BLM Releases Supplement to Draft PEIS for Large-Scale Solar

November 9, 2011–The agency says the remaining 17 sites covering ~285,000 acres in six states have the best solar gain and energy transmission traits, the fewest conflicts with environmental, cultural, and historic resources, and the best compatibility with each state's efforts. Public meetings commence Nov 30 and a 90-day public comment period ends Jan. 27, 2012. A variance process could be used to approve additional solar development elsewhere.

Feds Try To Nudge 100 "Great Outdoors" Projects Toward Completion

November 9, 2011–The chosen include 24 improving recreational access to rivers and waterways; 23 to construct new trails or improve recreation sites; 20 to create and enhance urban parks; 13 to conserve significant landscapes; and 11 to establish new national wildlife refuges; national park units, etc.

Access to Environmental Info Will Be an Issue at Rio+20

October 5, 2011–In June 2012, the nations of the world will convene in Rio de Janiero for the 20th anniversary of the landmark 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development that set the stage for a number of important treaties, including the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Communities in 40 States Get EPA Grants To Redevelop Brownfields

June 8, 2011–On June 6, EPA announced a new round of grants going to nearly 200 communities in some 40 states and 3 tribal areas. Most of them go to poor and minority areas with high unemployment rates.

Report: Assessing Public Lands and Survival of Birds

May 25, 2011–Prepared by a large coalition of government agencies and NGOs, the report generally focuses on the condition of bird species in each of the broad habitat types, as well as the roles of various federal and state agencies and the relationships of species survival on public vs. private lands.

Gumshoes Can Use Bankers' Tool for EPA Info on Properties

May 4, 2011–The "MyPropertyInfo" online tool will search multiple EPA databases for any information related to a specific street address. Or it will search for all records on a given street in a given ZIP code.

50 Communities Win Fed Money To Tackle Climate Change

April 27, 2011–Last year's grant winners have efforts under way, so reporting can focus on progress that is being made, or not. Reporting on the new winners, announced in mid-April 2011, can inform the community about what is in the works, who is in charge, and what future benchmarks can be used to see if the money is being well spent.

BLM To Disclose Names and Addresses of Grazing Rights Owners

January 19, 2011–Permittees and lessees of public lands are a key part of covering issues that involve grazing, hunting, public lands access, utility corridors, and related topics. The public comment period on BLM's proposal to identify these people closes Feb. 7, 2011.

After Rough Start, Radio Story on Green Architecture Turns into Award Winner

January 15, 2011–Reporter Jason Margolis skillfully illustrates the relationship between built spaces and climate change issues by spotlighting two proactive architects and their environmentally friendly buildings in Toronto, Canada and Mexico City for Public Radio International's program "The World." SEJournal’s Bill Dawson has the Inside Story in the new Winter issue.

Disaster: Response Is Not Recovery Is Not Response

January 15, 2011–