In the Rockies today, changes to environmental regulations, endangered species and more Cabinet nominations are in the news.
A coalition of environmental groups have prepared a wish list of changes they'd like made to environmental laws within the first 100 days of the Obama presidency.
Dedicated funding for fighting wildfires, aggressive defense of the Clinton roadless rule and putting an end to revising the federal Endangered Species Act are all on the list.
The Endangered Species Coalition released its Top 10 list of species of concern that includes wolverines, arctic grayling and Gunnison sage grouse.
And today President-elect Barack Obama is expected to nominate Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar to be his Interior secretary and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to head up the Agriculture Department.
Also in the news, former Missoula mayor Daniel Kemmis has been suggested as a possible contender to replace Mark Rey as undersecretary of agriculture overseeing the U.S. Forest Service.
We are asking readers to give us your input on news and issues, as part of our public broadcasting colleagues' Our Northwest CPB Media Innovation effort.
Click here to take the survey.
Rockies today
Obama to name former Iowa governor as Ag secretary
At a press conference planned today, President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his nominee for Agriculture secretary, and Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as his Interior secretary.
New York Times; Dec. 17
Green groups give Obama 'First 100 days' list
After completing a thorough analysis of U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, a coalition of 98 environmental groups have submitted a list to President-elect Barack Obama of regulatory quick fixes they would like made within the first 100 days of Obama's term.
NewWest.net; Dec. 17
Wolverine, Arctic grayling among Top 10 species of concern
The Endangered Species Coalition, a panel of scientists and advocates from environmental groups, released its Top 10 list of species most in need of federal protection, that included the wolverine and arctic grayling, native Montana species.
Billings Gazette; Dec. 17
Groups say changes to species law could affect sage grouse
A proposed change to the federal Endangered Species Act may have a considerable impact on sage grouse populations in Wyoming's Sublette County, given that the grouse has been teetering on the edge of listing for years, and the Bureau of Land Management's energy development plans for that county could have considerable impact on sage grouse habitat.
Jackson Hole News & Guide; Dec. 17
Analysts debate the next step for the U.S. Forest Service
Environmental groups, timber industry officials and political analysts debate how--or perhaps if--President-elect Barack Obama's collaborative management style will translate to changes in U.S. Forest Service policies, and Daniel Kemmis, a former Montana state lawmaker and former mayor of Missoula, has been mentioned as a possible contender for the post of undersecretary of Agriculture that oversees the U.S. Forest Service, a position now held by Mark Rey. Daniel Kemmis is a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West of which Headwaters News is program.
Missoulian; Dec. 14
Nevada scientists turn coffee grounds into diesel fuel
Scientists at the University of Nevada-Reno have found a way to extract oil from used coffee grounds and turn it into diesel fuel.
New York Times; Dec. 17
As Idahoans drive less, fuel tax receipts dive
High gas prices across the nation curbed driving, and in Idaho, as in other states, the drop in miles driven has torpedoed fuel tax receipts, and the transportation budgets dependent on that revenue stream.
Idaho Statesman; Dec. 17
Opinion
Next Interior secretary has much work to do
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar is expected to be the nation's next Secretary of the Interior, and given what's gone on in that department over the past eight years, he has a daunting task ahead of him.
New York Times; Dec. 17
Obama has done welll for the West with Cabinet picks
President-elect Barack Obama's selection of Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar to be his Interior Secretary, Dr. Steven Chu for the Energy post, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for Commerce and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security bodes well for the West and the issues the region is facing.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 17
Beyond the region
Lack of jobs pumps up welfare rolls in 12 states
As the ranks of the unemployed grow and available jobs decrease, at least a dozen states are reporting a marked increase in welfare rolls.
Washington Post; Dec. 17
Well-water education classes set next year in Washington state
Concerns about elevated nitrate levels in Yakima Valley water wells in Washington state have spawned short- and long-term efforts to address the problem, with agencies planning classes next month to educate residents about the problems, including how to test their water for nitrates.
Yakima Herald; Dec. 17
Washington state has new rule on logging in owl habitat
A moratorium on logging in certain areas of spotted owl habitat in Washington state expires on Dec. 31, and the Forest Practices Board passed a rule to replace that moratorium with one that will allow landowners to log in spotted owl habitat if they can prove there are no owls there.
Seattle Times; Dec. 17
Copper prices tumble to 4-year low
Confidence in the world's economy stumbled in December, and took copper prices down to the lowest reported since Jan. 4, 2005.
Bloomberg.com; Dec. 17
|
