In the News
Democrats question legality of speedy Arctic refuge oil lease sales
by Rachel Frazin
Three Democratic lawmakers are raising legal questions about the rapid timeline the Trump administration is using to advance oil and gas development at a wildlife refuge in the Arctic. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) stated in a federal register notice that was published Monday that it must receive bids for land leases by Dec. 31, though they won't be opened until Jan. 6. In a letter to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, whose department oversees the BLM, Democratic Reps. Raúl … Continue Reading
December 07, 2020
Sonoma County movie theaters struggling to survive hope for Hollywood ending in 2021
by Bill Swindell
The holiday season typically would be a bonanza for local movie theaters with Oscar-worthy films and family tales that would draw many Sonoma County residents. This year, however, has been a real-life horror flick for local theaters. The coronavirus pandemic has essentially shut down the whole industry, perhaps clamping down operations more than any other economic sector since last spring. The predicament for theaters became more perilous when Warner Bros. announced Thursday that it would … Continue Reading
December 05, 2020
2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Hail from Six Rivers National Forest
by Iridian Casarez
Next year's U.S. Capitol Building Christmas tree (AKA "The People's Tree) will hail from California 2nd Congressional District's very own Six Rivers National Forest according to a "humbug" tweet from North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman."I don't mean to 'humbug' the nice tree from Colorado, but next year, the Capitol Christmas tree is coming from California's 2nd congressional district where we have the biggest and most beautiful trees of all. Six Rivers National Forest!" reads Huffman's … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
INTERVIEW: Jared Huffman On The Likelihood Of A Stimulus Package
Michelle speaks to Congressman Jared Huffman about the proposed stimulus deal, stimulus checks, trap doors, chances it passes, the MORE Act vote & California's Stay-At-Home Order: … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
UNPACKING THE NEW ADMINISTRATION: FOUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE OUTDOORS
by Tania Lown-Hecht
With a historic election behind us, what’s on the horizon for the outdoors? Over the past ten years, Outdoor Alliance has worked with both Republican and Democratic administrations to protect key landscapes, fund public lands and waters, and improve outdoor experiences. We value the outdoor community's ability to work with both parties, as well as with a divided Congress, and we are thinking carefully about the work we can get done over the next four years to protect and … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
House passes ‘Tiger King’ bill to outlaw private ownership of big cats
by Jack Hobbs
A new bill passed by the US House of Representatives would outlaw private ownership of big cats - potentially preventing any new "Tiger King" successors from emerging. The law, which was dubbed the "Tiger King" bill after the viral Netflix show of the same name, was passed by the US House of Representatives on Thursday with a 272-114 vote. The show's star, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a.k.a. Joe Exotic, is currently serving 22 years in prison for various wildlife crimes, as well as a … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Trump's 'QAnon of water projects': Destined for death?
by Jeremy Jacobs
The Trump administration made a splash last month announcing it was moving ahead with enlarging one of California's largest dams to provide the drought-stricken state's farmers more water. But state officials and conservationists have another message for the outgoing administration: Not so fast. The Bureau of Reclamation on Nov. 20 finished its environmental review of raising the 600-foot Shasta Dam in Northern California by 18.5 feet. It would be the Trump administration's largest water … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Congressman Joe Neguse Calls For A National Biodiversity Strategy, Rejoining Paris Climate Agreement
by Sam Brasch
In the fossil record of the far future, the legacy of human civilization could look a lot like an asteroid impact. Below a line of sediment, future paleontologists would find an abundance of plant and animal life. Above it, there would be a far more narrow range of fossils, pointing toward an extinction event at some point in Earth's distant past - right around the present moment. Most scientists agree such an event is currently playing out across the planet. According to a recent UN panel … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Key House Committee Sends Marijuana Legalization Bill To Floor For Vote
by Kyle Jaeger
A key House committee advanced a bill to federally legalize marijuana on Wednesday, clearing its path to a floor vote that leadership said will come on Friday. While several amendments to the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act were submitted to the Rules Committee, most were not deemed in order for floor consideration. A manager’s amendment offered by the bill’s sponsor, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), will be attached under the rule … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Tuleyome Tales: A second chance for Eel River salmon and steelhead?
