http://www.newwest.net/topic/main/C70/L/ New West Network: The Voice of the Rocky Mountains en info@newwest.net Copyright 2010 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:58:37 MST Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:58:37 MST http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/harry_reid_the_new_public_lands_enemy_no_1/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/harry_reid_the_new_public_lands_enemy_no_1/C70/C70/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:29:22 MST UPDATED Friday, March 12, 1 pm: I used this headline once before when writing about Mark Rey, former Bush Administration Undersecretary of Agriculture and boss of the Forest Service. Prior to Rey’s Reign of Terror, California Republican Congressmen Richard Pombo held the honor of being the biggest enemy of public lands. Voters booted him in 2006, but he’s back, running for Congress again this year. Now, we have a new Public Lands Enemy No. 1, none other than current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_north_fork_of_the_flathead_the_gem_of_the_continent/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_north_fork_of_the_flathead_the_gem_of_the_continent/C70/C70/ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:55:53 MST Montana is home to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the world. From the plains of the east, to the mountains of the west, we are incredibly blessed to be able to call it home. And there is one area that holds a special place for me: the North Fork. One of the best parts of my year is when the weather starts to turn warm and I can get away for a weekend to Glacier or the surrounding areas. I love looking at the deep blue of Lake McDonald or the crystal clear water of the North Fork. I love staring up at the soaring peaks, and experiencing the awe when you hear names like Jackson and Stimson. I love the wildlife and the ruggedness.  http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/montanas_anti_outfitter_initiative_picks_up_heavy_duty_opposition/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/montanas_anti_outfitter_initiative_picks_up_heavy_duty_opposition/C70/C70/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:30:21 MST UPDATED: 7 pm, February 25: I just received a press release from Safari Club International, also in opposition to I-161. A proposed ballot measure in Montana to eliminate guaranteed big game licenses for commercial outfitters, I-161, just picked up some serious opposition. Proponents of I-161 are currently gathering signatures, so it’s still uncertain whether it will actually be on the ballot this November 2. Nonetheless, in separate press releases, the Missoula-based Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) strongly opposed the ballot initiative.  http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/baucus_comes_through_for_hunters_on_open_fields_hunting_access_program/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/baucus_comes_through_for_hunters_on_open_fields_hunting_access_program/C70/C70/ Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:58:46 MST Lately, it seems, I’ve been doing a lot of bemoaning about our inept political system, but alas, sometimes it does work. Back on November 5, I devoted my column to pushing the USDA to fund a new hunting access program called Open Fields that Congress passed as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/as_your_senator_heres_how_id_end_the_war_over_wilderness/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/as_your_senator_heres_how_id_end_the_war_over_wilderness/C70/C70/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:41:56 MST After thinking about it for about forty years, I’ve finally decided to throw out an idea for solving Montana’s totally messed up, mean-spirited, seemingly endless wilderness debate. And it might work in other states, too. If I were your senator (scary thought, eh?), I’d much prefer to address this thorny issue all at once instead of stringing it out for decades. This is opposite of piecemeal approach preferred your real Senators, including Jon Tester (D-MT) and his beleaguered Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, S. 1470. I admire Tester’s effort, and I’ve supported S. 1470, (with two amendments he rejected), but this bill virtually guarantees we’ll be fighting over the last roadless lands for the rest of my life. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/forest_jobs_bill_working_together_for_montana/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/forest_jobs_bill_working_together_for_montana/C70/C70/ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:08:16 MST The numbers are painful.  Last year, 1,700 Montanans lost jobs in our timber industry.  Timber harvest across our state plummeted a staggering 40 percent.  Several mills—including Montana’s largest—boarded up. If we do nothing, Montanans who work in the woods will get hit even harder.  It’s an industry that today directly employs just over 7,000 Montanans.  Thousands more rely on the industry indirectly. If we do nothing—or if we let partisan politics trump the ideas of Montanans who worked together for years on a common sense solution—all those jobs will be on the rocks.  In order to put Montanans back to work in the woods, we need to rethink the way we manage the woods.  We need a 21st century plan. That’s exactly why I introduced the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/obama_needs_to_change_approach_to_congress/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/obama_needs_to_change_approach_to_congress/C70/C70/ Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:21:25 MST It isn’t the American people who aren’t eager for change.  It’s Barack Obama. The President spent his first year in office either unwilling or unable to change his approach to the Congress. His virtually hands off, milk toast attitude toward providing legislative leadership has stymied the public’s demand for change. But it appears that the President may have stepped on a bold new path. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/congress_greens_time_to_spike_rat_out_of_control_forest_service_fees/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/congress_greens_time_to_spike_rat_out_of_control_forest_service_fees/C70/C70/ Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:59:54 MST The bad news is we’re getting older, and the good news is we’re getting older. Nobody likes the older-slower-fatter succession, but at least when you get to be a geezer--and yep, I’m officially a geezer, so I take it personally--you usually have more time, but less money, to enjoy the outdoors and our public lands for camping, hiking, fishing, or scenic driving. But not if the Forest Service has its way. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_politics_of_avatar/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_politics_of_avatar/C70/C70/ Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:11:53 MST I might as well disclose my little problem right upfront. I’m a sci-fi nut. That’s even worse than being a gun nut and fishing nut, but I’ve learned to cope with my problem. Along the way, though, I’ve had to go to almost every sci-fi flick ever made, even some really bad ones, and I think Avatar is a fascinating showpiece of ground-breaking technology and no doubt the best 3D film ever. Not the best sci-fi movie ever, though, but close. I’d rank it as the fourth best. What makes Avatar even more fascinating is the ironic political battle raging in the background. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/brady_campaign_and_nra_agree_give_obama_f_on_gun_issue/C70/C70/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/brady_campaign_and_nra_agree_give_obama_f_on_gun_issue/C70/C70/ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:55:38 MST I’ve been writing about the gun issue for a long time, but I never thought I’d live long enough to see the Brady Campaign for Gun Violence and the National Rifle Association agree on anything, nor would I see any President get an “F” from both groups. Well, believe it or not, it just happened.