In our Western Perspective today, Jeff Gailus, an Alberta-based writer and conservationist, applauds the Alberta government's decision to put a three-year moratorium on the province's annual grizzly bear hunt.
The Alberta government had been criticized for not releasing information regarding a study on the actual numbers of the big bears in the province prior to its decision on the annual hunt.
The government's stonewalling on requests about the actual numbers of bears roaming the province ignited fears that the number of bears was actually smaller than conservationists feared.
And, Gailus writes, canceling the hunt alone won't save the species.
A more serious threat to the species is energy development that is fragmenting grizzly bear habitat.
However, the cancellation of the hunt is a sign that Alberta may be warming to the idea that protecting grizzly bears and their habitat is a worthwhile concept.
Read the column and weigh in on the debate.
Rockies today
Wealthy newcomers filling up West's resort towns
Low, or in the case of Wyoming — no — income taxes, spectacular views and ample recreational opportunities are proving to be a siren's call to the wealthy, who are buying up real estate in Western states, especially in Wyoming's Teton County, which has ranked first or second among the nation's 3,140 counties in adjusted household income since 1999.
Washington Post; April 13
Idaho voter initiative demands removal of all wolves from the state
The Idaho Anti-wolf Coalition has already collected more than 5,000 of the necessary 47,000 signatures of registered voters to put an initiative on November's ballot that calls for the removal of wolves in Idaho, by any means necessary.
Idaho Statesman; April 13
State of the Rockies 2006
Panel: Key to ranching's future is employing new techniques
A panel discussion at this week's State of the Rockies conference looked at how ranchers can find success by using new techniques aimed at addressing current problems, including holistic ranching, conservation easements and healthy land practices — in many regards, a return to the "old ways." A report from the conference.
NewWest.net; April 13
Colorado rep says presidential run no longer necessary
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo said his contemplated presidential run in 2008 was to force a national debate on illegal immigration and since the issue is dominating national politics and popping up in state races, he has no need to run for president now.
Denver Post; April 13
Utah gov cancels tax session after $35 million error found
State tax officials discovered that the analysis of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s flatter income tax plan failed to take into consideration tax credits given to Utah taxpayers who have income from other states, a $35 million omission that would push the cost of the plan to $100 million, maybe more.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 13
USFWS declines to list sage grouse as endangered
Federal wildlife officials said the number of sage grouse in western states was stable enough to keep the bird off the federal endangered species list, despite biologists' assertions that energy development, drought and disease were taking a toll on the species.
Denver Post; April 13
Utah drops two places in national ranking for toxic releases
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest annual Toxics Release Inventory ranks Utah fifth in the nation for toxic releases, down from third place in 2003; the report said Utah's government and businesses released 164 million pounds of chemicals, compared with 240 million pounds in 2003.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 13
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Report says mining increased Colorado's toxic releases in 2004
The Environmental Protection Agency's annual report that tracks chemicals released by industrial processes ranked Colorado 37th nationally for toxic releases and said three of the top four producers of toxic materials in the state were mines.
Denver Post; April 13
AZ lawmakers approve bill to arrest illegal immigrants
Both the Arizona House and Senate approved a bill to allow the arrest of illegal immigrants, charging first-time offenders with a misdemeanor, but no one is quite sure whether Gov. Janet Napolitano will sign off on it.
Arizona Republic; April 13
Opinion
Hunkins' stance on wolves creates conundrum in Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal's unflinching position on wolf management bolstered support for the Democrat when he was elected in the heavily Republican state, and his GOP contender's statement that he'd negotiate with the feds on the issue creates an unusual start in the gubernatorial campaign.
Casper Star-Tribune; April 13
Utah Electoral College initiative would level the playing field
A meter-reader's petition to allocate Utah's five Electoral College votes based on the percentage of votes received would end the winner-take-all allotment and allow votes for Democratic candidates in the state to actually count.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 13
Beyond the region
Salmon a no-show in annual spawning run
As of Tuesday, only 135 adult Chinook salmon had been counted on the fish ladders of the Bonneville Dam in Oregon, where the 10-year annual average is 19,000.
Seattle Times; April 13
Economists say surges in oil, copper, gold prices a good thing
The last time copper sold for $6,000 a ton, gold sold for $600 an ounce and oil prices hovered about $60 a barrel, Ronald Reagan was White-House bound, inflation ruled and the U.S. economy was tanking, but economists say this time the concurrent boom means the global economy is humming along.
Christian Science Monitor; April 13
Federal proposal slashes climate-change budgets in Canada
Canada's new Conservative Government will propose cutting programs designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent, and casts doubt that federal funding for wind power will be maintained.
Toronto Globe and Mail; April 13
In depth
Wal-Mart's 'always low prices' come with a cost
Wal-Mart has revolutionized the retail market with its mega-buying power and low prices, but an in-depth look at how those prices come to be so low show the ripple effect of its policies.
Washington Post; April 13
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