|
Livestock and Wolves: Defenders of Wildlife's proactive guide provides ranchers, land managers ways to protect stock -- and save wolves Read the comments (1)
Dec. 11, 2008
- USFWS reports another bad year for wolf program in N.M.
Efforts to reintroduce the Mexican gray wolf into New Mexico and Arizona have been ongoing for 11 years with limited success, and 2008 is shaping up to be another disastrous year, with seven wolf deaths under investigation. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; 01/04/2009
Fact
& Fiction and the Bookstore
at the University of Montana offer a review of Steven Rinella's "American Buffalo: In search of a lost icon."
Jan. 8, 2009
Jan 16: "Our Idaho Lands – Pathways for Restoration and Conservation," Boise, Idaho. Read a preview.
Jan. 21-22: Driving the Development of Large-Scale Solar Energy Projects, Las Vegas, Nev.
April 5-7: Colorado College's 2009 State of the Rockies Conference, Colorado Springs, Colo.
U.S. Senate ready to vote on public lands omnibus bill
A public lands bill that contains about 150 measures, including the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act and the Wyoming Range Legacy Act could be voted on by the U.S. Senate as early as Sunday, and some say the bill has a good chance of passing.
Jackson Hole Daily; 01/08/2009
- Idaho congressmen team up on CIEDRA
U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick barely had the U-Haul unpacked before he was sworn in as Idaho's newest congressman, and immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, he signed on to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, and the two formally introduced the wilderness bill into the newly convened session of Congress.
Idaho Mountain Express; 01/07/2009
- N.M. senator again introduces package of water-rights bills
U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman's package of water-rights bills will again try to settle the claims of New Mexico's largest tribe on the San Juan River and the claims of four pueblos on the Rio Grande.
Santa Fe New Mexican; 01/09/2009
- Colorado senators team up on public-lands bills
Colorado U.S. Sens. Ken Salazar and Mark Udall sponsored legislation on Thursday that would designate 250,000 acres of land in Rocky Mountain National Park as wilderness.
Aspen Times (AP); 01/09/2009
Idaho's planned communities offer little work
A decade ago, Hidden Springs was touted as a planned community, offering Idahoans a place to live, play and work, and other such planned remote, communities have sprung up around Boise as well, but none of those communities have met their promise of being self-sustaining and providing residents places to work where they live.
Boise Weekly; 01/08/2009
BLM options could derail SNWA's Snake Valley water plan
In the Bureau of Land Management's right-of-way December update for three counties along the Nevada-Utah border, two options could spoil the Southern Nevada Water Authority's plan to tap into Snake Valley groundwater and ship it to Las Vegas.
Deseret News; 01/05/2009
Census: Utah, Arizona led nation in growth
According to the most recent U.S. Census figures, Utah led the nation in population growth with a 2.7 percent increase between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008; Arizona ranked second; Colorado came in fifth; and Montana ranked 14th.
Missoulian; 01/02/2009
Idaho judge clears way for Twin Falls' $33M water project
An Idaho district judge ruled that Twin Falls' need to meet federal guidelines for arsenic limits in drinking water met the requirement of the Idaho Constitution's definition of "ordinary and necessary," that allows the city to go into debt for more than a year, and approved the city's $33.3 million water project.
Twin Falls Times-News; 01/06/2009
Arizona city approves wind-turbine measure
Flagstaff already has a handful of wind turbines generating electricity, but more are expected to sprout up after the Arizona city's council approved a measure that allows wind turbines up to 100 feet tall on lots as small as a half-acre.
Arizona Daily Sun; 01/08/2009
In light of N.M's budget woes, Navajo Nation reworks plans
Members of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council are meeting to find alternative funding sources for capital projects on New Mexico lands, in light of New Mexico's projected $454-million budget shortfall.
Farmington Daily Times; 01/06/2009
Shell Oil files request for Colorado water for oil-shale work
Shell Oil Co. holds three research-and-development leases for oil shale in northwest Colorado, and the company has filed a request for 375 cubic feet per second from the Yampa River, which it will use to fill a 45,000-acre reservoir in Moffatt County to use in developing oil-shale resources.
Denver Post; 01/07/2009
Arizona, Wyoming coal ash sites on EPA list
The failure of a coal ash pond in Tennessee that sent a torrent of toxic sludge across 300 acres has raised concerns about the hundreds of similar sites across the United States, which are largely unregulated, and the Environmental Protection Agency considers coal ash dumps to be a threat to water supplies and public health, including one in Arizona and another in Wyoming, yet they are largely unregulated.
New York Times; 01/07/2009
9th Circuit Court: USFS needs rule on grizzlies in Montana
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals returned a Montana U.S. District Court decision on roads in grizzly habitat in Montana's Flathead National Forest with orders to the U.S. Forest Service to define a standard "for evaluating when land use values 'compete' with grizzly bears' needs within the meaning of the Forest Plan."
Missoulian; 01/08/2009
Timber industry challenges USFS lynx rule in Colo., Wyo.
The Colorado Timber Industry Association and Intermountain Forest Association have sued the U.S. Forest Service over its Southern Rockies Lynx Amendment, which covers all seven national forests in Colorado as well as the Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming.
Durango Herald; 01/08/2009
Yellowstone 'quakes intrigue Utah U. seismologists
At least nine University of Utah seismologists and researchers are toiling around the clock to figure out what caused hundreds of tremors in Yellowstone National Park since Dec. 26.
Salt Lake Tribune; 01/09/2009
- USGS takes on Web site operator over Yellowstone warnings
The U.S. Geological Survey is pursuing legal action against the registered owner of a Web site that illegally uses the agency's logo and warns people to evacuate Yellowstone National Park because recent seismic activity could release poisonous gas, which has raised concerns that Yellowstone Park officials are trying to allay.
Billings Gazette; 01/09/2009
Rey says USFS cabin-land leases will go up just a bit in 2009
Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, along with Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide some relief to owners of cabins on U.S. Forest Service leases who are facing huge increases in leasing costs, and on Thursday USDA Undersecretary Mark Rey said the cost of those leases will go up only modestly this year.
Missoulian; 01/09/2009
Plum Creek walks away from Montana road easements
In a letter to Missoula County commissioners, Plum Creek CEO Rick Holley said that the timber company would not continue with negotiations with the U.S. Forest Service on road easements in Montana that could allow the company to develop former timber lands, despite news reports that U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey was poised to sign off on the easements. Contains good background about the negotiations.
NewWest.net; 01/06/2009
- Montana senator says USFS will scrap road-easement plan
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Thursday that the U.S. Forest Service was planning to dump a proposal that would have allowed Plum Creek Timber Co. to upgrade Forest Service road easements that could have cleared the way for the timber company to develop its lands in Montana.
NewWest.net; 01/08/2009
Elk shot in Utah shatters Boone & Crockett record
There's a new world record for a nontypical American elk after an Idaho man bagged an elk on Utah's Monroe Mountain that measured 478 5/8, shattering the former Boone & Crockett record of 465 2/8 set in 1994.
Salt Lake Tribune; 01/06/2009
Idaho attorney envisions smaller, on-site power projects
Laird Lucas, the lead attorney for Advocates of the West, said he believes large-scale wind and solar power developments in Idaho and the Rocky Mountain West will be obsolete as soon as they are developed, and Lucas is pushing for more on-site electricity production.
Idaho Statesman; 01/05/2009
Montana Legislature should pass wildfire bills
The Fire Suppression Interim Committee has spent the last year crafting bills designed to prevent and reduce the amount of damage caused by wildfires in Montana, and the Legislature should reward the good work done by passing the bills recommended by the panel.
Billings Gazette; 01/06/2009
Utah governor's plan to tax services a good one
The proposal to broaden Utah's tax base by taxing services isn't a new one, but Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s decision to press for such a tax is a good one, and while he's at it, he should take the tax off unprepared food, a tax that dings the state's poorest residents unfairly.
Salt Lake Tribune; 01/07/2009
Idaho's water holds financial promise
In its search for a new revenue stream, Idaho need look no further than its water, and start charging water-rights holders for the water, which is owned by the state. A guest column by Jon Marvel, the executive director of Western Watersheds Project.
