Nonfederal Rangeland Often in Poor Shape

October 13, 2010–USDA and USGS researchers found about one of every five acres of rangelands in 17 western states, as well as portions of Louisiana and Florida, has some degree of degradation of at least one factor (soil and site stability, hydrologic integrity, and biotic integrity).

Court: BLM Must Release Names of Grazing Permit Holders

September 22, 2010–The decision could eventually force disclosure for holders of some 18,000 permits across 160 million acres in the West.

BLM Paper on National Monuments, Other Conservation Units Unveiled

September 1, 2010–A leaked "internal draft, not for release" discussion paper contains thoughts on a possible shift toward more conservation — and moving away from BLM's historic pattern of generally emphasizing extraction of natural resources and de-emphasizing conservation of those resources.

Appeals Court Nixes Permits for Free Speech in National Parks

August 11, 2010–A federal appeals court has ruled that the National Park Service is violating the First Amendment with its current rules requiring permits for demonstrations, gatherings, and public "expressions of views" on National Park System lands.

Pollution Is Significant in National Parks

July 7, 2010–Both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily from combustion sources) and pesticides are pervasive in 8 diverse US national parks, according to two Environmental Science & Technology studies by international teams of university and government agency researchers.

15 States Get More Federal Recreational Trails

June 9, 2010–The National Trails system, already stretching more than 12,500 miles, expands with the addition of 31 more trails totalling 716 miles.

Unidentified Wetlands Owners in 22 States Get USDA Funds

May 26, 2010–About 75,000 acres of wetlands in 22 states and Puerto Rico will split $175 million of Natural Resources Conservation Service's Wetlands Reserve Program funding, but recipient properties or owners will not be identified. 

J-Groups Seek Open MSHA Inquiry

May 5, 2010–SEJ and eight other journalism organizations called on the Mine Safety and Health Administration to open to the public its investigation into the Massey mine disaster that killed 29 people.

Mines in 21 States Outed for Habitual Safety Violations

April 28, 2010–The 48 mines are also linked by the fact that most of their owners have been legally delaying action on the violations through appeals of the citations. The Mine Safety and Health Administration is faced with a backlog of approximately 16,000 appeals.

Massey Mine Disaster Raises Openness Issues

April 21, 2010–Several journalists have raised questions about why more was not known publicly about the safety defects that led to the deaths of 29 miners at Massey's Upper Big Branch Mine in April 2010.