The big picture: Western governors unveiling high-tech, satellite wildlife maps linking 16 states

Governors in 16 states unveiled a high-tech wildlife habitat mapping project Thursday that they hope will encourage economic development across the West while protecting the region’s environmental treasures — an ambitious effort that’s winning praise from conservationists and the energy industry.

The Western Governors’ Association wants to make it easier to chart paths across large landscapes where developers can expect the least regulatory resistance and threat of litigation as they draft plans to build highways, dig gold mines and erect power lines, pipelines or wind farms.

SCOTT SONNER Associated Press

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