In the Rockies today, six groups want to join a lawsuit over lynx habitat and snowmobile access, Colorado unveils its updated plan for federal roadless lands, and British Columbia wildfires force thousands out of their homes.
On Monday, six environmental groups announced that they had asked a federal court in Wyoming to allow them to intervene in the lawsuit filed by two snowmobiling groups from Wyoming and Washington over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's designation of critical habitat for lynx in six states, including Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.
Also on Monday, Colorado released the details on its updated proposal for management of federal roadless forest lands in the state that added about 150,000 more protected acres than the previous draft, but about 60,000 acres less than protected under the 2005 federal standard.
And wildfires continue to blaze across British Columbia, sending residents of three communities fleeing from their homes Sunday night.
Rockies today
Groups want to intervene in lynx, snowmobile lawsuit
After the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated 39,000 square miles in Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Washington and Wyoming as critical habitat for the threatened Canada lynx in February, the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association and Washington State Snowmobile Association sued the federal agency, and now six environmental groups want to intervene in the lawsuit to ensure the federal judge hears their take on the critical habitat designation.
Missoulian (AP); Aug. 4
Colorado rolls out new roadless plan
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources will take public comment on the state's updated proposed management plan for the federal roadless forest areas that protects 4.2 million acres of land from new roads and logging.
Denver Post; Aug. 4
Mining company donates Arizona land for Code Talkers museum
Chevron Mining Inc. recently donated 208 acres of land in Arizona near the Navajo Nation tribal capital of Window Rock for a Navajo Code Talkers museum and veterans center.
RezNet.net (AP); Aug. 3
B.C. wildfires overwhelm emergency crews
Wildfire danger is extreme in most of British Columbia, and with 100 to 150 new fires igniting daily, crews must leave some to burn while they protect communities from others.
Toronto Globe and Mail; Aug. 4
Montana city approves plan to log beetle-killed trees
At the Helena City Commission meeting Monday night, the panel approved a plan to log hundreds of acres of property in the Montana city to clear away beetle-killed trees.
Helena Independent Record; Aug. 4
Opinion
Proposed winter plan for Yellowstone provides good balance
The Obama administration's proposal to cut by half the number of snowmobiles allowed into Yellowstone National Park each day is a good one.
Salt Lake Tribune; Aug. 4
BIA's delay on Montana tribe's recognition petition unacceptable
The Little Shell Tribe in Montana has been seeking federal recognition for more than three decades, which makes the Bureau of Indian Affairs' stance that the agency needs 60 more days to consider the petition absurd.
MIssoulian; Aug. 4
Beyond the region
Washington congressman's bill proposes breaching dams for salmon
The bill submitted last week by U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, along with 24 co-sponsors, isn't the first legislation the Washington state congressman has sponsored on salmon recovery, but this version is the first that gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to breach the four Lower Snake River dams.
Spokane Spokesman-Review; Aug. 4
Another marijuana bust reported in Washington county
The Washington State Patrol found another marijuana-growing operation in Yakima County, bringing the total number of plants confiscated thus far this year in that Washington county to more than 100,000.
Yakima Herald-Republic; Aug. 4
Oregon governor to sign bill today to give all kids health insurance
Gov. Ted Kulongoski is scheduled to sign legislation into law today that will extend health insurance coverage to more than 80,000 children today, making Oregon one of 12 states to providing universal health care to their children.
Portland Oregonian; Aug. 4
Nobel-winning panel on climate change loses its luster
Two years after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its report linking human activity to global warming--a report that garnered the panel a shared Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore in 2007--the panel appears to have lost its momentum and focus.
New York Times; Aug. 4
Obama administration's tough line on immigration alienates Hispanic groups
Although the federal government has backed off from raids at factories and meat-processing plants to round up illegal workers, the Department of Homeland Security has stepped up audits of employers' paperwork on employees and other aggressive measures to quell illegal immigration begun by the Bush administration.
New York Times; Aug. 4
Six Washington post offices among 1,000 that could be closed
The U.S. Postal Service may close up to 1,000 post offices in its efforts to cut costs, and six in Washington state are on the list of those under consideration to be closed.
Seattle Times; Aug. 4
In depth
New wildfire in Montana national forest will be allowed to burn
Lolo National Forest officials said a lightning-sparked wildfire in the Montana forest near Seeley Lake will be allowed to burn as the now 30-acre wildfire is in an area where it is not threatening buildings or property. Contains a update on other wildfires burning in northwest Montana.
Missoulian; Aug. 4
Smoke from B.C. wildfires blankets Montana
The haze in the skies of western Montana is from wildfires burning in British Columbia.
Missoulian; Aug. 4
Lightning-sparked Colorado wildfire burns 1,700 acres
A lightning-caused wildfire grew quickly on Monday, spreading across 1,700 acres of federal land in northwest Colorado.
Denver Post (AP); Aug. 4
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