High Country News

Canadian government cuts pollution research that's crucial in the U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's administration has defunded the Experimental Lakes Area, where Canadian and U.S. scientists have made important discoveries regarding acid rain, mercury deposition and other pollutants.

by Peter Andrey Smith, Dec 24, 2012
A sampler of wildlife tech

The gadgets we attach to wild animals and fish include radio transmitters, microchips, acoustic tags, geolocators and accelerometers.

by Ray Ring, Dec 10, 2012
The Great Salt Lake's dirty little secret

Utah’s Great Salt Lake is loaded with mercury, and scientists are trying to figure out whether Nevada’s gold mines are part of the problem

by Patrick Farrell, Aug 08, 2005
The Latest Bounce

Forest Service accidentally cuts a designated botanical area in southwest Oregon; California, New Mexico and Oregon sue Bush administration over repeal of Roadless Rule; Utah won’t let group test Great Salt Lake fish for mercury; BLM admits grazing regs need more work

by Jodi Peterson, Sep 19, 2005
Two weeks in the West

Nasty chemicals in the Western air; drilling dust; EPA gets tougher on mercury; wildlife agency reconsiders habitat for Canada lynx and protection for sage grouse and white-tailed prairie dogs; and Grand Canyon gets a man-made flood.

by Sarah Gilman, Mar 17, 2008
The hidden costs of our coal habit

In Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future, Jeff Goodell reveals how the sausage is made when it comes to the primary source of America’s electricity.

by Allen Best, Apr 16, 2007
Mountains of mercury

The EPA has failed to regulate the mercury discharged from cement plants like the one in Durkee, Ore.

by Jeremy Miller, Jan 19, 2010
The same old Sen. Reid?

Year after year, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid has stood squarely in the path of every attempt to reform the 1872 Mining Law. Plus: The Energy Department wants to dump tons of deadly mercury, most likely in the West.

by Ray Ring , Aug 03, 2009
Smoke alarm

Wildfires across the West release surprising amounts of mercury

by Kat Leitzell, Nov 09, 2007
The Latest Bounce

Richard Pombo wants new offshore drilling; Nevada gold mines spew mercury across West; grazing fees don’t pay for program; judge slams Forest Service over refusal to look at environmental impacts of fire retardant

by Matt Jenkins, Nov 28, 2005