Forests in the News : October 1-14, 2004

NATIONAL NEWS

Towering rescue from skies: Kids' ride turns a doozy - Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon Inc. need a new balloon, Albuquerque Tribune

Forest Service jobs Coming to Albuquerque - "D.C. West", Albuquerque Tribune

White House bigwigs hail local forest-health moves, Bend Bugle

Interior Secretary outlines Bush plans to protect forests, Rhinelander Daily News

Interior boss visits logging country, Duluth News Tribune

Congress could vote to finalize forest fees, Coos Bay World AP

Congressman Want to Tax Federal Gov't Lands, The Guardian

The wrong focus for US Forest Service budget, Headwaters Idaho Falls Post Register editorial

Vital Legacy - Wilderness is a treasure to enjoy now and to bequeath to future generations, Albuquerque Tribune op-ed

The Coyote Caucus Takes the West to Washington, High Country News

Court orders release of wilderness deal data, Salt Lake Tribune AP

Life under one tree's rule? - Researchers work to determine how the genetic traits of cottonwood trees affect other life forms in the area: Can a community evolve genetically?, CS Monitor

Transgenics Gone Wild! - Why it's OK for transgenic plants and animals to spread, Reason

History of Grazing on the Tonto National Forest: 1875-1926, Rangebiome

Fire retardant blamed for damage - Chemical used to prevent fires is killing roadside vegetation, critics claim, Riverside Press-Enterprise

Blaming the Mold - Santa Fe National Forest offices have been toxic for years, Santa Fe New Mexican

Smokey Bear Hot-air Balloon Collides With Radio Tower - Pilot, two others forced to shimmy down 670-foot-tall structure, CNN AP [see photo]

Balloon Hits Tower; 3 Escape Injury, Albuquerque Journal

Final Day of Fiesta Ends With Dramatic Balloon Accident, Az. Republic AP

Smokey Bear Balloon Pilot Blames Wind For Radio Tower Crash - Three People OK After Climbing Down, KOAT News

USDA Forest Service To Centralize Human Resources Functions In Albuquerque, NM, USFS

USDA Forest Service Selects AT&T Government Solutions for Network Solutions, Host Review News

AT&T wins Forest Service network work, Washington Technology

Forest Service buys Linux-based supercomputer, USA Today

National forest fees may be permanent, Bend Bulletin

Treat National Forest With Respect, Mountain View Telegraph op-ed by Bryan Bird

Ensuring Healthy Forests, TCS Tech Central Station op-ed by Lynn Scarlett

Wasting the West: How Welfare Ranchers and Their Livestock Are Damaging Public Land - 69 percent of land managed by the U.S. Forest Service is leased to livestock producers, E/The Environmental Magazine

"The Fire Next Time"- Documentary examines life in Flathead amid changing times, Missoulian

Santa Fe NF: Mining Laws Targeted by Conservationists, Albuquerque Journal

Mine threat just a stunt to criticize land laws, Post-Intelligencer AP

Wilderness, Politics and the Oligarchy - How the Pew Charitable Trust is Smothering the Grassroots Environmental Movement, Counterpunch

Kenya's Maathai wins Green Nobel Peace Prize, ABS-CBN News

"Mega-drought" risk studied: Tree-ring data, Los Angeles Times at Seattle Times

Wildlife Protection Standards Waived - Move May Allow More Logging In U.S. Forests, Washington Post

Environmentalists to stake fake mine claim to spotlight law, The New Mexican

400 More Forest Service Jobs on Way to Albuquerque, Albuquerque Journal

City a Forest Service hub, Albuquerque Tribune

Forest Service to centralize HR work in N.M., Bend Bugle

Cray sells new Linux-based XD1 to Forest Service, Federal Computer Week

Rec fees surpass grazing for first time in BLM history, Billings Gazette

"The BLM's Priorities for Recreation and Visitor Services", BLM

Conservation challenges, topic of Dombeck talk at Williams College, Berkshires News

Protect citizens' rights to petition the government, Oregonian op-ed

Congress Moves to Protect Federal Whistleblowers, New York Times

Wildlife corridors: Making bridges for animals, CS Monitor

Billings woman tells of crash and survival ordeal, Billings Gazette

Eco-Activist's Tale Headed to Big Screen, Yahoo! News

Ruling finds USFS at fault - Cut to permitted pack trips still in effect as appeals court finds Forest Service in violation of Wilderness Act, The Inyo Register

FSEEE — High Sierra Hikers — Wilderness Watch vs. US Forest Service, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [PDF]

Bush administration puts Forest Service wildlife protections on hold - Please Hold for the Next Available Wildlife Protection, Grist magazine

Forest boondoggle: Tongass NF logging roads, Boston Globe editorial

San Juan NF: BP America pays bills for preparing HD drilling study, Durango Herald

Study on drilling roadless HD mountains over budget - $2.5 million already spent, Durango Herald

Asian mushroom harvesters strike over rock-bottom prices, SF Chronicle AP

Wyoming man pleads guilty to fee tube thefts, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The Forest is Their Playground - Forests are being battered by off-road vehicles as officers struggle to protect the land, Rocky Mountain Bullhorn

Residents dig in as officials demand evacuation of LA-area forest, SF Chronicle AP

UI Wildfire Researchers Study Landscapes Before, During and After Major Fires, University of Idaho

UI Research Working Out Methods to Help Officials Map Wildland Fire Hazard, University of Idaho

UI Fire Data Center to Provide One-stop, On-line Shopping for Fire Information, University of Idaho

