Magazine

April 17, 2006
Four years after President Bush launched his Healthy Forests Initiative, the Western woods are abuzz. Also in this issue: "Nevada style" wilderness bill comes to Utah and Citizens unite against gas field chaos.
Feature
President Bush says the Healthy Forests Restoration Act
and Initiative were needed to fight wildfire, but several years
into the new rules, critics question whether the changes they
brought were helpful or even necessary
Sidebar
Loggers say forest-restoration work, which involves the
thinning and cutting of small, skinny trees, doesn’t bring in
much money
The National Fire Plan, the Healthy Forests Initiative and
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act are explained and
compared
Uncommon Westerners
Former California Rep. Pete McCloskey says the need to
defend the environment is behind his decision to run against
Richard Pombo in the Republican primary
Essays

All over the West, white roadside crosses and spontaneous,
humble shrines mark the holy sites where the souls of human beings
have left this world
Writers on the Range
The upcoming trial of 11 alleged "eco-terrorists" may not
be the Trial of the Century, but it reminds the writer, a longtime
activist, of the Boston Tea Party
Book Reviews
In George W. Bush’s Healthy Forests:
Reframing the Environmental Debate, authors Jacqueline
Vaughn and Hanna Cortner demonstrate that under Bush, "there has
been a rollback of environmental standards and
regulations."
In Condor: To the Brink and Back,
science reporter John Nielsen surveys the life and times of "one
giant bird."
Wayne Parrish’s Legend of the
Eagleman is a suspenseful and engaging novel set in the
world of tribal casino gambling
Communities and Forests: Where People Meet the
Land, is a collection of essays, edited by Robert G. Lee
and Donald R Field, examining changing styles of forest
management
Heard Around the West
Driving a little too far off-road in California; HOV Lane
is not for dummies; scrap metal thieves get creative; dream home
turns nightmare; St. George, Utah, gets expensive; military
recruiters get desperate
Dear Friends
Matt Jenkins leaves the HCN office to
become California-Great Basin correspondent; Western Slope
Environmental Resource Conference and North Fork River Improvement
Association hold annual meetings; visitors; "secretary" Bruce
Babbitt
News
A controversial proposed wilderness bill for Utah’s
Washington County includes utility corridors, motorized-vehicle
trails, and public-land sales designed to accommodate urban
growth
Sens. Max Baucus and Ron Wyden want to raise money for
rural schools by closing tax loopholes; Yates Petroleum won’t
drill in Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge; Montana wants to keep
Wyoming’s coalbed methane from harming rivers’ water
quality
Farmers, environmentalists, fishermen and tribes are
talking with PacifiCorp officials about the possible removal of
four dams on the Klamath River
In western Colorado, the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance is
trying to work with industry to set protections for landowners
before more drilling gets under way
Grand Junction and Palisade, Colo., try unsuccessfully to
bid on oil and gas leases to protect their water supply from
contamination by drilling
As drill rigs get closer to New Mexico’s Valle
Vidal, the coalition seeking to protect the area is attracting more
support
Outgoing Interior Secretary Gale Norton has opened the
door for counties and states to claim control of roads crossing
federal lands
Idaho’s Fish and Game Department wants to boost
dwindling elk numbers by killing wolves in the Lolo management
zone
Letters
Today's Featured Stories
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WATER POLICY ANALYST WITH WRA (BOULDER) Position Summary: Western Resource Advocates seeks a passionate Water Policy Analyst with knowledge of western water issues to join our Healthy Rivers Team to strengthen...
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GILA NATIONAL FOREST 9+ acre inholding. Passive solar strawbale off the grid and next to the Continental Divide Trail in ponderosa pine/doug fir forest at 7400.
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HIRING BEARS EARS EDUCATION CENTER DIRECTOR Conservation nonprofit Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah is hiring an Education Center Director to oversee the operation of the Bears Ears Education Center....
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PROGRAM MANAGER, SUSTAINING FLOWS Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
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PROGRAM ASSOCIATE - VERDE RIVER EXCHANGE Verde River Exchange - Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
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CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER Teton County Planning & Building is hiring! Our ideal candidate is a team-player, a problem-solver, pays attention to detail, and can clearly communicate technical material...
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ARCHITECTURE DRAFTSPERSON/PROJECT MANAGER Studio Architects is seeking a full time Architectural drafts-person/project manager with1-3 years of experience to join our firm. At Studio Architects our mission is to...
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ASSISTANT MANAGER/TRAINEE, COLORADO RANCH needed for 16,000+ acre conservation property in south central Colorado. Qualified candidate would have experience working on a ranch or wilderness property, general forestry/fire management... -
FARM HAND &/OR NANNY IN ESCALANTE Nanny for 18-mnth-old. Yearly salary, vacation, health insurance. Spanish/other foreign-language native spkr prefrrd. -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Washington Association of Land Trusts seeks an ED to build on WALTs significant success & to lead the association to new levels of achievement. See...
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BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM STRAWBALE HOME IN WESTERN COLORADO! Secluded, energy efficient Southwestern home on 40 wooded acres. Broker - Rand Porter - United Country Real Colorado Properties. 970-261-1248, $425K
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FORMER RETREAT CENTER/CONSERVATION PROPERTY FOR SALE 57 acres in Skull Valley, AZ, 17 miles from Prescott, year-round creek, swimming holes, secluded canyon, hiking/meditation trails, oaks, pines, garden, greenhouse. House, office building,...
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ARIZONA PUBLIC LANDS ORGANIZER Title: Public Lands Organizer About the Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) The AWF is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and assisting individuals and organizations...
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HISTORIC RANCH HOME W/ 20 ACRES Historic 1893 Ranch Headquarters. 4 Bdrm, 3.5 Ba, 4000 ft2. Remodeled 2002. Includes 2 studio apts, stables, arena, workshop, 5 RV hookups. Chirachua & Peloncillo... -
VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL OPERATIONS The Vice President of Retail Operations will provide overall leadership and accountability for purchasing, product development, merchandising planning, visual merchandising, retail operational excellence, oversight and...
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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Grand Staircase Escalante Partners seeks an experienced fundraiser with excellent communication and organizational skills.
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PROGRAM MANAGER position in Phoenix with the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy.
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ROADS END CABIN NEAR YELLOWSTONE Vaulted ceilings, two fireplaces, two bedrooms, loft, jetted tub, wifi. Forest, mountain views. Wildlife. [email protected]
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ACCOUNTING CLERK Our director is seeking to employ the services of an Accounting Clerk to assist with various accounting and administrative tasks. This is a great opportunity... -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY RADIO PROJECT Community Radio Project, Cortez, CO (KSJD & the Sunflower Theatre). Visit ksjd.org and click on the Executive Director search link. CRP is an EOE.