Vol. 3, No. 21 Lander, Wyoming Friday, Oc:t. 29. 1971 ..~...-..~--- ..... ~~~~.-..~~-..~~~~~~.-.---~~~~~~ ..... ~ ..... ~~~~---~~~.-. 1 .-...-.~~,-.~ Teton Dam Approved- Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton has given ·the go-ahead on the controversial Lower Teton Dam in Idaho. Bid-letting for the ·-····- --...... _ _ ·····-· ...... $58 million Bureau of Reclamation project was set for Oct. 29. ------Idaho Sen. Len Jordan praised the decision to ------·--- go ahead with the dam and said Morton had told him "the reasons for the dam outweigh all other considerations." Governor Cecil Andrus said he resented being accused of playing politics on the matter. He said he assumed the decision to proceed was based on a beneficial cost-ratio basis, not politics. Dr. Kenneth Cameron, spokesman for the Treasure Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited said claims for the project ignore detailed evidence that economic benefits from the project fall far short of the costs. He said, "Proponents . .. are .. . ignoring the economic and environmental facts in favor of their own myths." Idaho Council Sheep, in the pastures of the Diamond Ring Ranch in central Wyoming, are the center of swirling controversy. Ranchers claim eagles and coyotes cause heavy losses. Conservationists think the claims are greatly exaggerated. Research tends to bear out the latter. Refutes Claims by Gerald A. Jayne ,. President, Idaho Environmental Council The recent claim that the Teton Dam is ac­ Ranch Sprays Sage ceptable because "environmental safeguards have been met"is ridiculous, and reveals a shallow understanding of the environmental BY TOM BELL discovered because of the importance of the area issues involved on the part of the politicians and for antelope. The Federation also requested that others making that statement. Wyoming's Diamond Ring Ranch, and its there be no spraying in the area for the same The claim presupposes that the dam is controversial owners, Herman Werner and Van reason. Since then the Wyoming Game and Fish inevitable - the only context in which it makes Irvine, has made the news again. This time it is Department has delineated critical and im­ any sense at all. But the issue is "dam vs no for unauthorized, and therefore illegal, spraying portant habitat areas. Spraying by the Diamond dam", and those who advocate this type of band­ of sagebrush on some 4,000 acres of public land. Ring covered some of these areas. aid conservation are attempting to obscure the The sagebrush spraying is the third incident The Diamond Ring Ranch may also be liable fact that most of the adverse environmental in six years in which the Diamond Ring Ranch for misuse of government funds and perjury in effects of the dam are irreparable. The fact is has figured in illegal or unlawful activities. In applying for the funds. The application for cost­ that the option of preventing these effects by not 1965, it was .discovered that the ranch had con­ sharing on the spraying project contained the building the dam is still open. structed over 60 miles of unauthorized and illegal description of privately - owned lands in widely

