Search

Presents news briefs concerning environmental and wildlife protection in the U.S. as of March 17, 2003. Information on a warning issued by the federal government to Fresno, California regarding the water billing system of the city; Details of a petition submitted by environmental groups seeking protection for several species of lampreys; Suspension of dredging plans for the Snake River in Idaho.

The article focuses on the deterrence of the proposed Navajo wind development project at the Gray Mountain in Arizona. It highlights the dispute between wind farm developers Citizen Energy Corp., and International Piping Products and Sempra Energy for the sole authority of the Navajo wind farm project. It also delves into the issues governing the dispute, citing the concern of the project approval from the Navajo Reservation, its central government and the tribal council.

The article reports on the emerging concerns regarding the plans by the company Navajo Nation to build up to six casinos within the borders of Arizona. It was stated that tribal members voted against the gambling initiatives. Critics have showed concerns that state gaming compacts might undermine tribal sovereignty and that casinos would encourage social illegal habits such as crimes, addiction, and alcoholism. It was announced that the first casino will be built in Sanders, Arizona with one in Shiprock, New Mexico.

This article presents information on the deals between commissioners in La Plata County, Colorado, and two energy companies, which allow the companies to double the density of coalbed methane wells near Durango. From the two decades, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission was trying to hold the line against an increase in oil and gas drilling. According to the agreements, the county pledged not to oppose the proposals from BP and from Samson Resources Co. to reduce spacing from one well per 160 acres to one per 80 acres. The companies will try to use existing well pads when possible. Directional drilling will be employed to cut noise and emissions from well pumps. The companies have also agreed to pay road-impact fees. According to county officials, the deals were the best they could hope for: However, Dan Randolph of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, a Durango-based environmental group, says that the agreements were close to meaningless, because the companies would have implemented similar measures anyway.

Reports on the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to retract its proposed new standard on levels of metal selenium in bodies of water, as of November 2004. Provisions of the proposal of EPA; Implications of the proposal for fish mortality; Factor behind the decision of the agency.

Discusses the quest of communities in the Western part of the U.S. for a safer way to kill mosquitoes. Effects of West Nile virus on people; Kinds of toxic chemicals; Description of an effective mosquito-control program.

Reports on the construction costs of the Animas-La Plata dam in southwestern Colorado. Value of the project; Details of an estimate made by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe regarding the construction cost; Background on a federal law concerning the first right of refusal for contracts on reservations by Indian tribes; Problem concerning the original cost projection for the construction project.

Provides information on the construction of a uranium-enrichment facility by the Louisiana Energy Services in New Mexico in October 2003. Economic benefits of the plant according to New Mexican politicians; Function of uranium-enrichment facilities; Criticisms of Don Hancock, director of nuclear waste programs for the Southwest Research and Information Center, against the plant.

Reports on the dispute over the expansion project at the Four Corners Monument in the Southwest. Funding provided by the U.S. Congress to the expansion; Areas covered by the expansion of the monument; Opposition of Representative Mark Larson (R-Cortez) to the expansion.

Presents news briefs from the U.S. as of September 1, 2003. Settlement of a lawsuit requiring the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to sell federal timber; Rulings of district courts on the role of the U.S. Department of Energy in cleaning up nuclear waste; Auction of Tom Chapman's acquired property within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Presents an article on the outdoor clothing and paraphernalia preparations of campers. Quality of outdoor accessories for hikers; Evaluation of the safety capabilities of camping equipment; Significance of gadget planning for outdoor recreation.

Presents news briefs on public administration across the Western States as of May 12, 2003. Agreement signed by Utah Governor Mike Leavitt with Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton regarding the control of backcountry roads crossing federal land in Utah; Overview of a study on the alleged mismanagement of royalties from oil and gas production and other activities on Indian land; Possible effect of the budget deficit in California on a farmland-protection program.

Presents news briefs concerning environmental protection in the U.S. as of April 14, 2003. Concerns of conservationists regarding the use of forest thinning to slow down the spread of forest wildfires in Colorado; Details of a U.S. Bureau of Land Management plan for the Jack Morrow Hills in Wyoming's Red Desert; Settlement of a land dispute concerning the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico.

Reports on the decision of New Mexico ranchers to lock their gates to block private roads to natural gas wells on November 14, 2002. Reason behind the action of the ranchers; Background on the environmental effects of oil and gas drilling; Comments of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on the decision; Action taken by oil companies in connection with the locking of the gates.

Provides information on the efforts of Colorado citizens to prevent toxic shipments in the area. Formation of the Colorado Citizens Against ToxicWaste group; Background on the Cotter Corp. mill; Inspection of the mill by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency in September 2002.

Reports on the planned funding for the Animas-La Plata water project in southwest Colorado. Budget for the project; Factors that complicated the project; Background on the start-up work included in the project; Allocation of the bulk water to be depleted.

Presents updates on environmental protection in the U.S. as of May 21, 2001. Details on the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court on property-tax exemptions concerning the use of public land for profit in Colorado; Information on the charges faced by several individuals for driving and destroying national forest land in Wyoming.

Looks at the challenges concerning the preservation and promotion of Canyons of the Ancients, a designated national monument west of Cortez, Colorado. Description of the place; Popularity of the monument since its designation; Impact of increased tourism in the area.