News
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Idaho gets smart about water
Idaho is weathering the drought by taking a new, scientific approach to managing water use among its farmers
by Rocky Barker, Jun 13, 2005 -
Follow-up
Gale Norton blasts environmentalists; California farmworkers sprayed with pesticides; ranchers have to keep paying beef checkoffs
by Laura Paskus, Jun 13, 2005 -
For salmon, a crucial moment of decision
A judge has thrown out the Bush administration’s salmon protection plan, setting the stage for dramatic changes to the federal hydropower system
by Rocky Barker, Jun 13, 2005 -
Cows versus condos -- Northwest style
Some say that Washington’s Forests and Fish rules could be so hard on small timber farms that the owners are likely to sell out to development, to the detriment of salmon and other wildlife
by Lissa James, May 16, 2005 -
In the Washington woods, managers face a catch-22
The Forests and Fish plan was supposed to help both salmon and the timber industry in Washington State, but clauses in the agreement may tilt it against wildlife
by Lissa James, May 16, 2005 -
On the Colorado River, a tug-of-war on a tightrope
A wet winter postpones the declaration of a shortage on the Colorado River as the Upper and Lower Basin states continue to squabble over long-strategy for dealing with the region's droughts
by Matt Jenkins, May 16, 2005 -
Beehive state may get new wilderness — and more
In Utah, an "omnibus" public-lands bill may create several new wilderness areas near Zion National Park, but at the same time authorize the auction of federal lands for development
by Matt Jenkins, May 16, 2005 -
Former refuge manager takes heat for saving frogs
Wayne Shifflett, former manager of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona, was charged with illegally moving a small population of imperiled Chiricahua leopard frog tadpoles, in order to save their lives when drought threatened their habitat.
by Hilary Watts, May 16, 2005 -
Gold mining proposed in historic South Passarea
A Canadian mining company, the Fremont Gold Corporation, plans to dig 200 test pits for a possible mining operation five miles from the South Pass National Historic Landmark in Wyoming, where wagon trains once traveled
by Brodie Farquhar, May 16, 2005 -
Follow-up
Ag Secretary Mike Johanns says his agency may relax ban on slaughtering "downer" cows for human consumption; California sets official, but nonbinding, goals for perchlorate in drinking water; San Juan Generating Station to cut mercury and other emissions
by Laura Paskus, May 16, 2005 -
Congress touts 'green energy,' but bill is black and blue
The House of Representatives passes an energy bill with even more industrial pork than the Bush administration requested.
by Laura Paskus, May 16, 2005 -
Is Preble's just another meadow mouse?
The Fish and Wildlife Service wants to delist the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, on the grounds that the animal is genetically identical to a more common species
by Hilary Watts, Mar 07, 2005 -
Californians put their money where their meter is
A new California law requires all homes in the state to use water meters by 2025
by Deanna Belch, Dec 06, 2004 -
BLM's crown jewels go begging
The Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System is underfunded, even though more visitors are flocking to BLM- managed lands
by Michelle Nijhuis, Oct 25, 2004 -
Stream leases languish
Efforts to privatize instream-flow protection – to keep enough water in rivers and streams to sustain their ecological functions – face tough going in the West.
by Matt Jenkins, Mar 05, 2007 -
Getting the lead out
Condor 134’s harrowing experience with lead poisoning exemplifies these endangered birds’ greatest challenge – which some advocates hope to ease by banning lead bullets in California
by Mitch Tobin, Mar 05, 2007 -
Man Camp
In Western Colorado, where the energy boom is stretching the resources – and social fabric – of local communities, some companies have turned to portable dormitories to ease the housing crunch.
by David Frey, Jan 22, 2007 -
Under the radar
Homeless families aren’t found only in urban areas. They’re also struggling to survive in the rural West, as shown by the story of Barbara Trivitt and her two children, who lived in a Jeep in Coos Bay, Oregon, this fall.
by Emma Brown, Jan 22, 2007 -
Congress moves on local proposals
Fearing more last-minute monument designations, Westerners have begun working with the Clinton administration to find other ways to protect public lands.
by Michelle Nijhuis and Oakley Brooks, Nov 06, 2000 -
Round two for Steens Mountain development
John and Cindy Witzel want to build a school for outfitters on the 160 acres they own on Oregon's Steens Mountain, an area also being considered for national monument status.
by Jim Witty, Mar 13, 2000
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