There are often times these days when I get the distressing and frustrating feeling that I am letting our readers down. If is distressing because I am inundated with information and material which should be brought to the at­ tention of concerned people. Every state in our Rocky Mountain area has some specific and unique problems. And, in addition, there are problems common to all. Above and beyond that are the problems of population, energy demands, mass transportation, and all that these involve with the people of our cities, as well as the open spaces of the West. How do you cope with the frustrations of · seeing so much to be concerned about and not being able to deal with it? The days are simply not long enough, and the energies of one man not sufficient to come to grips with it all. Total commitment just doesn't seem to get the job done. I savor every moment of the work. It is all­ enveloping and all-engrossing. And yet it bothers Cloud Peak ( 13,165- ft.) is the highest point in Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains. me. I find I no longer have time to do things just The towering mountain lends its name to the surrounding primitive area. for pleasure. Where once, I used to take short walks, or hikes, to gain solace in solitude and time for quiet meditation, I now feel guilty because there is too much to do. Every time I · Letters To ~At,_, spend a day out of the office, I have to justify the :cr -: s ( time as being spent in line of duty - even most · f'M , weekends. As a result, there is seldom time to 1971 The Editor r~\ recharge my batteries - no time to reflect as a man must do occasionally - no time to read good, current books - no time to bring to bear the knowledge and insight unique to any man who Editor: Editor: has spent his life in a cause. I've just read Spencer DePree's letter, in the Enclosed is my check to renew my sub­ Before me as I write is a stack of letters and October 15 NEWS, regarding a 20-lb. stove and scription for HIGH COUNTRY NEWS. Please correspondence. Some of the letters are months trash left in the Thorofare. Since I'm guiding keep up your good work in fighting for the land old. Please forgive me if yours is somewhere in hunters in the area I think I know the spot to and forests and wildlife. Only with determination that stack. I just haven't had time to get to all of which Mr. DePree refers. It was a mess just as can this be done. them. And yet, I should be answering them for he said although the "paint thinner" was .ac- We love Wyoming, every nook and cranny of communication is a two-way street. It is non­ tually white gas. . it. We want it to stay clean and wonderful. productive for me not to be in touch with all who I recently spent a couple of hours burning all Joyce C. Lyons take time to write, and who request information. the combustible trash at this site. There is good Ellenville, N.Y. I am certain that part of my problem is poor reason to believe that it was left by Wyoming organization and management of time. Never in residents - not Wyoming Outfitters or their ••• my wildest dreams did I ever envisage myself as guests or employees. As you know, the Forest a newspaper editor. It is a whole new world to me Service is tougher on outfitter camps than it is on Editor: so that even after two years, I am still strying to resident campers - who are messier, man for I enclose a check. We subscribed to •your learn the ropes. It is exciting and absorbing - but man, than the commercial operators. paper out of curiousity when the rates were still time consuming. We could all do a lot better but please don't $5 and have been delighted with HIGH COUN­ I am sure there are those amongst you who jump to conclusfons about who is actually fouling TRY NEWS. We feel a subscription is well worth are disappointed that your particular problem the Thorofare. $10 a year, and you can speak for us when you has not been brought to light in the paper. I must Sincerely, speak out against those who would destroy our confess that each time the paper comes out, I am Frank Calkins fragile wilderness areas. disappointed. There are always too many issues Freedom, Wyoming Mrs. John Scholz to cover. And the logistics of time and ability do Lincoln, Nebr. not stretch far enough. It is always a let-down. Editor's note: I would have to agree with Mr. Hopefully, in the months ahead, the situation Calkins on the premise that outfitters in our ••• will change. Thanks to many of you who have western mountains have to be more circumspect solicited new subscriptions to the paper, and in their operations than individual parties. The given gift subscriptions, and renewed your own, Forest Service and the game departments do we can begin to see light ahead. Great thanks indeed keep close watch on the outfitters. This is Editt>r: also to the national conservation organizations not to say that a very few outfitters do not have I just recently got hold of one of your issues to who have been so kind in extending a helping messy operations, but byandlarge the successful your paper and was very much impressed with hand. In fact, without that help, there would be outfitters find it to their advantage to have clean, the contents of it. As a result of your interest in no paper. orderly camps which their guests can enjoy. the environment and the world of ecology, I As our circulation builds and we get funds to Many of them have also developed an 'outdoor would like to obtain a subscription. expand slightly, I want to bring in an assistant. ethic,' as Mr. Calkins has obviously done. I am enclosing a check for $10. I was told that Whoever the person, it is obviously going to have this was what your annual rate was. If by chance to be someone dedicated to the environment. And I was misinformed, a short letter from you will then as our operation smooths out, I want to see encourage me to pay the balance. the paper printed on a weekly basis. I feel that Please continue to inform your readers of fewer pages issued weekly can make the news what is happening in the world of ecology. Jd:. . Perhaps if there are more people that ar more timely. We need to cover more areas of concern in formed, there is a great chance that the moredepthandwith more factual material. In the take the necessary steps to obtain the goal of the years ahead, we will need to keep you better true perservationists. ·informed on public land issues, of the demands Steve Houchin upon the land - strip mining, oil shale develop­ \\ Wallace, Idaho ment, oil and gas exploration. Public land HIGH COUNTRY NEWS · management is becoming more critical, and new ••• legislation pending will determine how that Published bi-weekly at 140 North Seventh management goes - whether toward the ex­ Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520. Tele. 1-307-332- ploiters or the conservers. There are many other 4877. Copyright 1971 by HIGH COUNTRY Editor: areas of concern, most of them interrelated and • NEWS .• Inc.. 2nd class postage paid at Lander, Having been introduced to HIGH COUNTRY complex. Wyommg 82520. NEWS by Mrs. Doris Burzlander of Pinedale, Now that I am a newspaper editor, and up to Material published in HIGH COUNTRY Wyoming, please accept my subscription. This my eyeballs in the environmental problems NEWS may be reprinted without permission. publication is one of the finest of its kind I have which we try to cover,! feel a great and growing Proper credit will be appreciated. Contributions had the pleasure to read. responsibility. God willing, and with all of your (manuscripts, photos, artwork) will be Richard Ryberg support, we can improve the paper and continue welcomed with the understanding that the editor Salt Lake City, utah to keep you better informed. cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Articles will be published at the discretion of the Editor's note: Thanks to our kind readers who ...... ~------...... editor. not only express their appreciation but also EDITOR Thomas A. Bell renew their subscription so that we may continue to inform them on the issues and problems which OFFICE MANAGER Mary Margaret Davis face us. Special thanks go to our readers such as ('JIU'lJLATION MANACiER Marjorie Higley Mrs. Burzlander who expose the paper to their Subscription rate $10.00 friepds and acquaintances. And a warm Single copy rate 35¢ welcome to all of our new readers who are Box K, _Lander, Wyoming 82520 concerned and want to be better informed. High Country Newt-3 IGuest Editorials~~~ Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 Reprinted from THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, August 15, 1971 . The Costs of Pollution No one really knows how much it will cost to resources, but their use, and abuse, seldom are control environmental pollution, but the White · figured into the market price of a product. We House Council on Environmental Quality has now have a good idea of the economic and social now made an informed if admittedly rough costs of degrading these resources, and we know estimate of $105 billion in public and private that adapting the technology and procedures to funds over a five-year period, ending in 1975. It protect these resources must become part of the is a lot of money, certainly, though the council price of doing business. argues persuasively in its second annual report For meeting air and water quality standards that not only can the nation afford it, but that the the council figures that about $62 billion will have benefits to be realized from cleaning up pollution to be spent by 1975, 42% of that in public funds, will more than repay the costs. mainly for water treatment facilities. Solid Take, for example, the destructive effects of waste management will cost $43.5 billion, though 'r pollution alone. In 1968 it did damage all but about $1.5 billion will be for collection totalling $16 billion, more than $80 for each costs -- trash pickup -- which is an on-going ex­ American. The Environmental Protection pense anyway. Agency breaks down that $16 billion annual bill Investments in pollution abatement by in­ this way: $6 billion in health costs, based on dustry, says the council, will in many cases work loss and medical care alone; $4.9 billion in actually result in plant modernization, increased damage to crops and other vegetation, and $5.2 productivity and, in the long run, significant billion as a result of lowered property values in economies. Some smaller operations could, areas with heavy air pollution. Most of these however, be hurt, and marginal plants can be continuing losses are suffered by individuals. expected to close. This will mean some job loss, They don't show up in any balance sheet, but though the council sees no reduction in· total they are nonetheless real. employment. In fact, pollution abatement will Economic losses from water pollution are a lead to the growth of new industries and ser­ lot harder to identify, yet in some respects they vices, and overall should create new jobs. are more tangible. Pollution has forced the There is some danger, Mr. Nixon has noted, of closing down of more than one-fifth of the being overzealous in setting air and water nation's shellfish beds. Commercial harvesting quality standards, with the result that some of softshell crabs iQ San Francisco Bay used to taxpaying enterprises might be forced out of be a big business; today it is virtually business. It's a point worth considering. But the nonexistent, because of pollution. Chemical economic expediency argument must be kept in fertilizers, detergents, dumping of industrial perspective. wastes into lakes and rivers have had direct and Environmental degradation is exacting its malign effects on water used in the home, in own appalling economic costs right now, in­ agriculture, in production, for recreation. cluding, as in the case of the shell-fish industry, Our environmental problems, says the the destruction of taxpaying enterprises. The council, "stem largely from the fundamental costs of vigorously enforcing pollution failure of the economic system to take account of abatement may be high; but certainly the cost of environmental costs." Air and water are not enforcin~ it will be far higher.