USDA Forest Service Selects Cray XD1 Supercomputer to Improve Wildfire Smoke Plume Path Prediction and Tracking, Business Wire

America's Forest Dieback, Portland Independent Media Center

Impacts, Causes and Effects of Forest Dieback, Portland Independent Media Center

Massive Forest Dieback, by USGS Craig Allen

Conservationist chronicles ivory-billed woodpecker's demise, Biloxi Sun Herald

China and U.S. Seek to Protect Cancer-Fighting Tree, ENN Reuters

House Passes Goodlatte Legislation Designating The Oak Tree America's National Tree, Rep. Goodlatte

Emerging Infectious Diseases of Plants Caused by Extreme Weather Events and "Pathogen Pollution" - Florida Hurricanes May Have Spread Plant Disease, EWire

Survival may depend on bugs, say scientists, The Age

NASA Scientists Develop Tools for Carbon Management, GreenBiz.com

WORLD NEWS

Nobel of the Ball - Kenyan eco-activist Wangari Maathai wins Nobel Peace Prize, Grist magazine

'Kenya's Green Militant' wins Nobel Peace Prize, Washington Post

Nobel redefines what it means to be a peacemaker, CS Monitor

Planting for Nobel peace, Montreal Gazette

Seeds of Peace - Plant a tree, win the Nobel Peace Prize, CS Monitor editorial

Preserving for peace - Nobel award gets the focus right, Sacramento Bee editorial

Maathai weathers storms to clinch Nobel Peace Prize, Angola Press

Friends Matter for Reclusive Creature of African Forest, New York Times

Spain: Record Seizure of Wood from Endangered Tropical Species, IPS News

Asia Pulp & Paper sets aside tract of Sumatran forest for conservation, Yahoo! News

Bangladesh Sees Tiger Numbers Up in Mangrove Swamps, Reuters Planet Ark

Logging Causes Degradation Of Peat Swamp In Sabah, Malaysia: Bernama

Forest compo push starts: State has whip hand on Howard pledge, The Australian

Lennon defiant on forestry line, The Australian

At CITES, A Victory for Orangutans and Endangered Forests, Defenders of Wildlife

Win for Rainforest Tree, Hope for Orang-utan, Tiger, Inter Press News Service

Focus Shifts in Species Protection - Nations at summit are debating limits on the trade of fish and trees, not just large mammals, Los Angeles Times

CITES: big win for Asian rainforest tree, WWF Newsroom

"End Game" Near for Indonesia's Rain Forests, Says Greenpeace, ENN AP

Greenpeace activists demand halt to rare timber exports, China Post - Reuters

Greenpeace urges Singapore to fight illegal logging trade, Brunei News

Biologists call for action to protect tropical forests, CNN AP

Kelantan seeks logging approval, Malaysia Star

Congressman blames Senate for log ban delay, Sun Star

Indonesia: Power cuts blamed on deforested green areas, Jakarta Post

Art venues accused of damaging precious forests, Herald & Times

Jamaica, US Reach Agreement to Exchange Debt for Rainforest Conservation, VOA News

Timber used to fight beetles, Kamloops This Week

First Nations road closure leads disrupts Vancouver Island logging operations, Canadian Press

Nobel Peace Prize goes to Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai, Agence France-Presse

Like a Tree, Unbowed - It is trees that Dr. Maathai has used to build her women's movement, New York Times

Kenyan Environmentalist Awarded Peace Prize - "If the natural resources are sustainably maintained, there will be less conflict", Los Angeles Times

Kenyan Activist Plants Tree to Mark Nobel Prize, Planet Ark

Kenyan environmentalist wins Nobel Peace Prize, Reuters

Kenyan woman wins peace prize - Maathai honored for environmental work, San Francisco Chronicle

Kenyan Environmental Activist Wins Nobel Peace Prize, Deutsche Welle

A Tree Grows in Kenya - Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai long ago drew links betweens the environment and women's rights, Newsweek

10 Questions: Wangari Maathai - Kenya's environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner talks to Time magazine, Time magazine

Peace Prize a surprise for nature activist, Chicago Tribune

Loved by laureate, Kenya forests are vanishing fast, Planet Ark

Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Maathai out to save Mount Kenya, Yahoo! News

Wangari Maathai: Queen of the greens - First African woman to win a Nobel Prize, UK Independent

Half the World is Women - But Empowerment—and Environmental Progress—Are Lagging, [E] magazine

Australian opposition leader Latham concedes election, ABC News

Green light to save the old-growth, The Mercury

Greens the 'third force', The Australian

Lennon says policy to blame for Tasmanian losses, ABC News

Paul Lennon's opposition to ALP's forestry policy under scrutiny, ABC World Today

Latham defends forests policy, Sydney Morning Herald

Triumphant Kerr upset 'civil war' on forests will go on, The Mercury

Forests' cause gets bloody, Magnetic Island News

Groups warn on forest fight, Herald Sun

PM accused of forest 'con', The Mercury

Virgin forests key battleground for Australia poll, Reuters

Cheers, but beware the silent trucks, The Australian

Forestry's great divide, The Examiner

Logging just not selective, The Border Mail

Nobel Prize to ecologist a "great omen" for Aussie election: Greens, Khaleej Times

