipeline until "substantive legal and operational issues" were resolved. The project has largely been on hold for the past several years. Driving the news: In the House Committee on Natural Resources on May 6, a late-night amendment to President Trump's " big, beautiful bill" by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) included provisions to transfer federal land to Washington County in southwestern Utah, the Washington County Water Conservation District and the city of St. George. The intrigue: An analysis that the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) provided to U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton's office called the amendment "a direct threat to Arizona's water future." The analysis said the land sale that aligns with the pipeline's path would have "serious implications" for ongoing Colorado River negotiations, would weaken Arizona's negotiating position and would risk "an escalation of unilateral actions by other states, further destabilizing river governance." ADWR told Axios it contributed to the analysis, but it's unclear who else was involved or which details came from the agency. Between the lines: Maps obtained by Axios that the Bureau of Land Management prepared for U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), who introduced the amendment with Amodei, show that a small stretch of land running parallel to the Arizona state line, and another spur that juts off to the north, largely mirrors a segment of the pipeline route. A portion would also run through a block of land that would go to the water district. Yes, but: The overwhelming majority of the pathway is outside the federal land from the amendment, including lengthy segments in Coconino and Mohave counties in Arizona and Utah's Kane County. What they're saying: Stanton and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nevada) said several of the federal parcels align with the pipeline's proposed route, and water managers in their states warned the land sale could be used to develop the project. They called on House Republicans to remove the proposed land sale from the bill, calling it a "Trojan horse to steal Nevadans' and Arizonans' water." The other side: Karry Rathje, a spokesperson for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, told Axios the land it would receive isn't related to the pipeline and wouldn't help expedite it, adding it wouldn't change the National Environmental Policy Act process required for the pipeline. The district plans to use that parcel for a potential reservoir, while the county said it intends to use the land for transportation and other infrastructure projects like enhancements to a regional water reuse system. County Commissioner Adam Snow said in a statement the amendment only authorizes the land's sale and doesn't require any purchases. The statement didn't directly mention the pipeline, but Snow said the county is open to discussions with anyone concerned about specific parcels, including about possible deed restrictions "to ensure proper use if the option to acquire was exercised." Maloy said the land is for "trails, roads, water infrastructure, a little bit for the airport," and is unrelated to the pipeline, E&E News by Politico reported last week.
Fox News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
The future of nature is nonpartisan. Let's combat environmental extremism with common sense
"From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam…" Those familiar lyrics we all grew up singing represent the vast diversity of America's natural grandeur, the majesty of which inspired the first Pilgrims, our Founders nearly 250 years ago, and the frontiersman who pushed West. I believe that same marvel for the great outdoors is still at the heart of the American spirit, though muffled by the noise of hyper-politicization. Our love of nature used to rise above politics. In 1991, nearly 80% of Americans self-identified as "environmentalists." But today, the environment is inmates have been running the asylum. Green New Deal Liberals have staked their claim on the issue, creating the narrative that Republicans are anti-environment. Look at the numbers: 95% of voters say that protecting the water in our lakes, streams, and rivers is important to them. 93% believe clean energy is crucial for our future. 88% support sustainable agriculture practices. And 82% support federal investment to reduce the threat of wildfires. Public opinion hasn't changed in the last three decades, our leaders have just become too politically stubborn. Americans are sick of the loudest, most extreme voices controlling the environmental movement. And America's natural beauty deserves better than political culture wars. That is why I founded Nature Is Nonpartisan, a 501c(3) nonprofit dedicated to rebranding environmentalism as a nonpartisan issue by building a large-scale, cross-partisan coalition to advocate for common-sense conservation. With a Board of Directors as politically diverse as David Bernhardt (fmr. DOI Secretary under President Trump), Jack Selby (co-founder of PayPal), Michael Brune (fmr. Sierra Club CEO), and Carlos Curbelo (fmr. U.S. Representative from Florida), and partners including the National Wildlife Federation, American Forests, Ducks Unlimited, and the American Conservation Coalition, Nature Is Nonpartisan represents millions of Americans who are ready to usher in a new era of environmentalism. Nature Is Nonpartisan will launch its movement on March 20, 2025, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota – the geographic center of the country – where we're asking Americans of all political stripes and backgrounds to "meet us in the middle." We're bringing high-profile influencers, celebrities, and politicians together to promote the simple idea that the environment is an inherently nonpartisan issue. South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will officially proclaim the first-ever "Nature Is Nonpartisan Week." And we're going to highlight the stories of diverse leaders putting aside partisan politics to conserve their local environment. If America wants to make environmental progress that lasts beyond the next Election Day, we need an environmental group that fights to conserve our natural beauty regardless of which "side" is in power. The traditional environmental movement seems content to cry wolf about this administration's environmental policies while never actually being a part of the conservation – but Nature Is Nonpartisan is focused on forging the path to create real impact over the four years ahead. Donald Trump has an opportunity to leave a conservation legacy that rivals that of Teddy Roosevelt by making unprecedented federal investments in America's natural beauty – including conservation, wildlife preservation, sustainable agriculture, public lands, and ecosystem restoration. Making America Beautiful Again is not about politics. It's about setting up the framework for the important work that will trigger a cascade of bipartisan legislation in Congress, drive progress within key government agencies, and open doors for more environmental NGOs to work alongside the Trump Administration. At Nature Is Nonpartisan, we are building the future of nature in a way that truly transcends the divisiveness of modern politics and unites Americans around our shared love of nature. It's time to step away from political division, work across partisan differences, and deliver a healthier environment for the next generation. The future of nature is now. And the future of Nature Is Nonpartisan.
Bloomberg
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Trump Allies Eye Green Power in ‘All of the Above' Energy Push
Two of Donald Trump 's former Cabinet secretaries are outlining a vision for American energy dominance that embraces all forms of power production — even green sources the president has ridiculed. The public pitch comes courtesy of former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette , who on Wednesday launched a campaign designed to mobilize conservatives behind an 'all of the above' approach to energy.
