HCN takes a state-by-state look at the most important
elections coming up in the West.
Magazine
October 14, 2002
After a decade and a half without reasonable or effective leadership,Arizona has become the West's most incompetently run state, its politics propelled almost entirely by growth. This year's gubernatorial election offers a chance for change. Also in this issue: The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan was seen as a watershed move to balance logging with environmental protection. But logging companies say the plan's controversial species-management provision has put too much land off-limits, and now the Bush administration is moving to relax the rules.
Feature
In Montana, Initiative 145 would undo the deregulation of
power in the state, allowing citizens to take back control of
hydroelectric dams.
The recent decline in support for the New Mexico Green
Party seems to have no effect on the hopes of its candidates or the
anxiety of the state's Democratic party, which sees the Greens as
spoilers.
In Utah, an initiative that would triple the cost of
disposal at Envirocare's radioactive waste dump in Tooele County
and it from taking hotter wastes is being fiercely fought by the
company.
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.
Sidebar
A federal judge has struck down a series of Utah laws
meant to block a planned high-level nuclear waste storage facility
on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation.
Editor's Note
An introduction to the special election issue says that
voting should be less predictable in the West this year.
Essays
How did the Republican Party cease being the party of
conservation, and why do Westerners continue to give it their
support?
Book Reviews
The Web site of PEER - Public Employees for Environmental
Responsibility - features a report on increasing violence against
National Park Service employees, along with other topics.
The Rocky Mountain Mineral Foundation is holding a two-day
conference on "Regulation and Development of Coalbed
Methane."
A floating laboratory called Forever Earth prowls Nevada's
Lake Mead, doing scientific research and working with academic and
environmental groups.
In Native Waters: Contemporary Indian Water Settlements
and the Second Treaty Era, scholar Daniel McCool explores the
current struggle by tribes to finally get the water they have long
been promised by treaty.
In New Mexico, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
celebrates its annual Festival of the Cranes in November.
Writers on the Range
An encounter in a bar with a guy named Dwayne causes a
writer named Mary Lou to ponder the hidden meanings lurking behind
first names in the West.
Heard Around the West
Utah leads in bankruptcy and stupid chili-roasting laws;
Jackson Hole Guide fact-checks New York Times; new mascot - Reddy
the Squirrel - wants to replace Smokey Bear; Boulder vs. starling
control; and Forest Service workers vs. fee demo program.
Dear Friends
Tim Egan speaks at HCN Seattle board meeting; Ed Marston
steps aside; correction; Betsy Offermann obituary
Interim HCN publisher Paul Larmer remembers his first
encounter with retiring publisher Ed Marston, and considers what he
- and the paper - have gained under Marston's aegis.
News
The Bush administration bows to pressure from the logging
industry to revise the Clinton-era Northwest Forest Plan.
Under pressure from the home-building industry, the Fish
and Wildlife Service drastically trims critical habitat for the
threatened California red-legged frog.
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."
The city of Albuquerque, N.M., is fighting a judge's order
that says city water must be released from reservoirs into the Rio
Grande to save the endangered silvery minnow.
Thousands of steelhead and chinook and coho salmon have
died in Northern California's Klamath River, and conservationists
blame the Bush administration's decision to lower river
flows.
Cowboy poet, rancher and environmentalist Wally McRae
talks about the romance of the range and the hard reality of things
like coal development in Montana.
Letters
Today's Featured Stories
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HISTORIC COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY IN DOWNTOWN NOGALES Nogales. 3 active lower spaces and upper floor with lots of potential. 520-245-9000 [email protected]
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - NEVADA WILDLIFE FEDERATION The Nevada Wildlife Federation is seeking an Executive Director to collaborate with the board of directors to position the organization as a leading and influential...
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TROUT UNLIMITED WILD STEELHEAD INITIATIVE ADVOCATE The Wild Steelhead Initiative Advocate leads advocacy work in Washington State to protect and restore wild steelhead. This entails advocating policies and management that will...
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PHOTO EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS seeks an experienced photo editor who is equally comfortable with conceptual photography and reportage. The quality of our journalism is unsurpassed, and photography to match...
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2 PROPERTIES ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE GILA WILDERNESS - FOR SALE BY OWNERS - [email protected] Organic farm, hot springs, San Francisco River runs through both. [email protected]
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY NON-PROFIT NEAR YOSEMITE Demanding, but rewarding, advocacy work on forest, water, wildland, and wildlife issues. Applicants should have experience dealing with land management planning, public speaking, grassroots organizing,...
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PHILANTHROPY DIRECTOR AT WILDERNESS WORKSHOP Wilderness Workshop seeks a full time Philanthropy Director to raise funds for our team. Learn more: www.wildernessworkshop.org
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NEW MEXICO BIRDER'S PARADISE. Fully furnished 2B/2B home near Bosque del Apache NWR, great for nature lovers.
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COMING TO TUCSON? Popular vacation house, furnished, 2 bed/1 bath, yard, dog-friendly. Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
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DIRECTOR, TEXAS WATER PROGRAMS The National Wildlife Federation seeks a Director to lead our water-related policy and program work in Texas, with a primary focus on NWF's signature Texas...
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SPLIT CREEK RANCH Spectacular country home on 48 acres with Wallowa River running through it! 541-398-1148 www.RubyPeakRealty.com
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Only 2 lots left in Electric Mountain Recreational Subdivision. Spectacular vistas. Visit & dine at the reopened Electric Mountain Lodge, Thurs-Sun. Contact: [email protected]
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FOR SALE: SOUTH AUSTIN RANCH NEXT TO WILDFLOWER CENTER
Seeking LMP/family to share one of two complexes, ranching, hunting and recreation as allowed on a City of Austin held 385 acre water quality conservation...
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OJO CALIENTE COMMERCIAL VENTURE Outstanding location near the world famous Ojo Caliente Mineral Spring Resort. Classic adobe Mercantile complete w/living quarters, separate 6 unit B&B, metal building and spacious...
