Forest Service Proposal Reduces Public Input, Mining in the Porkies, and Threats to Utah Monuments - Public Lands News (June 22 - July 13)

<p>This week in the Outdoor Minimalist public lands news briefing, we&#39;re unpacking three stories:</p><p><strong>1. At the end of June, the Forest Service </strong>proposed a rule that could limit when the public has a say in Forest Service decisions.</p><p>Article that inspired the first segment: <a href="https://ourpubliclandsandwaters.substack.com/p/forest-service-moves-to-reduce-public">⁠https://ourpubliclandsandwaters.substack.com/p/forest-service-moves-to-reduce-public⁠</a></p><p><strong>2. New pressures form to develop the Copperwood Mine in Northern Michigan,</strong> and we cover what it could mean for Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains with Tom Grotewohl, founder of Protect the Porkies.</p><p><strong>3. Bears Ears &amp; Grand Staircase-Escalante</strong> are threatened once again with upcoming Executive Orders, featuring Steve Bloch, Legal Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance<em>.</em></p><p>Subscribe to the Outdoor Minimalist newsletter: <a href="https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/">⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠</a></p><p><strong>Links and Sources:</strong></p><p>U.S. Forest Service. <em>Forest Service publishes proposed rule to redefine, streamline guidance.</em> <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/forest-service-publishes-proposed-rule-redefine-streamline-guidance">https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/forest-service-publishes-proposed-rule-redefine-streamline-guidance</a></p><p>Federal Register. <em>Organization Functions and Procedures; Public Notice and Comment for Standards, Criteria, and Guidance.</em> <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/01/2026-13281/organization-functions-and-procedures-public-notice-and-comment-for-standards-criteria-and-guidance">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/01/2026-13281/organization-functions-and-procedures-public-notice-and-comment-for-standards-criteria-and-guidance</a></p><p>Public Inspection Copy of Proposed Rule. <a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-13281.pdf">https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-13281.pdf</a></p><p>The Heritage Foundation. <em>Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership.</em> <a href="https://static.heritage.org/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf">https://static.heritage.org/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf</a></p><p>ProPublica. <em>How Proposed Changes to Grazing Rules Could Limit Public Oversight.</em> <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/public-land-livestock-grazing-ranching-access">https://www.propublica.org/article/public-land-livestock-grazing-ranching-access</a></p><p>Protect the Porkies Campaign. <a href="https://protecttheporkies.com/">https://protecttheporkies.com/</a></p><p>Iron Mountain Daily News. <em>EGLE extends comment period on Copperwood Mine permit.</em> <a href="https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/05/egle-extends-comment-period-on-copperwood-mine-permit/">https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/news/local-news/2026/05/egle-extends-comment-period-on-copperwood-mine-permit/</a></p><p>ABC4 Utah. <em>President Trump is expected to issue an executive order affecting Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.</em> <a href="https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/president-trump-executive-order-grand-staircase-bears-ears/">https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/president-trump-executive-order-grand-staircase-bears-ears/</a></p><p>Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. <a href="https://suwa.org/">https://suwa.org/</a></p>