News Releases
Massive logging project next to Yellowstone National Park blocked by U.S. court
In response to a lawsuit by conservation groups, a federal court today struck down a U.S. Forest Service plan to log more than 16,500 acres of pine forests just outside Yellowstone National Park in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The decision found the agency...
CAREER OPPORTUNITY: Staff Accountant
Job Opening Announcement: Staff Accountant Reports to: Finance & Administration Director Location: Eugene, Oregon Timeline: Open 12/9/2025, with review of applications starting 12/18/2025 Salary: $60,000-$64,000 Note: Information is available below. Please apply...
House committee marks up SPEED Act that would renounce, not reform, environmental protections nationwide
Today, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources is set to vote on the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776). The Western Environmental Law Center urges members of the committee to vote no on this deceptively titled...
Agricultural groups challenge Montana DEQ for sidestepping public input on coal permit changes
Today Bull Mountain Land Alliance and Northern Plains Resource Council, represented by the Western Environmental Law Center, challenged the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) over the agency’s practice of approving coal mine permit changes behind closed...
5,000 oil and gas leases potentially invalid: Letter warns BLM reckless use of CRA has thrown legal foundation of public lands management into question
Six organizations sent a letter to the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), warning that at least 5,033 oil and gas leases — covering nearly 4 million acres — may now be legally invalid. The letter asks the agency to halt all new leasing and...
Community Voices Demand Action: New Mexicans Speak Out for Bonding Reform
Public Comment Highlights After Oil Conservation Commission Hearing Conclusion Context & Background From October 20 through November 6, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) held a public hearing on proposed rules to modernize oil and gas bonding and...
New Mexico water commission vacates tainted decision to hear oil and gas wastewater discharge rulemaking
Today, the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) met to consider water watchdogs’ motions to disqualify commissioners who, investigative reporting revealed, voted under duress from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Sec. James...
Municipalities, farmers, ranchers, landowners, and conservation groups unite to protect Montana water rights in challenge to exempt well loophole
Today, groups and individuals representing a diverse coalition of municipalities, farm and ranch families, landowners, and conservation organizations filed a legal challenge in Montana state court against the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation...
State water commission to consider gov’s office tampering motion in oil and gas wastewater rulemaking
On Thursday, November 13, the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) will consider water watchdogs’ motion to disqualify 7 of 14 commissioners and vacate their July 7 vote to hear a controversial oil and gas wastewater discharge petition due to political...
Amelia Marchand and Cliff Villa join WELC board of directors
The Western Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit public-interest environmental law firm, is proud to announce the addition of Amelia Marchand and Cliff Villa to its board of directors. Cliff Villa rejoined the board after serving in an appointed position with the...
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