Palin & Chevron; Spill Disaster in the Making

There are 6-million gallons of crude sitting at the base of Mt. Redoubt-

Palin & Chevron; Spill Disaster in the Making. Shannyn Moore. Just a girl from Homer. Huffington Post.

Ms. Moore asks a good question:  “Why is there 6 million gallons of crude oil just sitting at the base of a live volcano? Currently, 6 million gallons of Alaska crude oil wait at the base of a volcano that has puked, spewed and gone half mad 19 times in the last 8 days.”

– – – – –

ed. note: the last time Mt. Redoubt erupted the oil terminal was almost taken out. They built a dike around it later. So far it has held. Pretty reassuring!

The new lands bill has compensation for losses from wolves

Little discussed amendment to bill would pay livestock owners for losses, but also give grants to be proactive and use non-lethal measures-

Livestock operators are always getting new subsidies from the government, but this amendment could be positive because it is more than just paying people for their losses to wolves. It also provides grants to states to use non-lethal methods to prevent losses from happening.  Idaho has pretty much abandoned asking livestock operators from doing anything to prevent losses. Hopefully this amendment will change things.

Lands bill offers wolf-kill money. By The Associated Press.

Tester: Passage of ‘Wolf Kill Bill’ Was Common Sense. Montana Senator says, “… the Wolf Kill Bill isn’t just about repaying ranchers.” By Jon Tester, U.S. Senate, Guest Writer. New West.

Obama signs the omnibus public lands bill

Channels Bush and adds a presidential signing statement-
Updates to 4-2. State specific information added at end of post

There was much rejoicing as the President signed the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, usually and incorrectly called the giant new “wilderness bill.”

It does add 2-million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System, but it does many other things, including protect 1.2 million acres of the Salt River Range, Wyoming Range, and Commissary Ridge areas in Western Wyoming from oil and gas leasing (and hence drilling). These areas will not be managed as Wilderness, although as a result of the bill, large parts of them will remain roadless. Drilling in these scenic, but unstable, wildlife rich areas would cause immense devastation. They still suffer from excessive livestock grazing.

The bill also designates new Wild and Scenic Rivers, including the first in dry Utah, where building dams on rivers has been a tradition. To win support for the bill, money was provided to study the rebuilding of the Teton Dam in Eastern Idaho, which failed catastrophically in 1976 when it was first being filled after a long fight with conservation groups who predicted it would not hold water. I should note that fighting this dam was my first major conservation issue.

There are 500,000 of new official Wilderness in Idaho and 316 miles of wild and scenic rivers  included in the larger Owyhee Canyonlands bill. This bill has sparked conflict among conservation groups, not because it designates Wilderness, but because it also releases to livestock development a number of roadless areas, plus other provisions. I have heard that the bill did undergo some improvement in the U.S. Senate when it was “cleaned up” by Committee Staff.

Montana Public Radio Evening Commentary: Dan Brister

Dan Brister of Buffalo Field Campaign was featured on Montana’s Public Radio March 27, 2009 with this audio essay

A new web site, Lobos of the Southwest

Lobos of the Southwest is the first website totally devoted to the conservation of the Mexican wolf, although there is an “anti” web site.

This is a much needed development.

Lobos of the Southwest.

Megaconservation: Saving wildernesses on a giant scale

We need wildlife megacorridors-

Megaconservation: Saving wildernesses on a giant scale. By Jim Giles. New Scientist.

Volcano ash dusts Anchorage, airport closed

First ashfall on Anchorage-

Volcano ash dusts Anchorage, airport closed. Richard Mauer and Lisa Demer. McClatchy Newspapers.

Part of the Kenai Peninsula was also dusted.

They had to kill the jaguar to save the jaguar

USFWS and Arizona Game and Fish in a sloppy screw-up?

An interesting article today in Demarcated Landscapes.

Update. Jaguar may have experienced ‘capture myopathy’. Necropsy by zoo inconclusive, two outside vets say. By Tim Steller. Arizona Daily Star

Update 4/2. I baited jaguar trap, research worker says. Attorney general opens investigation into capture. Biologist denies telling worker to use scat to lure cat.  State claimed Macho B’s capture was inadvertent. By Tony Davis and Tim Steller. Arizona Daily Star.

Update 4/2. Grijalva calls for federal investigation of jaguar’s death. B. POOLE and RYN GARGULINSKI. Tucson Citizen

Measure to Regulate Development Along Montana Rivers Likely Dead

Developers and Republicans kill the bill-

Story in New West by. By Courtney Lowery.

It’s hard to find a bright light during the great recession, but if it is killing off the rural sprawl developers who killed the bill, there is at least a bright flicker.

Advisory Against Visiting Caves

People might be spreading White-nose syndrome-

Federal officials are asking people to stay out of caves in states from West Virginia to New England, where as many as 500,000 bats have died from a disease called white-nose syndrome.

The Fish and Wildlife Service made the request to guard against the possibility that people are unwittingly spreading the mysterious affliction when they explore multiple caves. There is no evidence that the disease is a threat to people.

Advisory Against Visiting Caves.  Associated Press.

Poachers kill wolves from Washington state’s first pack

Group calls for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects-

Two of the members of Washington State’s first known wolf pack have been killed by poachers. The suspected poachers are known and live in Twisp, Washington.

The wolf pack lives outside of the area where the federal government is trying to delist wolves. They are fully protected by the Endangered Species Act. Penalties are potentially very severe.

Update 3/28: Bloody pelt in shipping box tips agents to wolf killing; ranching family’s homes searched. By Warren Cornwall. Seattle Times environment reporter. The Times says the suspects are an “outspoken anti-wolf rancher” and his son.

Addition 4/1. Washington States does have have a draft wolf conservation plan to back up the federal endangered species act. Download PDF 3.1 MB

Addition 4/2. Feds looking at three Twisp locals in wolf kill incident Methow Valley News

Here is a news release by Conservation Northwest.

– – – – – – –

Mitch Friedman, Executive Director, Conservation Northwest: (360) 671-9950 ext. 13; (360) 319-9266 (cell)
Jasmine Minbashian, Special Projects Director, Conservation Northwest: (360) 671-9950 ext. 29; (360) 319-3111 (cell)

Poachers kill wolves from Washington’s first pack

Conservation Northwest calls for immediate arrest and full prosecution

Twisp, WA – A search warrant obtained from the Okanogan County District Court reveals that Bill and Tom White, residents of Twisp, are suspected of illegally trapping and shooting two endangered gray wolves and attempting to send a wolf pelt to Canada.  An employee of a FedEx drop off facility in Omak became suspicious after a woman, believed to be Tom White’s wife, dropped off a package that was leaking blood.  Authorities found inside the bleeding package what appeared to be an unlawful, unprocessed, and untanned pelt of a young gray wolf – a federally and state-listed endangered species.

