Feature

Blood Quantum

The system that determines membership in most American Indian tribes could threaten the survival of those tribes.

Mountain of doubt

The long-delayed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nev., faces a new challenge: Barack Obama’s presidency.

Editor's Note

Who’s an Indian?

Deciding who is, and is not, a member of a Native American tribe can be a difficult business.

Dear Friends

Welcome, new board members

Marley Shebala and Jesus De La Rosa join HCN’s board of directors; Ed and Betsy Marston win Champions of the Rockies award; Rebecca Clarren wins Alicia Patterson Fellowship and Ken Wright has a new book.

Uncommon Westerners

Notes from the (water) underground

Research hydrologist Gordon Grant is fascinated by the groundwater in the Pacific Northwest.

Writers on the Range

Of an environmental hero and the need for reform

Paul Larmer reminds us that it will take more than a single environmental hero – like Tim DeChristopher, who cleverly sabotaged a BLM energy-lease auction – to reform the agency.

News

The return of Colorado's missing lynx

Colorado's reintroduced lynx are in trouble, and a detailed map shows where -- and why -- they’re facing problems.

Book Reviews

In praise of prey

In his unusual natural history book, American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon, Steven Rinella reveals himself as a hunter with complex feelings about his prey.

Essays

The fine art of bureaucracy

Forty years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation commissioned 40 artists to document -- and glorify -- its dam and reservoir sites.

Letters

A mean lean -- to the left

Water wishes

"Stop the madness"

Water wishes, part II

Bass-o-matic

Two Weeks in the West

The West goes to Washington

Barack Obama is bringing Westerners to Washington, including Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to run Homeland Security, and Cabinet picks Ken Salazar, Hilda Solis and Steven Chu.