Can't see forests for all the loggers, The Daily Telegraph

Libs conservation plan a sham, say environmentalists, ABC Radio News

Environmental expert speaks out against Howard's forests plan, ABC Radio News

Howard forests claim `untrue' - Much `already locked up', The Examiner

Symbol of battleground safe enough, The Australian

Labor to reap Greens preferences from Tasmanian forest pledge, ABC News

Greens line up for Labor over forests, Sydney Morning Herald

Greens see red on forests deal, The Border Mail

Timber boss backs PM's plan, Brisbane Courier-Mail

Howard's forest policy gets support from Tassie unions, ABC Radio News

PM forest policy 'divisive', The Australian

Latham betrays workers, The Australian op-ed

Bass notes sounding mournful for incumbent, Sydney Morning Herald

Union rift as timber workers cut to Libs, The Australian

Howard and Latham trade insults over environment, ABC Radio News

Woodchips tiny part of economy, The Australian

Greenpeace protests Malaysia's 'laundering' of ramin in RI forests, Jakarta Post

Greenpeace protests Singapore, Malaysia tree trade, Yahoo! News - Reuters

Greenpeace urges Singapore to crack down on illegal logging trade, Yahoo! News AFP

Save the Trees, Save the Apes - Save forest homes from loggers, expert says, Planet Ark Reuters

Activists Present "Avenue of Shame" Photo Exhibit to Luncheon-Bound Logging Executives - Albertan officials urged to act to preserve pristine boreal forests - Photographic exhibit chronicles logging giant Weyerhaeuser's destructive forestry practices, Rainforest Action Network

Province, industry tackling pine beetle, Fort St. John

Kenya: Explain Policy on Forests, The Nation editorial

I Could Give Up My Seat to Save Kenya's Forests, Says Maathai, The Nation

Dumai mayor named suspect in logging scam, The Jakarta Post

CO2 credit trading coming to a forest near you, The Yomiuri Shimbun

Ernslaw One to lay off three logging crews, New Zealand Herald

Australian PM releases forests plan to exploit opposition split, Yahoo! News

Pre-Election Battle Axes Clash Over Tasmania's Tall Trees, Environment News Service

Australia parties hunt green vote, BBC News

Australian Prime Minister Howard backs jobs over trees, The Australian

Howard trades trees for jobs, The Age

Howard paints himself a light shade of green, The Age

PM not a greenie, nor a green politician, Sydney Morning Herald

It's not hard - stop killing old trees, Sydney Morning Herald

Spending spree over: PM closes coffers on conservation, Sydney Morning Herald

170,000ha quarantined: PM, The Australian

Opposition says Govt forest policy a 'hoax', Yahoo! News

Unions back 'fig leaf' of a forest plan, The Australian

Construction union anger at Latham critics, The Age

Devil in the detail of PM's forest plan, The Age

Timberrr ... leader felled by own MP, The Australian

October revolution: workers join capitalists, The Australian

'Axles of evil' at logging rally, The Australian

Timber workers prepare for rally, The Australian

Forest fury, The Mercury

Howard to visit Tasmania, The Australian

PM offers cut-price timber plan, The Australian

`No job loss' promises rejected, the Age

Gunns stock felled by Labor, The Australian

Lobby groups back Labor, The Australian

Latham 'conflict with ALP policy', The Australian

Latham will save the forests, Sydney Morning Herald

Latham's forest gamble, The Mercury

Voters may not see wood for the trees, Sydney Morning Herald

Trade-off detail hiding in the greenery, The Australian

Forest plan splits workers and greens, Sydney Morning Herald

Forest activist says Labor forest policy 'disappointing', Socialist Alliance

Prime Minister Howard plays waiting game, The Mercury

Put up or shut up: Latham to PM, The Mercury AAP

ALP makes break for woods, The Australian

Labor accused of selling out Tasmania for mainland votes, ABC -The World Today

Unions spitting chips over forestry policy, The Courier-Mail

Labor splits over saving trees, The Courier-Mail

Australian politicians spar over key logging issue ahead of elections - Green "preferences" explained, Yahoo! News AP

Forest plan good for jobs: Garrett, The Australian

Heated forests debate will cool down: Garrett, Sydney Morning Herald

Brown hails Labor for `breakthrough', The Mercury

Bob cashes in for his island home, The Australian

Labor goes green, ABC News

Policy 'to stop Tassie job loss', Herald Sun

Shhh, don't mention the c word, The Australian

Making a break for the woods, The Australian

'Unholy alliance' with Greens helps Latham, The Australian

Latham chases green vote with logging ban, The Courier-Mail

Labor hugs greens with logging ban, Australian Financial Review

Timber worker fury, but green groups happy, The Australian

Forest workers lash Latham, The Mercury

Labor lashed over forest plan - Tasmania 'on the chopping block', The Age

Mill boss fears for future, The Mercury

CFMEU says Gippsland forests next on Labor's hitlist, ABC News

Latham faces revolt over forests, Herald Sun

Latham: Forest plan 'the right thing to do', The Australian

MPs have an axe to grind, The Australian

Labor MP lashes out at party over Tas forestry policy, ABC Tasmania News

Labor MP Dick Adams opposes Latham's forest policy , ABC News

Tas Labor MP accuses Latham of sellout, Nine MSN

Tasmanian MP concerned on forest fallout, SBS Radio News

Premier will turn up heat if Labor wins, The Mercury

Premier clear felled by forestry inquiry, The Border Mail

Wilderness Society turns on the Greens, The Australian

Prefs go to Coalition over logging, The Australian

ALP loses preferences over forest policy, The Age

Latham shores up preferences - Logging pledge delights Greens - Mr Latham outlines his forests policy in a room built entirely from Tasmanian timbers, The Border Mail

