The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
– the West’s most powerful water agency – uses a
shrewd blend of Wall Street tactics and rural diplomacy to keep the
water flowing to L.A. and its environs.
Magazine
November 12, 2007
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – the West’s most powerful water agency – uses a shrewd blend of Wall Street tactics and rural diplomacy to keep the water flowing to L.A. and its environs.
Feature
Editor's Note
In this issue of High Country News, Matt Jenkins dives
into the murky world of L.A.’s water system
Uncommon Westerners
Wicket – a wildly energetic dog discovered in an
animal shelter – serves scientists by looking for grizzly
poop in the Montana wilds.
Essays
When his old canoe shows signs of aging, Alan Kesselheim
decides to bury it upright in his yard, a contemporary totem
pole.
Conversation
High Country News talks to Dennis McDonald, the Montana rancher who also leads the state’s Democratic Party.
Book Reviews
A famous French natural-foods restaurant in Berkeley,
Calif., is the subject of Thomas McNamee’s book, Alice Waters
and Chez Panisse: The Romantic, Impractical, Often Eccentric,
Ultimately Brilliant Making of a Food Revolution.
Sarah Bird’s well-written novel The Flamenco Academy
weaves the history of this dramatic dance form into a obsessed
young woman’s search for identity.
Writers on the Range
Susan Ives tells the story of Edith Ann, a faithful horse
that narrowly escaped euthanasia when the Park Service decided she
was too old and gimpy to be of further use.
Allen Best applauds Kansas for denying permits to two
proposed coal-fired power plants because of concerns about
greenhouse gases.
Heard Around the West
The Long Arm of the Law hits Western yards; un-damming a
Montana waterway; a modern-day farmer’s daughter; clueless
CEOs; smart moose.
Dear Friends
Editor John Mecklin to step down, Jonathan Thompson to
step up; visitors; clarification on Rebecca Solnit
interview.
News
Traffic engineers work with biologists to protect both
wildlife and motorists on hazardous highways.
The West Nile virus is thriving in the West, as scientists
work to find ways to control it.
Two Weeks in the West
A look at the recent California wildfires details how much
they’ve cost so far and how many acres were burned,
especially in the expanding wildland-urban interface.
Letters
Featured stories
-
PART-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Location: Evanston, IL Salary Range: $45,000 @ 24 hours per week. send resume: [email protected] www.mitchellmuseum.org
-
OUTDOOR PROGRAM - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR St. Lawrence University seeks to fill the position of Assistant Director in the Outdoor Program. To view the complete position description, including minimum qualifications required,...
-
PUBLIC LANDS DIRECTOR Job Announcement Conserve Southwest Utah is seeking a dedicated advocate for conservation and public lands Public Lands Director a "make a difference" position Conserve Southwest...
-
FOR SALE Yellowstone Llamas Successful Yellowstone NP concession Flexible packages
-
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING
Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is seeking a full-time Director of Development & Marketing. This is a senior position responsible for the development of all marketing...
-
LEGAL DIRECTOR The Legal Director will work closely with the Executive Director in cultivating a renewed vision at NMELC that integrates diversity, equity, and justice. Black, Indigenous,...
-
VICE PRESIDENT, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION The Vice President for Landscape Conservation leads Defenders' work to promote landscape-scale wildlife conservation, focusing on four program areas: federal public lands management; private lands...
-
NOVA SCOTIA OCEAN FRONT Camp or Build on 2+ acres in Guysborough. FSBO. $36,000 US firm. Laurie's phone: 585-226-2993 EST.
-
COMMUNITY FORESTER The Clearwater Resource Council located in Seeley Lake, Montana is seeking a full-time community forester with experience in both fuels mitigation and landscape restoration. Resumes...
-
GUNNISON BASIN ROUNDTABLE
The Gunnison Basin Roundtable is currently accepting letters of interest for ten elected seats. Five of the elected members must have relevant experience in the...
-
PCTA TRAIL CREW TECHNICAL ADVISORS IN WASHINGTON'S NORTH CASCADES
Seasonal Positions: June 17th to September 16th (14 weeks) - 3 positions to be filled The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to...
-
WE'RE LOOKING FOR LEADERS! As we celebrate 50 years of great Western journalism, High Country News is looking for a few new board members to help set a course...
-
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Job Announcement Job Title: Membership Director Supervisor: Executive Director Salary: Up to $65,000/year DOE Benefits: Generous benefits package — health insurance, Simple IRA and unlimited...
-
UTAH PUBLIC LANDS MANAGER Who we are: Since 1985, the Grand Canyon Trust has been a leading voice in regional conservation on the Colorado Plateau. From protecting the Grand...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Walker Basin Conservancy Reno & Yerington, NV Background The Walker Basin Conservancy (Conservancy) leads the effort to restore and maintain Walker Lake while...
-
WIND RIVER WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS RETREAT BY THE NATIONAL BIGHORN SHEEP CENTER Enhance your writing or photography skills with world-class instructors in the beautiful Wind River Mountains. All skill levels welcome. Continuing education credits available.
-
EARTH CRUISER FX FOR SALE
Overland Vehicle for travel on or off road. Fully self contained. Less than 41,000 miles. Recently fully serviced Located in Redmond, OR $215'000.
-
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS identifies suspect buried trash, tanks, drums &/or utilities and conducts custom-designed subsurface investigations that support post-damage litigation.
-
SMALL FARM AT BASE OF MOUNT SHASTA, CALIF. Certified organic fruit/berry/veggie/flower farm. Small home, 2 barns (one has an apartment), and more. Approx. two acres just in the City limits. Famously pure air...
-
TAOS HORNO ADVENTURES A Multicultural Culinary Memoir Informed by History and Horticulture. Richard and Annette Rubin. At nighthawkpress.com/titles and Amazon.
