In this episode, I interview Josh Osher, Public Policy Director with Western Watersheds Project. Josh provides an in-depth look at the budget reconciliation process and its implications for public lands and federal spending. He explains the difference between annual and 10-year budgets, the appropriations process, and how budget reconciliation allows for changes to spending programs without the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Key issues discussed include the potential public land sell-offs, weakening of environmental laws, the increased industrial development on public lands, and impacts to people from cuts to Medicare and food assistance. We discuss the political maneuvers by Senator Mike Lee and the role of the parliamentarian in the reconciliation process.

www.westernwatersheds.org

02:59 Understanding the Budget Process

07:50 Public Land Selloffs and Political Maneuvers

12:04 Mike Lee's Proposals and Political Implications

20:58 Local Land Use and Zoning Issues

26:23 Concerns Over Industrial Development

27:06 Timber Harvest and Oil Leases on Public Lands

28:41 Impact on Public Health and Welfare

31:11 Legislative Process and Parliamentary Actions

34:39 Opposition and Advocacy for Public Lands

47:04 Western Watershed's Project and Public Lands

49:49 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, I interview Gary Macfarlane and Katie Bilodeau about the threats posed to roadless areas on Forest Service lands. We delve into the history and current challenges faced in conserving these invaluable wildlands.

We discuss loopholes in the roadless rules and their impacts on public lands. Emphasizing the urgency to protect roadless lands as future wilderness areas, Gary and Katie call for more concrete protections.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/17/americas-roadless-rules-are-not-protecting-public-wildlands-from-development/

01:01 Support and Accessibility of the Podcast

01:47 Current Events: Roadless Rule Rollback

03:20 Interview Introduction: Katie Bilodeau and Gary McFarlane

05:46 The History and Importance of Roadless Areas

11:05 Rare One and Rare Two: Roadless Area Evaluations

16:37 Challenges and Legal Battles Over Roadless Areas

30:29 Exceptions and Loopholes in the Roadless Rule

34:32 State-Specific Roadless Rules and Their Impact

37:00 Redefining Protection: The Roadless Rule Loopholes

37:47 Forest Service's Logging Justifications

38:35 Impact on Roadless Areas and Wilderness

39:54 The Idaho Roadless Rule and Its Implications

43:13 The Roadless Report: Findings and Analysis

47:01 The Future of Roadless Areas and Wilderness

52:59 Call to Action

01:11:38 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

In this episode, I speak with Jonathan Ratner from Sage-Steppe Wild. Jonathan discusses the often unnoticed degradation caused by livestock grazing on public lands and shares his experiences working with agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. He recounts eye-opening moments from his conservation career, including detailed monitoring and documentation of ecological damage on various public lands, specifically highlighting grazing allotments in Utah and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The conversation delves into the inefficacies and challenges of current conservation policies and the importance of litigation and public involvement to achieve meaningful results. Jonathan emphasizes the need for on-the-ground data collection and site-specific knowledge to truly understand and advocate for the health of these ecosystems.

https://www.wild-sage.org

01:03 Introduction and Background

01:47 Early Career and Eye-Opening Experiences

03:22 Challenges in Conservation Efforts

04:25 Genesis of Conservation Initiatives

05:50 Conservation Organizations and Shifts

09:26 Current Conservation Work and Focus Areas

10:15 Data-Driven Conservation Approaches

11:27 Case Study: Robbers Roost Allotment

18:52 Wider Implications and Common Issues

25:00 Impact of Livestock Grazing on Western Landscapes

27:04 Challenges in Finding Ungrazed Land

28:05 Extreme Measures for Grazing in Utah

31:15 Restoration and Recovery Efforts

40:03 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

49:27 Public Lands and Personal Reflections

51:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts