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Photo courtesy of Rick and Susie Graetz
Monday, June 25, 2012
produced daily by Shellie Nelson
Editor's Notes...

West map In the Rockies today, wildfires again are at the top of the page.

This past weekend was one of extreme wildfire activity, and Colorado's vacation hot spots were particularly hard hit.

Dozens of homes were destroyed by a wildfire in Utah's Sanpete County, and the governor of that state is asking counties to impose bans on gun use, as gunfire has now been blamed for 20 fires in the state, and the governor is handcuffed by federal and state laws from implementing such a ban.

Also in the news, Montana's century-old ban on corporate campaign contributions was struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court; and the court also struck down portions of Arizona's sweeping immigration law.

Rockies today

 Gunfire-sparked wildfires in Utah has governor asking counties for help
The 20th wildfire in Utah caused by gunfire ignited on Friday, pushing more than 9,000 people out of their homes, and with Gov. Gary Herbert's hands tied by federal and state laws that prohibit him from enacting an emergency ban on gun use, he's pleading with county officials to enact such a ban.
Christian Science Monitor; June 24

  • Wildfire near Colorado Springs sends thousands fleeing
    The Waldo Canyon Fire first reported at midnight on Saturday forced the evacuation of thousands of residents of Manitou Springs fleeing, and the now-3,446-acre wildfire in Colorado is still keeping 6,000 of those residents away from their homes.
    Denver Post; June 25

  • Saturday was a 'Super 6' on wildfire index in Colorado
    The Haines Index is used by wildfire managers to gauge fire potential, with the six the highest rating, and Saturday ranked as "Super 6," and forecasts for Sunday looked like that day would be the same, as eight wildfires raged through the state, with a wildfire near Estes Park destroying 21 structures on Saturday, the High Park fire grew to more than 81,190 acres, and the Weber fire in the southern part of the state growing to near 6,000 acres.
    Denver Post; June 25

States, groups ask U.S. Supreme Court to hear roadless case
The Colorado Mining Association has been joined by eight states, ranching, mining and motorized recreation groups in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Summit County Citizens Voice; June 25

Supreme Court: Montana law on corporate campaign cash unconstitutional
The U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to reaffirm its decision rendered two years ago that Montana's century-long ban on corporate campaign donations was unconstitutional.
Missoulian; June 25

Army battles with energy industry in Alberta on environmental issues
For three decades, the Army and the energy industry have been at odds over tapping the oil and gas resources on the Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Alberta.
Toronto Globe and Mail; June 24

Montana agents capture grizzly bear that killed 60 sheep
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agents have captured the grizzly bear sow that killed 60 sheep last week in a couple of different locations near Conrad, and said a decision would be made today about euthanizing the bear.
Helena Independent Record (Great Falls Tribune); June 25

Opinion

 Misnamed Sportsmen's Act didn't deserve to pass
Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg and U.S. Sen. Sen. Jon Tester certainly didn't have true sportsmen in mind when they sponsored similar bills bearing the moniker "Sportsmen’s Heritage Act," which had very little to do with activities true sportsmen would support, but rather condoned things like allowing motorized vehicles into wilderness areas and allowing the importation of polar bears killed outside of the United States. A column by George Ochenski.
Missoulian; June 25

Beyond the region

 U.S. Supreme Court strikes down portions of Arizona's immigration law
The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court all approved of allowing the portion of the Arizona immigration law that allows law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of crime suspects, but they were not so aligned on decisions to strike down other key portions of the state's law.
Seattle Times (AP); June 25

Oregon's health-care lottery dispels myths about Medicaid
Since 2008, Oregon has tracked the thousands of Oregonians who won Medicaid coverage through a state lottery and what the study found was that Medicaid is good insurance and does provide the care people need, and that providing Medicaid coverage does not save the government money by providing preventative care.
New York Times; June 23

Wild West Arizona town in battle with federal government over water
Tombstone has water rights on 25 springs that run downhill in the Coronado National Forest, but last year's monsoons on areas burned in the Arizona forest pushed boulders and trees downhill, damaging the pipes on the three springs carrying water to the town, and the Forest Service's decision to allow heavy equipment use on just the lower portion of the system has sparked another fight with the federal government, with volunteer members of the Tombstone Shovel Brigade hiking miles up the mountains to repair the system manually.
New York Times; June 24
Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
at The University of Montana.
"W e have got a couple of critical fire days ahead. It is going to be very active. We haven't had a fire season this bad since certainly 2002."

Steve Segin, of the Rocky Mountain fire team, discussing wildfire conditions in Colorado on Saturday, where eight major fires were burning.
- Denver Post
On The Bookshelf
Barbara Theroux gives readers a preview of books to be released this fall

6/12/2013
Mountain West Voices
Hear weekly stories from the Rocky Mountain West as gathered by Clay Scott

6/12/2013:  An Afternoon Cigar
5/29/2013:  Like A Small Family
5/22/2013:  This Little Journey
5/15/2013:  A Long Way
5/8/2013:  Making Roots

Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West



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