High Country News – Know the West

For 30 years, local environmentalists have been fighting with Crested Butte’s owners over a proposed controversial expansion of the ski resort.

Rachel Odell Walker April 8, 2009 From the print edition

The Snake River, unplugged

The Nez Perce Tribe says that salmon-killing dams -- such as the three in Hells Canyon whose licenses are up for renewal this year – amount to an illegal "taking" of the tribe’s guaranteed right to fish

Rachel Odell Sept. 5, 2005 From the print edition

Feds to hand wolves to states

A change in the federal Endangered Species Act will give Idaho and Montana more control over threatened gray wolves, but deny the Nez Perce Tribe a role in wolf management.

Rachel Odell Jan. 24, 2005 From the print edition

Tribes ‘buy in’ to restore their river

Oregon’s Warm Spring Indians become co-owners of the Pelton-Round Butte Dam Complex and hope to restore salmon runs on the Deschutes River

Rachel Odell Sept. 27, 2004 From the print edition

Mountain bikers go wild

Mountain bikers in the Central Oregon Trail Alliance favor creation of a Badlands Wilderness Area near Bend, Ore., even if they can’t ride in it

Rachel Odell June 7, 2004 From the print edition

Can skiers and snowmobilers coexist?

Dutchman Flat outside Bend, Ore., is becoming tense as snowmobilers and backcountry skiers argue over winter recreation

Rachel Odell Jan. 19, 2004 From the print edition

Groovers required for Deschutes boaters

Overnight boaters on the lower Deschutes River in Oregon need to pack out their waste, the BLM says

Rachel Odell Aug. 18, 2003 From the print edition

Northwest braces itself for wolves

Unconfirmed wolf sightings in Oregon are on the rise, and wolf advocates are arguing with ranchers over how to handle the return of the predator packs.

Rachel Odell Dec. 23, 2002 From the print edition

Griz numbers a mixed bag

Federal biologists say the threatened Yellowstone grizzly population is healthy and increasing, but conservationists say the bears still face many long-term risks.

Rachel Odell Dec. 17, 2001 From the print edition

Forest supervisor faces down oil drilling

Kniffy Hamilton, supervisor of Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyo., has issued a draft environmental impact statement that would not allow oil and gas drilling on land near the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

Rachel Odell March 26, 2001 From the print edition

Parks test skiers' green resolve

In Wyoming, backcountry skiers are upset to find that the Park Service's decision to ban snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton may also ban skiing in some areas, to protect bighorn sheep.

Rachel Odell March 26, 2001 From the print edition

Montana, feds find common ground for bison

Environmentalists say the new Yellowstone bison management plan put together by Montana and the Park Service won't really help the bison much.

Rachel Odell Jan. 29, 2001 From the print edition

Republicans rebuff snowmobile plan

Republicans are trying to undo the Clinton administration's planned phase-out of snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

Rachel Odell Jan. 15, 2001 From the print edition

'biles get the boot

A final winter use plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks will ban snowmobiles altogether by the winter of 2003-2004.

Rachel Odell Oct. 23, 2000 From the print edition

Whirlybirds will fly over Jackson

The Jackson Hole Airport near Grand Teton National Park has decided to allow some helicopter flights, despite fierce local objections.

Rachel Odell Aug. 14, 2000 From the print edition

Incinerator plans go up in smoke

Following protests by downwinder Jackson, Wyo., residents, the Department of Energy agrees to scrap nuclear-waste incineration plans at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.

Rachel Odell April 10, 2000 From the print edition

Parks rev up to ban snowmobiles

The Park Service says that snowmobiles will likely be banned from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks by 2002-2003.

Rachel Odell March 27, 2000 From the print edition

Yellowstone wolves are here to stay

The 10th Circuit Court overturns a controversial ruling and decrees that the 300 transplanted wolves in Yellowstone National Park were not illegally reintroduced.

Rachel Odell Jan. 31, 2000 From the print edition

Downwinders speak up and pay up

Flamboyant Wyoming attorney Gerry Spence is at the head of a legal challenge to the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory's plan to build a nuclear-waste incinerator, which Wyoming residents fear could send emissions into their state.

Rachel Odell Sept. 27, 1999 From the print edition

DDT doesn't just fade away

Almost 50 years after biologists dumped DDT on Yellowstone Park to kill the spruce budworm moth, traces of the pesticide remain in the ecosystem.

Rachel Odell Aug. 2, 1999 From the print edition

Montana won't bend for bison

Despite word from the federal government that bison do not threaten cattle with brucellosis, Montana continues to crack down on stray animals and arrest protesters.

Rachel Odell April 12, 1999 From the print edition

Paddlers want onto 'the Everest of rivers'

Conservationists and boaters are battling over American Whitewater's attempt to open Yellowstone's rivers to kayaking.

Rachel Odell March 15, 1999 From the print edition

Activists block bison capture pen

An activist group called Buffalo Nations has set up tripods to block the road leading to a planned bison pen near West Yellowstone, Mont., where stray bison would be held and tested for brucellosis.

Rachel Odell Feb. 15, 1999 From the print edition

Wolves colonize Jackson Hole

Eleven reintroduced wolves have been sighted recently near Jackson Hole, Wyo., as they migrate south from Yellowstone toward Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.

Rachel Odell Feb. 15, 1999 From the print edition

The great bison chase continues

Even though the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service admits there is little risk of cattle catching brucellosis from calves, yearlings and bulls, Montana's Dept. of Livestock is hazing all stray bison back into Yellowstone.

Rachel Odell Jan. 18, 1999 From the print edition

Next: Grand Teton International?

In Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park officials and environmentalists are battling airline representatives who want to expand the runway at the Jackson Hole Airport, which is located inside the park.

Rachel Odell Oct. 26, 1998 From the print edition

A bridge to disaster?

Environmentalists object to a Forest Service plan to build a new snowmobile bridge across Cougar Creek near the edge of Yellowstone National Park.

Rachel Odell Oct. 12, 1998 From the print edition

Critics slam bison plan

Critics blast Yellowstone's draft management plan for bison, which would quarantine, vaccinate and reduce the size of the herd to deal with the threat of brucellosis.

Rachel Odell Sept. 28, 1998 From the print edition

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