Reprinted from THE IDAHO STATESMAN, Boise, Idaho, Oct. 8,1971.

Reprinted from DESERET NEWS, Oct. 22, 1971. •environment Wrong Target Energy Plan There is some truth in the assertion by Al after years of neglect, but the cost of neglect is Teske of the Idaho Mining Association that en­ high, too. vironmental concern is having an effect on the U. The nation is in a period of transition in which Is Necessity. S. economy. the old rules are being changed. As Teske points But it is hardly the monster that Teske por­ out, it is possible to move too fast, to write If the U. S. is to provide more power for trayed in his address to the Western States regulations that are too stringent, and to cause future growth without needlessly impairing the Association of Tax· Administrators. En­ economic hardship in particular localities. environment, this country can no longer afford to vironmental action should not be made a Pollution problems can't be solved overnight. do without q national energy policy. scapegoat for the nation's economic problems. · But the answer is not to create a myth that the As a report this week from Congressional First, economists have been saying that major national economy will be wiped out if wiser Quarterly notes, "When plenty of relatively problems of the economy include the loss of policies are adopted, if the nation starts paying inexpensive power was available, the lack of about two million war-related jobs in the past the environmental bill after letting it slide for so policy did not seem crucial." couple of years, and the failure of people to spend many years. But with America's need for energy expected so freely as they had been. Congress is in the process of adopting, at the to double by 1985 - long before the nation's If consumers are saving 8 per cent of their President's request, a restoration of the in­ population increases that much and con­ income, rather than the usual 6 per cent and thus vestment tax credit for business. It should help siderably in excess of foreseeable power supplies buying less, it is hardly the fault of people who make it easier for industry to pay its en­ - a comprehensive energy policy clearly want to clean up pollution and preserve pristine vironmental bills in the 70s. becomes a necessity. areas. Changes in technology which will be As both the U. S. Senate and House of While accusing environmental policies of developed to meet environmental requirements Representatives review the nation's energy strangling the economy, Teske forgot to place will create jobs and contribute to the economy. crisis, let's be sure to put first things first. any blame on other factors. The only economic Boeing, for example, is moving into the Among the very first things Congress should villain in his speech was environmental policies. •development of urban mass transit vehicles. do is to consolidate many of the agencies now While he complained of the failure to proceed :Detroit is working to develop engines with less dealing with energy matters into a proposed ith the SST project and a delay in the Alaska oil :pollution. . Department of Natural Resources. •.•peline, he gave no credit at all to the economic The delay in the Alaska oil pipeline should One of the very reasons energy planning has impact of money invested in environmental mean that, if it is built, it will be with the evolved on a piecemeal basis is that so many cleanup. :safeguards that are required to meet en­ different federal agencies are working in­ A dollar spent on a sewage treatment plant, vironmental concerns. It takes time to design dependently of each other on energy matters, or a piece of air pollution control equipment projects to minimize environmental damage, but often at cross-purposes. As President Nixon contributes to the economy and provides jobs - doing so does not destroy the economy. noted in calling for the consolidated Department just as surely as would a dollar spent on the SST. Specific industries may have legitimate of Natural Resources, "The single energy. While Teske complains about the amount to be complaints at times that specific policies are too authority which would thus be created would be spent by industry on pollution control, he doesn't ·stringent, or premature. Generally, though, better able to clarify, express and execute count this sum as an investment in the industry should recognize that the days of apathy federal energy policy than any unit in our economy. are past and that new environmental policies present structure. The establishment of this new Also omitted were the costs to the public of will pay long-term dividends for the nation. entity would provide a focal point where environmental neglect. The President's Council energy policy in the executive branch could be on Environmental Quality places the cost of air harmonized and rationalized." pollution to human health, effects on materials Fine. But energy policy needs to be "har­ (such as the paint on a house) and vegetation and monized and rationalized" in the legislative lowering of property values at $16 billion a year. branch, too. During the 91st Congress, seven While Teske compained about the pollution different Senate committees, five House com­ control requirements for canneries, he said mittees, and two joint committees were involved nothing about what water pollution has done to in either writing new energy laws or in­ the nation'stfisheries. The CEQ says one fifth of vestigating some energy problem. the nation's shelliish beds have been closed As Congress moves to formulate a new because of pollution. Coastal shrimp harvests energy policy, it can help best by not only have been almost wiped out. streamlining the executive branch of govern­ It is costly to control air and water pollution ment but also by putting its own house in order.

