This week’s Wild Line comes to you from Washington, DC, where wilderness advocates, recreation leaders, and conservationists gathered for the National Wilderness Coalition’s annual advocacy week. While citizens called for stronger protections, lawmakers pushed new mining bills, a permitting reform framework, and record-setting oil and gas leasing. We also cover the administration’s latest moves on climate reporting, Canada’s pivot toward fossil fuels, and a proposed U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

National Wilderness Coalition Week – Washington, DC

Wilderness advocates from across the country convened in Washington for the National Wilderness Coalition’s annual advocacy week. Amanda Newman, Coalition Coordinator, described the goals of bringing citizens to Capitol Hill to press for stronger protections.

“Yeah, we’re here for National Wilderness Week. It’s our second annual event here to talk to folks on the Hill about the importance of wilderness, of the importance of public lands. We’ve got folks from all over the country who are wilderness advocates, outdoor guides, and Indigenous leaders in their communities, making sure that the message is loud and clear.”
— Amanda Newman, National Wilderness Coalition

Newman also shared the history behind this revitalized coalition:

“Two and a half years ago, folks from the wilderness movement gathered to take stock: where have we been, where are we going, and what do we need to get there? Out of that came the idea for a revitalized National Wilderness Coalition… an opportunity for wilderness organizations, outdoor organizations, and Indigenous organizations to come together to really build a movement forward and set a compelling vision for the future of wilderness.”
— Amanda Newman, National Wilderness Coalition

At the same time, the House Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential.” Testimony came largely from extraction and mining groups supporting President Trump’s January Executive Order to increase drilling and mining in the Arctic. For background, check out our August 26 episode with Teddy Roosevelt IV on what’s at stake if wild Alaska is opened to industrial development.

Lawmakers also advanced three mining bills that would expand hardrock mining on federal lands, codify parts of Trump’s mining EO, and allow waste tailings to be deposited on public lands.

Advocates in the Capitol – Washington, DC

Public lands advocacy in DC wasn’t limited to wilderness.

Land and Water Conservation Fund: Jay Leutze of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy spoke on the need to protect LWCF dollars from diversion.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is in a great renaissance period. With the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, the program was made permanent, authorization was fixed, and the funding was fully provided — a landmark in the history of this program. Now we’re trying to make sure there’s no backsliding on that promise to the American people.”
— Jay Leutze, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

He also raised concerns about recent administration actions:

“There is an example this week: a secretarial order that sort of invents a problem and tries to fix it. LWCF is working really well across the country, but the order anticipates conflicts with administration priorities. It would radically change the way acquisitions take place, especially in the West, and even give governors veto power over projects years in the making. If a governor vetoed a project at the very end, after surveys and appraisals, that would be catastrophic — a real loss for sportsmen’s access in most of the projects we do.”
— Jay Leutze, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Outdoor Recreation Technology and Innovation Summit: Hosted by Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the event spotlighted new technologies to expand access while safeguarding lands and waters. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum used the summit to announce the administration’s support for reauthorizing the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), first passed in 2020, with the goal of completing reauthorization by July 4, 2026.

Permitting Reform Framework – Washington, DC

A bipartisan working group released a new permitting reform framework covering pipelines, transmission lines, and public lands. Proposals include:

• Expediting USDA forest management in utility rights-of-way
• Creating revenue from new mill site claims to fund abandoned mine cleanup
• Allowing Rosemont Copper Company to deposit mine waste on public lands near Tucson

Oil and Gas Leasing – Colorado

The Bureau of Land Management sold 14 parcels covering 7,800 acres for $6.7 million, one of the state’s largest lease sales in decades. Larger auctions totaling more than 124,000 acres are planned for late 2025 and early 2026, raising concerns about conflicts with protected landscapes and wildlife habitat.

The Trump Administration is also considering lowering bonding requirements for leases, making it easier for companies to drill on public land.

Energy Development in Canada – Ottawa

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced infrastructure projects including copper mines, a nuclear reactor, and a natural gas plant, citing U.S. tariffs as justification. Environmental groups and First Nations leaders strongly opposed the shift toward fossil fuel reliance, citing unacceptable risks.

EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting – Washington, DC

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed ending the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which requires more than 8,000 large facilities to track carbon emissions. Scientists warned that eliminating the program would cripple the nation’s ability to measure and respond to climate change.

U.S. Wildland Fire Service Proposal – Washington, DC

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture announced plans to consolidate wildfire response under a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service by January 2026. Critics in Congress raised concerns that the proposal would siphon funds from already-strained agencies. Senate appropriators added language blocking funding until more details are provided.

Roadless Rule Comment Deadline

The Forest Service’s Roadless Rule rescission proposal is still open for public comment. The deadline is approaching — links on how to submit comments are included below.

👉 [Click here to comment on the Roadless Rule]

Next Week

The Wild Line returns September 26 with more headlines from our shared commons.
On Tuesday, The Wild Idea podcast features Senator Tina Smith on the Boundary Waters, her role on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and what it means to stand up for wild places.

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