Idaho Statesman; 01/08/2009
Richardson withdraws from Commerce pursuit
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name from consideration to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary in light of a federal investigation into contracts awarded by the state of New Mexico to CDR Financial Products Inc., a California-based company whose president is a major donor to the Democratic Party, including to Gov. Richardson's political action committees. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; 01/05/2009
Idaho governor picks state senator to be lieutenant governor
Idaho Sen. Brad Little was selected by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on Tuesday to be the state's lieutenant governor.
Idaho Statesman; 01/07/2009
Denver education chief named as Colorado U.S. senator
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter selected Denver schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill Colorado U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's seat when Salazar is confirmed as the nation's next interior secretary.
Denver Post; 01/04/2009
Arizona's budget shortfall deepens
Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin said the state may have to borrow money to meet financial obligations for the first time in decades, and estimated the state could have to borrow anywhere from $2.5 billion to $5.7 billion as early as February.
Arizona Republic; 01/06/2009
Nevada governor to ask state employees to take pay cut
Unions representing Nevada teachers and public employees said they'll resist Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposal that state employees take a 6 percent pay cut.
Las Vegas Review-Journal; 01/09/2009
Highways pave top of 'ready-to-go' projects in Wyoming
In response to President-elect Barack Obama's request to states for projects to help stimulate the economy and rebuild the nation's infrastructure, Wyoming prepared a list of 15 such projects, including $400 million worth of highway projects.
Casper Star-Tribune; 01/06/2009
Montana has $3.1B wish list ready to go for federal funding
If Congress approves President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus bill, Montana has $3.1-billion worth of projects ready to go, with about half allocated for transportation projects.
Helena Independent Record; 01/07/2009
Colorado Legislature convenes today
Colorado lawmakers will return to Denver today for the start of the 2009 legislative session, with a projected $604 million budget shortfall taking center stage, although the state's crumbling road system, health care and new drilling rules are waiting in the wings for their share of the spotlight.
Denver Post; 01/07/2009
- Colorado Legislature posts an American first
The opening of Colorado's Legislature on Wednesday marked a first in American politics: the leaders of both chambers are black men, both of whom are Denver Democrats.
Denver Post; 01/08/2009
- Colorado legislation runs the gamut from coyotes to wildfire
On the opening day of the Colorado Legislature, 120 pieces of legislation were submitted, dealing with protecting the public from coyotes, requiring cats to have microchips or collars to a tax-break for companies that help remove beetle-killed timber.
Durango Herald; 01/08/2009
- Colorado governor delivers somber State of State address
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said the state faces some tough times ahead, with a projected $604 million budget shortfall that will require deep cuts in services.
Denver Post; 01/09/2009
- Colorado lawmakers craft oil-shale legislation
Even though oil-shale production is years away in Colorado, some Republican state lawmakers are writing legislation that will increase incentives for such production and create a task force to deal with oil-shale issues.
Durango Herald (AP); 01/05/2009
Idaho legislators get a plateful of dismal economic news
The Idaho Department of Labor told Idaho lawmakers that the state's unemployment picture is going from bad to worse; the Idaho Board of Realtors said real estate figures continued to decline, and agricultural industry representatives said things didn't look so good in their sector either.
Idaho Statesman; 01/08/2009
Montana Legislature convenes today
Budget issues will be a priority this legislative session in Montana, as state revenues have dropped dramatically from last year's expectations.
Helena Independent Record; 01/05/2009
Huntsman wants to quadruple Utah's cigarette tax
On Tuesday, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. proposed raising Utah's tax on cigarettes from 70 cents per pack to $3.00.
Salt Lake Tribune; 01/07/2009
Utah lawmaker's bill will use purchase price to set property taxes
Utah state Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, said his legislation would settle the ongoing discussion on fair market appraisals for properties in the state by basing property tax assessments on purchase price of the property.
Salt Lake Tribune; 01/06/2009
Wyoming lawmakers try again on CBM discharge water
An interim panel of Wyoming lawmakers crafted a bill that would limit the amount of coalbed methane discharge water that could be released into streambeds and other natural drainages.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); 01/07/2009
Cattle producers ask Brazilian group to drop Western feedlots
The U.S. Justice Department has scheduled a status hearing on Brazil-based JBS S.A.'s quest to become the United States' largest meatpacking company on Jan. 16, and Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund USA is asking that JBS give up Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding, a collection of feedlots in Texas, Kansas, Idaho and Colorado that buy cattle from several states, including Montana.
