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
Featured stories
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CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE - OKANOGAN LAND TRUST (NORTH CENTRAL WA) Do you enjoy rural living, wild places, and the chance to work with many different kinds of people and accomplish big conservation outcomes? Do you...
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CARDIGAN WELSH CORGIS 10 adorable, healthy puppies for sale. 4 males and 6 females. DM and PRA clear. Excellent pedigree from champion lineage. One Red Brindle male. The...
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A CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS!! "Goodnight Fossil Fuels!" is a an engaging, beautiful, factual and somewhat silly picture book by a climate scientist and a climate artist, both based in...
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DIGITAL ADVOCACY & MEMBERSHIP MANAGER 
The Digital Advocacy & Membership Manager will be responsible for creating and delivering compelling, engaging digital content to Guardians members, email activists, and social media...
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DIGITAL OUTREACH COORDINATOR, ARIZONA Job Title: Digital Outreach Coordinator, Arizona Position Location: Phoenix or Tucson, AZ Status: Salaried Job ID Number: 52198 We are looking for you! We are...
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DESCHUTES LAND TRUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER The Deschutes Land Trust is seeking an experienced Volunteer Program Manager to join its dedicated team! Deschutes Land Trust conserves and cares for the lands...
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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming seeks an experienced fundraiser to join our team. We're looking for a great communicator who is passionate about conservation and...
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INDIAN COUNTRY FELLOWSHIP Western Leaders Network is accepting applications for its paid, part-time, 6-month fellowship. Mentorship, training, and engaging tribal leaders in advancing conservation initiatives and climate policy....
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MULESHOE RANCH PRESERVE MANAGER The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Manager develops, manages, and advances conservation programs, plans and methods for large-scale geographic areas. The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (MRCMA)...
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ARTEMIS PROGRAM MANAGER Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more...
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ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES Assistant or Associate Professor of Environmental Humanities Whitman College The Environmental Humanities Program at Whitman College seeks candidates for a tenure-track position beginning August 2023...
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ANNUAL FUND MANAGER Working closely with the Foundation's leadership, the Annual Fund Manager is responsible for the oversight and management of the Foundation's annual operating fund. This is...
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DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR Looking for someone who loves public land and understands the value and importance of data in reaching shared goals as part of a high-functioning team....
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) in Crested Butte, CO is seeking an enthusiastic Executive Director who is passionate about the public lands, natural waters and...
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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Are you passionate about connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with volunteer management experience to join...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The conservation non-profit Invasive Species Action Network seeks an executive director. We are focused on preventing the human-caused spread of invasive species by promoting voluntary...
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NEW BOOK: A FEAST OF ECSTATIC VERSE AND IMAGERY
Dynamic fine art photographer offers use of images to raise funds. Available for use by conservation groups. Contact at www.anecstaticgathering.com.
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WANTED: TALENTED WRITER
Write the introduction to A Feast of Ecstatic Verse and Imagery, a book concerning nature and spirituality. Contact at www.anecstaticgathering.com. Writer who works for conservation/nature...
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MT STATE DIRECTOR- THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY The Montana State Director is a member of The Wilderness Society's (TWS) Conservation program team who plays a leading role in advancing the organization's mission...
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HIGH COUNTRY NEWS EDITORIAL INTERNS High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, is looking for its next cohort of editorial interns....
