In the Rockies today, High Country News provides an in-depth look at the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, the string of federal court decisions that followed that rule, and in particular, how U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Brimmer views the rule.
Also in the news, conservation groups take issue with the proposal from the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee to raise mortality limits for the bears in that region.
The buyout of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway by Warren Buffett's Berkshire-Hathaway conglomerate has Montana's political and agricultural leaders seeking a change in the railway's shipping rates for that state's farmers.
Mining is in the news in Idaho, where Hecla Mining Company reported strong third-quarter profits; and in Montana, where Revett Minerals touted the efforts of the company and its employees to stay in the black despite low metal prices, and to urge state officials to support the company's ongoing efforts to open a silver and copper mine in the Cabinet Mountains.
Rockies today
Wyoming federal judge stands firm on his 'roadless' rulings
U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Brimmer has issued a series of rulings against the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, because the federal judge in Wyoming said it was created illegally. A good in-depth look at how the 2001 rule was passed and the process with which Judge Brimmer takes issue.
High Country News; Nov. 4
Groups at odds over Yellowstone grizzly bear mortality limits
At its meeting last week in Wyoming, members of the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee discussed raising mortality limits for grizzly bears, saying that the population in the area could sustain higher deaths and still remain viable, a stance conservation groups disagreed with strongly.
Jackson Hole Daily; Nov. 4
Buffett's Berkshire-Hathaway buys BNSF
Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run by well-known investor Warren Buffett, will spend about $26 billion for the 77.4 percent of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway stock the group didn't already own.
New York Times; Nov. 4
Montana leaders to press for new rates from BNSF's new owner
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Sen. Max Baucus said they have talked with Warren Buffett about renegotiating shipping rates for Montana's farmers now that his Berkshire Hathaway owns Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Missoulian; Nov. 4
Voters in 2 Colorado counties approve 'energy districts'
Voters in Pitkin County approved by a 73 percent margin the creation of an "energy smart local improvement district," which will allow the Colorado county to issue up to $7 million in bonds to fund a low-cost loan program to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects; voters in Eagle County approved a similar measure although with just a 53 percent margin.
Aspen Times; Nov. 4
Revett Minerals officials meet with Montana governor
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer met with Revett Minerals executives who talked with him about how its Troy mine is succeeded despite low metal prices, and to emphasize the company's continuing enthusiasm about its proposed silver and copper mine in the Cabinet Mountains.
Western News; Nov. 3
Idaho-based mining company reports $22.5M in 3Q profits
Hecla Mining Company, which is now the largest producer of silver in the United States, reported $22.5 million in third-quarter profits, a considerable increase over last year when it lost $7.2 million during the same quarter, and company officials credited record production at its Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho for increased profits.
Coeur d'Alene Press; Nov. 4
Opinion
Colorado governor's hiring 'freeze' a little slushy
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced a hiring freeze in October of 2008, and then proceeded to hire 2,300 new state employees at a time when state agencies' budgets were being sliced and diced, and while some of those 2,300 were no doubt "essential" hires, the governor needs to take a hard look at just what constitutes an essential state position -- and he needs to stop referring to a hiring freeze.
Denver Post; Nov. 4
Beyond the region
House Republicans present their own health care bill
Legislation presented by House Republicans as an antidote to the one sponsored by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rewards states for reducing the number of uninsured residents and would allow small businesses to group together to buy insurance exempt from most state regulation.
New York Times; Nov. 4
India's gold purchase pushes price to record high
The price of gold climbed above $1,095 an ounce Wednesday, driven into record territory by the weakening U.S. dollar and India's purchase of 200 tons of gold from the International Monetary Fund.
Toronto Globe and Mail (Reuters); Nov. 4
U.S. coal companies see plenty of profit -- from foreign sales
St. Louis-based Peabody Energy and Arch Coal, two of the nation's top coal producers, said foreign markets are keeping profits high.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Nov. 4
California Legislature passes water mandate
The California Legislature passed one measure of multi-part water legislation Tuesday night: a bill mandating a statewide decrease in per-capita water use.
Los Angeles Times; Nov. 4
Oregon tightens rules, oversight on renewable energy projects
After an investigation by the Portland Oregonian found little oversight or accountability on tax credits issued by the Oregon Department of Energy for renewable-energy projects, the department issued new rules reining in the program and allows the state to withdraw the credits for projects that don't generate the energy or the jobs promised.
Portland Oregonian; Nov. 4
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