The Great Outdoors
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Here is some good news. The U. S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee yesterday passed a bill closing 1.2 million (!!) acres of the Wyoming Range mountains to natural gas exploration and production. This highly scenic, unstable, and wildlife rich mountain range is west of Big Piney and Daniel and south of Jackson, Wyoming.…
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On Feb. 21, 2008 there was a moderately powerful earthquake of 6.3 near Wells, Nevada. Naturally that was followed by many aftershocks. But now geologists are wondering if something unusual may be underway, especially as the quakes seem to have migrated toward populous Reno, Nevada. Sometimes moderately large quakes are foreshocks of a really big…
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This is a very ambitious program, far exceeding the size of all federal efforts. It is a plan for Colorado only. Perhaps 1/4 of the money would come from and oil and gas severance tax. The bulk would be raised privately in cash or land donations. Open space dreams to protect wild. Coalition’s goal would…
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Governor: Forest deal ‘suspect’ – Federal government gave energy company broad influence over study of Wyoming Range. By Noah Brenner and Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo. Jackson Hole News and Guide. In the process of drilling a well on public land, granting of the lease is the most important legal step. Once the lease is…
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Some of my very first and best memories (I must have been about 3 years old) are of the outdoors. By that I don’t mean the lawn or a favorite tree. My grandfather located and developed mining properties . . . unsuccessfully when I was boy because he was in his mid-70s, but he recruited…
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This southwest Montana national forest is the largest in Montana, with many mountain ranges, splendid backcountry and scenic frontcountry as well. There are many species of wildlife. I could go on, but the important point is that the comment period on the new forest plan has been extended to the end of April. Not only…
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Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front seems to be the only place in the Rocky Mountains where the oil companies are not getting what they want. That’s good news, but unfortunately the exception that proves the rule. Energy company cedes its oil, gas leases along Front to Trout Unlimited. Kohlman Co. gives 33,411 acres to Trout Unlimited…
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‘Barb’ commented on a post that Ralph wrote a year ago today. It deserves to be reposted on its first birthday. Defending the West is virtue At Potamogeton Park, Madison Range, Montana. Gallatin National Forest. Photo by Ralph Maughan