Our Public Lands

This summer and fall we will be running a multi-step contest in which you will have opportunities to 1) Create a slogan for the 'Our Public Lands' website, which will be featured on the site, on a T-shirt and in an advertisement and 2) See your public lands photo in a magazine!

There will be four steps of the contest. We will check off each step as we progress through the contest so you know which step we currently are at. 

Step 1: Write it! - Submit a Slogan Here We need your help in writing a slogan for this website. The slogan should emphasize the importance of public lands, inspire others to visit or protect public lands and be short enough to fit on a t-shirt. The winning slogan might be featured on the website and on a T-shirt, which will be sold and featured in a major national outdoor magazine. The winner will receive five T-shirts for family and friends and therefore free entry to Step 3 of the contest. Slogan submissions are due by midnight EST on August 1, 2008.

We Cannot Drill Our Way to Lower Fuel Prices

The oil and gas industry and its supporters would like us all to believe that opening more public lands to more drilling with fewer environmental protections will lower gasoline prices. In reality, we cannot drill our way to lower fuel prices.

With all the loose talk out there, we want to arm you with the information to counter these arguments. We've put together some of the arguments we've heard from those who support opening up more public lands to oil and gas drilling. Look through them and select the ones you've heard or want to know more about, we'll email you back the facts on why they just aren't true. Then you can share the facts with your friends and neighbors.

Look through the arguments here...

Climate Security Act

On June 6, the Climate Security Act fell short of the votes needed to keep it alive in the U.S. Senate, pushing debate on climate action to next year for a new Congress and president.

Find out if your Senators supported the Climate Security Act...

National Landscape Conservation Act Passes in the House

On March 9th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the National Landscape Conservation System Act by a vote of 278-140! This Conservation System protects wildlife in 26 million acres of majestic landscapes and watersheds across the America. We could not have succeeded without your support! Stay tuned, as we now expect the bill to go to the Senate for their consideration.

Read more about the National Landscape Conservation System

Colorado Revises it's Oil and Gas Regulations

Colorado issued a record 6,368 drilling permits last year, six times the 1999 number, and state officials say more could be approved this year. Tens of thousands of new gas wells are expected on federal land alone over the next 20 years.

With the record drilling, in 2007 the State Legislature passed a key bill requiring the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to write new rules with the Colorado Dept of Public Health and the Division of Wildlife to better protect wildlife and the general public during oil and gas operations. Beginning in January, 2008 the COGCC began it's revision of the rules and over the last few months has held a number of public meetings and comment periods. The COGCC is expected to vote on the new regulations in August.

Read the Draft Rules

BLM to Start Leasing the Roan Plateau

Updated June 16, 2008

The Bureau of Land Management announced on Monday that they are offering oil and gas leasing on 55,000 acres of the Roan Plateau on August 14. The National Wildlife Federation and the Colorado Wildlife Federation have been engaged in a campaign to protect the 73,000-acre Roan planning area, which is rich in elk, mule deer and Colorado cutthroat trout. Sen. Salazar and Reps. Salazar and Udall introduced legislation to provide for greater protection than the BLM’s leasing plan, however, these bills have not moved in either body. Sen. Salazar has a second proposal for a shortened amendment that would still allow leasing in two of three areas on the Roan for the next two years to slow down the leasing and give the next Administration a chance to weigh-in on the plans.