Indonesian Govt Bans Exports Of Sawn Timber, Antara

China and U.S. Seek to Protect Cancer-Fighting Tree, ENN Reuters

Efforts to save bird-life in Upper Guinea Forest, afrol News

Sawing the wood for the trees - A Brazilian plan to protect the Amazon through sustainable logging sounds like a great idea, but opponents claim it amounts to privatisation of the rainforest, Guardian Unlimited

Pristine Amazon jungle endangered - Armed squatters lay claim to land for eventual soybeans, Detroit Free Press

Amazon Women on the Move, Grist magazine

Jamaica: The trees fell like soldiers before Hurricane Ivan, Jamaica Observer

Canada's Rain Forest Wolves a Link to Past, National Geographic News

Boreal Critters Chase Boreal Villans Downstream, Portland Indy Media

Haida win another victory in court as they await big ruling in Ottawa, Canadian Press

Now is time to save Canada's dwindling woodland caribou: environmental report, CP News

Ottawa urged to save woodland caribou herd's habitat, Toronto Globe and Mail

Grazing increasing risk of high country bushfires, The Border Mail

Halifax park reshaped 1 year after hurricane Juan - Hurricane also toppled as many trees as the entire Nova Scotia logging industry cuts down in one year, CBC News

86-acre fungus found in Swiss Alps, Grand Forks Herald AP

Tas. PM Lennon reluctantly backs Federal Labor, ABC Tasmania News

$800m forest gamble,Tasmanina Examiner

Wilderness Society 'mixed' on plan, The Australian

Aborigines ignored in forest debate: Democrats, ABC Tasmania News

PM condemns Labor forest policy, The Australian

Labor MP slams Latham, The Australian

Union slams forest policy, The Australian

Loggers lash Latham over $800m 'sell-out', Sydney Morning Herald

Forests policy 'a sell-out', The Australian

Forestry groups attack Labor policy announcement, ABC Tasmania News

Labor review on old growth, The Australian

Latham promises $800-mil to reshape Tas forestry, ABC Tasmania News

Latham's $800m forest fund, The Australian

Labor unveils $800m forest policy, ABC Tasmania News

I'll save trees and jobs: Latham, The Australian

Latham warned over forest jobs, The Australian

Latham surprise visit for trees, The Australian

Latham expected to announce $500m Tas forest policy, ABC Tasmania News

Show us old-growth logging policies, say forest groups - Greens want to see big party forest policies, ABC Tasmania News

Brown says it is time for forest policies, The Examiner

Forest policy 'may decide election', The Australian

Howard, Latham tight-lipped on forestry policy, ABC Tasmania News

Latham promises trees and jobs, The Australian

Tas Minister questions 'hypocritical' forestry campaigning, ABC Tasmania News

Bass voters can't see wood for the trees, Nine MSN News

Major parties head off to the forests, The Age

PM flags 'long-term' end to old-growth logging, The Age

Howard's Tassie plan to end logging, The Australian

Coalition offers jobs and money in exchange for end to logging, Sydney Morning Herald

Boatbuilder angry over forestry ad, The Mercury

Forest doubts delay PM's deal for Tassie, The Mercury

Chemical spray 'ruined' sea-change dream, The Australian

Money grows on trees if you time it right, Sydney Morning Herald

Turnbull defends logging firm role,The Australian

Greens turn on Turnbull's logging ties, The Age

Survival may depend on bugs, say scientists, The Age

Irate contractors protest at looming forest job cuts, New Zealand News

Workers threaten to blockade forests - Forestry workers take to Gisborne streets to protest downsizing of forestry operation by Earnslaw One, NZ City

CONGRESS & WASHINGTON

Congress could vote to finalize forest fees, Coos Bay World AP

Congressman Want to Tax Federal Gov't Lands, The Guardian

Court orders release of wilderness deal data, Salt Lake Tribune AP

Simpson sends White Clouds bill to Congress, Idaho Statesman

Simpson's bill is good start at protecting wilderness, Idaho Statesman editorial

The Coyote Caucus Takes the West to Washington, High Country News

Udall patriarch laments startling changes, High Country News

Environmental Reality Check, Environment News Service

So Much for Sticking to the Center, Writers on the Range

National forest fees may be permanent, Bend Bulletin

Prairie Dog Pops Up In S.D. Senate Race - Daschle, Foe Spar Over Rodent's Future, Washington Post

Santa Fe NF: Mining Laws Targeted by Conservationists, Albuquerque Journal

Bush administration gives wild places the shaft, Seattle Times op-ed

Bush's Crimes Against Nature, by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Eugene Weekly

Crimes Against Nature, Mother Jones Interview: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Ex-Clinton aide blasts Bush on environment, Mercury News

Bush, The Polluter's Friend - A Republican group has urged President Bush to be more like Theodore Roosevelt when it comes to the environment. That's unlikely, News Read - The Day

Environmental issues keep Bush, Kerry on defensive, The Express-Times

Bush the Lesser Evil? For Some Issues, It Is Worth Considering, by the Glorious Revolutionary Federation of Fortune 500 Killers

EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment, Federal Register

Congress Moves to Protect Federal Whistleblowers, New York Times

Protect citizens' rights to petition the government, Oregonian op-ed

Nethercutt unjustly criticized for sensible Wild Sky position, Seattle Times op-ed by Richard W. Pombo

Field Hearing on Issues Affecting Rural Communities in the Southwest - National Forest Management and the Endangered Species Act, House Resources Committee: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health

