Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Trump moves to weaken Endangered Species Act
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Thursday, November 20, 2025
Endangered Desert Tortoise in the Mojave Desert; Source: BLM/Flickr ([link removed])

The Trump administration has proposed four new rules ([link removed]) designed to significantly limit protections under the Endangered Species Act, reversing some regulations set during the Biden administration. The rules aim to clear the way ([link removed]) for increased oil drilling, logging, and mining in critical habitats.

One of the most contentious changes would allow the government to assess economic factors ([link removed]) , such as lost revenue from development bans, before deciding whether to list a species. This directly conflicts with the ESA, which requires listing decisions to be based solely on the best available science. The proposals would also make it harder to protect species from future threats ([link removed]) , like climate change, and replace the "4(d) rule," which gives threatened species the same level of protection as those designated as endangered.

“Trump’s proposals are a death sentence for wolverines, monarch butterflies, Florida manatees and so many other animals and plants that desperately need our help,” Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity, told E&E News ([link removed]) .

The Trump administration will solicit public comment ([link removed]) on the proposals for 30 days, beginning Friday. The administration will then write final rules, a process that could take up to two years. Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, have said they will challenge the changes ([link removed]) in court.

House public lands caucus formally endorses 'Public Lands in Public Hands Act'

The Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus yesterday announced its official endorsement ([link removed]) of the bipartisan 'Public Lands in Public Hands Act ([link removed]) '. This is the first bill endorsed by the caucus, which was founded by Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke in May. The bill requires congressional approval ([link removed]) for disposals of publicly accessible federal land tracts over 300 acres and for public land tracts over five acres that are accessible via a public waterway.


** Quick hits
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Trump administration seeks to weaken ESA

Associated Press ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | NBC ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed])

Wildfire mitigation work declined significantly in 2025, advocacy group warns

Boise State Public Radio ([link removed])

Opinion: The power of people and place in the fight for our land, water, and climate

Salazar Center for North American Conservation ([link removed])

Wyoming's Campbell County wants nuclear, but not radioactive waste

WyoFile ([link removed])

Senate advances CRA bid to kill BLM Buffalo Field Office land use plan

E&E News ([link removed])

Column: Congress is about to create legal chaos on public lands

Wes Siler's Newsletter ([link removed])

Conservation leaders unite to oppose Steve Pearce BLM nomination

Sierra Magazine ([link removed])

How snowy could it be where you live this winter? Look up your area

Washington Post ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Steve Pearce is a dangerous choice to lead the Bureau of Land Management... He routinely sides with billion-dollar companies that exploit our people, destroy our landscapes, and pollute our water and land.”

—Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Sierra Magazine ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@USFWS ([link removed])
With colder weather setting in, it's time to start think about hunkering down for the winter. While striped skunks don't hibernate, they do spend much of the winter in cycles of torpor. Their body temperature and metabolism is reduced to minimize energy loss.

📸: K. Theule/USFWS

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