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If found in contempt of court, as the judge is pressing, Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service for the Bush Administration, might face jail time until the Forest Service complies with the court order to do the environmental review.

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MOUNTAINTOWN, Ga. — There once was a barrier at the entrance to this corner of the Mountaintown Roadless Area, a red-and-white metal fence that blocked all-terrain vehicles from accessing the rugged trail beyond.
It’s been down for years now, and the terrain behind it has been turned into a playground for ATV riders.

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WASHINGTON – Miners are using a controversial 19th-century law to claim more public land around national parks like Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Death Valley.

Every year misinformation like this plagues the media during fire season - especially media who use “Property and Environment Research Center” in Bozeman for scientific sources. “PERC” as it’s known, advocates returning national forests to complete local control and privatization of our public lands.

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In case any of you remember, Terry L. Anderson is the executive director of PERC. He’s a real champion of public lands……So much so that he has advocated privatizing Yellowstone National Park and raising money by allowing condo development in the park.

Nice article, Bill.

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BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 20 (AP) — The relentless spread of large wildfires prompted Gov. C. L. Otter to declare a state of emergency on Monday. Fire managers in three national forests gave up trying to extinguish the blazes, focusing instead on protecting homes and other structures.

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BILLINGS, Mont. — Gusty winds stirred up new trouble for firefighters working to corral a wildfire burning east of Billings on Monday, a day after crews chased flames from the doorsteps of dozens of homes.