A LOCAL COLLABORATION, MOSTLY
The Other Green Group Behind Tester’s Wilderness Bill
Most of us have mistyped URLs, using .com instead of .net or .org instead of .gov. So, when you want to go to the website of the Montana Wood Productions Association, be sure to key in montanaforests.com. If you inadvertently type montanaforests.org, you go a promotional website for Senator Jon Tester's (D-MT) new Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2009, S.1470.
Shortly after the website went up last month, I received a couple of emails claiming this was just another example of the heavy hand of the Campaign for America's Wilderness (CAW) had in crafting Tester's wilderness bill. And sure enough, it turns out the domain name was registered by David Chott, CAW online coordinator.
[more]
THIS JUST IN
Roadless Rule Upheld, Again
Ninth Circuit Court Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte ruled today that the Bush administration unlawfully repealed the Clinton-era Roadless Rule. The ruling puts the National Roadless Rule back into affect in at least the states covered by the Ninth Circuit Court, but it is unclear if the ruling applies to other states.
Today's ruling basically reaffirms a September 20, 2006 decision by the same court, but that has been under various appeals ever since.
[more]
YOU ALWAYS ENJOY REVEALING A BEST KEPT SECRET
Fishing the Kootenai River
Anybody who likes fly fishing for trout has heard about Montana's world-famous blue ribbon rivers--the Big Hole, Bighorn, Madison, Missouri, Yellowstone, and all the rest, but when you go there for a relaxing day on a classic trout stream, you not only face competition from the wily salmonids, but also competition from your brethren. On any summer day, you have to courteously share the river with dozens of drift boats and even more wade anglers.
Unless you're on the fabulous Kootenai River in far northwestern Montana, that is.
[more]
SASKATCHEWAN FISHING LODGES
Thompson’s Camps and Outposts: An Adventure for Every Budget
Most fishing lodges have the one-size-fits-all plan, but Thompson's Camps has a totally different marketing plan: Make your own Canadian fishing experience.
After driving for about an hour north of La Ronge on a mostly unpaved roadway along the boundary of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park you roll into a small community called Missinipe, home of Thompson's Camps, nestled on the shoreline of immense Otter Lake. Missinipe is the Cree for Great Water, which aptly refers to the mighty Churchill River flowing through Otter Lake and many other sprawling shield lakes in the area.
[more]
THE LEGACY OF KENTON CARNEGIE
What Could Make the Wolf Even More Controversial?
Anything wolf makes big headlines--and, it seems, is never old news.
For fourteen years since conservationists and the federal government brought the wolf back to the northern Rockies (plus several years leading up to the reintroduction), anything and everything about the Big Dog has been, to say the least, controversial.
But something hasn't happened yet that could make it much more contentious.
[more]
NOW CALLED WHOLESALE SPORTS
UFA Rebrands Its 15 Sportsman’s Warehouse Stores
Putting a formal stamp on its difficult transaction that netted it 15 stores from the bankrupt Sportsman's Warehouse chain, UFA Co-operative Limited,of Calgary, Alberta, has quickly rebranded the stores as part of the Wholesale Sports chain it has owned and operated for many years in Canada.
The new signs are going up right now, says Natalie Dawes, of UFA, but customers still might find temporary banners in some locations.
[more]
IS ANOTHER LAYER OF PROTECTION WORTH THE COST?
Is National Park Wilderness a Good Idea?
If you've read any of my past columns, you know I'm a strong proponent of designating more Wilderness, but when considering whether to support including our national parks under the National Wilderness Preservation System, I have to wonder if this is a good idea. Here's why. [more]
HOW TO ENJOY BICYCLING CITY STREETS
Practical Tips for Making Bicycle Commuting Safer and Easier
More and more people are making the big move to bicycle commuting and finding out it isn't that difficult or dangerous to make it to work or school or coffee shop or grocery store, but even more haven't make the move. Having talked about this issue with many who haven't, I made a list of practical tips and advice that address many of the common concerns I've heard.
I've been commuting around town on my bicycle for thirty years without a single accident involving a motor vehcile, and for a long time, I couldn't understand why people didn't do it, but now, I get it.
[more]
Buzz Off
Crews to Dig Up Radioactive Wasp Nests at Hanford
Workers at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington this month are going to dig up scores of radioactive wasp nests spread out over six acres, according to Tri-City Herald reporter Annette Cary.
The newspaper says the, ahem, sting operation involves some heavy lifting. “There are so many radioactive nests spread over six acres by H Reactor in northern Hanford that six to 12 inches of top soil are being dug up to remove the nests,” Cary reports.
[more]
ADDRESS AMERICA'S NO. 1 CONSERVATION ISSUE
No Child Left Inside
Something happened, back on Earth Day 2009, that didn't get nearly the fanfare it deserved.
Citing the critical need to improve environmental education across the country, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced House and Senate versions of the "historic" No Child Left Inside Act of 2009. If passed, it would mark the first environmental education legislation to pass Congress in more than 25 years.
And long overdue, I might add.
[more]
Ray said: "I don't know about "taking on the railroad" , and I think Bill mis-worded the following "For years, people in central Montana have been encouraging,…
bikeboy said: "Good summarization, Bill. Regarding the "No Child Left Inside Act" - I'd not heard of that one before. Followed your link to find out more,…