In the Rockies today, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission decided Tuesday to approve a plan to send Yellowstone bison to Ted Turner's ranch near Bozeman.

The plan was a contentious one that was hotly debated at public meetings held over the course of a month or so.

In Idaho, a state Supreme Court decision is being hailed as a landmark ruling for counties' authority to regulate water-quality issues.

The state high court ruled in favor of Gooding County's regulations on confined animal feeding operations, but the state dairymen's association is contemplating asking for a rehearing.

And in Wyoming, where the Bureau of Land Management is working on a new plan for its lands, the federal agency said it won't involve the public in developing underlying policies.

Rockies today

Montana to ship Yellowstone bison to Ted Turner's ranch
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission approved a plan Tuesday to send 88 bison held in quarantine outside of Yellowstone National Park to Ted Turner's Green Ranch west of Bozeman.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle ; Feb. 3
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Idaho Supreme Court affirms county's rules on CAFOs
The Idaho Supreme Court's decision rendered Tuesday that upheld the right of Gooding County to regulate confined animal feeding operations was an important one for the state's counties, affirming their right to regulate water-quality issues; the Idaho Dairymen’s Association is discussing whether to ask for a rehearing.
Twin Falls Times-News; Feb. 3
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BLM: Meetings on management of Wyoming lands not public
The Bureau of Land Management owns about 30 percent of the land in Wyoming, and the agency is beginning work on a new management plan but doesn't intend to open the meetings up to the public.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Feb. 3
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Utah university gets federal grant to study state's dirty air
The National Science Foundation is providing $1.3 million in funding for a three-year study by the University of Utah on the causes of air pollution in areas of the Beehive State.
Salt Lake Tribune; Feb. 3
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Montana governor signs off on Milltown, Blackfoot projects
On Tuesday, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer approved the distribution of funds from the settlement between the state of Montana and Atlantic Richfield Co., managed by the Natural Resource Damage Program, for new state parks near Milltown, the removal of logs from the Blackfoot River, the purchase of land near Anaconda for a wildlife passage; as well as other projects.
Missoulian ; Feb. 3
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Utah Senate passes measure to exempt guns from federal laws
The Utah Senate passed a measure on Tuesday that would exempt guns made and sold within Utah from federal firearms rules, a measure nearly identical to a law passed in Montana that is currently being challenged in court.
Salt Lake Tribune ; Feb. 3
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Nevada officials to round up wild horses in Reno neighborhood
Wild horse advocates are objecting to Nevada's plan to round up 25 wild horses in a south Reno neighborhood, and said the state Agriculture Department created the problem when it allowed subdivisions to be built on open range without requiring fences to keep wild horses out.
Reno Gazette-Journal ; Feb. 3
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Opinion

Sun Valley's more like Cleveland than Aspen
Sun Valley's newest City Council member, Bob Youngman, said his review of sales tax receipts from 2001 indicated that revenues have declined 24 percent in Sun Valley and 36 percent in Ketchum, and said the area needs to come up with a locally based marketing plan to drive revenue up, a message residents and businesses need to take to heart.
Idaho Mountain Express (Sun Valley); Feb. 3
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Beyond the region

Millions of U.S. homeowners owe 75% more than home is worth
Before the real-estate crisis hit in mid-2006, the number of U.S. homeowners who owed more than their homes were worth was nearly zero, but now it's estimated that 4.5 million mortgage holders owe 75 percent more than the property's value, and more homeowners are deciding that it's easier just to walk away from such a situation even when they have the money to make the payments.
New York Times; Feb. 3
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