l ;. .. J L 4-High Country News Friday, Oct. 2~. 1971 ·"Don't Fence Me In'' Miss Dorothy Bradley of Bozeman, Montana, The Lady of Laws: is the youngest female legislator in that state and The Gander: possibly in the nation. A vivacious and comely Said lady to gander, "The price that you pay "Dear lady, I don't mean to stir up your dander, coed in her early twenties, she is one of the For a nice private marsh, and having your way, I'm sorry you're graveled," responded the gander. talented young people who have gotten deeply Is big sister peering down over your-nest "There's no need for getting your nose out of joint, involved in the environmental movement. She Making laws, regulations, and zoning requests. I fear that you've probably missed my main point. collaborated with other concerned represen­ tatives in the Montana House to pass some of the "In fact, all your thoughts are exceedingly shady, "Let me remind you again that the question most enlightened environmental legislation in And though put in a poem still gravel this lady. Was not how to deal with continued congestion. recent years. If we are all brothers in democracy, The issue, instead, if you will recall The following poetic exchange is a dialogue Then why can't you, dear gander, be much more. like me. Was whether more 'geese' should come here at all. between Miss Bradley and a friend, Michael Gonsior.As she explains, the poems were inspired "To conclude, with a mind that is ready to burst "With planning and zoning I take no exception, by a standing argument. The argument is con­ From frustration at dealing with someone there first But they'll never be_substitutes for preemption. cerned with whether or not we should use that I'll just warn you again and each day after day ' No zoning rules or regulations rare commod~ty of open space for so selfish a That do your fine damnedest, I'll not go away." Ever can be more than mere palliations. purpose as to live on it, and how orwhetherwe should limit numbers on a given area. "Consider, dear lady, a typical zoo ••• To learn all that planning and zoning can do. a In order to keep things from being chaotic ~ The Gander: A zoo keeper must be completely despotic. The lady of laws asked the gander one day, "Now if I'd no choice but to live in a zoo "Why do you chase all the others away? I would want planning and zoning laws, too. You have your home and there's more room to spare, But given the choice, and I'm sure you'll agree, I don't understand why more geese cannot share." Compared with zoo living it's best to be free. The gander said, "Lady, I'll try. to explain. "By 'free'! don't mean I want liberty It's not that I'm selfish or mean or insane. To ruin this marsh for posterity. It's not that I don't care about all the others; Instead, I mean freedom from worry and labors Indeed, I consider them sisters and brothers. Arising from living too close to one's neighbors. "But, as you know, this marsh has its limit; "As long as there's no way to halt immigration Obviously not _all geese can live in it. I recognize that there must be regulation. There's probably ro·om for one or two more, And even regardless of our densities But each added nest spoils my view, and what's more, I strongly support sound land use policies. "Ev'ry additional gosling and goose "So continue, 'big sister,' in your lonely fight Adds to the growing pile of refuse. To get regulations for treating land right. Each needs some space for living and play; I'm your ally in this difficult bout, Each adds to noise that shatters the day." But I'll go even further to keep others out. "But what will the others do?" she asked again, "I'm sorry if my views don't quite agree "Where should they go? No marshes remain." With your definition of democracy. The gander replied, "I'm sorry as you, I just want you to know, please don't misunderstand, But to welcome them here just wouldn't do. My firstlove, like yours, is for this great land.

