In the Rockies today, growth, off-road vehicle use, wolves and water kick off the new year.
The U.S. Census released its population estimates last week and Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho claimed the top four places in the nation for population growth.
That growth has fueled more off-road vehicle use across the West, and the debate about access has become sharper as well.
And the New York Times says that the population changes in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana have complicated the issue of wolf management as well.
Five years ago, when the federal government and Wyoming began discussions on how wolves would be managed when federal protections were removed, there were about 650 wolves in the Yellowstone region.
Now there are more than double that number of wolves, and the number of residents in that region is nearly 700,000.
Newcomers don't necessarily agree with ranchers on how wolves should be handled, creating a tense situation for state and federal wildlife officials.
And then there's water. Population increases means more water is needed, and in Colorado, where estimates are that another 3 million people will be arriving over the next couple of decades, water officials said it's time they get to participate in growth planning.
Rockies today
New lines being drawn in battle over OHV-use on West's public lands
The number of off-road vehicle riders has increased dramatically over the past few years, and as record numbers of OHV riders seek out areas to ride in lesser-known areas of the American West, the debate about access has become more heated.
New York Times; Dec. 30
Changes in West's population complicates wolf management
During the past five years, when Wyoming and federal officials were wrangling about how that state would manage wolves once federal protections were removed, the number of wolves in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana have more than doubled, and the population in the 25 counties that surround Yellowstone in those three states has increased 12 percent, to about 651,000, and many of the newcomers don't have the same attitude about wolf management that long-time residents of the states do.
New York Times; Jan. 2
U.S. Census: Western states continue to lead in population increases
New estimates released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau said that Nevada returned to its No. 1 spot in population growth, after a one-year hiatus; Arizona was ranked second, Utah third and Idaho fourth, for the year that ended June 30, 2007.
Las Vegas Review-Journal; Dec. 27
Bison, snowmobiles, water quality issues continue to bedevil Yellowstone
When the United Nations World Heritage Committee agreed to take Yellowstone National Park off its list of its international "in danger" list in 2003, the committee required the United States to report back on a list of issues still confronting the park, and that report was published last week addressing issues of concern such as bison management, roads, threats to native cutthroat trout, and increases in visitor numbers.
Billings Gazette; Dec. 27
Colorado, N.M. wrangle over river water
Half of the water in the San Juan River, a small river in southern Colorado, must be delivered across the state line to New Mexico, a requirement that's hard to meet during dry years, and Colorado water officials said they're afraid various projects in New Mexico will take up too much of the river's water.
Durango Herald; Jan. 2
Colorado water managers want a voice in growth decisions
Population estimates indicate that there will be an additional 3 million people living in Colorado by 2035, and water managers across the state said it's time they were allowed to add their voice to growth decisions.
Durango Herald; Dec. 30
Conservation group sues Interior Dept. over species records
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week, seeking documents on endangered species decisions that may have been tainted by political pressure from Julie MacDonald, a former high-ranking Interior Department official.
Washington Post (AP); Dec. 27
Las Vegas rolls the dice on a greener future
A solar thermal plant provides peak power to Las Vegas, where the new CityCenter condo complex is being built to Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) standards, indications that clean energy and sustainable construction standards are no longer considered long shots in the state.
Christian Science Monitor; Dec. 28
Opinion
Utah's oil shale best left embedded
Pulling the oil out of Utah's oil shale is scarcely a net energy gain, and when the environmental cost to Utah's land of such development is pumped into the mix, the cost to the state in lost recreation, wildlands and wildlife is simply too high.
Salt Lake Tribune; Jan. 1
Montana county made the right decision on gold miner's request
Butte-Silver Bow Council of Officials were right to turn down the request of Montana businessman John Reid to process water from the Steward Mine shaft to pull gold out of the water, since Reid's production numbers simply didn't pan out.
Montana Standard; Jan. 2
Beyond the region
President signs bill to extend, not expand, SCHIP program
President Bush signed a bill that extends the States Children's Health Insurance Program through April of 2009.
Washington Post (AP); Dec. 30
Drug smugglers make research along Ariz.-Mexico border too dangerous
Scientists in southwestern Arizona and northern Mexico said smugglers are making research work in places such as Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument much too dangerous.
Arizona Daily Sun (AP); Dec. 31
In depth
Journalist begins tour to track what's become of West's ski towns
NewWest.net's David Frey is on a quest to ferret out the changing character of the Rocky Mountain West's ski towns, and he begins his tour in Park City, Utah. A perspective. First of a five-part series.
NewWest.net; Dec. 29
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Idaho ski town has many of the woes, few of the gains of resort towns
Well-heeled part-time residents have helped push housing prices in Ketchum beyond the reach of many Idahoans, pushing many of the workers in the Idaho town south to Hailey. A perspective. Second in a series of stories about ski towns in the West.
NewWest.net; Dec. 30
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Montana resort community seeks its identity
Big Sky is a development that grew up down valley from three ski resorts in Montana, and the 24-year-old community is in the awkward stage. A perspective. Third in a series about ski town in the West.
NewWest.net; Dec. 31
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