1. PUBLIC LANDS:
Salazar signs sweeping plan for Alaska reserve, confirms potential pipeline
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today finalized a plan to greatly expand protections for wildlife in a 23-million-acre federal reserve in northwest Alaska, drawing immediate applause from conservation groups. The record of decision also provides "explicit confirmation" that a pipeline could be built and requires the Bureau of Land Management to establish a formal working group to ensure management decisions are informed by the needs of Alaska Natives, Interior said.