US F&WS Dale Hall: Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Rep. Jake Flake: Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Graham County Board of Supervisors: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Gila Watershed Partnership Jan Holder: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Mount Graham Observatory: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Peter Warshall, Ph.D., Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Regional Forester Harv Forsgren, USFS Region 3, Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Senate will take a look at mining fees, Pahrump Valley Times

House Passes Goodlatte Legislation Designating The Oak Tree America's National Tree, Rep. Goodlatte

EPA Sued Over Lax Plywood Air Pollution Rule, Environment News Service

Evans recites frontlines tales - Never give up, trailblazing conservationist tells colleagues, Idaho Mountain Express

Call of the wild: Is it cellular?, CS Monitor

Bill Summary & Status for House & Senate Bills about National Forests 2003-2004, Library of Congress

National Forest Protection and Restoration Act: H.R.2169, Library of Congress

Act to Save America's Forests: S.1938, Library of Congress

NORTHERN REGION (Region 1):
Montana and Northern Idaho

Mining a suburb? It's to protest 1872 law, Seattle Times

Rocky Mountain Front in Montana Won't Be Drilled for Years, Says Interior Department, ENN AP

BLM action on Front drilling a welcome step, Great Falls Tribune editorial

Responsible CE decision at Hayes Creek, Ravalli Republic

Bridger Bowl Moves Closer to Future Expansion, On the Snow

District pondering Federal Building purchase, Bonner County Daily Bee

State agencies, conservation groups debate impacts of states' grizzly management plan, Montana Kaimin

Experts concerned about bear deaths, Billings Gazette

Others join suit on Beaverhead-Deerlodge forest grazing, Billings Gazette

Decision to pull protection for bull trout brings lawsuit threat, Post-Intelligencer

"The Fire Next Time"- Documentary examines life in Flathead amid changing times, Missoulian

County backing away from federal building purchase, Bonner County Daily Bee

Glacier Park is healing after fire, Los Angeles Times

Stumping for the trees, Bismarck Tribune

No on I-147: Poor performer seeking corporate welfare, Billings Gazette op-ed

Rocky Mountain Front: 'Backbone of the World' sacred to Blackfeet Nation, Billings Gazette

Nez Perce trail tells stories of honor, sorrow, Missoulian

Alone on the Maah Daah Hey trail, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Billings woman tells of crash and survival ordeal, Billings Gazette

Plane crash survivor talks about ordeal, Tacoma News Tribune AP

Far-reaching BLM study puts Front drilling on hold, Great Falls Tribune

U.S. Backs Off Montana Gas Drilling, Washington Post

Bush Officials Halt Montana Gas Drilling Plan, Environment News Service

BLM: No drilling for gas in Montana's Rocky Mountain Front, SF Chronicle AP

Montanans Praise Decision to Stop Proposed Drilling Along Rocky Mountain Front, Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front

Company facing new restrictions will explore gas-lease options, Billings Gazette

Understanding the Rock Creek Mine, Bonner County Daily Bee

The fire season that wasn't, Great Falls Tribune

Turtle Mountain aspen to be used to heat schools, Minot Daily News at Grand Forks Herald

Public comments on delisting grizzly, Salt Lake Tribune AP

Appeals court temporarily halts Gallatin timber sale, Billings Gazette

Tension remains after 2002 Bitterroot forest settlement - Groups still don't see eye-to-eye over Bitterroot burned-area recovery, Ravalli Republic

Wyoming man pleads guilty to fee tube thefts, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

More wilderness? - Author of Montana Wilderness Study Act ponders fate of locked-up lands, Ravalli Republic

Write Forest Service to support roadless rule, Bozeman Daily Chronicle letter

Gallatin Forest not being consistent with trail closures, Bozeman Daily Chronicle letter

Get facts straight, Bozeman Daily Chronicle letter

Fall ushers in reservations for Forest Service cabin rental program, Ravalli Republic

Colorful conifers - Two species of larch trees reliably bring color to valley's forests, Ravalli Republic

Company moving house allegedly cuts down trees, Helena Independent Record

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF reminds that area around Beal Mountain Mine still closed, USFS

Clearwater and Nez Perce Forests release proposal to revise management plans, USFS

UI Wildfire Researchers Study Landscapes Before, During and After Major Fires, University of Idaho

UI Research Working Out Methods to Help Officials Map Wildland Fire Hazard, University of Idaho

UI Fire Data Center to Provide One-stop, On-line Shopping for Fire Information, University of Idaho

Grizzly delisting fuels discussion, Billings Gazette

Ancient art: Plains Indians' oldest writing form preserved in Custer NF caves, Bismarck Tribune

Ancient stump is up front - US Forest Service donated 13 ton petrified stump, Bismarck Tribune

First prairie chicken hunt in 60 years a success story, Grand Forks Herald

Blindhorse drilling plans halted, Great Falls Tribune

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (Region 2):
Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming

Daschle pleased with timber sales, Rapid City Journal

Commission eyes forest plan, Rapid City Journal

Forest board takes issue with ads, Rapid City Journal

Prairie dog poisoning plan set into motion, Rapid City Journal

Group Files Lawsuit Over Wolf Creek Plans, CBS AP

Cayton Guard Station holds a legacy of Forest Service history, Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Holy Cross or bust, Vail Daily News

Colorado Wild sues Rio Grande NF over Wolf Creek development, Durango Herald

Green group sues to block Wolf Creek Pass development, Denver Post

Workers prepare forest for fire, Summit Daily

Prairie Dog Pops Up In S.D. Senate Race - Daschle, Foe Spar Over Rodent's Future, Washington Post

Gabriel blasts prairie dog settlement, Rapid City Journal

Feds, wildlife groups reach an agreement on prairie dog poisoning, Rapid City Journal

Conservationists, government reach deal in prairie dog poisoning, North County Times AP

2 roads to Wolf Creek parcel proposed: USFS draft EIS, Denver Post

Forest Service reviews policy on retrieving downed game with ATV's, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Enviro groups plan to appeal decision to allow gas drilling, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Prairie dog management plan on hold — for now, Rapid City Journal

Environmentalists say prairie dog poisoning would hurt ferrets, Casper Star-Tribune

Groups seek prairie dog compromise, Casper Star-Tribune

Prairie dog counteroffer, Rapid City Journal editorial

Livestock damage, Rapid City Journal letter

Bighorn Forest not altering grazing practices, Billings Gazette

Sheridan officials seek more logging in Bighorn NF, Billings Gazette AP

Wyoming man pleads guilty to fee tube thefts, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Shoshone NF: Horse power, Cody Enterprise

Medicine Bow NF: Beetles, disease take toll in forest, Casper Star-Tribune

Help Protect Our Wild Grasslands from Drilling!, Medicine Bow – Routt NF Thunder Basin National Grassland Duck Creek Roadless Area threatened, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance

San Juan NF: BP America pays the bills for preparing an "inadequate" HD drilling study, Durango Herald

Study on drilling roadless HD mountains over budget - $2.5 million already spent, Durango Herald

San Juan NF: Forest Roads - Open or Closed?, USFS

The Forest is Their Playground - Forests are being battered by off-road vehicles as officers struggle to protect the land, Rocky Mountain Bullhorn

Beetles advance in White River national forest, Vail Daily

Mitchell Creek 'road' closed again, Vail Daily

White River NF: Forest Service's role in gas leasing focus of debate, Aspen Times

White River NF: Man pleads guilty in rock blasting, Vail Daily

Rio Grande NF: Illegal Outfitting Carries Serious Consequences, USFS

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF gets new supervisor, Telluride Daily Planet

New supervisor looks forward to post at GMUG national forests, Montrose Daily Press

Danger in Degrees: Goodbye wildflowers, hello sagebrush, Aspen Times

Select, maintain vegetation to help make property FireWise, North Forty News

Builders should plan ahead for wildfire danger, North Forty News

SOUTHWESTERN REGION (Region 3):
Arizona and New Mexico

Forest Service jobs Coming to City, Albuquerque Tribune

Towering rescue from skies: Kids' ride turns a doozy - Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon Inc. need a new balloon, Albuquerque Tribune

Lincoln NF: Butterfly Conservation Plan Drafted, Albuquerque Tribune

Vital legacy - Wilderness is a treasure to enjoy now and to bequeath to future generations, Albuquerque Tribune op-ed

The Coyote Caucus Takes the West to Washington, High Country News

Udall patriarch laments startling changes, High Country News

Grazing goats grace bosque, Albuquerque Tribune

$30 million telescope cleared for takeoff, Arizona Daily Sun

History of Grazing on the Tonto National Forest: 1875-1926, Rangebiome

Officials seeking input on Aravaipa management, Eastern Arizona Courier

Blaming the Mold - Santa Fe National Forest offices have been toxic for years, Santa Fe New Mexican

USDA Forest Service To Centralize Human Resources Functions In Albuquerque, NM, USFS

Treat National Forest With Respect, Mountain View Telegraph op-ed by Bryan Bird

Santa Fe NF: Group Asks Las Vegas Council To Help Halt Thinning, Albuquerque Journal

Santa Fe NF: Mining Laws Targeted by Conservationists, Albuquerque Journal

Carson NF will prepare an EIS to amend the Forest Plan to incorporate standards and guidelines for surface management of natural gas resource development, Federal Register

Smokey Bear Hot-air Balloon Collides With Radio Tower - Pilot, two others forced to shimmy down 670-foot-tall structure, CNN AP [see photo]

Balloon Hits Tower; 3 Escape Injury, Albuquerque Journal

Final Day of Fiesta Ends With Dramatic Balloon Accident, Az. Republic AP

Balloon Pilot Blames Wind For Radio Tower Crash - Three People OK After Climbing Down, KOAT News

Gila NF: Monument to Great Apache Warrior Geronimo Is Dedicated, Albuquerque Journal

Forest Service to centralize HR work in N.M., Bend Bugle

400 More Forest Service Jobs on Way to ABQ, Albuquerque Journal

City a Forest Service hub, Albuquerque Tribune

Environmentalists to stake fake mine claim to spotlight law, The New Mexican

Carson NF: Pottery-Makers Prevent Wildfires by Using Forest-Thinning Trees, Albuquerque Journal

State releasing pair of wolves in Gila Wilderness, New Mexican AP

State releasing pair of wolves in the Gila Wilderness, KOBTV News

Forest Service Wins Rodeo/Chediski Salvage Appeal - Appeals Court has affirmed a lower court's decision to allow the Apache-Sitgreaves NF to proceed, USFS

Tonto NF: Phoenix water bottler accused of draining Seven Springs, Arizona Republic

Coronado NF initiating a programmatic analysis for small scale and commercial placer mining operations in Santa Ritas, Nogales International

Small-time prospectors may face restrictions, Arizona Daily Star

State opens areas for wood cutting, Silver City Sun-News

Coconino Forest plans 17,000 acres in prescribed burns, Arizona Republic

America's Forest Dieback, Portland Independent Media Center

Impacts, Causes and Effects of Forest Dieback, Portland Independent Media Center

Massive Forest Dieback, by USGS Craig Allen

Field Hearing on Issues Affecting Rural Communities in the Southwest - National Forest Management and the Endangered Species Act, House Resources Committee: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health

Regional Forester Harv Forsgren, USFS Region 3, Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

US F&WS Dale Hall: Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Rep. Jake Flake: Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

Graham County Board of Supervisors: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Gila Watershed Partnership Jan Holder: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Mount Graham Observatory: SW Forests & ESA testimony, House Resources Committee

Peter Warshall, Ph.D., Testimony on SW forests and the ESA, House Resources Committee

INTERMOUNTAIN REGION (Region 4):
Southern Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and SW Wyoming

Simpson sends White Clouds bill to Congress, Idaho Statesman

Simpson's bill is good start at protecting wilderness, Idaho Statesman editorial

Sheep grazing to continue in Sawtooth NRA, Twin Falls Times-News

Court orders release of wilderness deal data, Salt Lake Tribune AP

State of Utah to Sue Federal Government to Reopen Off-Road Vehicle Routes Closed by BLM, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Planned burn to be in Spanish Fork Canyon, Provo Daily Herald

Just road kill, Salt Lake Tribune letter

Road changes explained at transportation open house, Provo Daily Herald

Using wood and wood ash - Burning Questions, Boise Weekly

Federal grants help protect ranch land in Washoe, Elko counties, North County Times

Threat of fire prompts plan to remove brush in Clear Creek, Reno Gazette Journal

Boise NF: Atlanta Gold plan raises eyebrows, Idaho Statesman

Conservation Groups Pleased Idaho Wilderness Bill Introduced - Praise Progress, Acknowledge Problems, Campaign for America's Wilderness

Bridger-Teton NF: Timber project gets nod, Casper Star-Tribune

Forest Service gives notice of intent to prepare an EIS to revise the Payette National Forest Travel Plan, Federal Register

Agencies offer assistance to counter beetle attack, Twin Falls Times-News

Land Managers Launch New Off-Road Vehicle Campaign, KSL News

Burn costs Forest Service $33,000, BYU NewsNet

Walking a dog in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Record-Courier

Judge scraps Hope Valley snowmobile ban, Reno Gazette-Journal

Salmon-Challis NF: Two ranger districts may be combined, The Challis Messenger

Salmon NF: Burn puts Forest Service in crossfire between fire safety and lifestyle, Twin Falls Times-News

Forest Service, state settle on Cascade II fire - Runaway controlled burn: The focus is on air quality and better training, Salt Lake Tribune

Uinta to pay $33K for blaze, Provo Daily Herald

U.S. to pay $33,000 fine for fire - Intended burn of 600 acres in '03 consumed 8,000, Deseret Morning News

Forest Service celebrates trail restoration along Wasatch, Daily Herald

Wyoming man pleads guilty to fee tube thefts, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Utah Avalanche Center Partners With Backcountry.com to Develop First Avalanche Education Program for Young Adults in Utah, Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center

Great Old Broads to take anniversary message to Utah, Cortez Journal

Senate will take a look at mining fees, Pahrump Valley Times

Humboldt-Toiyabe NF to auction Lamoille property, Elko Daily Free Press

Mt. Rose Chutes set to open this season, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza

Sawtooth NRA: Newer 'monopine' cell-site is more realistic, Idaho Mountain Express op-ed

Funds are available to fight pine bark beetles, Idaho Mountain Express

Sawtooth NF: Grant pplications available for Blaine and Custer Counties to aid residents with current bark beetle attack - Filing deadline Oct. 22nd, USFS

Forest Service conducts customer surveys - Sawtooth NF requests help from forest visitors, USFS

Talk celebrates Wilderness Act's 40th, Idaho Mountain Express

Sawtooth NF: Contract Awarded for reconstruction of Porcupine Springs Campground, USFS

Sawtooth NF: Chaparral Campground to be Reconstructed - Public Comment Sought, USFS

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST (Region 5): California

Mountain Thin appealed, Mt. Shasta News

County starts Lake Siskiyou meadow restoration, Mt. Shasta News

Pot plantation found, Yreka's Siskiyou Daily News

Byway hits milestone - Celebration of Volcanic Legacy All America Road planned, Klamath Falls Herald and News

Meadow restoration tracked by students, Tahoe Daily Tribune

Tempting trash foils wild condor breeding effort, San Francisco Chronicle

Fire retardant blamed for damage - Chemical used to prevent fires is killing roadside vegetation, critics claim, Riverside Press-Enterprise

Judge delays environmentalists' bid to halt Trinity County mine, Monterey Herald AP

Canyon Creek gold mine to wait for court, Eureka Times-Standard

Sequoia forest ranks No. 1 for growing pot, Porterville Recorder

Forest Service: Permits needed by high school runners, Big Bear Grizzly

Angeles NF: Cabin owners get four-hour access, Pasadena Star-News

Simulated infernos helping firefighters protect San Diego County, North County Times

Fire lookouts offer a view of Sierra history, Sierra Sun

Calpine Lookout to Be Available Soon for Rent in the Tahoe National Forest, YubaNet News

EPA releases comments on draft EIS for Tahoe NF Cottonwood Project, Federal Register

Zoo relocation faces Forest Service issues, Big Bear Grizzly

General Plan Focuses on Open Space, Lake Arrowhead Mountain-News

Hunter faces 10 years for starting largest Calif. wildfire, killing 15, CourtTV News

Cleveland NF: Hunter accused of setting Cedar Fire pleads not guilty, Desert Sun

Hunter is indicted in starting of Cedar fire, Union-Tribune

Hunter indicted for starting massive Calif. wildfire, Sacramento Bee AP

1,000 acres of defensible space created in basin, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza

Forest thinning a seed for new business - Supply concern: Material could offer power, aid in restoration, Reno Gazette-Journal

USFS fuels reduction projects moving forward in Valley, Big Bear Grizzly

Citizens prepped on fires, updated on tree removal - Homes should have a cord phone to get evacuation orders, officials tell meeting, Riverside Press-Enterprise

Ruling finds USFS at fault - Cut to permitted pack trips still in effect as appeals court finds Forest Service in violation of Wilderness Act, The Inyo Register

Nearby wildernesses caught in legal battle - Whether to allow commercial mules and horses at issue, The Fresno Bee

FSEEE — High Sierra Hikers — Wilderness Watch, et al vs. USFS, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [PDF]

GAO report clears promotion of Sierra logging plan, The Inyo Register

Residents Refuse Mandatory Evacuation Orders - Residents dig in as officials demand evacuation of LA-area forest, SF Chronicle AP

Angeles National Forest Closed for Fire Safety, La Cañada Valley Sun

Forest Service defends evacuation - Chantry Flat residents at risk from wildfires, Pasadena Star-News

Angeles Forest Dwellers Ignore Order to Evacuate, Los Angeles Times

Bark Beetle Numbers Declining - Scientists are hopeful that an infestation that killed millions of pine trees may be over, Los Angeles Times

Angeles NF: Still fighting against arundo - Board likely to keep up battle over plant, L.A. Daily News

Consensus reached on golden trout effort - State, federal officials agree to spend $1.3 million to save rare Sierra Nevada fish, The Inyo Register

Mammoth Nordic Patrol still has your back, skiiers - Volunteer rescuers begin second season of watching out for backcountry snow adventurers, The Inyo Register

Law eases tree-thinning rules - Elected officials, Sierra Club say fire prevention now easier, Redding Record Searchlight

Pacific Lumber, state ordered to pay $6 million in EPIC Headwaters case, Eureka Times-Standard

Lake Siskiyou timber plan on agenda, Mt. Shasta News

PACIFIC NORTHWEST (Region 6):
Oregon and Washington

White House bigwigs hail local forest-health moves, Bend Bugle

Mining a suburb? It's to protest 1872 law, Seattle Times

Forest Service to bill teen $10 million for wildfire costs, Twin Falls Times-News

Forest Service Honors Naches Administrator, Yakima Herald-Republic

Quilcene: Chamber of Commerce to share space with ranger station for visitor center, Peninsula Daily News

Land purchase plan wins some, loses some in gorge, Columbian

OSU scientists to discuss growing fire threat, Bend Bugle

Byway hits milestone - Celebration of Volcanic Legacy All America Road planned, Klamath Falls Herald and News

Snowmobile play area created at Dutchman Flat, Bend Bulletin

Students dig deep to study ecology - Project takes them to the Opal Creek Wilderness, Statesman Journal

Measure 34 would kill an effective plan, jobs - Passage would waste years of study and public input, Statesman Journal editorial

Ballard woman tries to save tree - 'I guess I'm fed up' with all the building, Post-Intelligencer

Tree removed as rescue effort fails, Seattle Times

National forest fees may be permanent, Bend Bulletin

Mine threat just a stunt to criticize land laws, Post-Intelligencer AP

Delay catastrophic for Biscuit, Oregonian letter

Biscuit Logging in Full Swing - Help Desperately Needed, Cascadia Rising! EcoDefense

Mount St. Helens Volcanic Eruptions: 1980 vs. Now, National Geographic News

Shifting ice, rocks part of the job for glacier explorer, The Olympian

Mother Nature's interpreter, Oregonian

Lawsuit claims gorge plan rules won't shield area, Oregonian

Wallowa-Whitman NF: Soggy forests pose problem for forest thinners, KATU News

Problems slow work in forests, Oregonian

Destination or Desecration?, Yakima Herald-Republic

Modern logging uses state-of-the-art equipment, Mt. Shasta News

Working on top of the world; life at the Green Peter lookout, Sweet Home New Era

Committees to explore issues, develop plans for trail system, Sweet Home New Era

Follow your 'rock duck', Mail Tribune

Crystal Mountain Receives Development Approval, On the Snow

Neighbors protesting as tall trees get the ax - Residents of the River Forest area in Oak Grove say the clearing of sites for homes destroys blue heron and osprey nesting sites, Oregonian

Level of timber harvest at heart of Measure 34, Register-Guard

Rogue of the Week: Oregon Department of Forestry, Willamette Week editorial

Decision to pull protection for bull trout brings lawsuit threat, Post-Intelligencer

Protesters interfere with Biscuit fire salvage, Mail Tribune

Old Growth Logging in Biscuit Fire Area Denounced, Environment News Service

Protesters try to block Biscuit cut, Register-Guard AP

Emergency Response to Biscuit Logging Planned, Infoshop News

Biscuit salvage protest shows split among environmentalists, Statesman Journal AP

Protect citizens' rights to petition the government, Oregonian op-ed

Middle Fork is thriving again - First new U.S. Forest Service campground to be built in the Northwest in 10 years, Post-Intelligencer

Nethercutt unjustly criticized for sensible Wild Sky position, Seattle Times op-ed by Richard W. Pombo

Employees at BLM bid on, get contract - The Bush administration hoped the practice would open some federal jobs to competitive bidding, Oregonian