Preserving Our Western Outdoor Heritage
Recent posts
Natural Resources
Forest Service ‘stall tactics’ threaten Minnesota mining jobs, education funding
The stall tactics and fear-mongering amount to a direct attack on mining in Minnesota and the good people of the Iron Range. The federal government’s proposed withdrawal of leases for mineral exploration and development not only would have a chilling…
Jordan Cove natural gas project will help environment, increase geopolitical stability
If you truly care about the environment, then supporting the export of natural gas to Asia, India and other Eastern European countries makes sense. The air quality issues in those countries can be detrimental to our global environment, and natural…
Wildfires ravage 3.2 million acres in 2017, and it’s only July
As of July 7, wildfires have consumed nearly 3.2 million acres throughout the country, and have impacted states from Alaska to Florida. Only a few thousand acres have been torched in prescribed burns designed to mitigate larger incidents. posted by…
IG cleared EPA of wrongdoing in Gold King Mine disaster using information from known liar
The IG referred the unidentified EPA employee to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution for making false claims to investigators and for violations of the Clean Water Act, but the case was never filed in federal court. House Republicans…
Domestic Energy
Seven points that prove North Fork drilling report is…
Just a superficial review of the report's sourcing gives one sufficient insight into its nature and intent to see that …
Ranching
Idaho ranch research suggests grazing improves sage grouse habitat
“Through using grazing as a tool, we can improve sage grouse habitat — not just coexist, but improve it,” Prescott said. John O'Connell Capital Press Research ranch seeks balance between conservation, grazing HAILEY, Idaho — During his years as executive…
BLM ditches obligations as Oregon ranchers’ water rights lawsuit dismissed
When the Whites tried to enforce their water rights with the Oregon Water Resources Department more than two decades later, however, the BLM determined the agreement was invalidated. Mateusz Perkowski Capital Press PORTLAND — An Oregon ranching couple claims their…
‘Environmental bias’ has WA ranchers wary about Forest Service monitoring
The agency has been scolded and received enough pressure from members of Congress for its “blatant mistakes” and “environmental bias” in monitoring that it’s “kind of in a sit-back mode,” said Jim DeTro, Okanogan County commissioner. “They know they’ve messed…
South Dakota ranchers sued by biker who lost in run-in with bison
Their lawyer, Cassidy Stalley, cited three defenses: contributory negligence by Heidrich, the risk she undertook when she chose to ride a motorcycle into a herd of buffalo, as well as her failure to mitigate damages, such as “unnecessary medical and…
Federal Overreach
Native American management of antiquities provides alternative to monument…
Granting control of such sites to Native Americans would allow for protection of antiquities on federal land with much less …
Land Disputes
‘Authoritarian’ overreach one reason for land management agencies shakeup
It is a perennial issue in the West, because access to national forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and BLM land sometimes requires crossing private land. That means relationships between those landowners and the federal agencies is delicate, and vital. Greg Walcher…
Despite ranchers’ concerns, Zinke recommends no changes to Craters, Hanford monuments
Craters of the Moon was first designated in 1924 and occupied 54,000 acres. In 2000, President Clinton expanded it more than ten-fold, to 700,000 acres. This monument in central Idaho is distinguished by its craggy basalt fields; remnants of ancient…
Organ Mountains Monument: Too much land, too many restrictions
A responsible review of the designation will loosen the bureaucratic grip that Washington has over thousands of acres and help put our lands back where they belong – in the hands of New Mexicans. A significant cross-section of the community…
‘Failure’ of Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument due to negative economic impact
The executive action instantaneously shut down a major American coal operation, killing thousands of jobs and driving a regulatory stake into the heart of Utah's coal country. It was widely reported that Clinton's designation had little to do with environmental…
Domestic Energy
Seven points that prove North Fork drilling report is…
Just a superficial review of the report's sourcing gives one sufficient insight into its nature and intent to see that …
