Ground Truth

Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule

Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule

Reporting for the Associated Press, Jessica Gresko writes that the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated a Trump-era Clean Water Act rule today. The rule "curtails the power of states and Native American tribes to block pipelines and other energy projects that can pollute...

read more
Four Forest Restoration Initiative Halted

Four Forest Restoration Initiative Halted

The Forest Service has halted the largest restoration effort of its kind, the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), an effort to thin forests on 2.4 million acres of land in northern Arizona to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. FSEEE has consistently...

read more
New USFS Chief Randy Moore

New USFS Chief Randy Moore

In July, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named Randy Moore the new Forest Service chief. In announcing the appointment, Vilsack said, “Randy Moore has been a catalyst for change and creativity in carrying out the Forest Service’s mission to sustain the health,...

read more
30×30 Update

30×30 Update

The Biden administration’s commitment to the “30x30” goal of conserving 30% of the planet’s lands and waters by 2030 remains enigmatic, in part because the administration has changed the playing field. The original concept of conserving 30% of natural spaces addressed...

read more
Toxic Algae and Fire Retardant

Toxic Algae and Fire Retardant

Authorities are looking at toxic algae as a likely cause in the mysterious deaths of a family and their dog while hiking in the Sierra National Forest. The family was reported missing when they failed to return home, and their bodies were discovered the next day. The...

read more
Wildfire Mitigation

Wildfire Mitigation

The 2020 wildfire season set a record for acres burned in the U.S. since 1983, and fire season started early for 2021 with drought conditions continuing across most of the country. At this writing, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows much of the West experiencing extreme...

read more
Roadless Area Conservation Act

Roadless Area Conservation Act

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) reintroduced conservation legislation — the Roadless Area Conservation Act (S. 877). The proposed legislation would permanently prevent logging and related activities in designated roadless areas of National Forest land, including parts...

read more
30×30

30×30

In May, the Biden administration released a 24-page “Conserving America the Beautiful” plan with a goal of “conserving at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.” The 30x30 idea is based on scientific guidelines that seek to mitigate climate change and...

read more
Wildfire Caucus

Wildfire Caucus

Congressman John Curtis (R-Utah) and Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) formed the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus in the second month of the 117th Congress. A press release issued by the offices of both congressmen says the new caucus “seeks to elevate awareness and...

read more