A recent Colorado College poll indicates that 72% of Westerners prefer public land conservation over oil and gas drilling, marking a high level of support for environmental protection. The survey reflects a broad agreement on combatting climate change and maintaining national monument designations, even as federal policies evolve under new political leadership.
According to a recent poll by Colorado College, 72% of respondents in eight Western states prefer public land conservation over increased oil and gas development. This represents a 2% increase from last year’s findings, and only 24% support more drilling and mining on public lands, resulting in a remarkable 48-point margin favoring conservation, the highest in the poll’s fifteen-year history. Katrina Miller-Stevens, an associate professor, stated, “The consensus favoring public lands conservation remains consistent and strong in the West.”
The survey involved 3,316 respondents, mainly conservative or independent voters, and was conducted in collaboration with polling experts from both political parties. The poll received funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and included respondents from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Among those surveyed, nearly 40% supported President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” platform.
These results emerge amid a political landscape in Washington that is increasingly divided regarding public lands management. Recently, over 5,400 employees from the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture were dismissed under controversial circumstances, leading to protests. This incident has been referred to as a “Valentine’s Day Massacre” due to its timing and implications.
The Trump administration has appointed individuals closely associated with the oil and gas industry to key positions overseeing public land policy, raising concerns among environmental advocates. For instance, Doug Burgum, the Secretary of the Interior, has overseen dismissals of federal staff and is aligned with industry interests. Additionally, Kathleen Sgamma’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management has sparked backlash due to her history of lobbying for energy companies.
Demands for state control of public lands by lawmakers in Utah and Wyoming have generally failed, reflecting the community’s opposition to such measures. Rachael Hamby from the Center for Western Priorities highlighted that public policies being pursued by the Trump administration do not align with the preferences of Western constituents who advocate for land preservation.
A significant majority, 87%, of Westerners prefer decisions on public lands to be made by experienced career officials rather than by elected representatives with industry ties. Moreover, nearly 75% of respondents support federal initiatives to combat climate change, with approval rates varying across states.
Furthermore, nearly 90% of those surveyed want national monument designations established in the last decade to remain intact, as the Trump administration has begun reviewing these protections. Other initiatives garnering widespread support include conservation easements for private landowners and nature-based solutions to improve water quality.
As the Biden administration approaches its public land strategy, it must remain aware of the Westerners’ preferences to avoid political backlash. Hamby warned that elected officials who stray too far from constituents’ wishes may face consequences in future elections.
The survey conducted by Colorado College reveals that a vast majority of Westerners prioritize public land conservation over oil and gas development, with 72% indicating support for environmental protection. These preferences, coupled with a firm backing for federal action on climate change and public land decisions made by career officials, underscore a significant disconnect between local attitudes and recent federal policies under the Trump administration. The findings signal a pressing need for the incoming administration to heed the voices of Western constituents regarding public land management.
Original Source: www.hcn.org
