High Country News – Know the West

Cleaner machines drive (slowly) toward Yellowstone

The Environmental Protection Agency is developing the first emission standards for off-road motors, including snowmobiles.

Ray Ring April 1, 2002 From the print edition

Move over! Will snowmobile tourism relax its grip on a gateway town?

In West Yellowstone, Mont., where snowmobile tourism is a mainstay of the economy, locals are split between fierce supporters of the industry and those who favor a little more quiet and a measure of control.

Ray Ring April 1, 2002 From the print edition

Westerners share a different reality

A "Time" magazine column about satellite radio that described the New Jersey Turnpike as "the middle of nowhere" provides unintentional humor to Westerners who know the real meaning of nowhere.

Ray Ring Opinion Essay March 4, 2002 From the print edition

Cheney picks former aide to oversee parks, BLM,wildlife

The Bush administration picks Wyoming resident Paul Hoffman to run the BLM as assistant secretary of the Interior for fish, wildlife and parks.

Ray Ring Feb. 18, 2002 From the print edition

Greens join 'Let's derail a judge' game

Environmentalists adopt the conservative strategy of working to derail the nomination of federal judges whom they fear could harm their cause.

Ray Ring Essay Feb. 18, 2002 From the print edition

Judge puts kibosh on logging plan

A federal judge rules that the Burn Area Recovery Plan, which would log Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, must be put on hold until the Forest Service gives the public a chance to appeal.

Mark Matthews and Ray Ring Jan. 21, 2002 From the print edition

Ranchers' group adopts practical strategy

The Northern Plains Resource Council is unique among Montana environmental groups in that it was founded by cattle ranchers, who still make up half the membership.

Ray Ring Dec. 17, 2001 From the print edition

'We better start moving ahead'

In his own words, Libby, Mont., accountant Wayne Hirst talks about how Montana environmentalists went wrong.

Ray Ring Dec. 17, 2001 From the print edition

'We don't rest ... on economics'

In his own words, activist Bob Decker talks about Montana's environmental groups and the struggle they face in their state.

Ray Ring Dec. 17, 2001 From the print edition

Bad moon rising

Back in the '70s, Montana led the way in progressive environmental legislation, but now with its economy faltering, those laws are being eviscerated, and environmentalists need to find a new strategy.

Ray Ring Dec. 17, 2001 From the print edition

Ranchers sour on Canadian gas plant

Alberta, Canada, ranchers are frustrated by the government's lack of oversight of the proliferating sour-gas plants that some say harm health and livestock.

Ray Ring Oct. 8, 2001 From the print edition

A wilderness bill with a little something for everyone

The Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill tries to give something to everybody, as a list of some of its provisions reveals

Ray Ring Nov. 22, 2000 From the print edition

Saving the Platte

Environmentalists, farmers and state and federal agencies try to find some kind of consensus even as each reaches for a share of the overused Platte River as it flows from Colorado, through Wyoming and across Nebraska.

Ray Ring Feb. 1, 1999 From the print edition

A radical approach to mine reclamation

The Sunnyside Mine near Silverton, Colo., is an unusual example of a community working together with miners and environmentalists to find a strategy to heal the damage.