When membership and funds drop, most nonprofits pinch, prune and make minor adjustments. Greenpeace USA crashed. In early August, the organization announced it would close each of its 10 regional offices, lay off over 300 employees, end its neighborhood canvass and concentrate only on its climate change and logging campaigns. Employees who work on less […]
Heather Abel
Posted inAugust 4, 1997: Vanishing habitat
The Wayward West
Two of the West’s greenest representatives in Congress have announced they will not run for re-election. One, nicknamed “Senator Public Lands’ for his commitment to environmental issues during his four terms in office, is Arkansas Sen. Dale Bumpers, who led the fight to reform the 1872 Mining Law and raise grazing fees. The other is […]
Posted inJuly 7, 1997: While the New West booms, Wyoming mines, drills ... and languishes
Weighing in on mining rules
When the Bureau of Land Management announced in early May that it would hold forums around the West before changing its mining regulations, both mine operators and mining opponents rallied their troops. GREEN, a program of Defenders of Wildlife, sent an e-mail asking environmentalists to attend the scoping meetings “if it is humanly possible.” Laura […]
Posted inJuly 7, 1997: While the New West booms, Wyoming mines, drills ... and languishes
The Wayward West
Two years ago, Earl Shumway became notorious by bragging about looting archaeological artifacts and then receiving the most severe prison term yet for this crime – 78 months. Now, a U.S. appeals court has decided that the sentencing was too severe for Shumway’s crime of pillaging an Anasazi infant’s burial blanket, among other grave goods. […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
The Wayward West
Stymied by a Republican Congress, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has borrowed from Broadway to express his opinions. On May 12, he staged a mock 125th birthday party for the 1872 Mining Law, complete with cake, and gave title to federal land containing up to $110 million worth of gold to a mining company for $620. […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
On the trail of mining’s corporate nomads
PICURIS PUEBLO, N.M. – Gerald Nailor pulls up in his huge pickup truck looking very cool. He removes his Janis Joplin shades and motions for me to climb in. It is an unseasonably warm March day and the former tribal governor of the Picuris Pueblo is taking us to the top of Copper Hill, about […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
A fruit-grower opposes mining – and tourism
Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue’s feature story. TAOS, N.M. – Over the din of a Taos sports bar where tourists are watching the NBA playoffs and drinking Coronas, orchardist Estevan Arellano is trying to explain the idea of querencia. It means, loosely, a love of home, an anchor to the ground. […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
Blasting from the past: the 1872 Mining Law
Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue’s feature story. 1872 Mining Law – Enacted to lure settlers westward with the promise of access to the nation’s minerals, this law grants hardrock (not coal, gravel, or oil and gas) miners free and open access to all public lands not expressly withdrawn from mining, and […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
A mine turns two landowners into activists
Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue’s feature story. LISBON VALLEY, Utah – All Kay Howe and Claudia Akers wanted was to buy some land where it was cheaper than in Moab – on Three Step Mesa in Lisbon Valley, some of San Juan County’s rare private land. As the realtor showed them […]
Posted inJune 23, 1997: On the trail of mining's corporate nomads
Genealogy of a mining company
Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue’s feature story. Tracing Summo USA’s family tree is not easy. The company is wholly owned by Summo Minerals, a Canadian company. Summo Minerals, however, does nothing but own its American company. In fact, all of its offices, employers and operations are in Denver, Colo. Downstairs from […]
Posted inMay 26, 1997: The sacred and profane collide in the West
The wayward West
Ranchers and farmers in New Mexico are urging New Mexico State University to turn down “tainted” money from the Ted Turner Foundation because the group also funds environmentalists, reports the Associated Press. Russ Miller, general manager of Turner’s ranches, reminds the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Board that Turner is a rancher, too. In fact, […]
Posted inMay 26, 1997: The sacred and profane collide in the West
A Republican wins it
For the first time, a Republican will represent ethnically diverse northern New Mexico in Congress. Bill Redmond won the May 13 special election to replace Rep. Bill Richardson, who left office to become this country’s ambassador to the United Nations. Democrat Richardson had represented this district since its inception in 1982. Redmond, a minister, credits […]
Posted inMay 26, 1997: The sacred and profane collide in the West
Some fear the Colorado is getting nuked
As the Colorado River crests in early June, activists will gather on its banks at a bend near Moab, Utah, where the river opens up into marshes, 30 miles upstream of Canyonlands National Monument. This is where Atlas Minerals’ 10 million tons of uranium tailings are piled – and where the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is […]
Posted inApril 28, 1997: Evangelical Christians preach a green gospel
Yellowstone mine swap is in a very deep pit
Another deadline passed for the New World Mine swap and the only thing traded was blame and doubt. The Crown Butte mining company turned down the government’s offer of $65 million in cash on April 12 in exchange for its proposed gold mine just outside Yellowstone National Park, saying it doubted that the government could […]
Posted inApril 14, 1997: Beauty and the Beast
ESA ruling: More sound than fury
Lawyers, get ready: People can use the Endangered Species Act to sue the federal government for protecting species too much, not just too little, ruled the U.S. Supreme Court March 19. Now, ranchers, farmers and developers may be encouraged to do what environmentalists have been doing for two decades – demand their day in court. […]
Posted inMarch 17, 1997: Working the Watershed
Babbitt moves on mining reform
After four frustrating years of cajoling Congress to reform the 1872 Mining Law that allows hard-rock mining on public lands, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has decided to see what he can do on his own. Recently he announced a task force that would investigate the ways the administration can prevent some of the environmental damages […]
Posted inNovember 25, 1996: Pollution in paradise
The Republicans now own the West
The morning after the elections, Carl Pope and Deb Callahan, heads of the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters respectively, held a jubilant conference call with the press: “The message from yesterday’s election comes down to two words – environment wins. Voters supported those committed to protecting our environment,” began Callahan. “The nation’s […]
Posted inOctober 28, 1996: Has big money doomed direct democracy?
Has big money doomed direct democracy?
The history of initiatives is the history of the rise and fall of contentment with, and trust in, representative government.
Posted inOctober 28, 1996: Has big money doomed direct democracy?
How citizens make laws
Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue’s feature story. * An initiative is a proposed law or resolution placed on the ballot as the result of a petition drive among registered voters. It is then voted on by the electorate. * A referendum is a decision by the legislature that is put to […]
Posted inOctober 14, 1996: Greens prune their message to win the West's voters
Wise-users try to whip up a recipe for their own salvation
Casper, Wyo. – Utah House Speaker Melvin Brown tells the audience that he doesn’t want to end the evening on a negative note. But he does want to make you “mad enough to come back tomorrow recommitted.” To get their blood pumping, Brown conjures up an enemy – Thomas Michael Power – a University of […]