by Victoria Brandon
For many years PG&E has operated the "Potter Valley Project," a hydroelectric facility on the main stem of the Eel River consisting of Scott and Cape Horn dams and a tunnel diverting water into the Russian River watershed, where it is used to generate a small amount of electricity and for irrigation by farmers in Potter Valley and farther south in Sonoma County. The construction of Scott Dam in 1922 completely blocked passage of critically imperiled anadromous fish including salmon, … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Historic deal refreshes plans for major dam removal
by Jeremy P. Jacobs
America's largest dam removal project has been brought back to life with a new agreement among California, Oregon, tribes and a utility owned by billionaire Warren Buffett. The decadeslong effort to remove four dams on the Klamath River in Northern California that have had a devastating impact on salmon runs had appeared in danger following an unexpected July regulatory order. But in an emotional and triumphant online press conference yesterday, major stakeholders praised a new agreement that … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
'A New Era For California Tribes'; Agreement Breathes New Life Into Klamath River Dam Removal
by Jessica Cejnar
Berkshire Hathaway's PacifiCorp has signed onto a new agreement with Oregon, California, the Yurok and Karuk tribes paving the way forward toward Klamath River dam removal in 2023. The memorandum of agreement advances the "most ambitious salmon restoration effort in history," establishing the Klamath River Renewal Corporation as the entity in charge of removing four obsolete dams, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham announced during an online event that … Continue Reading
November 14, 2020
What a Biden Administration could mean for Klamath water
by Alex Schwartz
Reposted to KPVI News and Blue Mountain Eagle. When the Associated Press called the presidential race for Joe Biden, stakeholders in local water issues started preparing for a federal shakeup. The last three administrations have been considerably active in Klamath Basin issues regardless of political party. Negotiations for a basin-wide agreement began under the Bush Administration and continued under the Obama Administration until faltering in the House of Representatives - though … Continue Reading
November 01, 2020
Fight climate change, preserve nature in one stroke
by Jonathan Parfrey
Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a first-in-the-nation pledge to protect 30% of the state's land and water by 2030. This historic executive order will require significant conservation action from our leaders. Thankfully, numerous members of Congress are currently working to pass legislation to protect critical public lands and waters across the state which would help California meet our new "30×30" target. This legislation would in one stroke help safeguard biodiversity, contain … Continue Reading
October 31, 2020
Jared Huffman co-sponsors daylight saving time bill
by Ruth Schneider
Many Americans have expressed a desire to not have an extra hour of 2020. But this year's daylight saving time ends 2 a.m. Sunday when Californians will be asked to set the clock back one hour. U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) said it's time for another option and he is co-sponsoring a bill with a Utah Republican that, if passed, would allow states to observe daylight saving time all year round. "I've had a bee in my bonnet about this for years," Huffman told the Times-Standard on … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Preparing to Fall Back, Huffman Touts Daylight Saving Bill
by Thadeus Greenson
With Californians staring down the reality of moving their clocks back an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, North Coast Representative Jared Huffman is touting a bill he's co-sponsoring that would allow states the option of staying on daylight savings time all year.When the clocks fall back Sunday morning, we'll gain an hour of sleep but lose an hour of daylight. Huffman isn't too bullish on the tradeoff, and remains hopeful the bill he's co-sponsored with Rep. Bob Bishop (R-Utah) will get some traction … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Humanist in the House
by Roy Speckhardt
IN MY MANY YEARS of service to the humanist movement, this is the first time I've had the honor to personally introduce the Humanist of the Year, and I couldn't be more pleased to do so. After meeting Representative Jared ?Huffman (D-CA) back in September of 2017, I was struck by his open approach, his genuine commitment to humanity and the environment, and his deep respect for people from every kind of background and belief. He subsequently made news across the nation when he went public as a … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Humanist in the House
by Roy Speckhardt
IN MY MANY YEARS of service to the humanist movement, this is the first time I've had the honor to personally introduce the Humanist of the Year, and I couldn't be more pleased to do so. After meeting Representative Jared ?Huffman (D-CA) back in September of 2017, I was struck by his open approach, his genuine commitment to humanity and the environment, and his deep respect for people from every kind of background and belief. He subsequently made news across the nation when he went public as a … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Protecting our public lands is a national health issue
by Maite Arce
In recent months we've seen an outpouring of interest in visiting parks and rivers nationwide. As someone who loves spending time outdoors, I can relate to anyone who seeks comfort and relaxation in nature - especially right now. Studies suggest that access to the outdoors can reduce risks for diabetes, improve heart health and promote mental health. Many of us are coping with the pandemic by visiting neighborhood green spaces to relieve stress, breathe fresh air and hear birds singing. … Continue Reading
October 23, 2020
Influential California congressman opposes Sonoma County-backed plan to drain Lake Pillsbury
by Guy Kovner
U.S. Rep. John Garamendi has filed an official objection to a plan backed by Sonoma County and his House Democratic colleague Jared Huffman to remove Scott Dam on the Eel River and drain Lake Pillsbury, a popular recreation spot for nearly a century. Garamendi, a fixture in California state politics since the 1970s, sent a letter to federal energy regulators faulting the plan for failing to include Lake County in planning the future of a remote hydropower project that forms a key link in the … Continue Reading