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In the Rockies today, Western states' reactions to federal decisions are the focus of today's news.
In Colorado, state lawmakers sent a letter to President Bush demanding that he declare a state of emergency until federal lawmakers pass legislation to reform immigration policy.
Nevada officials said a massive blast planned to test the effectiveness of a 700-ton ammonium nitrate fuel oil weapon won't go forward until the Defense Threat Reduction Agency can prove the test will comply with state environmental rules.
And in Wyoming, the state's ongoing dispute with the federal government over management of wolves has now become campaign fodder in the gubernatorial race.
Incumbent Gov. Dave Freudenthal has drawn the criticism of a Republican challenger for the ongoing litigation with the federal government over wolf management, remarks the governor dismissed as "capitulation."
And in our ongoing coverage of the 2006 State of the Rockies conference, panelists tackled the region's growth boom and the effect that growth is having on the states' ecosystems.
Read more on the conference in our Western Perspective and add your comments.
Rockies today
Wolves becoming an issue in Wyoming gubernatorial race
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal dismissed Ray Hunkins' statement that he would work with the federal government on wolf management as a capitulation to the federal government, but environmentalists and ranchers were optimistic that the remarks by the Republican challenger to Freudenthal could mean a resolution on the issue.
Casper Star-Tribune; April 12
State of the Rockies 2006
Report: Growth biggest threat to conservation and biodiversity
Panel discussions and a report from the Colorado College's State of the Rockies conference reveal that population increases in the West are having the largest negative effect on land conservation and biodiversity, but at least one panelist said a balance between profit and protection can be reached. A report from the conference.
NewWest.net; April 12
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State of the Rockies 2006
Reports show rural land in the West is quickly disappearing
Two reports released this week, one from the Colorado College's State of the Rockies and the other from Environment Colorado’s Research and Policy Center, show that millions of acres of agricultural and ranching land have bee lost to other uses over the last quarter century.
Colorado Springs Gazette; April 12
Colo lawmakers want 'state of emergency' declared on immigration
Following several peaceful street demonstrations around the state, eight Colorado state lawmakers have sent a letter (PDF) to President Bush requesting he declare a "State of Emergency" until tougher immigration reform legislation is passed.
Denver Post; April 12
Nevada nixes huge, non-nuclear test planned for June
Until the National Nuclear Security Administration can prove that a massive blast planned for June 2 at the Nevada Test Site will comply with air quality standards and that hazardous particles can be tracked, Nevada will not allow the test to go forward.
Las Vegas Review-Journal; April 12
Judge dismisses N.M. rancher's lawsuit against BLM
Tweety Blancett said the federal court judge that dismissed her claims against the Bureau of Land Management acknowledged that oil and gas exploration on the federal grazing allotment she leases in New Mexico had diminished the viability of the land, but BLM officials said the order clearly gives mining interests priority over grazing.
Farmington Daily Times; April 12
Numbers of rich and poor in Colorado county grows
Experts say that as the number of wealthy people in Douglas County, Colo., continues to climb, so, too, does the number of needy, and the requests for energy assistance, food stamps and welfare has risen dramatically in the last five years.
Denver Post; April 12
Forest Service releases travel plan for Montana mountains
The Forest Service abandoned its initial travel plan for Montana's Little Belt Mountains after motorized and non-motorized users said it was unacceptable, and the agency is now taking public comments on five alternative summer travel plans and three winter management plans.
Great Falls Tribune; April 12
Montana gov on Dems' list of potential presidential contenders
Democratic Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer's election in a primarily Republican state has national party leaders considering him as a potential presidential or vice presidential contender in 2008, but Schweitzer said he's more concerned about developing a coal-to-liquid plant in his state.
Los Angeles Times; April 12
Opinion
Utah governor's flatter tax could mean higher property taxes
Gary Cornia is Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s favorite tax expert and his revelations Friday that the tax proposal set to be debated next month by the Legislature could mean higher property taxes, and it's imperative that Utahns get to see just how much property taxes would increase if the governor's tax proposal passes.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 12
Albuquerque doing its part to reduce global warming
Albuquerque's Mayor Martin Chavez is to be commended for his continued commitment to the New Mexico's city quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including what city engineers estimate a 70 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the past 15 years.
Albuquerque Tribune; April 12
The meaning of immigration marches remains unclear
Nearly all of the marchers at the dozens of immigration rallies said they were against criminalizing illegal immigrants, but beyond that, the accounts of why people were marching were as numerous as the newspapers that reported on them, but they do show that immigrants are no longer wiling to just watch the political process.
Grand Junction Sentinel; April 12
Beyond the region
Feds make their case to get judge removed from Cobell lawsuit
Attorneys for the federal government asked a federal appeals court to remove U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth as presiding judge over the decade-long lawsuit over management of Indian trust accounts because they said the judge is too biased, but lawyers for the Indians said Lamberth's removal would exonerate the government for its malfeasance.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); April 12
Hunters, environmental groups dispute Oregon's cougar plan
Since Oregon banned hound hunting of cougars in 1994, the number of cougars in the state has increased to 5,000, and now the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has proposed using government employees to hunt and kill the cougars to get the population below 3,000, but hunters said they should be allowed to do that and environmentalists said the hunt is unnecessary.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); April 12
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