USDA Forest Service Reorganization, NEPA Rollbacks, and New Mexico’s Oil & Gas Battles - Public Lands News (August 4 - 15)

We’re back after a short break with an urgent update on threats to U.S. public lands, major environmental policy rollbacks, and ongoing oil and gas fights in New Mexico.

Main Topics Covered:

• USDA’s plan to reorganize and consolidate Forest Service operations.

• The SPEED Act and its potential to roll back NEPA protections.

• Oil and gas accountability battles in New Mexico: abandoned wells and fracking wastewater.

• Sneak peek of the Ecocide pilot episode on the Boundary Waters mining threat.

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Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

Resources & Links:

USDA reorganization info & public comment: ⁠

Email reorganization@usda.gov⁠

Outdoor Alliance Action Alert: https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/7/the-forest-service-wants-to-hear-from-you-about-its-staffing-and-reorganization-plan ⁠

NEPA Rollbacks & the SPEED Act: https://westernlaw.org/nepa-rollback-bill-speed-act-would-threaten-environment-communities-provide-legal-immunity-to-polluters/

Abandoned wells in New Mexico: https://westernlaw.org/coalition-of-environmental-groups-tribal-leaders-experts-public-health-and-environmental-safety-public-funds-protection-central-to-preventing-abandoned-wells-in-nm/

Fracking wastewater ban challenge: ⁠https://westernlaw.org/the-fix-is-in-clean-water-advocates-file-objection-in-big-oil-bid-to-reverse-state-ban-on-fracking-wastewater-discharge/

Save the Boundary Waters update: https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/did-twin-metals-just-get-leases-mine-watershed-boundary-waters-nope