Public Lands
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Utah to pay operating expenses, and might be reimbursed after gov’t shutdown- Utah, a state famous for its many scenic national parks has might a deal with Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, To be opened and run with state funds are Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks. Also; Natural Bridges and Cedar…
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We’ve seen it numerous times before when a member of Congress votes against funding their local district or state relies on, but then turns in a posture that says someone else was responsible and their local project could be run for free. Wyoming Republican Senator John Barasso and Wyoming’s lone U.S. House member Cynthia Lummis…
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Parks, wildlife refuges, national forests closed due to failure to pass a budget- (This story has the shutdown rules for 4 land management agencies) There was no last minute deal for a temporary budget extension passed at midnight. The federal government will now partially shut down. “Essential services” will continue without a budget. However, the…
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Should there be genetic rescue (outside wolves brought in)- For many years the wolves and moose of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior have shown that wolves do not wipe out their prey. When wolves become abundant enough that the disappearance of prey seems probable, the wolves die back. On the other hand, when…
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Former Yellowstone superintendent Michael Finley doubts grizzly delisting due to lack of habitat- West Yellowstone, MT. Last weekend the Greater Yellowstone Coalition celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding back in 1983. Along with honoring the founders, especially activist Rick Reese, and former Board members, the Coalition (GYC) had a prime time panel consisting of…
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Closure order published Sept. 18 for section through the Lochsa-Clearwater Wild and Scenic River corridor- There was a similar headline about a month ago. Then Omega-Morgan transport, aided by a permit from Idaho Department of Transportation and law enforcement, bullied their way through the corridor. The Forest Service backed down in the face of this…
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Trend of introducing mountain goats outside historic range continues- Utah’s Division of Wildlife has captured about 50 mountain goats from its thriving herd in the high Tushar Mountains of Southern Central Utah and released some of them into the photographically famous La Sal Mountains, east of Moab, near the Colorado border. Seeing and hunting the…