In the Rockies today, a company's plan to expand gold exploration work in British Columbia prompts new concerns in Montana; Ag Secretary Vilsack shares his view on roadless areas; and a federal judge moves the deadline on salmon recovery.
Montana officials have long been concerned about coal mining and coalbed methane development in British Columbia in the headwaters of the Flathead River that flows south into Montana, and now a company that wants to expand its gold exploration in that basin is prompting new concerns.
On the federal roadless forests issue, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday that he'd prefer a national standard for such areas, but did acknowledge that each forest had its own set of needs.
Also on Monday, U.S. District Court Judge James Redden gave the Obama administration another month to stake out its position on the salmon recovery plan in the Columbia Basin.
Rockies today
Company to drill for gold upstream of Montana's Glacier Nat'l Park
Max Resource Corp. announced it will double its efforts to explore for gold on a ridge in British Columbia just 10 miles north of Montana's Glacier National Park, adding to the list of concerns about how industrial development in the headwaters of the Flathead River could affect water quality in that river which flows into Montana.
Missoulian; Aug. 11
NPCA report highlights wolverines in Montana national park
The National Parks Conservation Association's 55-page report that addresses the challenges climate change presents the nation's parks presents wolverines in Montana's Glacier National Park as a species that could be wiped off the face of the earth by climate change.
Missoulian; Aug. 11
Ag Secretary says he prefers national roadless rule
On Monday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack applauded Colorado's efforts on creating a management plan for federal roadless lands in the state, but he did say he preferred a national standard for such management.
Denver Post; Aug. 11
Interior Sec'y headlines water forum in Montana
At the H20 09 Forum, sponsored by the Urban Institute at Montana State University Billings, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urged for more water efficiencies in the West, where estimates are that the population will increase 45 percent over the next couple of decades.
Billings Gazette; Aug. 11
Former President Clinton speaks at Nevada clean-energy summit
Former President Bill Clinton spoke at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas on Monday, and urged the nation to quit squandering time and start building green energy projects, which he said would help replace some of the 7 million jobs lost in the United States over the past couple of years.
Las Vegas Review-Journal; Aug. 11
Energy focus of GOP governors' gathering in Idaho
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said that a roundtable discussion of Republican governors who gathered in Sun Valley Sunday and Monday focused on new energy development, the Waxman-Markey legislation and efforts to educate consumers about the true cost of energy.
Twin Falls Times-News; Aug. 11
Federal judge gives NOAA more time on salmon plan
The Obama administration and NOAA Fisheries Service have until Sept. 15 to present their opinion on the current plan for restoring 13 threatened and endangered salmon runs on the Columbia and Snake rivers, a trek that includes passage over 14 federal dams on those Northwest rivers.
Spokane Spokesman-Review (AP); Aug. 11
Opinion
Colorado woman's death a tragic reminder about feeding bears
Coloradan Donna Munson was found dead near her Ouray County home, killed by one of the black bears she'd been feeding for years, an activity that put her--and the wildlife she fed--on a tragic path.
Durango Herald; Aug. 11
Beyond the region
At 'Three Amigos' conference, Obama promises to tackle immigration
At a meeting that began Sunday between U.S. President Barack Obama, President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, President Obama promised to work on comprehensive immigration reform in his country.
New York Times; Aug. 11
Energy Sec'y Chu tours Washington state facilities
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu took his first tour of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state on Monday, and today he'll tour the Hanford nuclear complex.
Tri-City Herald; Aug. 11
Coal-fired power plants work to capture carbon dioxide emissions
American Electric Power, an electric utility that is the largest consumer of coal in the United States, is putting a carbon-capture device on its power plant in West Virginia, with costs estimates at about $100 a ton, much higher than Environmental Protection Agency estimates about the cost of such capture, which scientists said is necessary to address climate change.
Washington Post; Aug. 11
Federal judgeship opens up in Yosemite National Park
The federal government needs to find a new judge for Yosemite National Park, a job that comes with a nice view.
New York Times; Aug. 11
In depth
Crews beat back wildfire near Idaho community
A wildfire that started Monday evening crept into backyards of homes near Twin Falls, but crews were able to contain the Idaho wildfire before it burned any structures.
Twin Falls Times-News; Aug. 11
Crews continue to battle wildfires in SW Colorado
The Narraguinnep Fire is the largest of three burning in Southwest Colorado at 5,343 acres, which crews had 25 percent contained by Monday evening; the Bradfield Fire is 75 to 85 percent contained at 2,220 acres; and the Pinyon Fire that started Sunday was at 100 acres on Monday.
Durango Herald; Aug. 11
It's wildfire season all over again in Arizona
Typically by this time of the year, monsoon season has arrived in Arizona, dampening fire danger, but a weak monsoon season has left areas of the state tinder dry, and fire officials are fighting a number of wildfires across the state, the largest of which is the Wild Horse Complex Fire that has burned more than 11,000 acres northeast of Williams.
Arizona Republic; Aug. 11
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