History and science show that the recent "catastrophic"
wildfires in the West are not really a new development
Items by Ray Ring
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"
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
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.
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
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
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.
Twenty years after its longtime mainstay, the Climax
Molybdenum Mine, closed, Leadville, Colo., is still groping for a
secure economy and a new identity.
The National Park Service gives up on trying to ban
snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national
parks
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
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
Exclusive gated communities such as Montana's Yellowstone
Club impact the land as well as the social fabric.
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.
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.
HCN takes a state-by-state look at the most important
elections coming up in the West.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Among other tasks, research entomologist Justin Schmidt
counts bee stings in dead animals at the Carl Hayden Bee Research
Center in Tucson, Ariz.
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.
The problem of controlling Africanized bees is now
widespread, and some are taking advantage of the frightening
invasion to earn a good living.
Restoring Mexican wolves to the Southwest has met more
resistance than the restoration of wolves in the Northern
Rockies.
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.
In her own words, Margaret Soulen Hinson explains that
wolf predation is minimal compared to other animals that kill her
family's sheep.
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.
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.
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.
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