Analysis

Could the 151-year-old mining law finally be reformed?
Could the 151-year-old mining law finally be reformed?
A working group calls for reforms in advance of a green metals boom.
Public lands had a roller coaster month
Public lands had a roller coaster month
Rounding up the Biden administration’s ups and downs on land policy.
The West sizzles — even at midnight
The West sizzles — even at midnight
Climate change and the urban heat islands take their toll from Phoenix to Portland.
California’s rural-urban divide blurs in crucial House race
California’s rural-urban divide blurs in crucial House race
Water and immigration are key issues as Democrats seek to unseat an incumbent.
Climate change is making it harder to revive damaged land
Climate change is making it harder to revive damaged land
Instead of restoring the past, ecologists are increasingly focused on the future.
The future of Alaska’s Pebble Mine — and its salmon
The future of Alaska’s Pebble Mine — and its salmon
A timeline shows Scott Pruitt’s EPA waffling between mining and fishing interests.
Trump’s ‘border crisis’ debunked, in 6 charts
Trump’s ‘border crisis’ debunked, in 6 charts
The number of apprehended migrants is at its lowest since 1970.
In the Southwest, ‘drought’ doesn’t tell the whole story
In the Southwest, ‘drought’ doesn’t tell the whole story
Why ‘aridification’ is a better term for our new, more parched reality.
Indigenous immigrants face unique challenges at the border
Indigenous immigrants face unique challenges at the border
Language barriers mean Indigenous families may be more likely to be split up.
The immigrants contributing to rural towns and economies
The immigrants contributing to rural towns and economies
Decades after their arrival, a family is woven into the fabric of Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
Extreme heat is killing people who lack shelter
Extreme heat is killing people who lack shelter
Climate change is worsening the threats that homeless populations face.
An owl fly-by prompts a second look at an Arizona mine
An owl fly-by prompts a second look at an Arizona mine
Wildlife managers revisit the impact of an expanding mining operation.
After Malheur, side effects of the Bundys’ extremism linger
After Malheur, side effects of the Bundys’ extremism linger
But in Harney County, Oregon, collaboration around public lands grows.
A new era of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon?
A new era of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon?
With scant data on risk, Republicans push to open a ‘perfect’ mining opportunity.
Signs of climate change surround Montana fishermen
Signs of climate change surround Montana fishermen
On the Big Hole River, livelihoods depend on healthy fish, but climate doubts abound.
What the gay wedding cake ruling leaves unanswered
What the gay wedding cake ruling leaves unanswered
In a diverse society, rhetoric of religious freedom has often led to conflict.
Cottonwoods host a world of microbes within their leaves
Cottonwoods host a world of microbes within their leaves
That community of fungi and bacteria may be the key to keeping plants healthy.
Trump administration pauses California’s solar energy truce
Trump administration pauses California’s solar energy truce
The decision imperils the balance between desert conservation and development.
Exploring the West? Don’t start a wildfire.
Exploring the West? Don’t start a wildfire.
Here are some tips on how to stay safe.
Interior revives the push for a higher Shasta Dam
Interior revives the push for a higher Shasta Dam
But the state of California and Winnemem Wintu Tribe oppose the project.
Sage grouse shake-up alienates conservationists
Sage grouse shake-up alienates conservationists
Some back away from cooperating as trust in Interior wanes.
Tribal nations hold some of the best water rights in the West
Tribal nations hold some of the best water rights in the West
But to use them, tribes often must negotiate settlements that need federal approval.
Bears Ears is open for business
Bears Ears is open for business
A reporter staked a mining claim on former monument lands. You could, too.
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