Magazine
An Empire Built on Sand

March 21, 2005

Rampant growth in the Phoenix area and a severe drought on the Colorado River challenge the sustainability of the Central Arizona Project. Also in this issue: A groundbreaking settlement between New Mexico environmentalists and the city of Albuquerque may keep water in the Middle Rio Grande and help both farmers and endangered silvery minnows.

Feature

Arizona returns to the desert
Rampant growth in the Phoenix area and a severe drought on the Colorado River challenge Arizona's water sustainability.
Matt Jenkins March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Sidebar

What's worse than the worst-case scenario? Real life
Ten years ago, Ben Harding created a worst-case drought scenario for a U.S. Geological Survey study, but the current drought on the Colorado River may be even worse than he imagined
Matt Jenkins March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Editor's Note

The best-laid plans
It’s high time Arizona realized it’s a desert, and has to share the Colorado River with six other dry Western states
Greg Hanscom Opinion March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Uncommon Westerners

Colorado couple turns healthy profit from healthy beef
David and Kay James are doing a good business raising "grass-finished" beef on their ranch near Durango, Colo.
Peter McBride March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Book Reviews

The life of an unsung Western water diplomat
Silver Fox of the Rockies by Daniel Tyler tells the story of Delphus E. Carpenter, who sought peaceful resolutions to Western water problems, and helped create the 1922 Colorado River Compact
Joshua Zaffos March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Gators, dirt and hot tubs in the Cowboy State
Annie Proulx’s new collection of short stories, Bad Dirt, celebrates and skewers the colorful characters of rural Wyoming
Stephen J. Lyons March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Seeds of Deception
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith takes a chilling look at "Frankenstein foods," explaining that new, genetically modified foods are not as safe as their corporate creators claim
Staff March 21, 2005 From the print edition
State of the World 2005: Redefining Global Security
In State of the World 2005, the Worldwatch Institute takes a hard look at important issues from nuclear weapons proliferation to renewable energy
Staff March 21, 2005 From the print edition
UFOs Over Galisteo and Other Stories of New Mexico's History
In UFOs Over Galisteo, New Mexico historian Robert J. Torrez creates vivid vignettes of his state’s fascinating past
Staff March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Writers on the Range

A look at the West, in the funhouse mirror
Old Westerners and New Westerners are equally hypocritical when it comes to caricaturing each other and not looking at themselves
Jim Stiles Essay March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Heard Around the West

Heard around the West
Remembering Hunter S. Thompson; out-of-doors Internet; Brian Schweitzer takes on D.C.; more realtors than realty in Vail, Colo.; Top 10 things about being a small-town teen; and Koko the talking ape gets nasty
Betsy Marston March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Dear Friends

Dear friends
Sculptor and newspaperman Bob Wick; congrats to Paul Koberstein, Alex Pasquariello, Michelle Nijhuis, and Ed and Betsy Marston; correction
Greg Hanscom March 21, 2005 From the print edition

News

Peace breaks out on the Rio Grande
A groundbreaking settlement between New Mexico environmentalists and the city of Albuquerque may keep water in the Middle Rio Grande and help both farmers and endangered silvery minnows
Laura Paskus March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Follow-up
Arizona Snowball ski area can make snow from treated wastewater; California battles Forest Service over logging sequoia; Bush nominates Steve Johnson to head EPA; Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., goes after southwestern willow flycatcher’s habitat
Laura Paskus March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Nevada desert to be sold for debt relief
The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act is making money from auctioning off the Las Vegas valley desert – and the Bush administration would like to get its hands on that money
Ryan Slattery March 21, 2005 From the print edition
BLM land sold without study
The Lincoln County Lands Bill, modeled after the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, is already selling off land, although an environmental assessment ordered by a judge was never carried out
Ryan Slattery March 21, 2005 From the print edition
A leak-proof fuel tank? No such thing
Diesel fuel – leaking from a massive railroad refueling depot –slips into a major drinking water aquifer on the Idaho-Washington border.
Kevin Taylor March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Indian tribe to share refuge with feds
The Nisqually Tribe will share management of recently purchased land in Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Hilary Watts March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Biohazard lab takes shape
A Biosafety Level 4 lab is being added to the National Institutes of Health Rocky Mountain Laboratories campus in Hamilton, Mont.
Ray Ring March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Cheese producers just say 'no' to Monsanto
The Tillamook County Creamery Association in Oregon votes to uphold its ban on the use of the artificial growth hormone Posilac in its dairy cows
J.M. McCord March 21, 2005 From the print edition
'Safe dose' of rocket fuel now larger
Following a controversial study, the Environmental Protection Agency decides to raise the drinking water standards for perchlorate to a dosage environmentalists say is dangerously high
J.M. McCord March 21, 2005 From the print edition