Some info just in case you want to conserve water

Check out this graphic. http://awesome.goodmagazine.com/transparency/web/trans0309walkthisway.html

Phantom Hill wolves howl

© Natalie Ertz 2009

Wild buffalo have returned with the Spring!

Buffalo Field Campaign: Buffalo have returned to Horse Butte Peninsula

Here is an excerpt of today’s Buffalo Field Campaign Update from the Field. You can read the entire update here

Dear Buffalo Friends,

Wild buffalo have returned with the Spring!

Buffalo grazing on Horse Butte ©Buffalo Field Campaign

The song of mountain bluebirds is in the air, and tracks of the mighty bison are upon the land once again. After a long winter without the buffalo in Montana, the unspoken question hung in the air: would the buffalo return this year? Wild forces prevail, and on the Vernal Equinox the steady, determined footsteps of approximately fifty buffalo made their way down the Madison River corridor, out to their calving grounds on Horse Butte, heralding the season of rebirth. The buffalo’s return has raised the spirits of everyone at camp. The energy is palpable, and we are once again running full patrols and basking in the presence of these prehistoric wonders.

Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt spews ash 65,000 feet, placing Kenai Peninsula residents on alert

The series of eruptions is continuing, with ashfall now likely in more populated and recreational important areas-

3/26  Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt spews ash 65,000 feet, placing Kenai Peninsula residents on alert. LA Times.

3/28  Redoubt erupts a number of times on Friday, March 27. LA Times.

Whither a recovery plan for the jaguar?

Jaguar court fight centers on habitat. By Tony Davis. Arizona Daily Star

Can the jaguar be recovered in the United States or must efforts be focused further to the south?

– – – – – –
Michael Robinson on the lawsuit for a recovery plan and critical habitat for the jaguar. Center for Biological Diversity video.

Montana legislature’s idea of fairness — a law to protect polluters from angry neighbors

Bills make it easier for goliaths to fight neighbors. By Matt Clifford. Missoulian. Guest Opinion.

Another Idaho Anti-Bighorn Attempt Falls

Rancher and Idaho state senator Jeff C. Siddoway

Yesterday I posted a review (with a little help from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office) about Idaho Senate Bill 1124, an anti-wildlife bill sponsored by rancher Monty Pearce that seeks to punish bighorn-sheep conservation efforts.

Today, the Idaho state Senate Resources & Environment Committee considered another anti-bighorn sheep attempt.  RS18882 was draft legislation, introduced to the committee by another domestic sheep rancher and Idaho state senator Jeff C. Siddoway.

Idaho not liable for sheep rancher losses – AP

RS18882 :

provides that domestic sheep and livestock operators will be held harmless from adverse impacts by the State of Idaho; provides for control of certain bighorn by the Director; and the shared veterinarian program between IDA and IDFG be dissolved.

The exact language of the legislation is not available because the draft legislation was rejected by the committee before becoming a bill.

Washinton State: A bear walks into a ‘burb, but state’s new bear dogs scare him out again

Karelian bear dogs to be deployed in King County-

Story about the bear dogs. By Katherine Long. Seattle Times Eastside reporter

Obama Adminstration trying to “radio collar” almost all Americans

I’m astonished how much privacy freedom Americans have had taken from them (or have just given up) in the last decade-

Obama Administration: Constitution Does Not Protect Cell-Site Records. By David Kravets. Wired Magazine.

Salazar is drilling home renewables’ new power

The great misfortune of “renewables” seems to be that wildlife habitat is expendable…

Salazar is drilling home renewables’ new power.By Michael Riley. The Denver Post

House easily passes the Omnibus Public Lands bill this time

This time under “regular order” the bill passed 285-140

Wilderness Bill Clears the House on Its Second Go-Round. By Mireya Navarri. New York Times. Published: March 26, 2009

Research shows continuing decline of moose in Jackson Hole

Primary causes are warming, lack of shade and poor nutrition-

It’s obvious to anyone who has spent years living in or visiting Jackson Hole that the moose population isn’t what it was 30 years ago or even a decade. Now biologists are discovering why. Unfortunately for those who want more moose around little can be done to change any of the primary conditions that are causing the decline.

Moose on the decline in Jackson Hole area. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.

Idaho Anti-Bighorn Bill May Backfire

A Review of Idaho Senate Bill 1124

Bighorn Sheep in the East Fork Salmon River Canyon. Photo © Ken Cole

Earlier I wrote about a member of the Idaho legislator and livestock rancher, Monty Pearce, who has recently taken aim at bighorn sheep conservation and restoration efforts in response to a sheepman’s call for special treatment from the Idaho legislature.  This after the Payette National Forest’s proposal to drastically reduce his permitted domestic sheep grazing on your federal public land.

Rancher Pearce’s legislation, Idaho Senate Bill 1124, seeks to bring to a halt the Idaho Department of Fish & Game’s efforts to transplant and relocate bighorn sheep – and potentially most big game – in the state of Idaho.

Ironically, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office answered some legal questions that suggest Idaho Senate Bill 1124 might be just as likely to backfire, removing a federal obligation the Forest currently has to consult with the state over wildlife issues.

Why We Need Wolves In Our Parks

. . . and about “the Ripple Effect.”

Why We Need Wolves In Our Parks. Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle. The Huffington Post.

Open discussion thread

I sense that folks want to have another open discussion thread-

Discuss what you will.

E.P.A. Moves Toward Regulating Greenhouse Gases

Finally!

E.P.A. Moves Toward Regulating Greenhouse Gases. By Felicity Barranger. New York Times.

The Most Dangerous Animal of Grand Canyon National Park

Is it a huge predator with big fangs and claws?

The Most Dangerous Animal of Grand Canyon National Park. Christian Espanol. Examiner.com (Boise, ID)

Montana wolf that made it to Colorado is back in Wyoming

Things too lonely in Colorado?

Wandering wolf back in Wyoming. by David Frey, Aspen Daily News Correspondent. Monday, March 23, 2009

– – – – –
3/24. This article was premature. Now she is back in Colorado

– – – –

Historical update written 2011.  This wolf was eventually poisoned with illegal 1080  in western Colorado.

Alaska’s Mount Redoubt finally erupts

Plume reached at least 50,000 feet high-

• Alaska volcano Mount Redoubt erupts four 5 times. Washington Post. By Mark Thiessen. The Associated Press
• Update 3/24. Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt volcano erupts a sixth time, sending ash plume 60,000 feet high. LA Times.

– – – – – –
– Although Governor Bobby Jindal may think volcano monitoring is a great waste of money, you can get good information at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
– Added 3/25/2009. Don’t  sneer at science — volcano monitoring saves lives. By Joel Connelly. Seattle Post-Intelligencer.  Connelly points out the many beautiful and merely dormant “flamethrowers” of the Pacific Northwest.
–  Added 3/25/2009. Photos of Alaskan Volcano’s Eruption. By Betsy Mason. Wired Magazine.

