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

This week in the Outdoor Minimalist public lands news briefing, we're unpacking three stories:

1. At the end of June, the Forest Service proposed a rule that could limit when the public has a say in Forest Service decisions.

Article that inspired the first segment: ⁠https://ourpubliclandsandwaters.substack.com/p/forest-service-moves-to-reduce-public⁠

2. New pressures form to develop the Copperwood Mine in Northern Michigan, and we cover what it could mean for Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains with Tom Grotewohl, founder of Protect the Porkies.

3. Bears Ears & Grand Staircase-Escalante are threatened once again with upcoming Executive Orders, featuring Steve Bloch, Legal Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

Subscribe to the Outdoor Minimalist newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠

Links and Sources:

U.S. Forest Service. Forest Service publishes proposed rule to redefine, streamline guidance. https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/forest-service-publishes-proposed-rule-redefine-streamline-guidance

Federal Register. 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

Public Inspection Copy of Proposed Rule. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-13281.pdf

The Heritage Foundation. Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership. https://static.heritage.org/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

ProPublica. How Proposed Changes to Grazing Rules Could Limit Public Oversight. https://www.propublica.org/article/public-land-livestock-grazing-ranching-access

Protect the Porkies Campaign. https://protecttheporkies.com/

Iron Mountain Daily News. 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/

ABC4 Utah. President Trump is expected to issue an executive order affecting Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/president-trump-executive-order-grand-staircase-bears-ears/

Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. https://suwa.org/