Letters

Outside the movement — and inside the system
Mike Harding March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Environmentalists didn't fail Libby
Paul Edwards March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Where were the unions?
Pat Williams March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Enviros need some help with public relations
Paul Brookshire March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Let's bury the word 'environmentalism'
Pat Ford March 21, 2005 From the print edition
The environment is about all of us
Vicki Shaw March 21, 2005 From the print edition
It's capitalism, stupid
David D. Jones March 21, 2005 From the print edition
Libby locals should have defended themselves
Harold Thomas March 21, 2005 From the print edition
This environmentalist fought asbestos
Campbell, Larry March 21, 2005 From the print edition
High Country News Classifieds
  • MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
     For more information visit www. wyofile.com/careers/
  • THRIVING LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORE FOR SALE
     Turn-key business opportunity. Successful well established business with room to grow. Excellent highway visibility.
  • DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
     For more information, visit www.wyofile.com/careers/
  • SONORAN INSTITUTE, CEO
     Chief Executive Officer Tucson, Arizona ABOUT SONORAN INSTITUTE Since 1990, the Sonoran Institute has brought together diverse interests to successfully forge effective and enduring conservation...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
     STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION OPENING www.westernlaw.org/about-us/clinic-interns-careers The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is a high-impact, nonprofit public interest environmental law firm with a 27-year legacy using...
  • PROJECT MANAGER
     Position Summary Join our Team at the New Mexico Land Conservancy! We're seeking a Project Manager who will work to protect land and water across...
  • SEEKING PROPERTY FOR BISON HERD
     Seeking additional properties for a herd of 1,000 AUM minimum. Interested in partnering with landowners looking to engage in commercial and/or conservation bison ranching. Location...
  • DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT AND MARKETING
     High Country News seeks a Director of Product and Marketing to join our senior team during an exciting chapter of innovation and growth. This individual...
  • WILDLIFE HAVEN
     Beautiful acreage with Teton Creek flowing through it. Springs and ponds, lots of trees, moose and deer. Property has barn. Easy access. approx. 33 acres.
  • ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
     Arizona Conservation Corps is seeking a Program Director in Flagstaff or Tucson
  • COPPER STAIN: ASARCO'S LEGACY IN EL PASO
     Tales from scores of ex-employees unearth the human costs of an economy that runs on copper.
  • EXPERT LAND STEWART
     Available for site conservator, property manager. View resume at http://skills.ojadigital.net.
  • CONSERVATIONIST? IRRIGABLE LAND?
     Stellar seed-saving NGO is available to serious partner. Package must include financial support. Details: http://seeds.ojaidigital.net.
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
     Colorado Plateau Natural & Human History Field Seminars. Lodge, river, hiking options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
     Specializing in native seeds and seed mixes for western states.
  • CHUCK BURR'S CULTUREQUAKE.COM BLOG
     Change will happen when we see a new way of living. Thinking to save the world.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
     Popular vacation house, furnished, 2 bed/1 bath, yard, dog-friendly. Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • 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...