New West Feature
Work Begins to Tap Huge Mineral Deposits in Idaho
Yesterday’s announcement by the Canadian company, Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd., that it had received final approval from the U.S. Forest Service to begin exploring for molybdenum in Idaho’s Boise National Forest is bound to refocus attention on an old federal law that plays a central role in mining decisions.
The 1872 National Mining Act, which still governs how mining occurs on federal lands, has been a bone of contention between environmental groups and mining companies for decades.
New West Feature
If Denver Wants Winter Olympics, It Will Have to Show the Money
Informal talks this week between Denver’s mayor and Colorado’s governor about the 2022 Winter Olympics would be the start of a long process full of hurdles, should Denver make a serious bid for the Games.
On Sunday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper confirmed to the Denver Post that the idea interests them, but both expressed awareness of how long and winding any road to the Olympics would be.
High Country News Feature
Utahns Oppose Las Vegas’ Snake Valley Water Grab
In August 2009, the state of Utah sacrificed its western flank in return for development opportunities in its southern bounds.
At least, that’s the way many residents in Western Utah’s Snake Valley perceive a water agreement the state inked with Nevada. In that deal, Nevada received rights to the majority of available groundwater in the 100-mile long Snake Valley—the last remaining piece in a Las Vegas water buy-up by Southern Nevada Water Authority general manager Patricia Mulroy.
Summit Daily News Feature
Ski Resort Expansion Threatens Lynx Habitat
Dense, sub-alpine forests are what comprise the terrain for Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 6 proposed expansion—meaning the project’s effect on lynx has come under significant public scrutiny.
The Forest Service issued an amendment that allows the project to move forward despite being “likely to adversely affect” lynx and despite the project being situated in primary lynx habitat.
New West Feature
Unemployment, Foreclosures Hit Rockies Children Hard
Utah, usually the only Rocky Mountain state among the nation’s top 10 in an annual assessment of how children are faring, did less well in this year’s report.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2011 Kids Count places Utah seventh, down three places from last year. Idaho ranks 22nd, Colorado 25th, Wyoming 28th, Montana 33rd, and New Mexico 46th.
New West Feature
Blame the Weather on Peru
Montana State University (MSU) researchers have been busy in the discovery department lately.
Three scientific papers out of the university that were published recently range from the effects of Peru’s ocean temperatures on Montana weather, to a shortage of oxygen in the lungs, to dinosaurs at the South Pole.