The dirty green line

Yes, as we have been saying for some time now-

The dirty green line. Erecting new transmission lines for solar and wind power is a boon to coal-burning utilities and a drain on our wallets. What’s an environmentalist to do? By Katharine Mieszkowski. Salon.com.

It’s good to see more and more folks figuring this out. I still haven’t seen much chatter how centralized “clean energy” is a threat to security and to democracy.

B.C. extends its no grizzly-hunt zone by 1.9 million hectares

B.C. defends reduced grizzly hunt. B.C. has extended its protected areas but will still allow a limited-entry hunt. By Tom Fletcher – BC Local News.
www.firstpeople.us

Biologists want to know how many bears live in Utah

Study seeks a better count by using hair samples-

Bear Market. By Brett Prettyman. The Salt Lake Tribune

Caturday Big Cat Blog

An interesting blog in Backpacker-

One especially relevant passage . . . “When you feed pets outside in a rural setting, other things often show up for dinner.”

Caturday Big Cat Blog. By Steve Howe. Backpacker.

Feinstein seeks to block solar power from [some] desert land

Bill would protect large land donation to the federal government from massive solar industrialization-

We ran a story on this the other day. Group sees ‘violation of trust’ WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY: It brokered a BLM deal to protect the desert acres that are now being opened to development.

Now Senator Feinstein is determined that the fund raising and hard work of many local California residents to acquire this land for the public will not be for naught.

Judge Blocks Rule Permitting Concealed Guns In U.S. Parks

Judge Blocks Rule Permitting Concealed Guns In U.S. Parks. By Juliet Eilperin and Del Quentin Wilber. Washington Post Staff Writers

Is the RV headed for the history books?

Are RVs viable in a time when their builders may go bankrupt, gas prices can skyrocket, and seniors lose their retirement funds?

The RV’s last roundup. Salon Magazine. By Mark Schone, with additional research by Ben Travers

Senate Passes Lands Bill One More Time

This time just over half the Republicans voted for it too-

Senate Passes Lands Bill One More Time. By Kate Phillips. New York Times.

The article indicates that this time the House will not reach for the procedural ease of the suspension of the rules procedure. They will consider the bill, I think, under “regular order” and a closed rule (no amendments allowed). This requires only a simple majority to pass. It does takes more time because of the debate allowed.

The NRA is trying to stir up a phoney gun rights issue on the bill, and Democrats don’t want that “poison pill” allowed as an amendment.

– – – – –

Road Through Alaskan Refuge Wins Senate Backing. Provision, Opposed by Environmentalists, Is Part of Broad Bipartisan Lands Measure. By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer.

Summer at the ski resorts: Congress must proceed very carefully with Udall’s bill

It appears that there is not really specific details as to what kind of development these resorts can proceed with and seems to allow for water parks and numerous other “suburban” style theme park facilities which conservationists object to on public lands, they have a valid point.

Summer at the ski resorts: Congress must proceed very carefully with Udall’s bill. By Erika Stutzman. The Daily Camera.

Bill proposes stiff fines for off-roading on closed lands

This is a turn of events regarding OHV’s and the minimal fines that have been applicable in Montana. Currently fines are roughly $50 per offense, this Bill proposes $500 and jail time.

Bill proposes stiff fines for off-roading on closed lands. By Kahrin Deines. Montana Standard.

Permanent Damage From Temporary Logging Roads

George Orwell is likely spinning in his grave when it comes to all the linguistic mischief that gets thrown around by politicians and land managers doing their best to cut down our forests, “manage”, “control”, and “harvest” the wild. Think “Healthy Forest” Initiative, removing that troublesome “fuel”, “wildlife friendly fences”, and “thinning and cleaning the forest”.

George Wuerthner calls out another such word-hack used to lull so many into a false sense of well-being ~ “Temporary Roads” ~ sounds good to me ! :

Permanent Damage From Temporary Logging Roads – George Wuerthner

Distemper devastates Yellowstone wolves

Wolf population has dropped by 27% in Yellowstone.

Distemper devastates Yellowstone wolves.
Powell Tribune

“Cleanup” worsens selenium contamination at Smoky Canyon

Poisonous legacy of phosphate mining in SE Idaho not contained-

One issue I wish folks would follow most closly is the massive contamination of soil and water by phosphate mining in the big Western phosphate field centered in SE Idaho.

The one organization working hard on this and doing a good job is the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, which has devoted many staff and resources pushing for cleanup and preventing expansion of the mines until some cleanup success is achieved.

This is a big threat to fish, wildlife, and drinking water along the Idaho/Wyoming border.

Story by the GYC. “Cleanup” worsens selenium contamination at Smoky Canyon.

Recently even the Pocatello, Idaho State Journal, a city where phosphate processing produces quite a few well paying jobs, editorialized against the lack of successful cleanup.

Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2008 Interagency Annual Report

All 3 states and the FWS reports available.

Wolves in Central Idaho © Ken Cole

The annual reports of all three of the recovery states have been released. There is a wealth of information in these reports about various packs.

The minimum estimate of wolves in the three states is 1645, a 9% increase over last year.

In Idaho there are 846 wolves, a 16% increase.
In Montana there are 497 wolves, an 18% increase.
In Wyoming there are 302 wolves, a 16% decrease.

You can view the reports here:
Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2008 Interagency Annual Report

Balyeat bill would cap wolves in state

Senate Bill 183 would limit the number of wolves in Montana to 225.

Montana State Senator Joe Balyeat (R-Belgrade)

Montana State Senator Joe Balyeat (R-Belgrade) has introduced Senate Bill 183 which would limit the number of wolves in Montana to just 225. Currently the estimated number of wolves in Montana is around 500 according to the recently released Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2008 Annual Report.

“I acknowledge it’s strong medicine, but I believe we need strong medicine to deal with this wolf crisis”

This kind of “medicine”/legislation would likely scuttle the current delisting process all by itself and hand management of wolves in Montana back to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, maybe for good. Perhaps there is something to love about this bill by all sides. 😉

Balyeat bill would cap wolves in state
Bozeman Daily Chronicle

American Carnivores Evolved To Avoid Each Other, New Study Suggests

Bears and canids overlap the most-

American Carnivores Evolved To Avoid Each Other, New Study Suggests. ScienceDaily

Maughan, others on public TV wolf special in Idaho Thursday eve

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s move to delist the wolves in Idaho and Montana will be the topic of  a one-hour special edition of “Dialogue.”

This Thursday evening, I will be appearing alongside an interesting line-up of key players on both sides of the debate., so I hope you’ll tune in and call in your questions about wolf management.

Join the conversation by emailing your questions ahead of time at dialogue@idahoptv.org or calling in during the live show at 1-800-973-9800.

