Items by Daniel Kraker

A fee-dodging retiree forces a national forest to rethink access charges
A fee-dodging retiree forces a national forest to rethink access charges
A retired geophysicist named Jim Smith successfully challenges Arizona's Coconino National Forest on access fees.
Learning to live with fewer watts
Fred Logg's small solar system powers some lights, his laptop and a small refrigerator -- but the energy source has its limitations.
From Pickups to PV
From Pickups to PV
Utility brings solar power to far-flung Navajos
Growth unfettered
Arizonans are grappling with the consequences of Proposition 207, an anti-takings measure passed last fall.
The end of an era on the Colorado Plateau
The closing down of the Mohave Generating Station and the Black Mesa Mine are both a victory for environmentalists and Indian water activists, and an economic catastrophe for the Hopi and Navajo nations
Sacred claims
American Indian tribes face an uphill battle in their effort to protect sacred sites on federal land in the West
Congress and Indians spar over lost money
Sen. John McCain proposes a way to settle the long-running scandal over missing Indian trust-account funds, but Blackfoot banker Elouise Cobell remains wary
Dems stumble in Arizona race
Arizona’s District 1 is considered a congressional "fair fight" district, but Republican incumbent Rick Renzi is leading Democrat Paul Babbitt, despite the region’s demographics
Tribes turn out to vote
The Indian vote could decide tight races in this year’s elections, including contests in key Western states
The great Central Arizona Project funding switcheroo
The state of Arizona and the federal government have long bickered over who should pay for the Central Arizona Project, but a recent agreement reduces the state’s share, and puts money toward funding Indian water projects
Tribe defeated a dam and won back its water
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, which defeated a dam that would have flooded tribal farmland, uses water from the Central Arizona Project to grow profitable crops like pecans and citrus fruits
The New Water Czars
In Arizona, a historic water deal could give the tiny, impoverished Gila River Indian Community a path back to its farming roots – and turn it into one of the West’s next big power brokers
Is the Southwest’s ‘last real stinker’on its last legs?
The possibility that the Mohave Generating Station could shut down delights Southwestern environmentalists, but worries the Navajo and Hopi tribes economically dependent on the plant
The tangled messages of a servicewoman killed incombat
The death of Lori Piestewa, a young Hopi woman killed in combat in Iraq, has brought both grief and pride to the close-knit Navajo and Hopi communities
Jet Ski riders circle the wagons
In November, personal watercraft will be banned from Lake Powell and seven other Western reservoirs while the Park Service completes an environmental review of the machines' impacts.
Indians play power game
The Fort Mojave Tribe has built the South Point power plant to diversify its economy, partnering with a major energy company and monitoring its environmental performance.
Is a coal mine pumping the Hopi dry?
Hopi Indians fear that Peabody Western Coal is draining the aquifer that provides their water even as the company's royalties bring money to the reservation.
High Country News Classifieds
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Position Summary Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring an organized and creative Digital Engagement Specialist to join our Marketing and Communications Team. The Digital Engagement...
  • 92 ACRE EASTERN WASHINGTON GEM
    Welcome to Lost Creek Sanctuary... a true hidden gem in the heart of the Palouse. 1900 square feet, the main house is warm and charming,...
  • WEEKLY NEWSPAPER FOR SALE
    Vibrant, financially successful 1,100 print run, community-focused subscription newspaper in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington seeks owner/s. It is time to retire. Now, your Norman Rockwell-like...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY - WILDLANDS AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM
    Job Opening Announcement: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Staff Attorney Reports to: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Director Location: Pacific Northwest, ideally in Eugene, Oregon, Portland, Oregon,...
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    The Head of Project Management will oversee our project execution to ensure that we are providing our partners around the world with the field data...
  • LEGAL DIRECTOR
    Trustees for Alaska is the only nonprofit environmental law firm founded and based in Alaska. We are seeking a Legal Director, full-time based in Anchorage....
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    The Fund for People in Parks seeks leader to identify, develop, fund, and facilitate high-impact projects in western National Parks. Remote position with some travel....
  • GRASSROOTS REGIONAL COORDINATOR
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. The...
  • GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MANAGER
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Position...
  • GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
    The Grassroots Leadership (Director) oversees the training, guidance, and support of volunteer Broadband Leaders. (Broadbands are women-led grassroots chapters, with 40+ across the country.) They...
  • FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT NEEDED
    We would like to invite you to participate in a 60-minute focus group to help us enhance the New Mexico Courts website (https://www.inside.nmcourts.gov/). Our aim...
  • GILA GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER
    New Mexico Wild is seeking a Gila Grassroots Organizer who is passionate about public lands and community engagement. The Gila Grassroots Organizer will take a...
  • 20/40 ACRES IN ARIZONA WINE COUNTRY
    Chiricahua riparian ecosystem: 5100 ft elevation:18+ inches of rain/year: 1/4 mile creek through property: The Chiricahuas' have been called: "The most biologically diverse place in...
  • SMALL CABIN WITH 260 ACRES
    Adorable quaint cabin on the Arizona Strip, on the foothills of the Kaibab Plateau with 260 acres bordering BLM lands on two sides of the...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
    Food & Water Watch works to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come—a world where everyone has food they can trust,...
  • ASSOCIATE DIR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION RELATIONS
    What We Can Achieve Together: Based in Phoenix, AZ, the Associate Director of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) works closely with the State...
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    What We Can Achieve Together: The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) works closely with the State Director, Director of Development, development team and program leaders...
  • LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE
    A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
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    are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Civil Conversations Project, a 501c3 organization working to end racism in America is seeking an experienced and passionate part-time Executive Director. For full job...