As the United States restarts fitfully following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, one source of controversy — and of numerous local or regional environmental stories — is what to do at the nation’s park system. The latest TipSheet explains why public access to these national treasures is so contentious, then provides numerous story ideas and reporting resources.
"The plan for a large proposed gold and copper mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay has changed to include a two-lane, 82-mile access road along the northern shore of Lake Iliamna, alarming environmental opponents who say they weren’t informed of the change until late in the permitting process."
"Deer, bobcats and black bears are gathering around parts of Yosemite national park typically teeming with visitors".
"Oil and gas companies have proposed more than 150,000 acres of federal land for potential development in the canyons of eastern Utah, some as close as a mile and a half from the famous Arches National Park."
"The coronavirus scuttled plans and forced officials to ask people to get out of the woods. Of the thousands who hoped to hike the trail this year, only a few hundred remain."
"The Interior Department will give the public four more months to comment on a plan to expand oil and gas development near New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park."
"On Monday, thousands of visitors from across the country descended on Yellowstone national park, which opened for the first time since its closure in March due to the coronavirus pandemic."
"With a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and President Trump to ensure permanent funding for a popular conservation program this year, bipartisan legislation could soon become law."
"India and Bangladesh evacuated around half a million people out of the way of the most powerful storm in a decade ahead of its landfall on Wednesday amid fears of heavy damage to houses and crops and disruption of road, rail and power links."
"Little brown bats, an endangered species, have declined by more than 90% due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that causes bats to wake up from hibernation, and consequently drains their essential fat reserves. A new study uses genetics to determine that little brown bats with certain genetic traits are more likely to survive the disease."
Advertisement 