Billings Gazette; 01/06/2009
Las Vegas reports strong home sales in December
Home sales in December were nearly triple the amount sold in December 2007, with median prices down nearly a third.
Las Vegas Review-Journal; 01/09/2009
Wind-farm projects in New Mexico prompt protests
New Mexicans who live near Taos and in San Miguel County where two large-scale wind farms are proposed want to know who has their back in decisions on where the industrial-sized projects are located, and they want to know just how dozens of 30-story tall turbines will affect their health and the environment.
Santa Fe New Mexican; 01/06/2009
Montana county hears pitches from wind, solar companies
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission heard pitches from a wind-energy and a solar-energy company on Tuesday to develop projects in Mill Creek, a barren, contaminated area east of Anaconda that once was part of the Anaconda Co.'s historic copper smelting operations in Montana.
Montana Standard; 01/09/2009
Wyoming coal production set a new record in 2007
According to a Casper Star-Tribune estimate, Wyoming produced more than 462.4 million tons of coal in 2008.
Casper Star-Tribune; 01/09/2009
Companies plan coal-upgrading facility in Wyoming
White Energy Coal North America and Buckskin Mining Co. announced an agreement Monday to build a coal-upgrading plant at Buckskin's coal mine near Gillette, Wyo.
Casper Star-Tribune; 01/06/2009
Hewlett-Packard breaks ground on N.M. call center
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday on Hewlett-Packard's call center in Rio Rancho, which will employ 1,350 when it's fully staffed in 2013. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; 01/08/2009
Mysterious ailment kills California brown pelicans
California brown pelicans have been found dead and dying in odd places, and veterinarians across the Golden State are working to find out what's causing the disorientation, extreme fatigue and bruising inside the pouches found in the birds that are still living.
Los Angeles Times; 01/06/2009
Lack of financing dims plans for Oregon solar-cell plant
SpectraWatt Inc. officials said a lack of financing forced them to cancel plans to build a new solar-cell manufacturing plant in Hillsboro, and the company is instead looking in Oregon and other states for a building it could retrofit for their manufacturing needs.
Portland Oregonian; 01/08/2009
Flooding stalls transportation across Washington state
A state of emergency was declared in Washington state on Thursday, where flooding had effectively shut down nearly all interstate trucking.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; 01/09/2009
Unemployment in U.S. hit 16-year high in December
Employers slashed 524,000 U.S. jobs in December, sending unemployment rates to 7.2 percent.
Denver Rocky Mountain News; 01/09/2009
- Plum Creek lays off hundreds in Montana
Plum Creek Timber Co. announced Thursday that it would permanently close its sawmill in Fortine, eliminating 74 jobs there; cut 36 jobs at its mill in Pablo and 35 jobs at its mill in Columbia Falls; the company also announced temporary shutdowns of its mills in Kalispell and Columbia Falls until March.
Flathead Beacon; 01/09/2009
- Peabody to cut production at Wyoming coal mines
Declining international demand and the national recession were cited in Peabody Energy's decision to cut production at its Powder River Basin mines in Wyoming by 10 percent in 2009, although company officials said they did not anticipate any significant job losses.
Casper Star-Tribune; 01/08/2009
- B.C. mining company to cut 1,400 jobs
Vancouver-based Teck Cominco Ltd. announced Thursday that the British Columbia mining company would cut 1,400 jobs, about 13 percent of its global workforce, by the end of 2009.
CBCnews.ca; 01/08/2009
- Semitool lays off 200 workers in Montana, other sites
Kalispell-based Semitool Manufacturing, which makes wafer processing equipment for the semiconductor industry, is the third-largest private employer in Montana's Flathead County, and on Thursday Semitool announced it was eliminating 200 jobs across its operations, including at its plants in Kalispell and Libby.
Kalispell Daily Inter-Lake; 01/09/2009
- Supervalu announces it will close 50 stores in 2009
Supervalu CEO Jeff Noddle said that most of the stores the company intends to close in 2009 were those acquired when Supervalu bought Albertsons in 2006, but Noddle declined to identify the specific stores and would not confirm that any of the stores slated for closure were in Idaho.
Idaho Statesman; 01/09/2009
| 