Protecting America’s Public Lands
Roughly 300 million acres of American lands, most in the West, are set aside as public lands and maintained using taxes paid by all Americans. These lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and National Wildlife Refuge System are by charter supposed to be managed for multiple uses including recreation and provision of wildlife habitat and clean water sources. Increasingly, however, they are run for the benefit of extractive industries and with little regard for the preservation of the rare wildlife or iconic natural beauty for which they are famous.
With the help of conscientious range management specialists, scientists, law enforcement officers and other workers within these agencies, PEER is uncovering how our precious national heritage is being sold to the highest bidder, often under the direction of poorly qualified and illegally appointed political appointees.
Grazing and Rangeland Health
Livestock grazing allows heavily subsidized private operators to degrade our public lands.
Plastic Free Parks
Our national parks are drowning in a rising tide of plastic waste.
Cell Tower Invasion
Cell phone towers spread across national parks without proper planning and public input.
Off-Road Wreckreation
Off-road vehicle abuse is a growing problem on our public lands, especially in the West.
Oil and Gas Drilling
Environmental and public health risks are being ignored by regulatory agencies and decisions heavily influenced by profit-driven industries.
“Orphaned” Park Wilderness
Twenty-five million acres of recommended wilderness in our national park system are in limbo, marooned by politics.
Park Service Employee Outreach Effort with Unsettling Results Shelved Since 2018
A detailed examination of the toxic work culture within the National Park Service (NPS) has gathered dust for the past three years despite promises that it would be used as a critical tool for healing. NPS commissioned an outreach campaign called “NPS Voices” that engaged staff in a series of in-person and web-based listening sessions. All NPS employees were invited to participate in what top officials called “a cornerstone in our efforts to change the culture that has allowed harassment to persist.” Unfortunately, shelving the report likely had the opposite impact on morale.
NEWS FROM PEER
Park Service Shelved Employee Harassment Review
Elaborate Employee Outreach Effort Completed in 2018 but Not Distributed
National Park E-Bike Rule Lacks Required Eco-Review
Court Directs Park Service to Consider Cumulative and Foreseeable Impacts
National Park Service Punts on Plastic-Free Policies
NPS Balks on Plastic Bottle Sales Ban or Restoring Superintendent Discretion
COMMENTARY | This National Park Week Demands a Future Worthy of the NPS Conservation Legacy
It is important to remember the many challenges facing national parks during this National Park Week.
PEERMail | Honoring National Parks and Earth Day
Our national parks are the pride of our country but keeping them healthy, accessible and sustainable is a challenge that must be met.
COMMENTARY | Going Big on Land Conservation in 30×30
Meeting the climate change and biodiversity goals of 30×30 must include conservation of as much of our lands as possible.
VIDEO | Mapping the Range
BLM needs to create a central BLM geodatabase, coordinate all of the agency databases, complete and update all Land Health Standards evaluations.
Park Service Eliminates Public Notice of New Cell Towers
Public Shut Out of Review of Telecom Expansion as 5G Era Dawns
PEERMail | Rangeland Health Means Fixing the BLM Grazing Program
PEER is working to ensure that a functional BLM grazing program is a part of the land conservation conversation.
Agency Records Paint Bleak Picture of Western Landscape
New Map Shows Harmful Impacts of BLM Livestock Grazing Program
FAA Blows Court Deadlines for Park Air Tour Limits
Overflight Plans for 8 Major National Parks Due This August Not Close
Comments on America the Beautiful – 30×30 – 03-07-2022 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Public comments submitted in response to a call for public input in developing an “Atlas” to track a clear baseline of information on lands and waters that are conserved or restored for purposes of the administration’s America the Beautiful initiative to...
COMMENTARY | Being Bold on National Park Staffing
The National Park Service is suffering from a staffing crisis, bold action is needed to address climate, conservation and maintenance goals.
COMMENTARY | Conservation and Climate Action Require a Better Bureau of Land Management
Without changing its own culture, Bureau of Land Management will be unable to achieve the Biden Administration’s conservation and climate goals.
PEERMail | Un-Silencing National Park Service Voices
Park Service employees deserve work environments that are respectful, inclusive, and safe. Their voices should be heard.
Park Service Shelved Employee Harassment Review
Elaborate Employee Outreach Effort Completed in 2018 but Not Distributed
COMMENTARY | A Challenge for the New Director of the National Park Service
Absent a major shift in priorities at the National Park Service, it is only a matter of time before we see preventable deaths and other disasters
FAA Off Course on National Park Air Tour Plans
No Environmental or Noise Assessments Inform Draft Management Plans
Interior Wild Horse Focus Ignores Cattle Impacts
BLM’s Scientific “Cow Blindness” Impedes Sage Grouse Recovery
STATEMENT | Bureau of Land Management to Re-Open DC Headquarters
PEER applauds the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to return its headquarters to Washington, DC.
Park Service Shuns Planning Law Despite Obvious Need
NPS Claims Statutes Rendered “Obsolete” by Outgoing Trump Directive