"If more come to my marsh they'll spoil it for sure, Just as they've spoiled all the others before. And then when my marsh is the same as the rest, No one will know what is bad and what's best. Citizen's Act Defeated • "Therefore, for their sakes, as well as for mine, I'll try to keep others from crossing my line. by Jeffrey J. Scott derful quality of life in Montana. Air pollution If they've no choice but to stay where they're bound, has long been a concern of representatives from Perhaps then they'lllearn that the world is round. The following article is reprinted from the the Missoula area and other parts of the state MONTANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY, Sum­ where pollution of the atmosphere is a common "By seeing that my marsh is nicer than theirs mer, 1971, compliments of . the author, experience. Those of us in the south central part They might be encouraged to make some repairs. Representative.Jeffrey J. Scott of Billings. Mr. of Montana have recently become very much They might start to work toward some future time Scott is chairman of the House Judiciary alert to the threats to the environment posed by When everyone's marsh is as pleasant as mine. Committee and a member of the Committee on extensive mining. The Anaconda Company and Environment and Resources. He is a partner in others are doing extensive exploratory work in "So it's not selfishness or hypocrisy the Billings law firm of Scott, Scott & Baugh. the beautiful Beartooth Mountains preparatory That makes me want others to act diff'rently to an open-pit mine for nickel and other valuable Than I have; instead, I hope you can see, • • • minerals. Clear-cutting of our forests threatens It's 'enlightened territoriality.' '' the land both ecologically and aesthetically. The Montana legislature in its 1971 session had Water quality concerns many people, and the The lady said, "It still seems unfair to me the opportunity to consider a number of effect on our streams by commercial feedlots That you expect others to live in a tree significant bills dealing with our environment. has recently come to the forefront as an area of While you live a life that's-pleasant and placid, Some excellent bills passed and are now law. A concern. Preaching "Do as I say and not as I did.' " number of promising bills were defeated. But What can the citizen do about pollution? In the bill that drew perhaps the most attention was addition to conducting his every day life so as to The gander said, "Give me an alternative HB 33, the Montana Environmental Protection minimize pollution, the citizen can bring an That lets me remain and continue to live Act. action for damages if he has been directly And, further, that keeps this marsh productive The Act was modeled on the Michigan En­ harmed by actual pollution. He can also com­ And plentiful in all that nature can give. vironmental Protection Act, whose principal plain to the appropriate governmental author was Professor Joseph L. Sax of the authorities about actual pollution. But under our "Don't ask me to set an example by moving University of Michigan Law School. A similar law as it is presently constituted, the citizen To verify all of my constant reproving. bill has been introduced in the United States cannot bring an action to stop environme~J~r... There's nothing to gain by being a martyr; Congress, and in testimony given before the pollution or degradation before it begins eT"~ Survival with quality I will not barter.'' Congress, Professor Sax described the bill as though there is little question that the pollution follows : or degradation will occur, and he has no The lady said, "I don't mean to be obtuse, ''The bill is designed to permit citizens to "standing to sue" unless he is directly.damaged But what's good for the gander is good for the goose." obtain judicial scrutiny of private or public himself. Moreover, no citizen can sue to stop Theganderreplied, "O.K., let's call a truce, conduct which may have unreasonable adverse pollution or environmental decay that is actually I can't take much more of this mutual abuse. impact on the environment in land, air and water occurring, unless he is personally damaged in resources of the United States. It recognizes that some economic way. "I'll not complain about any who come, each person has a legally enforceable right to the Many legislators have become convinced that If you'll not complain when this place is a slum. protection, preservation and enhancement of the effect on the quality of life in Montana is felt Alternatively, I'll abandon this meadow that environment from unreasonable im­ by many more persons than those directly If you'll guarantee that all others will do so." pairment. It authorizes the courts to take damaged in an economic sense by pollution. We cognizance of claims that this right is being have seen the difficulties of adequate en­ The lady said, "I won't accept such extremes; infringed -- making clear that traditional forcement of state regulations and laws, in part There must be a better solution, it seems.'' barriers such as lack of standing to sue and because of the funding problems, but largely The gander responded, "There's no way to beat it, jurisdiction may no longer be interposed against because a new approach is needed. A number of You can't have you cake and be able to eat it." the citizens; and it empowers the courts to grant us felt this year that it was time to test the true declaratory and equitable relief so that meaning of our democratic process, time to "What's good for the gander is good for the goose!" unreasonable threats to environmental quality allow the average citizen the chance to par­ She responded again, "You have no excuse may be decisively enjoined in a timely fashion. ticipate in preserving the quality of Montana life For the diff'rence between your word and your deed. It is thus truly an environmental protection bill in a significant way. I think your motive is nothing but greed! " rather than an effort to impose penal or punitive HB 33, the Montana Environmental sanctions for damage which has already been Protection Act, was introduced early in the 1971 The gander could think of not one thing to say done.'' session of the legislature. In summary, it That would satisfy her and make her go away. A number of legislators have been very much provided that any person could bring an action in He sighed and resignedly said, "What's the use? concerned that various activities in the state a court of this state against the state or any I was here first, and to hell with the goose!" pose actual and potential threats to the won- (Continued on page 14.) High Country News-5 Council Refutes Claims ... Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 Commenting on the Environmental Impact Park Service estimat~d would accrue from Statement of the Bureau of Reclamation last recreation, yet they have included in the costs · May, Robert-Salter, then A<;ti~g Director of the nothing for the recFeational benefits now Idaho Fish & Game Department, stated that: available on the free-flowing Teton River, and "Teton Reservoir will eliminate all species of which would be lost. The Fish and Game resident wildlife dependent upon river bottom Department has also commented on this aspect · habitat. In addition to those species mentioned in of the Environmental Impact Statement: · · the statement, song birds, certain birds of prey, "The type of float trip with abundant and rodents will be involved. As was pointed out associated fish, wildlife and aesthetic resources in the statement, the river reach in the project that can now be enjoyed is one of the fastest area . is tl)e only open water in Teton Basin growing · outdoor re~reation ac~ivities in the A friend remarked the other day that a cer­ during the winter. It was not made clear, West. Waters that can supply this. type of ex­ tain place was ten miles by road, but only about however.that after impoundment the reservoir perience are in short supply and great demand." three miles "as the crow·flies." I've heard that will freeze and eliminate the existing heavy " On the other hand, there is no shortage of expression hundreds of ·times,· but had never winter waterfowl use." flat-water recreation opportunities in the Upper really thought much about it. Mentally, I com­ "The reservoir will irreversibly remove 17 Snake River drainage. Out of a total 294,700 pared the flight of a crow with the soaring, miles and approximately 2,700 acres of summer acres of water in the drainage above Milner circling flight of a hawk, or an eagle, and decided · and winter range utilized by big game animals. Dam, 266,700 acres are composed of reservoir that the _figure of speech was an apt one. This range is vital as emergency habitat to water. Studies. by the Bureau of Outdoor Carrying the thought one step further, it oc­ sustain these animals during hard winters. Recreation have shown that existing flat-water curred to me that many of our oft used similes Without it,. major reductions in herd size are is more than adequate to meet this type are based on the observation of nature. inevitable and complete elimination of big game recreation need through the year 2020 . For instance, extremely .slow progress is herds is conceivable if adverse weather con­ Recreation facility developments· as proposed described as "at a snail's pace."