Expressions of rural discontent are a main theme in this issue. Our feature story examines a zealous political movement born from resentment of California’s liberal ‘resistance’ to Trump. Meanwhile, the Bundy family walks free of charges from their involvement with a standoff with federal agents. These stories find common ground in their telling of cultural disempowerment.
Environmentalists for better land management
In his Editor’s Note for the Dec. 11 issue, Paul Larmer repeats a widely held belief, writing that “neither side (“Republican lawmakers” nor “environmentalists”) is doing much to create lasting solutions on the ground that could help overcome a century of fear-based (fire) management in the West.” That is false. All over the West, grassroots…
Fire language
Too often the media sensationalizes wildfire. I think HCN should ensure its language does not add to sensationalism (“Scorched Earth,” HCN, 11/11/2017). For instance, HCN refers to the Eagle Creek Fire as “consuming close to 50,000 acres.” Those acres still exist, so what was consumed? Some of the vegetation is still there, since wildfires rarely burn 100 percent…
Steps to public-land destruction
Krista Langlois’ piece on public lands looked all around the mulberry bush about raising entrance fees to national parks and other public lands, but never reached the obvious conclusion (“Who should pay for public lands?” HCN, 12/25/17). That is stated clearly in the second paragraph of Jonathan Thompson’s Perspective on page 25 (“Interior’s return to…
Traversing the mighty Colorado River
A writer sets out on a geographic journey to understand the imperiled water source.
Ringing in the new year with an avalanche of mail
The holidays and a new year bring more subscriptions and visitors.
A separatist state of mind
In the era of Trump, rural discontent settles in the state of Jefferson.
The ski resorts of the West
From Alaska to New Mexico, a new map offers a comprehensive look at where to shred.
The movements produced by rural white scorn
From the Bundys to the State of Jefferson, resentment from disempowered white communities is growing.
When Atlantic salmon escape in the Pacific, who cleans up?
Coastal tribes will be dealing with this summer’s Atlantic salmon spill for years.
Climate change forced me to leave the place that I love
After finding their dream town, a family fled drought and fire.
Water-fat mountains; Pence visits Aspen; Oregonians gas up
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
Bear voyeurism
With regard to Christopher Solomon’s feature article, “Bear Essentials” (HCN, 12/25/17), I respect the author and the staff at McNeil River Sanctuary for their efforts to minimize human impact in an area rich in resources for brown bears. However, the fact that they have cordoned off an area so humans can watch the bears “up…
Chronic wasting disease hits Montana deer, elk
State scrambles to respond to discovery of deadly neurological disease
Cliven Bundy walks for involvement in 2014 standoff
Judge dismisses case for ‘flagrant misconduct’ after prosecutors and FBI withheld evidence.
Latest: Idaho gets nation’s first International Dark Sky Reserve
Designation recognizes decades of work to reduce light pollution.
Hemp is one town’s way out of a uranium mining past
A former mining region embraces a trade with a ‘hippie’ reputation.
Courts challenge a piecemeal approach to species recovery
A recent ruling may cause Fish and Wildlife to reconsider how it protects grizzlies.
Lawsuits challenge Trump’s trim of Utah monuments
Reductions in Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante exclude thousands of significant objects.
A Civil Conversation: The lessons of Nicodemus, Kansas
One of the few black settlements of the West remains — barely.
Fish and Wildlife retracts opposition to Arizona project
As Trump sidelines science, the agency flips on San Pedro River development.