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
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
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
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
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
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
Featured stories
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SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION ADVOCATE WildEarth Guardians is seeking a full-time advocate in our Wild Places Program to advance a new paradigm of forest management and protection based on the...
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REGIONAL CONSERVATION DIRECTOR FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC) The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is conducting a national search, seeking a dynamic leader and effective manager to be the next Regional Conservation Director....
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WYOMING CONSERVATION COORDINATOR The Wyoming Conservation Coordinator (WCC) is a senior-level position that provides strategic leadership for GYC's efforts to protect lands, waters, and wildlife within the Wyoming...
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NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM SOUTHWEST COORDINATOR The New Agrarian Program Southwest Coordinator is responsible, in partnership with the NAP Director and Colorado Manager, for implementation of Quivira's apprenticeship program in New...
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NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM ALUMNI AND OUTREACH MANAGER The New Agrarian Alumni & Outreach Manager is a passionate community builder who enjoys identifying opportunities to develop new programming, supporting beginning agrarians and land...
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ANIMAS RIVERKEEPER San Juan Citizens Alliance seeks a passionate, experienced, and motivated Animas Riverkeeper to lead campaigns to protect water quality and flows in the Animas River...
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CO & NM COALITION TO ENHANCE WORKING LANDS MANAGER Land stewards are more effective when they work as a team and have strong relationships. Our goals are to acknowledge and support the good work...
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PATAGONIA SONOITA-CREEK PRESERVE MANAGER The Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve Manager performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, development and coordination of conservation programs. On-site housing provided...
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VERDE RIVER PROJECTS TECHNICIAN The Verde River Projects Technician (VRPT) provides technical assistance to Verde River Program staff in implementation of the Verde River Streamflow Monitoring Protocol. This consists...
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HEALTHY CITIES PROGRAM MANAGER The Healthy Cities Program Manager works directly with the business unit's Healthy Cities Program Director to advance the Healthy Cities Program's long-term vision and innovative,...
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MAJOR GIFTS MANAGER - MOUNTAIN WEST, THE CONSERVATION FUND Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 75-125 donors.
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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WITH RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION RCAC in West Sacramento, CA seeks a strategic CFO to oversee and safeguard RCAC's finances.
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PRECIOUS WATER IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Hardcover and eBook available now. Contact your local bookstore or the author at 970.371.7339 [email protected]
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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging our community in education,...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sierra Forest Legacy (www.sierraforestlegacy.org) is seeking an executive director to lead our effort to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. We seek a...
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST (PART-TIME, CONTRACT) High Country News (HCN) is looking for a Social Media Specialist to manage our social media channels, encompassing Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and...
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NATURE'S BEST IN ARAVAIPA CANYON 10 acre private oasis in one of Arizona's beautiful canyons. Fully furnished, 2123 sq ft architectural custom-built contemporary home with spectacular views and many extras....
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HEALTH FOOD STORE IN NW MONTANA Turn-key business includes 2500 sq ft commercial building in main business district of Libby, Montana. 406.293.6771 /or [email protected]
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SMALL FARM AT BASE OF MOUNT SHASTA, CALIF. Fruit/berry/veggie/flower farm in the mountain town of Mount Shasta. Small home, 2 barns (one with apartment), and more. Famously pure air and water.
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CONSERVATION PROGRAM MANAGER Illinois Valley SWCD is offering an incredible career opportunity in beautiful SW Oregon. .8+ FTE, plus benefits. Visit our website for full details.