Alberta accused of failing grizzlies

Only 300 grizzlies left in all of Alberta-

Montana probably has 3 to 4 times as many grizzlies now as Alberta.

Alberta accused of failing grizzlies. Environmental groups demand action on bears. By Kelly Cryderman, with files from Hanneke Brooymans, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald

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Related. Continuing development of Alberta oil sands will pollute Great Lakes, report warns. By Martin Hittelstaedt. The Globe and Mail.

Alberta is being trashed at an amazing rate. Ralph Maughan

I’ve been in the central Idaho backcountry

Since Friday, I’ve been mostly in the central Idaho backcountry. So there have been just a few posts.

It’s incredible how much of central Idaho has burned since 2000 when I finished my last edition of Hiking Idaho.

On the other hand, at the present autumn colors are just tremendous.

Warm Springs Creek. Frank Church Wilderness. Burned out in 2007. October 6, 2008. Copyright Ralph Maughan ↓

Montana pays for livestock losses due to wolves and bears

Payout for wolf and bear losses in Montana in 2008. Losses are trivial-

Some “large” claims are yet to be paid, but this certainly isn’t much — $22,000. Millions of middle income, individual Americans have seen their retirement decline that much this year. This year the tally includes payments for bears as well as wolves over the entire state.

State pays for livestock losses due to wolves, bears– By Jim Mann. The Daily Inter Lake

Although I don’t have the figures, “control” of wolves and bears in Montana consumed far more than $22,000.

After a century, trout have returned to Silver Bow Creek, Montana

Formerly polluted creek near Butte, Montana now has trout-

Few creeks were as polluted by mining as Silver Bow Creek near Butte, but after about a century trout, some as big as 18 inches are back.

Associated Press story. After a century, trout return to Silver Bow Creek, Montana