The report follows a comprehensive review of federal leasing practices and priorities and highlights how the oil and gas industry has benefitted at the expense of taxpayers, wildlife, and public lands.
Today the Department of the Interior (DOI) released a long-awaited report on the state of the federal oil and gas leasing program and includes a path forward to bring the program into the 21st century so that it works for everybody.
“For too long, our oil and gas leasing program has been utilizing outdated practices that have long-term implications for the health, stewardship, and economics of our public lands. We are excited to see that the DOI has put forward recommendations that address long-standing problems with an antiquated leasing program. Congress should use this report as a guide for reforming the fiscal policies of federal oil and gas leasing program as part of the Build Back Better Act,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO).
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April 16, 2021 — The Department of the Interior has been deeply entrenched in a review process to weed out orders that are not in line with the Biden Administration’s priorities, and this week passed Secretarial Order 3399, and Secretarial Order 3398, committing to building an equitable and just energy future, and prioritizing public input from impacted communities that have historically been underrepresented in the environmental review process.
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March 15, 2021 – Congresswoman Haaland has made history as the first Native American woman to lead the Department of the Interior, a symbol of the progress that is yet to come under her tenure, and an important opportunity for the protection of our public lands.
A long-time advocate for expanding and preserving public lands so that future generations can continue to enjoy these special places, her track record of stewardship allows Indigenous and Latinx communities the opportunity to continue to practice the multicultural traditions that are reflected in our diverse landscapes such as hunting and fishing. Throughout her career, Congresswoman Haaland has worked to build equity, justice, and resilience in communities in New Mexico and across the country.
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This piece originally appeared as a Letter to the editor in The Salt Lake Tribune on January 26, 2021.
By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, Representative Mark Archuleta Wheatley | The Public Forum — 1/26/2021 6:00 AM MST
Like so many people during the pandemic, getting outdoors has been invaluable for my mental health — hiking at one of my favorite state parks, Antelope Island, has offered me solitude and respite. To continue to enjoy the special places we all love, we need to conserve these places and the wildlife they support. That’s why I support the nomination of Congresswoman Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary. I know she will ensure that our public lands and waterways are safeguarded for our families to enjoy and that she will ensure more people have access to the outdoors.
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