News from May 2023


Statement from the Interior Department on a Pelly Certification

News Release: WASHINGTON - Under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967, when the Secretary of the Interior finds that “nationals of a foreign country.. are engaging in trade or taking which diminishes the effectiveness of any international program for endangered or threatened species," such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Secretary must certify that finding to the President.


Committee Upholds Commitment to America By Advancing Legislation Unlocking Natural Resources

On May 17, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported a total of eight bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) released the following statement in response:


Comer: This Committee and DC Leaders Must Come Together to Address Rising Crime in Our Nation’s Capital

On May 16, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled “Overdue Oversight of the Capital City: Part II.”In his opening statement, Chairman Comer emphasized that the Committee’s objective is to work with District leaders to ensure a capital that is safe and prosperous for its residents and visitors. He highlighted that the District of Columbia is suffering from rising, unchecked crime and far below-average education levels.


Sessions: There are Signs of Progress in Postmaster General’s Plan to Improve Postal Service, More Work to Be Done

Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) opened today’s subcommittee hearing to examine the Postal Service’s implementation of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 and the impact of Postmaster General DeJoy’s “Delivering for America Plan.


Hearing Wrap Up: “Must-Admit” COVID-19 Nursing Home Mandates were Deadly for Elderly Americans, State Officials Responsible

he Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing titled “’Like Fire Through Dry Grass’: Nursing Home Mortality & COVID-19 Policies” to gather facts about pandemic-era, nursing home policy decisions — specifically in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. Select Subcommittee members from affected states detailed the effect of disastrous COVID-19 nursing home policies on their elderly populations and detailed how state officials prioritized personal political gain over the health of elderly Americans


Comer Statement on DOJ & OSC Reports Finding Biden-Nominated Attorney Rachael Rollins Violated Ethics Laws

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued the following statement on reports issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General and U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) concluding that Biden-nominated U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins egregiously violated the Hatch Act, willfully made false statements under oath, and disclosed non-public DOJ information to media:


Comer: FBI’s Delay in Producing Unclassified Record is Unacceptable

Renews demand for FBI-generated record alleging a bribery scheme involving then-VP Biden


Bureau of Land Management announces BLM Casper reopens Muddy Mountain Road

On May 26, the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office reopened Muddy Mountain Road for the summer.


Bureau of Land Management announces National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will hold next meeting in June

he National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will meet June 28-30, 2023, at the Whitney Peak Hotel located at 255 N Virginia Street, Reno, NV.


BLM closes two King Range campgrounds for public safety

Upland trails, mountain bike trail, beach access remain open


Incident On Taylor Peak In Rocky Mountain National Park

News Release: On Sunday afternoon, May 21, park rangers were notified via a satellite communication device that a 37-year-old male climber from Fort Collins, Colorado, had been injured in an approximate 30-foot roped fall in a mixed route on Taylor Peak.


Gateway National Recreation Area Moves to Cashless Fee Collection at Sandy Hook

News Release: Middletown, N.J. - The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Sandy Hook will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees.


Guided Tour of FDR's Home

News Release: Guided Tour of FDR's Home. Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site. Grade Level: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade. Subject: Social Studies. Overview. Ranger-guided tours of FDR's home are offered throughout the school year. These field trips cover a variety of topics ranging...


Week ending May 13: 36 notices published by Interior Department

There were 36 notices published by the Interior Department in week ending May 13, according to the Federal Register.


Seasonal Changes Across Alaska Parks

News Release: Remote cameras mounted on climate monitoring stations can tell us a lot about the seasons. We can see when the first snow falls, when snow is persistent, when the snow melts, when plants green up and senesce, and we can even catch the timing of unusual weather events. Over time, this information can tell us if and how the timing of seasonal events are changing.


“House Committee Meetings” published by the Congressional Record in the Daily Digest section on May 23

“House Committee Meetings“ was published in the Daily Digest section on pages D492-D494 on May 23


National Park Service Conducts Prescribed Fire at El Malpais National Monument

News Release: Grants, NM - The National Park Service at El Malpais National Monument is preparing to conduct a prescribed fire on the north side of the monument adjacent to Highway 53 between mile marker 65 and 68. The primary objective of this prescribed fire is to improve forest health by reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire. Fire plays a natural role at El Malpais and helps ensure the resiliency of this fire dependent ecosystem.


Changing Acadia: Wetlands

News Release: Introduction. In early 2022, a group of researchers and communicators at Acadia National Park, Schoodic Institute, and Friends of Acadia began collaborating on temporary displays to highlight innovative management efforts underway at two prominent park locations - the summit of Cadillac Mountain and...


Summer Season Begins

News Release: ARCO, ID: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve will begin its summer season.


Gateway National Recreation Area Moves to Cashless Fee Collection at Jacob Riis Park

News Release: Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Jacob Riis Park will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees.