Dear HCN, It is with much amusement that I read the letters about my defeats, moral decay and capitulation to the forces of the dark side. Is the environmental movement so rigid and dogmatic that it would assault character in order to quash dissent? (HCN, 9/11/00: Wilderness is the key). To start with, who said […]
Steve Hinchman
Posted inOctober 13, 1997: The land is still public, but it's no longer free
Greens, as usual, are easy to bait
Environmentalists, the criticism goes, are naive about economics. I think that’s generous. Most of us in the movement work for substandard wages because we believe in the cause. Even worse, we expect others to make similar sacrifices, preserving rivers, forests and wildlife regardless of the consequences to struggling families or communities. That’s one reason why […]
Posted inFebruary 17, 1997: No home on the range
Private boaters unite
After witnessing one wrangle too many between private and commercial boaters in the Grand Canyon, Tom Martin decided to take action. This winter he formed the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, a counterpart to the nonprofit group for professionals, the Grand Canyon River Guides. “The park seems to know what it wants and Grand Canyon […]
Posted inJune 13, 1994: A doomed species?
Self-reliant homes
You can unplug from the electrical grid, writes home-builder and author Michael Potts in The Independent Home: Living Well with Power from the Sun, Wind and Water. Potts’ exploration of both the philosophy and technology of energy independence makes an excellent primer for people wanting to design and build a house, or to minimize power […]
Posted inMay 2, 1994: A struggle for the last grass
The Forest Service sells out
As the West’s economy shifts from traditional extractive industries to real estate and recreation, the region’s largest landowner is proving to be a big-time sucker. For decades the Forest Service has lost money on timber sales, and has leased valuable oil and gas reserves virtually for free. So it’s no surprise that the agency is […]
Posted inApril 18, 1994: The salmon win one
Wilderness developer accused of fraud
Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell has asked a U.S. District Attorney to investigate Tom Chapman for fraud, following a tip from one of the developer’s former business associates. Chapman is notorious for starting to build a massive, $1 million log cabin on a private inholding in the West Elk Wilderness near Paonia, Colo. After much […]
Posted inApril 4, 1994: Who speaks for the Colorado Plateau?
Indians and water
During the feverish development of water projects throughout the West, most Native American tribes were left out. But under federal law, Indian reservations have senior rights to vast amounts of water – more than Western states could spare even if they wanted to. Thus it is no surprise that today almost every state and reservation […]
Posted inApril 4, 1994: Who speaks for the Colorado Plateau?
Grazing reform: A plan to chew on
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt launched his second attempt at grazing reform last month, issuing a giant 224-page draft plan to revamp grazing practices on 170 million acres of Bureau of Land Management rangeland. Like his initial proposal last summer, the revised plan would double grazing fees and tighten environmental regulations. But, in a major departure, […]
Posted inFebruary 7, 1994: Can she save ecosystems?
Grazing talks split both sides
Most environmentalists hate the idea that Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt would let a group of moderate ranchers and environmentalists from Colorado try to create a consensus plan on grazing reform. It’s like watering down a diluted version of a weak plan that was off to begin with, says Peter Angst, public-lands specialist with the […]
Posted inJanuary 24, 1994: Turmoil on the range
Turmoil on the range
Ranchers’ clout drives grazing reform in new directions
Posted inDecember 27, 1993: Yellowstone
Methane creates an explosive situation in Colorado
Residents of methane-polluted residential areas blame the problem on natural gas companies. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Methane creates an explosive situation in Colorado.
Posted inNovember 29, 1993: Butte, Montana, seeks a new life
Some in West want Bruce Babbitt’s head
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Some in West want Bruce Babbitt’s head.
Posted inNovember 29, 1993: Butte, Montana, seeks a new life
Babbitt seeks local approach to grazing reform
A group of Colorado ranchers and environmentalists tell Bruce Babbitt they can solve grazing reform gridlock. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Babbitt seeks local approach to grazing reform.
Posted inNovember 15, 1993: The decline and fall of salmon
Senate dukes it out with Babbitt
Western senators and ranchers are trying to kill Babbitt’s grazing reform package. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Senate dukes it out with Babbitt.
Posted inOctober 18, 1993: A lost land grant: Can it be reclaimed?
Agency leans toward a controversial land trade
Developer Tom Chapman strikes a deal with the Forest Service on a controversial land swap. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Agency leans toward a controversial land trade.
Posted inSeptember 20, 1993: Triumph, Idaho, to EPA: Get out
Two Utah counties flee water project
Two Utah counties, frustrated with the cost of the Central Utah Project, decide to pull out. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Two Utah counties flee water project.
Posted inJune 28, 1993: Now showing in the Grand Canyon: L.A. smog
The blurring of the West
Governors of eight Western states begin work on a strategy to protect the region’s world-class air before it’s too late. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline The blurring of the West.
Posted inApril 19, 1993: Clinton flinches under western pressure
Oil leases head for Court
Proposed oil and gas leasing on National Forest lands comes under fire. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Oil leases head for Court.
Posted inApril 19, 1993: Clinton flinches under western pressure
Oil firms commandeer badlands
Duncan Energy Inc. builds an illegal road through national grasslands while the Forest Service and the U.S. Attorney’s office bicker. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Oil firms commandeer badlands.
Posted inMarch 22, 1993: The dam that won't die
Animas-La Plata: The last big dam in the West
A showdown between enviros and water project proponents nears over the Animas-La Plata water project. To read this article, download this HCN issue in PDF format. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Animas-La Plata: The last big dam in the West.