What:	“Dialogue” on Idaho Wolves with Ralph Maughan and others on both sides
When:	Thursday, March 19th at 8:00 p.m. MDT / 7:00 p.m. PDT
Where:	On Idaho Public Television (Click here to check local listings)

Idaho 2008 Wolf Conservation and Management Progress Report Released

Slightly greater detail than weekly reports

The Idaho Fish and Game and the Nez Perce Tribe has released the Idaho 2008 Wolf Conservation and Management Progress Report. This report contains more information than has been given in the IDFG weekly updates.

You can download the entire report here:
Idaho 2008 Wolf Conservation and Management Progress Report

Or you can view the report in sections here:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/manage/08report/

Idaho senate committee approves Fish & Game fee hike

Looks like ID Fish & Game may get their tag fee increase-

Key Idaho Senate Committee approves increase 8-1. Idaho Statesman staff.

Big Public Lands Bill Goes Another Round in the Senate

As expected the new bill easily beat the U.S. Senate filibuster yesterday-

Omnibus bill attached to a new vehicle moved through the Senate filibuster last night by a vote of 73 to 21. Final passage in the Senate will come soon and take it back to the House.

Story in New York Times blog, “The Caucus.” Big Public Lands Bill Goes Another Round. By Kate Phillips

Note that Phillips (or was she quoting Republicans?) when she said the bill was controversial because it moves a lot of land out of private into public lands. These lands are already public lands. Most of measures simply change their management category or rules.

Stalk-leaved Monkeyflower (Mimulus patulus)

"Stalk-leaved Monkeyflower"
Mimulus patulus
Asotin Wildlife Area
© Dr. Don Johnson (Click to enlarge)

Mimulus patulus Occurence & Habitat

Springs and seeps are unique habitats that occur where subterranean water emerges from an aquifer. In the semi-arid and arid west, these unique sources of water are particularly important ‘oasis’ habitats for wildlife, especially during drought and heat.  Their relatively consistent temperatures and chemistry provides for  “hotspots” of biological diversity – many of the more fragile plants and wildlife found in these habitats require very specific conditions and will not persist with the greater water temperature, chemistry, and flow fluctuations that occur downstream.  Generally in the west, from a distance you may identify springs and seeps by the presence of an aspen clone or other green, lush vegetative expressions on the slopes of an otherwise tan, dry hillside.  Up close you’ll find a microclimate of mosses and unique plant-life.  If you’re lucky, you may happen-upon a wet-spot blanketed by butterflies attracted to its mineral-waters and gathering energy in the sun.

Latest wolf news from Idaho Fish and Game. March 1-15, 2009

Here is the latest news as written by Idaho Fish and Game. It has a wolf and livestock mortality table. Ralph Maughan

– – – – – – – –

IDAHO WOLF MANAGEMENT
PROGRESS REPORT

To: Idaho Fish and Game Staff and Cooperators

From: IDFG Wolf Program Coordinator, Steve Nadeau

Subject: Status of Gray Wolf Management, Weeks of March 1 – March 15, 2009.

Delisting: FWS – Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Status (WY, MT, ID):

For the time being, all wolves to the north of Interstate- 90 in Idaho remain listed as endangered. All wolves in the southern half of Montana, all portions of Idaho south of Interstate-90, and all of Wyoming are being managed under the 2005 and 2008 Endangered Species Act nonessential experimental population 10j regulations. The State of Idaho Department of Fish and Game is acting as the designated agent for the USFWS in implementing day-to-day management of wolves under the MOU between the Secretary of Interior and Governor of Idaho signed January 2006.

Delisting wolves and assuring their proper long-term management is and has been of highest priority for the state of Idaho and the Fish and Game Department. We continue to work along with the Department of Interior, Department of Justice, and other states and interveners toward the eventual delisting of wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, and move toward state management under the State Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the Wolf Population Management Plan. All the work appears to have recently come to fruition.

News on delisting

On March 6, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar affirmed the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in the western Great Lakes and the Northern Rocky Mountain states of Idaho and Montana and parts of eastern Washington and Oregon and a small part of north central Utah.

Grizzlies using Banff NP wildlife crossing structures more each year

Five crossings by grizzlies in 1996 have grown to 177 last summer-

Grizzlies using highway crossings. By Cathy Ellis. Rocky Mountain Outlook. They clearly are working.

It would be nice if some of stimulus money here in the U.S. went into wildlife crossings. They are as shovel ready as other highway projects.

Let us Praise—and Keep—the Dead

Dead trees are critical components of a healthy forest ecosystem

George Wuerthner writes about the value of dead trees and how removing them can lead to impoverished forest ecosystems :

Let us Praise—and Keep—the Dead – George Wuerthner, Forest Magazine

Phantom Hill wolf pack hunts near Hailey, Idaho

Should the pack be hazed?

This is a no-brainer. Of course, the pack should be hazed. They are not afraid of people because they have not had an experience that tells them to be.

Hazing will do the local people even more good. Wolves close by worry many folks, and they are a threat to their pet dogs. They are also a temptation for some foolish person who might decide to feed them.

Hazing them doesn’t hurt the wolves, and the Wood River Valley’s much loved local wolf pack will be much safer if they are told to keep a distance.

Story: Wolf pack hunts near central Idaho town. AP

– – – –
Update 3/16/09:
Intense footage of a Phantom approaching dogs last Thursday, March 12. Video via PlumTV
Vodpod videos no longer available.
The Malamutes owner had been previously warned of the Phantoms presence, despite the warning, the Malamutes were a distance from their owners home in a field next to Greenhorn Road and were barking. The member of the Phantom Hill wolf pack is believed to be the 2-year old male. The wolf came off the steep mountainside onto the road, looked at the dogs and incredibly jumped over the wooden fence. Within a couple of seconds, the wolf took off. 2 Photographers from the local Plum TV station happened to be there. Greenhorn road is a public access through private property in a large canyon between Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho. Homeowners of the Golden Eagle subdivision, an upscale development at the mouth of Greenhorn Gulch, have been feeding hay to 150 head of elk all winter. It was just a matter of time before the Phantom Hill wolves, or another pack, discovered the tamed elk.
Another video via Channel 11 News

~ be

– – – –

Earlier post. March 2, 2009. Photos: Phantom Hill wolf pack takes a mountain lion.

Salazar’s Wolf Decision Upsets Administration Allies

Salazar’s failure to consult POTUS gives new Administration a headache (as it should)-

Salazar’s Wolf Decision Upsets Administration Allies
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post

It appears that Salazar wasn’t interested in consulting anyone but the Bush Administration personnel and some other agency folks for the “good science” they have already “produced”.
He only consulted governors with less than favorable attitudes on predators, wolves in particular. He had no intention of hearing anything other than what he wanted to hear to make this decision.

Fortunately, not everyone in our halls of governing agree with him. Perhaps due to the fact that they are not ranchers.  He didn’t seem to think that his boss needed to be consulted either, even directly following commitments by Obama himself to uphold the ESA and scientific integrity in speeches within 48 hours of announcing this “Friday night” ruling.

Perhaps the same comments on commitment to scientific integrity made by Obama on stem cell research should be applied to the ESA and wolves.

Recession stress and Yellowstone’s good tidings

John Muir’s advice rings true in the economic worry of today-

Recession stress and Yellowstone’s good tidings. By Mark Menlove. A commentary in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Wolves brucellosis-free

I’m glad we answered that question.

Wolves brucellosis-free. By Angus M. Thuermer Jr. Jackson Hole News and Guide

Here’s another earmark: More privacy for red wolves to breed

New breeding center near Tacoma, Wash

Here’s another earmark: More privacy for red wolves to breed By Lisa Zagaroli | McClatchy Newspapers

Group sees ‘violation of trust’

WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY: It brokered a BLM deal to protect the desert acres that are now being opened to development.

Group sees ‘violation of trust’ By JANET ZIMMERMAN The Press-Enterprise

Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S.

Europe encourages solar power in an environmentally friendly way that gives direct compensation to rooftop producers-

Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S. By Kate Galbraith. New York Times.

Obama admin faces power grid vs. public lands conundrum

Our own KT quoted in New York Times!

Obama admin faces power grid vs. public lands conundrum. By Scott Streater. New York Times.

Wyoming hasn’t fed elk at Gros Ventre feedlots, plus herd’s calf/cow ratios improve from last year’s worrisome levels.

Good news. Lack of feeding has kept wolves from keying on the feedlots-
In general not feeding is good regardless of wolves-

It is good news when elk don’t have to be, or simply are not fed.

Mike Jimenez, wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said recently that wolves appear to not be concentrating on the Gros Ventre herds because the elk are not bunched on feedgrounds.

Louise Lasley, public lands director for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, praised the decision to keep feedgrounds closed, but said wildlife managers should use the option more often.

“Wyoming Game and Fish Department showed a willingness and ability to discard entrenched practices and showed that not feeding elk is a viable option for winter management,” she said.

Staffers with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition have been taking measurements and finding levels “are comparable to levels in studies from prior years,” she said.

“To argue that conditions this winter facilitated not feeding would be erroneous,” she said.

Rest of the story. State hasn’t fed elk at Gros Ventre feedlots. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.

Raser ready to flip the switch on Beaver, Utah geothermal plant

New geothermal plant in Utah will send 7 megawatts of power to California-

This is what should not be done. Seven megawatts, relatively speaking, is nothing. Most coal and nuclear plants are built in 300 to 1000 megawatt units. At any rate, small sources like this should be used locally.

One good thing about this is that it is a technological advancement. In the past geothermal electricity generation has required very hot water. This one does not.

I fear most hot springs are going to end up becoming an industrial site.

Raser ready to flip the switch on Beaver geothermal plant. Clean energy. Utah company cites milestone in green energy production. By Steven Oberbeck. The Salt Lake Tribune

– – – – –

Here is a closely related story.

The most efficient use of solar may be to heat water for “passive use” (meaning not to turn turbines and create electricity with the solar heat)- Solar Water Heating Pays For Itself Five Times Over. Science Daily.

– – – – – –

I think the ultimate beneficial use of geothermal energy will come when technology allows us to tap the heat of the Earth using the heat gradient as you drill down. This way, geothermal power could be tapped anywhere on the planet. Ralph Maughan

Idaho mulls shorter elk hunting season

Weather plays biggest role in elk populations

Idaho mulls shorter elk hunting season
Associated Press

“Hunters have blamed growing numbers of wolves. Hayden acknowledged that wolves are a factor, but he said the winter of 2007-08, which was colder and longer than normal, was the primary reason for the low calf numbers.”

Obama’s Memorandum on “Scientific Integrity”

Read it directly, rather than just commentary about it-

– – – – – – – –

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________
For Immediate Release March 9, 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Scientific Integrity

Science and the scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration on a wide range of issues, including improvement of public health, protection of the environment, increased efficiency in the use of energy and other resources, mitigation of the threat of climate change, and protection of national security.

The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions. Political officials should not suppress or alter scientific or technological findings and conclusions. If scientific and technological information is developed and used by the Federal Government, it should ordinarily be made available to the public. To the extent permitted by law, there should be transparency in the preparation, identification, and use of scientific and technological information in policymaking. The selection of scientists and technology professionals for positions in the executive branch should be based on their scientific and technological knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity.

By this memorandum, I assign to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (Director) the responsibility for ensuring the highest level of integrity in all aspects of the executive branch’s involvement with scientific and technological processes. The Director shall confer, as appropriate, with the heads of executive departments and agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget and offices and agencies within the Executive Office of the President (collectively, the “agencies”), and recommend a plan to achieve that goal throughout the executive branch.

Specifically, I direct the following:

1. Within 120 days from the date of this memorandum, the Director shall develop recommendations for Presidential action designed to guarantee scientific integrity throughout the executive branch, based on the following principles:

House Votes Down Omnibus Public Lands Bill

Its consideration under the “suspension of the rules” procedure was its downfall. A 2/3 vote is required-

House Votes Down Omnibus Public Lands Bill. House rules requiring a two-thirds vote proved to be its undoing. By Bill Schneider. New West

The vote was 282 in favor and 144 against.

I still don’t know why they didn’t consider the bill under “regular order” and with a “closed rule” (a closed allows no amendments). The Washington Post says regular order is too complicated, but I don’t see how. House Defeats Bill to Protect Wilderness Areas. By Juliet Eilperin. Washington Post Staff Writer.

I think the bill will come up against in the House. It was passed the Senate.

– – – – –

3/12. Much more on the temporary(?) derailment of the bill.

House Rejects Massive Public Lands Protection Package. ENS
Ill-fated Rocky Mountain National Park bill snagged again. Wilderness designation held up by rules change. Coloradoan.com|
Proposal that would protect public wild lands in Oregon and across the nation loses in the House by two votes. By Charles Pope. Oregonian.
‘Temporary setback’ for Wyoming Range bill. By John Barron. Casper Star Tribune.
Southern Oregon wilderness push hits snag. Public lands bill with proposed Soda Mountain and Copper Salmon areas fails. By Paul Fattig. MailTribune.com
In Colorado: Coffman, Lamborn blasted for vote on wilderness. Aspen Times.

Hear The Buffalo

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Hear The Buffalo“

Yellowstone bears emerging from slumber

It’s that time of year again.

Grizzly feeding on elk. © Ken Cole

Yellowstone bears emerging from slumber
Associated Press

Yellowstone Alga Found To Detoxify Arsenic

Biodiversity anyone?

Yellowstone Alga Found To Detoxify Arsenic
Science Daily

Wolf mating season on the greatly reconfigured Yellowstone northern range

The Druids are the only northern range pack still intact. New packs and groups abound-

Due to the complexity of the changes on the northern range, I know it took Kathie several weeks to write this. Ralph Maughan

– – – – – – – – – –

Yellowstone wolf report. Feb. 15-22, 2009. By © Kathie Lynch.

