In the Rockies today, another attempt at making cleanup of abandoned mines easier; and two federal court decisions--one tossing Montana's regulation of coalbed methane discharge water and another booting domestic sheep off an Idaho grazing allotment--are in the news.
U.S. Sen. Mark Udall is trying again on so-called "Good Samaritan" legislation that would make it easier for groups to clean up abandoned mines; Udall submitted similar legislation as a congressman from Colorado during the four previous Congresses.
A federal court judge in Wyoming nullified Montana's water-quality rules approved by the Environmental Protection Agency that regulated discharge water from coalbed methane operations and sent the rules back to the EPA for modification.
In Idaho, a federal district judge ordered domestic sheep not be allowed on a grazing allotment in western Idaho--at least temporarily--because they presented a risk to wild bighorns near Riggins.
There are a couple of events in Montana scheduled today that deal with climate change.
In Missoula, the University of Montana launches its new Climate Change Studies Program with a speech at 7 p.m. in the Urey Lecture Hall on "Climate Change and National Security" by former U.S. Sen. and Secretary of the Navy John Warner and former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John B. Nathman, USN (Ret.)
In Bozeman, the National Parks Conservation Association and Big Sky Institute at Montana State University launches its fall series on "Montana's Changing Climate and You," with a lecture on Fishing and Hunting in a Warmer Montana at 7 p.m. at the Bozeman Public Library.
And in our "On the Bookshelf" column, Barbara Theroux reviews two books designed to get children excited about nature: "You Can be a Nature Detective" and "Bug Feats of Montana"
Rockies today
Energy experts: Fixing gas leaks an easy way to fight climate change
Scientists say that methane, which is the primary ingredient of natural gas, accounts for almost a third of humans' contribution to global warming, and energy experts said if natural gas facilities in Wyoming and other states would fix all the leaks they have, it would provide a fast and easy curb of greenhouse emissions in the short run.
New York Times; Oct. 15
Colorado senator tries again on 'Good Samaritan' mine cleanup bill
When Mark Udall was a congressman from Colorado, he tried to get legislation passed in the U.S. House that would shield entities cleaning up abandoned mines from assuming liability for the mines, and now that he's a U.S. senator, he's taking up proposed legislation there.
Denver Post; Oct. 15
Report: Nevada led the nation in foreclosures in 3rd quarter
RealtyTrac Inc.'s report released Thursday said that foreclosures across the nation increased 5 percent in the third quarter, with Nevada having the nation's highest foreclosure rate; Arizona ranked second; Idaho fifth; Utah sixth; and Colorado ninth.
Las Vegas Review-Journal (AP); Oct. 15
Federal judge tosses Montana's rules on CBM discharge water
Water-quality rules designed to protect land in southeastern Montana from natural gas drilling operations that had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency were annulled Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer and sent back to the EPA for reconsideration.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Oct. 15
Federal judge orders Idaho rancher to keep sheep off grazing allotment
U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled Wednesday that the agreement between Idaho and a Salmon River rancher on keeping domestic sheep and wild bighorns apart fell on the rancher's Bureau of Land Management grazing lease, fell short of the state's law passed in 2009, and ordered the rancher to keep his sheep off the grazing allotment.
Idaho Statesman (AP); Oct. 15
Report tracks health of, threats to 10 Canadian rivers
WWF-Canada assessed 10 rivers in Canada and found that the South Saskatchewan River was the country's most threatened in the country because of the hundreds of dams on the river and that 70 percent of its flow was allocated to agricultural and urban uses; the Athabasca and Fraser rivers were assessed to be in the best shape.
Edmonton Journal (Canwest News Service); Oct. 15
Group pushes for wilderness area in NW Montana
Headwaters Montana is advocating new protection for lands in Montana, which would designate 140,000 acres of land in the Thompson-Seton and Mount Hefty areas, as well as backcountry areas of Glacier National Park, and calls for the extension of Waterton National Park in Canada to the Canadian Flathead.
Hungry Horse News; Oct. 15
Opinion
Salazar took the right route on Utah energy leases
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to put eight parcels of federal land in Utah near Arches and Canyonlands national parks, Desolation Canyon on the Green River and Nine Mile Canyon near Price off-limits to energy development was a wise decision.
Salt Lake Tribune; Oct. 15
Beyond the region
Report: Forest's role in carbon capture not as effective as claimed
Ten years ago, three U.S. utilities, two conservation groups and the Bolivian government launched the Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project which kept 6,000 square miles of forests in the South American country free of logging as a way to absorb carbon dioxide and make carbon credits more affordable for the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, but Greenpeace will release a report today that questions the use of overseas forests to compensate for pollution in the United States.
Washington Post; Oct. 15
Falling dollar pushes oil prices to new year high
Oil prices rose to $75.20 a barrel early Thursday, as the U.S. dollar continued to weaken, investors' optimism rose, and a slight unexpected drop in U.S. inventories occurred.
Toronto Globe and Mail; Oct. 15
Salazar releases plan for 2.5M acres of forests in Western Oregon
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar rolled out the Obama administration's plan for 2.5 million acres of forest land in western Oregon managed by the Bureau of Land Management that identifies 62 projects on 19,000 acres of land that will result in a 12 percent increase in harvest over current levels.
Portland Oregonian; Oct. 15
Heavy rains restore Lake Tahoe's water levels to natural rim
Chad Blanchard, chief deputy water master for Lake Tahoe, said Tuesday's storm sent 7.8 billion gallons of water into the lake, putting water levels back on the positive side of storage levels.
Reno Gazette-Journal; Oct. 15
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