California Dreamin' & Conservation Nation's Impact
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good afternoon,
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
If you’re just discovering my musings, here’s a backgrounder and make sure we’re connected on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Since I was flying back home yesterday, I was unable to publish yesterday. Here’s a special Saturday edition. We will go back to our regular schedule next week.
First Look: Film Trip to California
This past week, I traveled out West to film a new “Conservation Nation” episode in California’s Central Valley (Fresno, Fresno County, Tulare County), Sacramento, and San Francisco.
My home state is dealing with a perennial (government-caused) problem: water scarcity. This is happening despite available existing infrastructure, plentiful resources, and public-private partnerships.
And with recent storms eliminating the region’s recent drought episode, it’s shocking to learn 6.4 million acre-feet of water has been dumped into the Pacific Ocean. All in the name of fighting a climate crisis too. Of course!
While California gets a bad rap for its current political state (rightfully so), there’s still much to see in my home state. Here are some neat places we visited during our travels.
Central Valley
In Fresno and Fresno County, we found some great eateries for breakfast, lunch dinner. Our favorites included Alchemist Coffee Lab and Component Coffee in the Tower District. The Annex Kitchen offers amazing table fare, especially pizzas and homemade sodas. We also enjoyed The Point Patio and Max’s Bistro & Bar. And I recommend building your own quesadilla at Gorilla Quesadilla too.
Tulare County
Merced County
Sacramento
S.F.
Soon our viewers—and hopefully you!— will learn about California’s plight and objectively absorb the issue. Stay tuned!
Conservation Nation’s Impact on Lava Ridge
Earlier this week, I was alerted to this press release on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project from Idaho elected officials.
It reads, in part, like this: Little, Bedke, Crapo, Risch, Simpson raise concerns about Lava Ridge wind farm proposal on federal land
Monday February 6, 2023
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, and Congressman Mike Simpson jointly communicated deep concerns to Idaho’s head of the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about the Lava Ridge wind farm proposed in south-central Idaho.
In a letter to Karen Kelleher, Idaho State Director for the BLM, the Idaho elected officials reiterated the lack of community support for the project.
“Idahoans cherish the concept of multiple and mixed uses on their public lands. This requires conservation, predictability of use and, most importantly, support from the local communities. These deep-rooted values are compromised by a piecemeal approach to large-scale generation projects on public lands. Dedicating hundreds of square miles of public lands to a specific use will have a long-term effect on recreation, grazing, sporting uses and the land in general,” they said.
A couple days ago, the Idaho legislature introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 4 expressing concerns with Lava Ridge and proposing a no-build option.
I’m grateful my recent CFACT Lava Ridge report and subsequent coverage by Jesse Watters and Fox News had some role in this.
If you’d like to submit comments opposing Lava Ridge Wind Project, submit your comments here on the EIS now available on the Federal Register.
Let Alaska Develop Its Natural Resources
My friend and Young Voices colleague Sarah Montalbano wrote a fantastic op-ed in the Wall Street Journal allowing Alaska to develop its natural resources. She chiefly focused on the reinstatement of the 2001 Roadless Rule and its effects on locals.
Sarah explains:
The Roadless Rule is outdated. Written more than 20 years ago, it reflects none of the technological and scientific changes that balance sustainable forest management with economic development. Selective cutting of some trees is good for forests, since thinning the forest decreases the fuel for forest fires and allows light to penetrate to the forest floor, which encourages the growth of new trees and reduces mold and fungus damage.
ICYMI
Articles/ commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
I appeared on HeardTell with Andrew Donaldson to discuss Lava Ridge Wind Project and the latest in conservation.
And Montana Talks host Aaron Flint highlighted my thoughts on Montana Senator Steve Daines’ temporary suspension on Twitter over a picture of his legal Pronghorn antelope harvest.
And I appeared on the Aptitude Outdoors Podcast to discuss my work and why I advocate for true conservation in public policy decisions.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella