Public Lands/Wilderness Stories

  • ND wildfires: Heavy damage to cropland; importance of early warnings From power outages to burnt farmland, North Dakota is coming to grips with the impact of several large wildfires that are linked to at least two deaths. The fires intensified this past weekend around the western half of the state, with crews working in recent […]
  • Diverse coalition opposes WA ballot measure rolling back natural gas transition A diverse coalition of groups is opposing an initiative in Washington that could upend the state's push to make buildings greener and more efficient. Initiative 2066 would stop the state's efforts to transition from natural gas and halt local efforts to do the same. […]
  • Groups challenge project to stop logging old growth OR forests Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the logging of centuries-old trees on the Oregon coast. The Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with the Blue and Gold logging project to cut down rare old growth forests in the state's coastal range. Grace […]
  • GORP Act would conserve 730,000+ acres of public lands in Colorado New legislation making its way through the U.S. Senate would conserve more than 730,000 acres of federal public lands in and around Colorado's Gunnison Basin. Tony Prendergast, a cattle rancher near Crawford, was one of a number of stakeholders who worked for a decade […]
  • Federal court rejects permit for industrial aquaculture structures Ocean advocates are hailing a federal judge's decision that deemed a nationwide permit for industrial aquaculture structures unlawful. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' approval of the permit for finfish nets and cages was found to violate several environmental laws. …(Read More)
  • Salmon habitat set to benefit from updated Northwest Forest Plan Struggling salmon and other fish species could benefit from an updated Northwest Forest Plan. The U.S. Forest Service is set to release a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the plan amendment next month. …(Read More)
  • BLM’s proposed Western Solar Plan leaves room for wildlife A new federal proposal details which public lands across the West would be open to solar development. Wildlife advocates are glad to see that some – but not much – of Wyoming is included. The Western Solar Plan by the Bureau of Land Management opens 31 […]
  • East TX city receives federal grant money to improve park The City of Longview, in east Texas, will use a $1.3 million federal grant to make upgrades to one of its largest parks. Teague Park sits in the center of the city and has been used less and less because of its age. Richard Yeakley, […]