The Bush administration is outsourcing to private
contractors jobs formerly done by employees of federal agencies,
among them the job of the Forest Service Content Analysis Teams
(CATs) – the people who receive and report the comments of
the public. The
Magazine
April 26, 2004
The Bush administration is outsourcing to private contractors jobs formerly done by employees of federal agencies, among them the job of the Forest Service Content Analysis Teams (CATs) – the people who receive and report the comments of the public. The team was sacked, many say to the detriment of the public connection, and with increased cost to taxpayers. Also in this issue: Controversial energy bill, to increase domestic oil and gas drilling and force federal agencies to expedite permits for energy projects on public lands, came back yet again, but was defeated in the Senate, 50-47.
Feature
Editor's Note
In trading our public servants for government contractors,
we're cutting the heart out of a public-trust ethic, and showing
there's no faster way to demolish an institution than by parting it
out to the lowest bidder.
Uncommon Westerners
Investment advisor Hal Brill has found a way to help
investors follow their conscience, succeed as socially responsible
people, and get a return on their dollars.
Essays
Safeguarding special places should come from those already
settled in such places, but usually we fall into self-righteousness
and apathy. A positive vision for local action requires setting
priorities for the natural landscape that gives a place its
spe
Book Reviews
Earthjustice, best known for legal service for
environmental causes, has released a CD with a message of making
tomorrow better
Rivers for Life: Managing Water for People and Nature, by
Sandra Postel and Brian Richter is deceptively wonky-looking, but
sparkles. It drives home the necessity of reconsidering the ways we
manage water, and is full of good ideas
Writers on the Range
Montana "characters" may be more a creation of newcomers
who feed on and then in turn feed our Western myths than a real
reflection of Montana’s character and past
Heard Around the West
In Colorado, a legislator’s faux pas slams Kansas
and Texas; dog lover in California worries about stranger’s
dog and gets trespassing charge; Idaho’s Legislature worries
little about consistency; in Nevada, burglar caught by his DNA
signature in yellowed
Dear Friends
Visitors Knox Williams, Vince Matthews, Bill and Molly
Pochciol, Randy Cracroft, John Trotter; recognition for John
Horning with Conservation Leadership Award from Seatlle’s
Wilburforce Foundation; condolence to the Sylvain family in Paonia,
on the death
News
Controversial energy bill, to increase domestic oil and
gas drilling and force federal agencies to expedite permits for
energy projects on public lands, came back yet again, but was
defeated in the Senate, 50-47
Duwamish Indian Tribe, still fighting U.S. government over
recognition, has bought its first piece of "owned" land near Port
of Seattle, Washington
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
Fisheries Department is plotting a massive expansion of the U.S.
fish-farming industry – but concerns are high among Indian
tribes, health advocates and environmentalists
Game managers and environmentalists disagree on the
usefulness of artificial water holes for game; environmental groups
say they spread disease, attract killer bees, and give predators a
convenient spot to ambush prey. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department
Lake Mead has dropped to about 58 percent of its capacity,
and the quality of the water has changed, causing more expensive
production and increased danger of not meeting health
standards
Plans for permanently storing carbon dioxide in oil fields
will benefit energy companies who already use carbon dioxide
injection to boost output.
Letters
Featured stories
-
COLORADO WILD PUBLIC LANDS VIDEO CONTEST Please submit your video of 30 seconds or less, taken on public lands, to [email protected] by May 15th for a chance to win in one...
-
WMAN NETWORK COORDINATOR 
WESTERN MINING ACTION NETWORK (WMAN) CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY CLOSING DATE: Feb. 19, 2021 WMAN is seeking a team member to coordinate the various network activities to...
-
FRIENDS OF THE INYO IS HIRING TRAIL AMBASSADORS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2021 Friends of the Inyo's Trail Ambassadors (TAs) support the Inyo, Sierra, & Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests and other partners by providing positive public service, outreach, interpretation,...
-
LAND & CABIN ON CO/ UT LINE 18 ac w/small solar ready cabin. Off grid, no well. Great RV location. Surrounded by state wildlife area and nat'l parks.
-
MANAGER PERMACULTURE LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR Permaculture / Landscape Company Manager / Site Lead Red Ant Works, Inc. - 20+ year landscape construction and horticultural care company seeks manager and site...
-
CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the Colorado Plateau with lodge, river trip and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
-
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER San Juan Citizens Alliance is looking for a passionate, dynamic, organized, and technology-savvy communications professional to help grow our membership and presence in the Four...
-
ENERGY AND CLIMATE PROGRAM ASSOCIATE San Juan Citizens Alliance seeks an Energy and Climate Program Associate to focus on public outreach, education and organizing to advance campaigns to mitigate climate...
-
REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST
This position provides professional real estate services and is responsible for managing and completing real estate projects utilizing a project management database that is designed...
-
WILDFIRE MITIGATION SPECIALIST The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist is responsible for delivering wildfire risk mitigation information, recommendations and programmatic resources to wildland urban interface homeowners, community members and partners....
-
DEVELOPMENT POSITIONS
Thorne Nature Experience is hiring for a Development Director and Senior Individual Giving Manager. Individuals will work collaboratively with Thorne's Executive Director to develop and...
-
SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION & ENERGY The National Parks Conservation Association, a 100-year-old nonprofit advocacy organization and the nation's leading voice for national parks seeks a Senior Program Manager, Landscape Conservation...
-
BACKCOUNTRY AND FRONTCOUNTRY STEWARDSHIP CREW MEMBERS The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is hiring a crew of ambassadors to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to educate visitors on...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATURAL HISTORY INSTITUTE The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the Natural History Institute (NHI). The Executive Director has broad authority to lead and manage the...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT FRIENDS OF CEDAR MESA - The Land, History, and People of the Bears Ears Region - The Bears Ears and Cedar Mesa region is one of the most beautiful,...
-
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Greater Yellowstone Coalition seeks a Senior Development Associate to coordinate the organization's individual giving program. The position description is available at http://greateryellowstone.org/careers Please email a...
-
TRAIL CREW TECHNICAL ADVISORS
SEEKING TALENTED TRAIL CREWLEADERS The Pacific Crest Trail Association, headquartered in Sacramento, California ,is dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the Pacific Crest National Scenic...
-
WESTERN NATIVE SEED
Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...
-
THE LAND DESK: A PUBLIC LANDS NEWSLETTER Western lands and communities--in context--delivered to your inbox 3x/week. From award-winning journalist and HCN contributor Jonathan P. Thompson. $6/month; $60/year.
-
CONSERVATIONIST? IRRIGABLE LAND? Stellar seed-saving NGO is available to serious partner. Package must include financial support. Details: http://seeds.ojaidigital.net.
