July 31, 2020 — In February 2019, ecologist Thomas Crowther declared that planting 1.2 trillion trees would cancel out the last 10 years of carbon dioxide emissions and help mitigate climate change. Crowther based his statement on the … More
Ground Truth
Retardant use spikes as crews fight blazes — and COVID-19
July 22, 2020 — By Marc Heller — This wildfire season could be a banner year for chemical fire retardants. The COVID-19 pandemic is part of the reason. With the Forest Service under pressure to stop wildfires before … More
New Forest Service Rules Aim to Prevent Wildfires Sparked by Power Lines
July 15, 2020 — By Monica Samayoa — The U.S. Forest Service is adopting a new rule meant to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires on public lands like California’s deadly, destructive 2018 Camp Fire. The Forest Service’s new … More
Hundreds of comments submitted over Holy Cross Wilderness water export proposal
July 9, 2020 — By Jerd Smith — Forty years after the Holy Cross Wilderness Area was created, an early effort to explore tapping its water supplies has generated more than 500 comments to the U.S. Forest Service. … More
Relict Dace Endangered Species Act Decision Expected by End of September
July 2, 2020 — By Scott King Although it’s small in size, Nevada’s relict dace has become a big name in recent conservation efforts, as a petition and a lawsuit have been put forth to protect the fish … More
Amid Widespread Opposition to California Logging Project, Forest Service Extends Comment Deadline
June 29, 2020 — By Rebecca August — The Forest Service has extended the deadline, from June 30 to August 14, for the public to comment on its proposal to cut down trees and chaparral across 755 acres … More
Bighorn Fire: Questions raised about effectiveness of flame retardant used against wildfires
June 24, 2020 — By Tony Davis — From the stark, deeply incised rock face of Pusch Ridge to the spruce-lined top of Mount Lemmon, one color seems to have dominated the two-week battle of the Bighorn Fire: … More
A Setback at Boundary Waters
June 20, 2020 — Federal District Judge Trevor McFadden, a recent Trump appointee, upheld the Trump administration’s decision to reissue two mineral leases for the Twin Metals Minnesota mine project, which risks polluting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area … More
Oil, Logging, Mining Ordered as Forest Service Focus
June 17, 2020 — By Bobby Magill, Bloomberg Law — Oil, logging, mining, and grazing will be the priorities of national forests and grasslands, with expedited environmental oversight, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told the U.S. Forest Service Friday. … More
Forest Service Solicits Comments on Proposed Dam Near Holy Cross Wilderness
June 15, 2020 — By Grant Stringer, Aurora Sentinel Conservationists and development boosters alike can now weigh in on the next phase of a city government-backed plan to build a new reservoir and divert water to Aurora taps. … More