- On the other ditions should occur over a series of years." for the Teton project can be more efficiently and hand, there is "quick as the wiilk pf an eye." "Contribution of the future reservoir fishery economically provided on these existing un­ Nature has equipped many of her creatures so and proposed fishery mitigation measures derutilized reservoirs. Need would be satisfied that the wink of an eye is "quick", indeed. The cannot be estimated without more detailed in­ without eliminating another. valuable purpose of eyelids is to keep the eyeball moist formation on potential water quality, flow recreational resource such as the Teton River." and clean, and most animals blink several times fluctuations, and systemwide effects of reduced Existing values of the Teton River are being a minute. Wild creatures must ever keep a flows. Present information and past experiences vastly underrated by the dam proponents. And watchful eye for predators, or for prey, and a are not encouraging. Under no circumstances most of those values will be lost if the dam is slow blink would interrupt vision and perhaps can the valuable stream fishery in the reservoir built. . endanger their life. Birds have three eyelids--the pool area be replaced and this will be a major third, in some cases, being transparent, so that irreversible loss." flight through dust or dense tree brancnes may Conservationists opposed to TE!ton Dam are be safely accomplished without winking at all! accused of being "extreme", and Congressman When someone feigns sleep or death, we Hansen has said that "reasonable con­ accuse him of "playing'possum:• This expression servationists" should now be satisfied. However, is derived from the habit of the : opossum to anyone with feelings on a proposed dam is either simulate death when attacked by his enemies. for or against it. Compromise is difficult, since Nature ·has given this instinct to numerous we do not normally build half a dam . Yet, animals (even some snakes) as a means of strangely enough, those Idahoans who cherish protection against many of the larger predators, rivers more than their destruction, and say so, who tend to avoid contact with dead animals. are now being labeled as extreme and We read of a person who is "caught in a web unreasonable. of lies," or "surrounded by a web of cir­ Idahoans are also being told that there will be cumstances." These expressions imply a sort of great recreation benefits from Teton Reservoir. hopeless entanglement. As hopeless as the fate The Bureau of Reclamation has doubled the of a fly in a spider's web! We think of a spider annual dollar benefit figure which the National web as fragile, but the hummingbird often uses one to strap her nest to a tree branch. Some of the larger birds use spider webs to weave their nests together. Elk Hunters Go On Foot Speaking of birds' nests, there's the phrase "feather one's nest." This one may be somewhat Elk hunters are advised that they will be is done on foot or horseback. less accurate, because most birds build their restricted in their vehicular travel in the McKean advised hunters that the in­ homes with twigs or sticks. They line them, not Chesnimnus Game Management Unit during the vestigations underway are aimed at determining with feathers, but with various soft substan~es elk hunting season this fall as well as the season what effects changes in habitat, roads, and such as grass, moss, or milkweed down. Each in 1972. human harrassment have on the distribution of species seems to have its own preference. Some This regulation was given approval by the elk herds as well as on hunting, information of are satisfied with what appears· to be a Game Commission recently when it signed an vital importance if Oregon is to maintain quality haphazard bunch of twigs and leaves, while agreement with the U. S. Forest Service to elk hunting. As was the case last year, many others are more particular. The goldfinch delays restrict hunters to the use of specific roads hunters will be interviewed during the season in the rearing of a family until late in the summer; within the unit. The road closures are part of a regard to road closures, their own movements because thistle-down is a "must" for lining her joint study of the Chesnimnus elk herds by the during the hunt, and their general observations nest. two agencies. of elk herds and distribution. We say that someone "struts like a peacock." John McKean, state game director, said that W.ell, the peacock is certainly not the only bird about 30 main roads will remain open to thaf struts. Some of ourfeatheredfl'iends go to vehicular travel and camping will be permitted established strutting grounds each spring to find within 100 yards of these roads. Designated Wildlife Pays mates; others do their courting wherever they campgrounds and springs which lie farther than habitually nest. They fill the spring air with 100 yards will be posted to allow hunters to drive North Dakota counties will receive checks exuberant song, and some species resort to a sort vehicles to these camping areas. Maps of the totalling $146,851.64 from the national wildlife of dance, to catch the eye of the female. Nature Chesnimnus Unit with all open roads outlined are refuge system, the U. S. Department of the In­ does her share, by bedecking the male in much available to elk hunters on request. terior announced today. The 1971 payments are brighter colors than he has worn all winter. So-­ All other roads will be blocked and no up nearly 50 percent over the approximately we have the expression "in fine feather," vehicular travel whatever allowed on them. $108,000 paid to these counties in 1970. meaning, of course, all dressed up! Cross-country or trail travel by vehicle will also The funds represent 25 per cent of the net The metamorphasis of moths and other in­ be prohibited. There will be no restrictions on receipts of national wildlife refuge and water­ sects has produced some well-known figures of hunters who wish to establish camps away from fowl production area lands in those counties or speech. Someone who is protected from hard­ designated roads as far as they wish provided it 3/ 4 of 1 per cent of the adjusted cost of these ships may be said to be "wrapped in a cocoon." I lands. When a wallflower suddenly becomes the life of A Special Gilt The payments are made annually to the the party, you may hear the remark "Well, so­ counties by the federal Bureau of Sport Fisheries and-so finally came out of the cocoon!" lor a Special Occasion and Wildlife. The money must be. used for Literally, when a moth emerges from the cocoon schools and public roads. it is wet and helpless, and must hang on twig or Endosed is $10.00. Please send o gift subscription · Of 41 counties scheduled to receive checks branch until its wings dry and harden. Then it from the Bureau, the top six in amounts flutters its wings a few times, and suddenly takes scheduled include McHenry, $19,049.39; Ren­ off in full flight -·-· thus giving rise to the ex­ of High Country Hews to= ville, $18 , 452.97~ Stutsman, $14,877.60; Bottineau, pression "it's .time to try his wings." $12,183.47 ; Burke, $9,230.25; and Ward, $9,033.97. The insect world brings to mind "busy as a N Counties receiving ·payments may choose bee," "snug as a bug," "mad as a hornet," and between the payment based on refuge revenues "annoying as a mosquito." Also, "as full of tr or that based on land values, whichever is activity as an anthill." But I'm not going to dwell City State Zip highest. Land valuations are adjusted every five on that one here. Theactivitiesof an anthill are so years, the last time in 1970. full of fascinating facts that I'm going to save Starting Dote Ten Nebraska counties will receive checks them for another time. totalling nearly $80,000, and 39 counties in South Ochristmas (pee. 10 or 24) Dakota will get $50,349 under the same system of Oairthday payments. 0 Other Sign the gift cord: ______

