Land Development
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Judge B Lynne Winmill ruled in favor of Western Watersheds Project ordering that the group’s comprehensive challenge of over 16 Resource Management Plans, directing management of over 30 million acres, can be litigated in his single court. Resource Management Plans (RMPs) guide management of livestock grazing, off road vehicles, energy development, and other potentially environmentally…
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A huge solar power plant threatens rare plants and animals. There has been much discussion about renewable energy sources and large wind and solar projects. The problems with many of these projects are manyfold. One, there will be no decommissioning of any coal fired or other polluting/greenhouse gas emitting power plants as mitigation. Two, the…
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Bunnies, cowboys, culture, economics, demographics, the West Can America’s West stay wild? Christian Science Monitor Between 1970 and 2000, nonlabor jobs fueled 86 percent of this growth. Mining, timber, and agriculture (including ranching) contributed only 1 percent. Now, 93 percent of jobs in the West have no direct link to public lands, says Rasker. But…
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This loss highlights the importance of genetic interchange and landscape-level habitat preservation The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act but efforts to restore the bunny have been unsuccesful. Even efforts at maintaining as much of the Columbia Basin ancestory/gene by interbreeding with Idaho pygmy rabbits are not…
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Scenic Montana county with exploding population seeks $10-million from voters- Whenever I visit the area, I try to take a few photos of the disappearing rural countryside. Story: Flathead open space bond on ballot. By Michael Jamison of the Missoulian
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Joan McCarter looks at some of Wyoming’s recent strategies to protect sage grouse, avoid ESA listing of Sage grouse to keep Oil & Gas happy. Grousing Around Is the sage grouse the 21st century’s spotted owl? – NewWest
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The New Colonialism. Our Forest Legacy. The Flathead Beacon. The Plum Creek matter is a growing issue. Here is another article. George Wuerthner recommended a link to this article.
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Bitterroot Resort’s latest proposal rejected. By Perry Backus. Ravalli Republic Good!