The Wilderness Sportsman » National Forests

Greetings from Billings!

Mike — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:31:41 +0000

I’m blogging from the Border’s on King Street(or shall I say Mayhem Sprawl Street?) in Billings. It’s a beautiful and humid-less 80 degrees with a nice breeze. Quite a relief from the awful humidity of the midwest.

I’m blogging from the road because I’m elated over the new wolf ruling which put the animals back on the endangered list.

Driving the night of the fifth, I did not get to my campsite in the Chippewa National Forest (Minnesota) until five in the morning. When I pulled into the site, a group of ravens were cawing and loon song echoed across the lake. I knew something was in the air and it turned out to be this great ruling which temporarily puts a stop to the overdone wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana. What was a fairly innocent hunting season had begun to turn into a demented and bizarre blood lust, and Molloy was right for putting them back on.

I drove through a wicked storm last night on the way to Billings, only to find out later this storm smashed a few houses and telephone poles. Quite the interesting drive.

Today I am headed to Big Timber and the Gallatin National Forest where I will be holed up for a week doing a bit of fishing and photography. I have no chance of seeing a wolf, but I know they are there.

Time to hit the highway, the Beartooths are calling.

Copper mine near BWCAW gets financing

Mike — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:01:27 +0000

What have we learned the last 100 years?

Not much.

Link

Judge Molloy bans logging projects in Montana because of grizzly bears

Mike — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:52:26 +0000

Good move.

Molloy claimed there were deficiencies in the projects based in the Kootenai National Forest, which together with northern Idaho holds about forty five grizzly bears.

I want to personally thank Alliance for the Wild Rockies for filing this suit. While some groups work on plans which trade roadless land for ice and rock wilderness, AWR is actually having an immediate impact.

Attorneys defending Roadless Rule feel good about their chances

Mike — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:13:11 +0000

I’m not going to count my chickens before they hatch, but this could mean we finally get a ruling soon, and possibly a favorable one. Will we finally get a repeal of Wyoming judge Clarence Brimmer’s biased ruling which put the Roadless Rule in limbo? Stay tuned…..

Link

Obama administration raises concerns about Oregon forest bill

Mike — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:07:51 +0000

I like what I have been reading lately. Their main concern is the mandated 300,000 acres of logging in the next three years!(yes, you read that right).

Link

Appeals court hears arguments on Roadless Rule

Mike — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:05:12 +0000

This is a big one, folks. The Obama administration defended the rule in court against the State of Wyoming and the Colorado Mining Association.

The court did not say when they would issue a ruling, so get ready to be surprised. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed.

Friends of the Boundary Waters meeting update

Mike — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:17:42 +0000

The hearings scheduled in the Minnesota legislature on Monday and Wednesday are an important opportunity for our public officials to learn a lot about this important issue. It is also a chance for us to demonstrate broad public concern about the potential for toxic pollution from sulfide mines in the watersheds of Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Please, attend at least one of the hearings this week. All you have to do is show up (and hopefully bring a friend!). Wear a blue shirt and look for folks handing out “Protect Clean Water” stickers. It will be a powerful show of support for the future of our natural resources.

We have reserved areas in the state capitol before the Monday and Wednesday hearings to meet, pick up information, and get a sticker. Supporters are needed at all the hearings, but the two in the evening are higher priority and should be the most interesting, with testimony from advocates, citizens, and scientists.

Schedule:
Monday, March 8 – 6 p.m. – PolyMet Draft EIS
State Capitol, Room 15
Testimony about PolyMet’s seriously flawed environmental review
Will include the Department of Natural Resources, environmental organizations and other Minnesotans
Meet in the Rotunda starting at 4 p.m.
[R.S.V.P. on Facebook]

Wednesday, March 10 – 6 p.m. – “Damage deposit” legislation
State Capitol, Room 15
Concerning a bill that seeks to protect our clean water and tax dollars by strengthening the state’s financial assurance regulations.
Will include testimony from legislators and advocates
Meet in the Great Hall starting at 4 p.m.
[R.S.V.P. on Facebook]

Monday, March 8 – 12:30 p.m. – DNR and PolyMet presentations
State Capitol, Room 107
Testimony from the Department of Natural Resources about the history of sulfide mining activity, regulations and related issues. PolyMet will also give a presentation about its mine proposal.
[R.S.V.P. on Facebook]

If you have questions about visiting the capitol, including parking and finding your way around, this website is full of useful information.

I look forward to seeing you at the hearings. Don’t forget to wear a blue shirt! Please contact me at greg@friends-bwca.org if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Greg Seitz
Communications Director
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

Logging Beetle kill won’t reduce outbreaks

Mike — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:06:34 +0000

This is something that’s been hinted at for quite some time. The real problem appears to be climate change. We need to do whatever we can to limit our emissions of greenhouse gases. These beetles are here because of weaker winters.

Link

Friends of the Boundary Waters

Mike — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:03:59 +0000

Link

Historic Hearings
Senate committee hearings next week represent a significant opportunity to publicly debate the threats sulfide mining pose to Minnesota. Environmental advocates are expected to testify about the issue and all citizens are encouraged to attend!

The hearings will cover the history of sulfide mining exploration and regulation in Minnesota, the PolyMet proposal, concerns about the PolyMet Draft EIS, and legislation that would strengthen laws requiring a “damage deposit” from mining companies.

Please attend at least one hearing to show your support for clean water. If you come, wear a blue shirt and look for folks handing out stickers so we can have a visible group of clean water supporters.

Details:
Monday, March 8

12:30 p.m. – Room 107, Minnesota State Capitol

•History of mining regulation and environmental review
•PolyMet presentation on NorthMet Project
6 p.m. – Room 15, Minnesota State Capitol

•PolyMet Draft EIS comments
Wednesday, March 10

6 p.m. – Room 107, Minnesota State Capitol

•Financial assurance (“damage deposit”) legislation

Obama administration to defend Roadless Rule in court March 10

Mike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:10:55 +0000

The shocking thing about that? No U.S. adminsitration has ever defended the Roadless Rule; it was under constant attack from government lawyers under the Bush administration. It’s nice to have the federal government fighting for the R.I.

The Roadless Rule will have its day in court March 10 via the 10th circuit court.