High Country News The city of Venice issued a directive that all old and waste paper had to be salvaged and sent Box K Lander, Wyo. 82520 to a paper mill. Colorado's Uncompahgre Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 Reprinted from THE DENVER POST. OURAY, Colo.- The Ute Indians called it bread and butter since 1945," is just starting to on the Weminuche Wilderness area. Uncompahgre-hot water springs. make a comeback in the area. Recreation use in the Uncompahgre area isn't This ancient name is taking on a modern "If the Geological Survey (estimate of without its troubles. connotation as conservationists and miners are mineralization) was so correct all these young Walt Rule, district ranger for the Grand Mesa taking sides over whether portions of this engineers wouldn't be out all over these hills and Uncompahgre National Forests, ~ted to rugged, mountainous terrain should be left as the living in tents." numerous trouble spots last week during a tour Indians found it or developed as one of the Reports of molybdenum deposits in the far of the primitive area he conducted for members nation's richest mining areas. northeastern region of the conservation groups' of the nearby Gunnison National Forest Citzens With a view toward preservation, more than wilderness proposal are filtering into Ouray Advisory Council. 69,000 acres on the east and west sides of the along with the prospect that coal strip mining Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts who heavily use Uncompahgre River in southwestern Colorado may be profitable along the western borders of the old mining roads in the area have created was designated as the Uncompahgre Primitive the proposed wilderness. "shortcuts," some of which have eroded badly. Area in 1932. The possibility of strip mining clearly In other areas they have left established Now conservationists are proposing that troubles the residents of this tiny mountain roads cutting ruts through highland meadows 87,000 acres, both inside and outside the community of about 1,000 persons which has and tundra making unsightly gouges in places primitive area, get wilderness designation and more than 70 per cent of its work force directly otherwise sprinkled with wildflowers and 50,000 acres of heavily mined country be set involved in the massive underground diggings in greenery. aside as the Mount Trico Scenic Area. the area. Dr. Hugh Ferchau, an ecologist and member The miners and the conservationists are Terry Quinn, a local attorney who is active in of the advisory council, said last week that the hurtling toward a confrontation which promises the San Juan Multiple Use Committee, said he area clearly needs an ecOlogic inventocy to an explosive collision late this fall during a U.S. would oppose strip mining because it destroys determine the "carrying capacity" of the land. Forest Service hearing on the future of the scenic values and threatens ranchers with "How many persons can use this area without primitive area, as required by the 1964 erosion and loss of water quality. destroying the scenic values they came to see?" Wilderness Act. Dismant said he sees no conflict between asked the Western State College professor. But the miners see the wilderness proposal by underground mining and recreation and scenic Some in the area said the Forest Service the Colorado Open Space Council (COSC) and the values. hasn't provided enough improved campsites, Sierra Club to lockup land in the northern sectors "Our argument is we can have the best of trails and toilets for tourists. of the existing primitive area and extending both. We need to keep this area open so that the In many areas the ForestServiceshands are wilderness northeast into the Uncompahgre people can use it, and if they want a wilderness tied by erratic land ownership patterns and there National Forest as a direct threat to the future of experience, they can drive 75 minutes . to is an overriding problem with funding. the mining industry which in 1969 brought· $19.1 Weminuche and have a real wilderness ex- In one area southwest of Ouray, Rule pointed milliori into Ouray, San Mignel and San Juan perience." _ to a Forest Service fiberglass outhouse and said, Counties. Gay Weidenhaft, who heads the Forest "We don't really know if it's on forest land or not, The question, as seen by the miners, is more Service's wilderness area review team, said a but nob!)dy has complained about it." than economics. final proposal is due the first part of September They sense they are losing control over their destiny to outsiue interest:; including not Groups Give Notice only conservation .groups, but the federal government, the chief landowner in the region. H. Anthony Ruckel, lawyer for the Sierra "We're getting interested in this power back Club, the Wilderness Society, the Uncompahgre to the people thing," said Carl Dismant, a miner Wilderness Committee, and the Wilderness and mill owner. "We're tired of having things Workshop of the Colorado Open Space Council, rammed down our throats." filed notice of appeal and notice of intent to sue The list of grievances as expressed by against Regional Forester William J. Lucas. The Dismant, chairman. of the recently organized notice was filed in response to a proposal to San Juan Multiple Use Committee, is long and declassify the Uncompahgre Primitve Area. includes the wilderness proposal, weather The conservation groups said they would file ~ modification · experiments· by the Bureau of suit if the requests to reconsider declassification \l teclamation and the frequency of ear-shattering were not met. In addition, conservationists are , sonic booms. asking for consideration of some 36,000 acres of "What bothers us," Dismant said last week, de facto area to be considered with parts of the "is the tendency for the federal government and present primitive area for wilderness policymakers back in Washinton to view this class!fication. whole thing as an anthropological experiment and us as specimens." Dismant said the argument against wilder­ ness designation breaks down into two factors, Man, Not Technology, on Trial "the area is too highly mineralized and there is too much private land." by Dr. J. Richard Guadagno you use? The area indeed is highly mineralized The following article appeared in the en­ A bulldozer, of course. producing about one-third ·of the state's silver, vironmental section of THE DENVER POST, A bulldozer - technology - will only do or not lead and zinc and, in 1965, according to the U.S. August 15, 1971. It was written by Dr. J . Richard do what people direct be done. Technology is Geological Survey, 80 per cent of the gold mined Guadagno, a scientist, environmentalist and merely a tool man can use for good or evil. in Colorado. teacher on the staff of Colorado Mountain Buckminster Fuller, in "Operating Manual Current claims, the miners say, will last far College at Glenwood Springs. for Spaceship Earth" noted, "automation swiftly beyond Geological Survey estimates which state can multiply the physical energy part of wealth that reserves will be used up by 1975 with active ••• much more rapidly and profusely than can life of the mines extending for only several man's muscle and brain-reflexed, manually decades beyond that. "The uses and applications of technology controlled production. Besides that, mineralization doesn't end at have on the balance lowered the quality of "On the other hand, humans alone can the COSC and Sierra Club proposed wilderness human life." foresee, integrate and anticipate the new tasks to boundaries. This was the verdict of a distinguished group be done by progressively automated, wealth­ Although a good deal of the conservation of businessmen, scientists, professional people producing machinery." groups' proposed wilderness area is covered by a and academicians after a mock trial at an In­ We make the decision, not the machines. It is thick layer of M3;ncos shale which currently . stitute of Man and Science seminar earlier this ourselves that need examining, not technology. makes mining prohibitively expensive, the summer at Rensselaersville, N. Y . Technological decisions are ·rarely made for ..., miners see increasing mineral prices and new Despite the careful wording of the verdict, the technological reasons. Economic, political. or ~echnology as spurs for the development of that arguments of the "prosecution" made it clear military considerations usually are · the deter­ ·area. . that technology itself was on trial and was mining · factors. Even the space program, The Forest Service has yet to make public summarily convicted. initially a purely scientific venture, owes much any proposed wilderness boundaries or Notwithstanding the eminence of the par­ of its growth to the increased political motivation proposals for other types of use designation for ticipants, the action was one more example of aroused by the· Soviets' Sputnik. · the area. scapegoatism which unfortunately permeates By far the most important decision-making COSC and the Sierra Club have proposed that tbe current wave of environmental concern. factor is economics, in both public and private portions of the existing primitive area and areas The jtirors placed the , blame · for our sectors. Dollars indicate the path to be chosen southward be deemed a "scenic area." · deteriorating· quality of life on a vague and and the tools to be used. One conservationist said that designation is disembodied phantom - techn9logy. In finding If there is any single factor which can be being sought because of the number of old themselves completely. jnpocent, they not only blamed for the present environmental solution, it mining roads that have been turned into jeep : absolved themselves oJ any.responsibility for the is our incomplete and limited evaluation of the trails by four-wheel-drive recreationists. present.s.tate of the. environment, .they also avoid costs and benefits of our actions. Scenic designation permits multiple uses ·. any .obligation to reappraise their own behavior Until recently, the loss of clean water, fre5h such as mining, but it troubles Tom Sluga, chief to determine how further environmental air, natural beauty wasn't even considered- and engineer at the Idarado Mine, the largest in the degradation might be avoided. all too often isn't now either-among the full costs area. This isn't. an isolated incident. En­ incurred by human action. Beyond the political, The local citizens, he said, aren't SJJre what vironmentalists everywhere have condemned military, economic arenas, the human values impact scenic designation would have when it technology, as evidenced by the respected didn't pass muster. comes time to further mine the area on un­ Audubon Society soliciting funds for "last-ditch If we are to undo the extensive damage of the patented claims on Forest Service land. stands against the bulldozers." past, damage which we perpetuate still. we first In the midst of the controversy swirling But are machines and technology responsible must accept on ourselves full responsibility for around the wilderness proposal and the coun­ for the current environmental state of affairs? all the consequences of our actions. terproposal for multiple use designation by the If you wanted to turn an abandoned strip mine The use of technology as a whipping boy to miners, exploration and prospecting are con­ into a park, or recontour an area to prevent absolve ourse!·•es for responsibility for the way tinuing. erosion, or extinguish a forest fire, or make a ski our world is, only obscures t~e road to solutions AI Fedel, Ouray Mayor, said mining, ~ ·our slide from a mountain of refus-e, w)lat ; t~l wowd of problems. · I I ~ v • ... • ., ... ' . • .. t l 8-High Country News Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 THE (J

