Interns go far Sometimes we think the most important thing High Country News does is provide a way station for interns. For most of them, it’s a stop after college and a series of less-than-satisfying jobs, before they decide what they will ultimately do. We had this thought most recently at the March meeting of […]
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Posted inApril 10, 2000: Beyond the Revolution
Beyond the Revolution
The struggle for the public lands is ending. Now what happens? Will the Interior West remain a rogue region, or will it choose to rejoin America?
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Applause for reining in recreation
Dear HCN, I think the preferred alternative for the White River National Forest Plan is a huge step forward, though I prefer Alternative I (HCN, 1/17/00: STOP – A national forest tries to rein in recreation). I have yet to have visited a national forest that didn’t have more than enough roads and trails. Yes, […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
We need fees
Dear HCN, I am deeply disappointed in the Sierra Club for its stand against the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. Yes, it truly would be much more desirable for Congress and the president to fund adequately and promptly our national treasures – but that is not likely to happen soon, if ever. As I sit at […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
The Cold War is over, but missiles remain
Dear HCN, I read your Roundup on Cold War tourism in South Dakota with apprehension (HCN, 2/14/00: From missile silo to theme park) because you could come away with the idea that the Cold War is over. When I reread the article at 2 a.m., I realized this could be someone’s idea of the perfect […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Some free advice
Dear HCN, So my law school classmate, Debra Donahue, has applied her formidable legal mind to try to de-cow most Western public lands (HCN, 2/28/00: A prof takes on the sacred cow). Note to Wyoming ranchers: When you calm down enough to want to address the merits of her arguments, come prepared. Deb is a […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Fees take a big bite
Dear HCN, Your article on federal recreation fees (HCN, 2/14/00: Land of the fee) touched a nerve with me, so to speak. While beginning a hike into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area near Granby, Colo., last summer, I paused to insert my fee stub into the collection box at the wilderness boundary. My groping fingers […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
That annoying, harassing Adventure Pass
Dear HCN, In Southern California, Forest Service fees are implemented as an “Adventure” Pass. Passes are sold in retail stores, as well as Forest Service stations. Day-passes are $5. Annual passes are $30. Parking in the national forest without a pass on the dash is ticketable. Independent of the dollar amount, it’s an extremely annoying […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Fees fall flat
Dear HCN, The “fee-demo” program certainly is a demonstration. It clearly demonstrates who controls Congress. After decades of my (and your) tax dollars supporting below-cost timber sales, clear-cutting of our national forests, mining and overgrazing of our public lands for the profit of a few, now I am supposed to pay a fee to simply […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
What a foggy-headed diatribe
Dear HCN, What a disappointment to see yet another foggy-headed front-page diatribe against recreation fees on federal lands (HCN, 2/14/00: Land of the fee). Instead of trying to shed new light on the issue and search for solutions, the story seemed to be a mirror image of a lead story last year that took a […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Missouri River Natural Resources
A conference on Missouri River Natural Resources is set for Bismarck, N.D., May 21-24, with presentations ranging from protecting fish and wildlife to paleontology and geology along the river. Native American flutist and storyteller Keith Bear joins the get-together. Call Greg Power for registration information at 701/328-6323 or visit http://infolink.cr.usgs.gov/events/conf.htm. This article appeared in the […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Commons or Commodity? The Dilemma of Federal Land Exchanges
Commons or Commodity? The Dilemma of Federal Land Exchanges explores the history, policy and laws surrounding land exchanges. The 104-page report includes case studies and suggests methods for reforming the system of land swaps. For a copy of the report, send $15 to Western Land Exchange Project, P.O. Box 95545, Seattle, WA 98145-2545. For more […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Energy Ideas Clearinghouse
Those who want to keep abreast of developments in energy efficient agriculture can sign up for a biweekly e-mail newsletter by visiting the Energy Ideas Clearinghouse at www.energyideas.org. Contact Cristina Love at Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Energy Program, 800/872-3568 or 360/956-2237. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Western Small Acreage Expo
Farmers, livestock owners and fruit growers can benefit from the free Western Small Acreage Expo, April 29 in Grand Junction, Colo. Demonstrations and presentations on sheep shearing, composting, machine maintenance and other topics of interest to small landowners will be offered, and vendors will present their goods and services. To pre-register or for more information, […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Resource Advisory Councils (RACs)
The Colorado office of the Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for positions on its Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) throughout the state. Members serve for three years and will have a say in how Colorado public lands are managed. Nominations are due by April 20. For information and nomination forms, contact the BLM Colorado […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Nature in Fragments: The Legacy of Urban Sprawl
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City sponsors a symposium on Nature in Fragments: The Legacy of Urban Sprawl, April 13-14. The focus is unplanned growth and its consequences for North American biodiversity. Call 212/769-5200 for tickets and request code SPRAWL2K. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Off-road vehicle use
Off-road vehicle use and its threat to public lands is the topic of a national conference April 7-11 in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by environmental groups, including the Wilderness Society and the Wildlands Center for Preventing Roads, the event will cover strategies on how to organize, campaign and lobby. Contact Melanie at American Lands, 202/547-9267, for […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
What’s in your organic burrito?
Ever wonder what makes an organically labeled food organic? Soon, you’ll know. The Department of Agriculture recently released its proposed national organic standards for comment on the federal register. The 146-page document includes a list of substances approved and prohibited in organic foods. The agency’s first attempt at setting organic regulations, which allowed genetically engineered […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Preserving the westward way
The National Park Service wants to preserve everything from vistas to wagon ruts, graves and campsites along 13,000 miles of historic Western trails. A plan completed last fall provides guidelines for protecting the Oregon, California, Mormon and Pony Express trails. But saving a trail system that crosses 12 states isn’t easy, says Jere Krakow, superintendent […]
Posted inMarch 27, 2000: The last wild river
Tax-averse Wyoming hurts itself
As other Western economies boom, Wyoming is trying to rein in a large budget deficit without raising taxes. The Equality State Policy Center, a nonprofit public-policy advocacy group, doesn’t share Wyoming’s romance with “no new taxes,” and says taxes on the state’s minerals industry are an overlooked source of revenue. A report released by the […]