High Country News – Know the West

History and science show that the recent "catastrophic" wildfires in the West are not really a new development

Ray Ring May 26, 2003 From the print edition

We need to revise or toss out some of our fire vocabulary, especially "wildland-urban interface," "pre-settlement condition" and Smokey’s slogan "only you"

Ray Ring May 26, 2003 From the print edition

Big blowups will continue, whether we like it or not

Billions of dollars are being spent to fight Western wildfires, but some scientists now believe that the big blowups can’t be prevented, and that they may be good for the health of the forests

Ray Ring May 26, 2003 From the print edition

Locals fight new railroad

Ranchers, environmentalists and other locals are fighting plans for the largest railroad construction project in a century, which would cross national grasslands in Wyoming and South Dakota.

Ray Ring March 3, 2003 From the print edition

A mine falls, and a tribe may get the shaft

Part of the price of stopping the planned New World Mine near Yellowstone may turn out to be the development of coal reserves along Otter Creek, next to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation

Ray Ring and Bob Struckman Jan. 20, 2003 From the print edition

A breath of fresh air

For over 30 years, the Northern Cheyenne have stood firm against energy development and its environmental impacts, but now, faced with crushing poverty, some are starting to think about developing the reservation’s coal and methane resources

Bob Struckman and Ray Ring Jan. 20, 2003 From the print edition

Open space initiative offers hope

The Lake County Open Space Initiative has preserved land around Leadville and created trails for cross-country skiing and other recreation, but some local politicians say it’s snatching up too much private land and water.

Ray Ring and J. T. Thomas Dec. 23, 2002 From the print edition

In search of the Glory Days

Twenty years after its longtime mainstay, the Climax Molybdenum Mine, closed, Leadville, Colo., is still groping for a secure economy and a new identity.

Steve Voynick, with Ray Ring and Hal Clifford Dec. 23, 2002 From the print edition

Feds bail on snowmobile ban

The National Park Service gives up on trying to ban snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks

Ray Ring Nov. 25, 2002 From the print edition

Election Bounce

Most green initiatives fail in West; a few bright spots; "Indian vote" helped Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., but not George Cordova in Arizona; Sen. Wayle Allard, R, re-elected in Colorado; Dems gain 11 seats in Idaho; Northwest keeps to status quo

Laura Paskus and Ray Ring Nov. 25, 2002 From the print edition

Conservation vote groups optimistic

Ed Zuckerman of the Federation of State Voter Conservation Leagues says environmentalists should not despair over the recent elections, because grassroots conservation groups did very well at the local level

Ray Ring Nov. 25, 2002 From the print edition

Gated communities go in with a bang

Exclusive gated communities such as Montana's Yellowstone Club impact the land as well as the social fabric.

Ray Ring Nov. 11, 2002 From the print edition

Judges rule gas leases are illegal

Three judges say the BLM illegally leased coalbed methane rights in Wyoming's Powder River Basin without evaluating impacts - a ruling environmentalists say could affect similar leases across the West.

Ray Ring Oct. 28, 2002 From the print edition

The politics of growth

Almost every major election in Arizona is up for grabs this year, along with a rash of ballot initiatives, and some observers hope the state can pull out of its headlong rush into uncontrolled growth and development.

Ray Ring Oct. 14, 2002 From the print edition

Around the West, the hot races to watch

HCN takes a state-by-state look at the most important elections coming up in the West.

Ray Ring, with Matt Jenkins, Laura Paskus, Lolly Merrell,Rocky Oct. 14, 2002 From the print edition

The Latest Bounce

San Gabriel Watersheds Study Act passes House; Sisters' cattle removed from BLM land; Gold mine resurrected for land sacred to Indians; Utah Rep. Jim Hansen makes deal to sell site to Mormon Church; and Mont. Gov. says miners are "true environmentalists."

Laura Paskus and Ray Ring Oct. 14, 2002 From the print edition

The Latest Bounce

Groups appeal White River Plan; Wyoming Game and Fish wants dual classification for gray wolf; judge orders BuRec to release Rio Grande water; Interior Sec. and Assistant Sec. held in contempt; woman's body strapped to hood of vehicle.

Laura Paskus and Ray Ring Sept. 30, 2002 From the print edition

This land holds a story the church won't tell

The Mormon Church would like to buy all of Martin's Cove, Wyo., where Mormon pioneers died 146 years ago, but the writer believes the historical site should stay in the hands of the public, so the full story can be told.

Ray Ring Essay Sept. 30, 2002 From the print edition

Backlash

In Gallatin County, Mont., and Delta County, Colo., local citizens and county governments are fiercely resisting the recent, no-holds-barred push to drill for coalbed methane.

Ray Ring Sept. 2, 2002 From the print edition

The author responds

Ray Ring Aug. 19, 2002 From the print edition

Montana's governor is a poor choice to lead the West

The Western Governors Association made a serious mistake when it selected as its leader Montana Gov. Judy Martz, R, the least qualified member in terms of experience, personality and results.

Ray Ring Opinion Essay Aug. 5, 2002 From the print edition

2,997 ... 2,998 ... 2,999

Among other tasks, research entomologist Justin Schmidt counts bee stings in dead animals at the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Ariz.

Ray Ring June 24, 2002 From the print edition

Dear Friends

Colorado wildfires threaten homes and forests throughout the state; welcome Paul Gibb, new business manager, wife Greta and twin baby boys; favorable reviews for Radio HCN; visitors; correction.

Ray Ring June 24, 2002 From the print edition

The buzz business

The problem of controlling Africanized bees is now widespread, and some are taking advantage of the frightening invasion to earn a good living.

Ray Ring June 24, 2002 From the print edition

Wolves still struggle in the Southwest

Restoring Mexican wolves to the Southwest has met more resistance than the restoration of wolves in the Northern Rockies.

Ray Ring and Tim Vanderpool May 27, 2002 From the print edition

'There isn't much room for more wolves'

Ralph Maughan, professor of political science at Idaho State University, and president-elect of the Wolf Recovery Foundation, blames conflicts on not enough room in the wild for wolves.

Guy Hand and Ray Ring May 27, 2002 From the print edition

'I respect wolves. I still don't like them killing our sheep.'

In her own words, Margaret Soulen Hinson explains that wolf predation is minimal compared to other animals that kill her family's sheep.

Ray Ring and Rocky Barker May 27, 2002 From the print edition

Wolf at the door

Wolves have been restored in the Northern Rockies, but their conflict with civilization now prompts wildlife managers to face some agonizing decisions about the animal's future.

Ray Ring May 27, 2002 From the print edition

Water threat inspires a rare alliance

Two proposed power plants in Post Falls, Idaho, have locals, business leaders and environmentalists coming together to block what could have a detrimental effect on the drinking water for more than 400,000 people in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.

Julie Titone and Ray Ring April 15, 2002 From the print edition

Winter-use plan lurches toward the finish line

The National Park Service has issued its Winter-Use Plans Draft Supplemental EIS, the agency's first attempt to manage winter traffic in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

Ray Ring April 1, 2002 From the print edition

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