A week in Yellowstone, Feb. 15-22, 2009, during the height of the wolf breeding season, provided plenty of action and lots of surprises.

The Druid Peak pack actually was not the main attraction, as they were way up the Lamar River and out of sight most of the time.

However, the Druid’s many dispersers have contributed to the formation and gene pool of quite a few other packs or groups, including: the newly named Blacktail Pack (started by former Druid beta 302M and five Druid male yearlings-grandchildren of the great Druid alpha 21M); 694F’s Group (which includes the two Druid two-year-old females 694F/”High Sides” and “Dull Bar”-both also 21M’s grandchildren); the newly named Cottonwood Group (started by 527F, who was born to 21M and 42F, but dispersed to the Slough Creek pack and then dispersed to form her own pack in 2007); and even the Agate Creek pack (whose long-time alpha female, 472F, was also the offspring of 21M and 42F). The blood of 21M still runs strong.

Coal plants checked by enviro campaigns, costs

Good news for energy and wildlife-

It is increasingly clear that the building of new coal plants is collapsing as this article indicates as a followup to my post of yesterday, Companies rethink coal plants.

While planning and some actual construction of wind, solar and geothermal plants in remote locations continues, with plenty of hype accompanyhing it, it seems to me that as in the 1970s energy crisis, it will be increased efficiency that wins the day. For example, read this story about building a “smart energy grid.” Stimulus Dollars Energize Efforts To Smarten Up the Electric Power Grid. By Peter Slevin and Steven Mufson. Washington Post.

Building new transmission lines is enormously expensive, and even large solar or wind farms do not supply all that much energy compared to a coal or nuclear plant. Therefore, I am thinking most of these wind and solar electricity facilities will be built next to, or near already existing transmission lines and in or near load centers such as on building roof tops.

The currently largest solar-steam electricity plant in the United States is Solar One. located just south of Henderson and Boulder City, Nevada. I drove by it the other day. See below. It takes up a lot of space and yet “largest” only means generation of 74 megawatts. The typical coal plant today is built in units of 500 to 750 megawatts. I also noticed that Solar One was located right next to a transmission line coming from Hoover Dam on the Colorado.

The Solar One steam-electric plant in Eldorado Valley, Nevada. Feb. 2009. Notice the big transmission line behind the plant. It comes from nearby Hoover Dam. Copyright © Ralph Maughan

Awful as the “great recession” has become, one bright side is that it decreases the demand for electricity from what it would otherwise be. This makes is so that lack of electrical energy is not a barrier to economic recovery.

The disruption to wildlife habitat will be less than many believe, despite some scary proposals on the table such as China Mountain on the Idaho/Nevada border, which may indeed be built.

Tools That Leave Wildlife Unbothered Widen Research Horizons

Non-invasive techniques such as hair traps, camera traps, and scat samples can tell biologists a lot about habitat use and population size

Tools That Leave Wildlife Unbothered Widen Research Horizons. By Jim Robbins. New York Times

There has been a lot of discussion on this blog about radio collars and other invasive techniques used to get information about wildlife. After Macho B’s death this is a timely article.

I used to inject PIT tags into juvenile salmon and steelhead and the information gathered is valuable. The quandary with these methods comes from the fact that individuals will inevitably be killed and the wild nature of the animals can be affected.

Disabled. YOU CAN NOW MAKE THREADS ON COMMENTS

Based on your comments, I just disabled this “feature.”  I kind of liked it, but WordPress needs to do a lot of work on it before I will try it again.

Please please keep this reversion in your mind because you might want to make it more evident in your comments exactly who you are responding to.

“Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep” video – Colorado Division of Wildlife

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Companies rethink coal plants

Many planned coal plants are now being scrapped-

Companies rethink coal plants. By Traci Watson, USA Today.

Planned new coal plants are dropping by the scores. However, the majority of electricity in the U.S. is produced by coal, and many by old, and therefore more polluting plants like the one below.

On my recent trip to the Arizona region, I noticed the utilities had really taken advantage of the Indian nations of NE Arizona and NW New Mexico and packed the place with coal plants. The air quality was good, however, but I think that was because the jet stream was directly overhead when I passed through taking the emissions rapidly off to the east.

The Coronado coal-fired steam electric plant on the Navajo Reservation. March 2009. Copyright Ralph Maughan

Judge faults gov’t plan to save Pacific NW salmon

U.S. District Court Judge James A. Redden tells Federal Government to come up with backup plan to breach dams.

Hatchery Chinook Salmon in the South Fork Salmon River. © Ken Cole

Judge faults gov’t plan to save Pacific NW salmon
Associated Press

The four dams on the lower Snake River, Lower Granite Dam, Little Goose Dam, Lower Monumental Dam, and Ice Harbor Dam, were originally built for navigation purposes so that Lewiston Idaho could become a sea port. The river provides subsidized transportation for the Palouse region’s wheat and other products but there are other options for them including the existing rail system. The dams don’t generate much in the way of electricity either and when they generate the most, during spring runoff, the demand isn’t at its high as it would be during the heat of the summer when people use it for air conditioning. Because of this the Bonneville Power Administration sells it at very low rates to aluminum smelters on the Columbia River. During the Enron contrived “power crisis” the subsidized electricity was re-sold at a profit by the aluminum smelters instead of letting water pass over the spillways to benefit salmon during the low water year.

The dams disrupt many natural conditions on the river and kill juvenile fish on their downstream migration. Their impact on returning adult salmon is lower but they do cause issues by raising the temperature which diverts a number of Idaho bound late summer, early fall-run steelhead into cooler rivers like the Deschutes River in Oregon.

Several Native American tribes, Idaho, Montana and Washington have engaged in a collaborative process in an attempt at saving the dams but the Spokane and Nez Perce Tribes and are siding with the environmental groups.

Todd True, attorney for the legal group Earthjustice, had this to say about the collaborative process being utilized to come up with a solution.

“Salmon don’t swim in collaboration,” Todd True said. “They won’t return in greater numbers because of a new collaboration — no matter how sincere.”

Worlds of trappers, pet owners collide in Boise area

Here’s a place where Footloose.org could do some new work-

Worlds of trappers, pet owners collide. Reports to the Idaho Statesman of injured dogs are three times higher this year. By Pete Zimowsky. Idaho Statesman

– – – – –

Because I mentioned Footloose, and Footloose’s E.D’s comment kind of got buried, I am moving it up to the body of this post. Ralph Maughan

Anja Heister [of Footloose] wrote:

During the past two trapping seasons – 2007-08 and 2008-09, Footloose Montana received 20 reports from people whose dogs were either injured or died in traps set by recreational and commercial trappers on public lands in MT! Contrary to what trappers and FWP want you to believe, trapping for fun is extremely loosely regulated: There is no trap check period required, instead, FWP merely recommends that trappers check their traps every 48 hours (whether they do it or not, is basically up to the trappers!).

