In the Rockies today, Plum Creek Timber walks away from negotiations with the U.S. Forest Service on road easements in Montana.
Plum Creek Timber Co. notified the Missoula County Commission that it would no longer press for a U.S. Forest Service policy change on road easements on the very day that U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey was reportedly ready to push through such a change.
Also in the Rockies today, Arizona's budget picture worsens, and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne makes his "last formal speech" in that position in Boise.
Correction: In Monday's edition of Headwaters News, I used an op-ed piece from the Grand Junction Sentinel on guns in national parks that contained an error in that the piece said U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar was one of 50 senators who signed a letter in support of the policy change; Salazar did not sign the letter.
Rockies today
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; Jan. 6
Kempthorne touts Interior accomplishments in Idaho speech
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne was in Boise on Monday, where he gave what he coined his "last formal speech," as interior secretary, and outlined what he had done during his two years at that post.
Twin Falls Times-News (AP); Jan. 6
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; Jan. 6
Colorado's public companies lost a total of $107B in 2008
A basket of publicly traded companies in Colorado lost 51 percent of their value in 2008.
Denver Post; Jan. 6
Boom times go bust again in Montana mining town
Five years ago, few residents of Livingston worked as miners, but then the prices of platinum and palladium took off and production at the Stillwater Mine near the Montana town ramped up and hundreds earned good money at the mine, but those prices fell precipitously in October, and 320 miners lost their jobs.
Christian Science Monitor; Jan. 6
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; Jan. 6
Real estate sales in Colo. valley down $700 million
Real estate sales in Colorado's Vail Valley hit the $2 billion mark in 2008, lower than the region's high-water mark of $2.7 billion set in 2007.
Vail Daily News; Jan. 6
Opinion
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; Jan. 6
Beyond the region
Seattle-based company snags $5B federal energy grant
Seattle-based McKinstry Co., a Northwest contractor with several energy projects under way in Oregon, was one of 16 companies to win a U.S. Department of Energy contract to design and build systems to make federally owned buildings and facilities more energy efficient.
Portland Oregonian; Jan. 6
Washington governor in Iraq visiting National Guard troops
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire's office announced today that she is in Iraq visiting state National Guard troops stationed there.
Yakima Herald (AP); Jan. 6
President Bush to protect 3 areas of Pacific Ocean
President Bush is expected to announce today the creation of three marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean.
Washington Post; Jan. 6
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; Jan. 6
Canadian study finds polar bears going hungry
A recent study done by University of Alberta and Environment Canada researchers found that polar bears in the western Arctic are going hungry in the critical springs months, and that should sea ice meltdown continue at its current pace, polar bears in Alaska and most of the western Arctic will be gone by 2050.
Edmonton Journal; Jan. 6
Canadian Wind Ass'n presses for more projects
The head of the Canadian Wind Association wants Canada to set its goal for wind power high: 20 percent of its needed electricity produced by the wind by 2025.
Toronto Globe and Mail; Jan. 6
Energy shares boost Toronto Stock Exchange
The rising price of oil boosted shares of Encana and Suncor, and kept the Toronto Stock Exchange in positive territory.
Calgary Herald; Jan. 6
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