The Wilderness Sportsman » National Forests

Great Lakes public land hammered by climate change

Mike — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:12:57 +0000

I noticed these changes years ago. The biggest impact at this point appears to be moose and birds. Also, there’s a massive increase in ticks and tick diseases thanks to the warmer winters and unchecked logging. The primary carrier of lyme is the white-footed mouse, which flourishes in forest openings of ten acres or less. So these changes have directly impacted humans, as well.

Unless something is done, it’s only going to get worse.

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Obama admin moves away from science in national forest plan

Mike — Wed, 18 May 2011 06:00:49 +0000

Another reason why Obama will not get my vote in 2012. His record on wildlife and public land is weak to say the least.

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Obama admin offers lukewarm forest changes

Mike — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:12:24 +0000

Obama is the guy at the party who simply has to have everyone like him. Our public lands nead a leader though, not a placater.

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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.

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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…..

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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).

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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