Trappers don’t have to post signs in areas where they trap and so the public is left in the dark as to where traps are. Traps are indiscriminate and injure our wildlife in unimaginable ways. If the creatures caught in traps, are still alive when the trapper eventually returns, he either clubs them to death, strangulates them, shoots them in the head or stands on the animal’s chest “to compress inner organs, which leads to death.” This is what trappers don’t want you to know, but this is reality.

Montana Sportsmen Support Wilderness for Scotchman Peaks and West Cabinets

These rugged areas are high in fishing and hunting opportunities-

Sportsmen Support Wilderness. The River Guide.

I haven’t been to these roadless areas, but the relief of the Scotchman Peaks is some of the greatest in Montana.

Cougar found cattin’ around (in Wisconsin)

DNR confirms sighting, will wait a bit on chase

Cougar found cattin’ around
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

Bighorn battle could doom sheep ranchers

Idaho Sheep Ranchers are Struggling Against Reality.

The law and science are not on their side so they are pressuring the State to come up with a solution to protect them.

Bighorn Sheep in the East Fork Salmon River Canyon. Photo © Ken Cole

On Thursday February 26th the second meeting of what is being called the “Bighorn Sheep/Domestic Sheep Advisory Group” was held in Boise. At this meeting there was no discussion of bighorn sheep (BHS) and domestic sheep (DS) issues just introductions and discussions about process and ground rules.

These issues were described as “non-negotiables”

*Group is advisory, no regulatory or legal authority.
*Idaho wants bighorn sheep and domestic sheep.
*Group is collaborative. Will develop collaborative recommendations & Products.

It appears that science and reality are against the goal of maintaining viable bighorn sheep populations as well as viable domestic sheep operations.

Domestic sheep and goats carry diseases which have little effect on their own health but can kill bighorn sheep and there is a consensus among biologists that this is true although a particular pathogen has not been identified in every case. It could be a single pathogen, multiple pathogens, or a suite of pathogens that kill BHS but it has been documented on many occasions that contact with DS results in the death of BHS by pneumonia. In some cases the disease kills animals in all age classes.

Good news. Western Watersheds Project Wins Appeal Of Grazing Decision On 412,000 Acres Of Arizona Desert

This helps makes up a bit for the bad news on wolves today-

Tucson, Arizona

Today, a federal judge reversed the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to allow livestock grazing on 412,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau’s Kingman Field Office. Saying, “Cattle are not ghosts. They are bigger and heavier than any native wildlife,” Administrative Law Judge Andrew Pearlstein admonished the BLM for not sufficiently considering the impacts of cattle grazing on four livestock allotments before issuing the permit.

The judge determined that the BLM failed to justify any economic need for the decision, failed to provide any site-specific information on fences, watering sites and other range developments, failed to consider retiring the area from grazing, and failed to meaningfully analyze the potential environmental impacts of grazing on annual ephemeral vegetation. Western Watersheds Project (WWP) had raised all of these points in its appeal of the decision in October of 2008.

The four allotments – Planet, Primrose, Alamo Crossing, and Crossman Peak- have not been grazed for 18 to 25 years. The area includes two federally-designated Wildernesses, the Bill Williams River, and habitat for desert tortoise, bald eagle, and bighorn sheep. Additionally, hundreds of archeological sites have been recorded within the allotments. The region receives just 3 to 7 inches of rain a year and summer temperatures reach near 110 degrees.

“We’re pleased that the Judge recognized the detrimental effect of livestock on soils, vegetation, and riparian areas. It is great that such a large expanse of desert will continue to be spared those impacts,” said Greta Anderson, Arizona Director of Western Watersheds Project. “It’s also a good reminder to the Arizona BLM that they have a statutory obligation under the National Environmental Policy Act to take a hard look at their proposed actions.”

Western Watersheds Project works throughout the west to restore watersheds and wildlife. http://www.westernwatersheds.org/

Judge Pearlstein’s Order can be found at WWP’s web site at this URL: http://www.westernwatersheds.org/legal/09/az/alj_kingman_decision.pdf

Salazar affirms decision to delist wolves

Will we now see a quick bloodbath in Idaho?

Some stories from other media are now showing up.

3/6 Feds to proceed with wolf delisting. Wyoming wolves will remain listed under the ESA. By Jason Kauffman. Idaho Mountain Express.

3/6 Salazar OKs wolf removal from endangered list. AP. By Matthew Brown and John Flesher.

3/6 Salazar Approves Wolf Delisting. “The Interior Department has decided not to punish Idaho and Montana for lack of cooperation received from Wyoming.”  By Bill Schneider. New West.
3/7. State [Wyoming] still out on wolves. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole Daily.
– – – – – – – – – – – –

NEWS RELEASE

March 6, 2009

Contact: Hugh Vickery, (202) 501-4633
Ed Bangs 406-449-5225, x204
Sharon Rose 303-236-4580
Laura Ragan 612- 713-5157
Georgia Parham 812-334-4261, x203
–

Secretary Salazar Affirms Decision to Delist Gray Wolves in Western Great Lakes, Portion of Northern Rockies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today affirmed the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in the western Great Lakes and the Northern Rocky Mountain states of Idaho and Montana and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. Wolves will remain a protected species in Wyoming.

“The recovery of the gray wolf throughout significant portions of its historic range is one of the great success stories of the Endangered Species Act,” Salazar said. “When it was listed as endangered in 1974, the wolf had almost disappeared from the continental United States. Today, we have more than 5,500 wolves, including more than 1,600 in the Rockies.”

“The successful recovery of this species is a stunning example of how the Act can work to keep imperiled animals from sliding into extinction,” he said. “The recovery of the wolf has not been the work of the federal government alone. It has been a long and active partnership including states, tribes, landowners, academic researchers, sportsmen and other conservation groups, the Canadian government and many other partners.”

Another Coloradoan to Interior

Salazar fills most Interior slots with fellow Coloradoans-

His predecessor, Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor, filled DOI with Idaho people, most of them long time foes of conservation, with scores to settle with Idaho conservationists.

Secretary Salazar’s people certainly have a different policy perspective, but almost all are coming from just one state — not surprisingly his home state.

This brief article is about the appointment of an “economic-stimulus money ‘czar’ ” at DOI.

Hickenlooper aide headed to Interior Department. The Denver Post

Resistance to the War on the Wild

Several friends and associates found themselves in Eugene last weekend attending the University of Oregon Law School’s annual Public Interest Environmental Law Clinic (PIELC), I didn’t make it this year but I thought I’d share Michael Donnelly’s irreverent account of this year’s gathering for those interested :

Resistance to the War on the Wild – via Counterpunch

Bear Rub

Human factor suspected in mass beaching of whales in Australia

Human factor suspected in mass beaching of whales in Australia
Lewis Smith, Environment Reporter

Fears that the mass stranding on an Australian beach on Sunday was caused by human disturbance were raised because two species of cetacean came ashore simultaneously.

