DENVER—David Bernhardt has used his first week as acting Interior secretary to direct Interior Department employees remaining during the federal government shutdown to strategically continue agency operations that benefit oil and gas operators while using the shutdown as an excuse not to respond to the public or the press. Bernhardt has also ordered the National Park Service to use entrance fees to pay for park operations while parks remain open during the shutdown, draining a critical source of funding intended for deferred maintenance projects. In response, the Center for Western Priorities issued the following statement from Deputy Director Aaron Weiss:
“From raiding national park entrance fees to speeding along drilling in the Arctic, it didn’t take long for Bernhardt’s priorities to become clear. The shutdown has provided a clear outline of what he hopes to accomplish as acting Interior secretary: the advancement of oil and gas development on public lands, without consideration for public input, no matter the cost.
“The Interior Department lacked serious transparency under Ryan Zinke, but during Bernhardt’s first week, it has become a black box.”
Bernhardt’s goals are now evident, as seen in recent Interior actions taken during the shutdown:
Cutting out the public and reducing transparency:
Interior has taken down environmental planning websites at the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Bureau of Land Management's environmental planning site was down but has since been reopened, allowing oil and gas permitting and review to continue. Public comment periods and public protest periods for oil and gas development and resource management plans that follow tight deadlines, including changes to sage-grouse plans, have also been complicated by the shutdown.
The Interior Department stopped accepting requests for publicly available information through the Freedom of Information Act. Notably, receiving requests does not require staff involvement; only responding to requests and processing information requires a FOIA officer. Emailing FOIA officials directly prompts the same response from the agency. Earlier in the shutdown, Interior also proposed rules to make it easier for officials to reject public requests.
The Interior press office has also decided not to respond to questions from the press, in numerous instances, citing the shutdown.
Catering to the oil and gas industry:
Despite the lapse in government funding, the Bureau of Land Management has continued to accept applications for permits to drill on public lands and requests for well inspections—something that did not occur during the 2013 shutdown. An oil and gas industry spokesperson recently said that the industry has “not seen any major effects of the shutdown.”
The BLM is continuing its environmental review of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including holding planning meetings despite agency officials being unable to take questions from the public and informational websites being taken offline during the shutdown.
Attacking our national parks:
In a memorandum obtained by The Hill, David Bernhardt directed the Park Service to use money from park entrance fee collection funds to pay for basic park services, a potentially illegal move that drains critical funds intended to be used to enhance visitor experiences. This, of course, comes at a time when parks are not able to collect visitor fees at park entrances. Former National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis told CWP that internally, NPS staff are referring to the current shutdown as a “shitdown.”
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TGR Is the First Production Company to Win Best Film from both Powder and Surfer Magazines
Andy Irons: Kissed By God wins Surfer’s Best Documentary
FAR OUTwins Powder’s Movie of the Year
Wilson, WY (January 8th, 2019) — Teton Gravity Research had a sweet 2018, and the cherry on top arrived this award season. Two of them, in fact. TGR now has the distinction of being the only filmmakers to win big at both the Surfer and Powder awards.
Andy Irons: Kissed By God
TGR’s Andy Irons: Kissed By God,won Best Documentary of 2018 by Surfer Magazine.
It’s an unflinching look atbipolar disorder and opioid addiction as seen through the life of the surf-world icon.
“Kissed by God is the most emotionally charged and intricate film I have ever directed with my brother Todd,” says Steve Jones, Founder, and President at Teton Gravity Research. “I am honored to have earned the deepest level of trust with the Irons family, to finally deliver the uncensored story of Andy’s life. To receive this award on a film of such sensitive subject matter around one of surfing’s most prolific figures is a huge honor.”
The Surfer Awards are often called “the biggest night in surfing.”
“This year was unique in that the Best Documentary category was the strongest it’s ever been, filled with some of the best surfing docs we’ve ever seen,” said
Todd Prodanovich, Editor of Surfer Magazine. “For ‘Andy Irons: Kissed by God’ to win is a real triumph, but it also should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen the film. It’s a beautifully-told story about one of the most complex, dynamic, beloved and ultimately tragic figures surfing has ever had. ‘Andy Irons: Kissed by God’ was a film that the surf community truly needed.”
Catch the trailer and rent or download the film here.
FAR OUT
FAR OUTreceived Movie of the Year honors from Powder Magazine. This is TGR’s
fifth Movie of the Year win at the Powder Awards(the others were High Life, 2004; Re:Session, 2009; Almost Ablaze, 2014; For Lack of Better, 2016). TGR co-founder Todd Jones and Far Outeditor Blake Campbell were on hand to accept the night’s biggest award. TGR also won the award for Best Post-Productionand Best Powder.
In his acceptance speech, TGR co-Founder Todd Jones simply said: “I’m a ski bum, and the first thing I do every day is figure out where I’m going to get my next powder turn, and how I’m going to make it happen.” In a way, FAR OUTis a reflection of this vibe.
It features a who’s who cast of snowsport titans, from Angel Collinson and Jeremy Jones to Elyse Saugstad and Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, and delivers a message of a serene mind and a satisfied soul as the crew explores British Columbia, Girdwood, AK, Slovenia, Albania, Russia, Jackson Hole, Crested Butte + more.
“You are far out when you feel the cold winter air in your lungs, the sting of wind-driven snow on your face, and when you realize how insignificant you are in this extraordinary far out world. Go, my friends. Don’t look back. Lose yourself and maybe you’ll find yourself,” TGR describes.
If that didn’t make you grab your sticks and drive to the pass, catch the trailer and rent or download the film here.
"Powder Magazine is honored to present skiing’s longest-running and most prestigious award ceremony celebrating the artistry and athleticism in ski filmmaking and photography,” said Matt Hansen, executive editor of Powder.
About Teton Gravity Research
Teton Gravity Research is regarded as one of the premiere lifestyle andaction sports brands in the world. Known for original, custom and branded content. TGR’s world-class storytelling has captivated audiences for more than 21 years. With 39 award-winning films, numerous television series, and national commercial spots TGR deliversa global, multi-channel footprint. Teton Gravity Research is one of the fastest growing media brands with a thriving millennial audience, award-winning multimedia film projects, a rapidly growing experiential platform and unprecedented viral content. TGR is a proud member of the Surfrider Foundation, 1% For The Planet, BICEP, IMBA, and Protect Our Winters. For more information on TGR, visit TetonGravity.com.
