Denver – In a much anticipated announcement, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar issued a Secretarial Order today that will restore protection for millions of acres of wilderness-quality lands across the West, acknowledging the important role of wilderness in the multiple uses of our public lands.

Guiding Development to Designated Zones Will Reduce Impacts and Alleviate Some Concerns

Washington, D.C. – In a much-anticipated effort to set the rules of the road for solar energy on federal public lands in the southwest, the Department of the Interior (DOI) released a draft plan today, outlining where projects can be located and how permits will be issued.

Letter to Obama Builds on Public Support for Protecting Otero Mesa in New Mexico

ALAMOGORDO, NM— In a letter to President Barack Obama, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson called for a National Monument declaration for Otero Mesa, building on growing grassroots support for further protection of this valuable region. The letter builds on continued dialogue in the local community and a ten year campaign by Richardson to ensure public lands receive the protection they deserve.

SALT LAKE CITY - Today, a coalition of conservation organizations announced they have reached an historic agreement with the Bill Barrett Corporation, a Denver-based oil and gas company.

The West Tavaputs agreement ensures that the Desolation Canyon stretch of the Green River will be protected from the sights and sounds of industrial development even during the development and extraction of substantial natural gas reserves that Barrett currently has under lease.