Congressmen to hear resident’s testimony

Congressmen to hear resident’s testimony
By Thomas Dewell, Jackson Hole, Wyo

McCarthy’s testimony will focus on the Outdoor Alliance’s perspective that public lands are vital in combating climate change because of their role in ecosystem adaptation, their natural ability to sequester carbon, their potential for renewable energy projects such as wind farms and solar arrays, and that they provide the opportunity for Americans to stay connected to the natural world.

Environmental rules at risk in downturn

States are discussing the concept of trimming due process and the rights of those contesting development activities by writing new legislation to cut out possible lawsuits for mining and other industries and claiming that it’s jobs vs the environmentalists.

Environmental rules at risk in downturn
By The Associated Press

Bill aims at curbing green group lawsuits
By Judy Fahys
The Salt Lake Tribune

Endangered Species Act change under review

Endangered Species Act change under review
Obama may reverse a Bush-era revision that loosened environmental rules for federal projects.
By Jim Tankersley

Update; March 4, 2009:

This seems like deja vu all over again.  Maybe good sense will prevail this time and for a long time coming.

Bid to Undo Bush Memo on Threats to Species
By CORNELIA DEAN

Alaska’s senators seek to change polar bear language in omnibus
By ALEX KAPLUN

Yellowstone elk population up slightly

7,109 elk counted in the northern range.

Elk grazing in Yellowstone
© Ken Cole

Each year elk are counted from a plane on the northern range of Yellowstone and the counts are affected by conditions on the ground and in the air.

It appears that the elk population is stabilizing from the drop seen over the last decade. At one time the estimate was 19,000 which was far more than was healthy for the ecosystem of the Park. Montana FWP allowed a late season hunt on the border of the Park near Gardiner where thousands of elk were harvested in an attempt at lowering the population.

Yellowstone elk population up slightly
Montana’s News Station

Collared Arizona jaguar dies of kidney failure

Demarcated Landscapes has this post concerning the death of an Arizona jaguar that was recently collared in an effort to track its movement.

They killed “euthanized” Macho B – DL

This is a particularly saddening loss – there have been only 4 jaguars known to have visited north of the border in recent years. Macho B was the most frequently seen, visiting annually since at least 1996 and he was the only jaguar known to visit this year. One of the 4 was killed in Mexico. With the border wall advancing, the sunset on jaguar inhabitation of America becomes more and more evident.

Update: Arizona jaguar’s death probably hastened by capture, zoo veterinarian says – LA Times

Update: Press Conference on Macho B’s Untimely Death

Information on Macho B

Thanks to Ron Kearns for pointing this video and information out

Photos: Phantom Hill wolf pack takes a mountain lion

Some exciting news in central Idaho today – The Phantom Hill wolf pack made an appearance over the weekend igniting excitement from valley residents and wolf watchers.

Update 3/4/09: Predators clash above Elkhorn – Idaho Mountain Express

Wolf jam, March 1, 2009. Photo by Lynne K. Stone, Copyright 2009

The Phantoms were in view – word got around and it was a wolf jam at the best viewing place.

Idaho hopes to target Lolo wolves

Officials will seek federal permission to kill wolves to protect Clearwater elk herd-

Story by Jason Kauffman. Idaho Mountain Express Staff Writer.

The story says this will be a multi-year effort because new wolves will quickly move in to replace the wolves killed. This raises the question, why would this happen if wolves have killed most of the elk?  Wolves are not vegetarians.

I notice the story refers to “Idaho could be losing as much as $24 million annually in hunting-related revenue due to wolves’ killing deer and elk, the report states.”

This is only one part of Idaho. Earlier I wrote the following comments about the report mentioned above.
– – – – –

This is the most simplistic analysis. Idaho Fish and Game assumes that every elk killed by a wolf is 1/5 fewer elk for hunters (they assume a 20% hunter success rate).

Western lands: Obama should pick Martha Hahn for BLM

Western lands: Obama should pick Hahn for BLM. From Daniel’s News and Views.

– – – –
Note: Daniel Patterson is in the Arizona legislature, and he keeps a worthwhile blog.

The eons-old Grand Canyon celebrates its 90th birthday as a national park.

Happy Birthday, Grand Canyon National Park! By Ray Stern. Phoenix New Times.

NW Montana hunters at local rally complain predators are wiping out elk

They’ve been saying the same thing for years. How many times can elk be wiped out and their numbers stay generally the same? 😉

Wolves in the sights: Hunters complain predators are wiping out elk. By Michael Jamison of the Missoulian

Call Idaho legislators about anti-bighorn sheep bills

Pete Zimowsky, of the Idaho Statesman, speaks out against the anti-bighorn sheep bills.

“In my 40 or so years of hunting and fishing in the West and covering wildlife issues, I have never seen such anti-wildlife bills. I think hunters, wildlife photographers, jet-boat and rafting outfitters and conservationists should be outraged by these bills and contact Idaho legislators.”

He’s not alone in feeling this way.

Call Idaho legislators about anti-bighorn sheep bills
Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman.

Tamarack to close next week

West-central Idaho resort to close due to judges decision.

This resort was first conceived as Valbois then Westrock, and now Tamarack. From the beginning people questioned whether there was funding to back up the plans.

At the time it was being proposed Governor, and now former Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, along with other Republican politicians wanted it to be a success so they gave it the thumbs up to use state lands.

President George W. Bush visited the resort while on vacation days before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Presumably Kempthorne asked to become Secretary of Interior during his visit with him.

Marine One flew right by my home on the way to the resort. I presume they didn’t see my reaction.

Tamarack to close next week
Idaho Statesman

Bison relocation plan deemed ‘too risky’

Again, it’s not about disease, it’s about control over land, wildlife and people.

Bison in quarantine near Gardiner.
Photo © Kim Acheson, Buffalo Field Campaign
Used with permission.

While I think that the quarantine plan is misguided I do believe that those bison in the program should be allowed to roam freely as wildlife.

This bill would make it illegal to transport the bison over Montana’s highways which is done currently when bison are hauled to slaughter. Apparently the transfer of bison to the Eastern Shoshone Wind River Reservation in Wyoming would be permitted.

Another issue that is raised here is the fact that the bison currently at Fort Peck Reservation have been hybridized with another species, cattle. I don’t know what the plan is for managing any bison received from this program would be but I hope that they would be separated from any that are hybridized so that there is no further hybridization. Genetically pure bison are rare and they should be valued for their special nature.

The quarantine facility has other problems not raised in the article too. How does removing calves from the rest of their herd and raising them on alfalfa affect their behavior and social structure? Can that social structure be regained over time? Habituation to humans can cause severe problems in other species such as wolves, bears, and coyotes as well as other species.

What will happen to those bison that don’t get relocated? Will they be slaughtered too? These people seem to be pulling out every reason they can to be irrational about this issue.

Bison relocation plan deemed ‘too risky’
Helena Independent Record.