Hayden Peak, 12,987 ft., as seen from the ranchland immediately north of the ·.-...~stern (or Sneffels) unit of the proposed Uncompahgre Wilderness.

Potosi Peak (at right), elevation 13,786 ft., from high in Yankee Boy Basin, Uncompahgre Primitive Area, western or Sneffels Unit.

Panoramic view looking north from the proposed scenic area into the eastern, or Uncompahgre Unit, of the proposed wilderness area. The two prominent peaks are Wildhorse Peak, 13,266 ft. (left) and Coxcomb Peak, 13,656 ft., slightly to right of center. High Cour1try News-9 BGRE Friday, Oct. 29, 197t

Cimarron Spires along the East Fork of the Cimarron River. Formations like this are countless in the Uncompahgre region.

Monarch of the Uncompahgre: Mount Sneffels, 14,150 ft., as seen from the ranchlands along Dallas Divide near U. S. Highway 62 west of Ridgeway, Colorado. The Highway • • • photos and captions by Charles J . Farmer

The east entrance, from the Happy Jack road into the Pole Mountain Division of Medicine Bow Forest. The U. S. Forest Service and the Wyoming Highway Department have teamed up to destroy this small chunk of public Iand-a haven for the outdoor minded from Cheyenne and Laramie.

Peeking through "sign of danger" reveals earth movers leaving their mark.

The Forest Service has claimed a mm1mum of en­ Charlie Farmer is a free-lance outdoor writer and for­ vironmental loss. Pine clusters like this, however, are mer editor of HIGH COUNTRY NEWS. When he saw the considered valuable \)y many persons. environmental destruction entailed in the paving of a meandering, scenic road between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming, he became highly incensed. So have other citizens. The new highway will parallel Interstate 80 which is located only a few miles to the south. The editor.

Man is not content to let the land rest-the start of a paved highway.

Just a job for this operator who is unaware he is Once a slow, meandering road, Happy Jack highway will destroying his public land• . permit speeds to 60. High Country News--'ll ... And-the Landscape Friday, Oct. 29, 1971

Rock driller bores through granite boulders. Dynamite ~m finish the job.

Beast on a disturbed horizon chews up land and scenery.

Consideration was given to the natural granite boulders on the left. Unfortunately they will look 9ut of place in an asphalt habitat.

In the evening, after a day of mutilating the land, the earth destroyers are parked to rest in a once-tranquil prairie. Track scars are evident in the "judas" decision .of the Forest Service.

Even the trout habitat will feel the effects of develop­ ment.

Gauge, scrape, smooth, straighten and pave.,.. A misleading sign--the worst is yet to come on The Forest Service urges the public to respect the sign of Wyoming's progress. Pole Mountain when the earth is scarred and the Medicine Bow Forest on Pole Mountain. Most seared with asphalt. people do. Unfortunately, the Forest Service copped out: on ·thel.public. · 12-High Country News Friday, Oct. 29, 1971

Antelope, mule deer, elk and moose all get hung on fences which criss-cross or bisect their ranges. Antelope are more often killed of broken Sagebrush not only provides critical winter feed for pronghorn antelope, but necks or injuries from running into sheeptight also cover for new-born fawns. Spraying to remove sagebrush can drastically fences, as the one above. Deer are killed by alter the habitat for pronghorns, sage grouse, and, to a lesser extent mule deer. . . ~ . - ' getting their legs caught while jumping. They Ind1scnmmate spraying on public lands, along with sheeptight fencing, has then die a slow and agonizing death. already reduced the range of many herds. Van Irvine, owr,er and operator of the Diamond Ring Ranch, sprayed some 4400 acres of public l~nd, using public funds, and after he had been forbidden to spray by the public land managers. The area which he had sprayed is near where this photo was taken, and is considered by ·game managers to be very important for both sage grouse and pronghorns.

Spraying . • • hearing of the case has tentatively been slated placing poison bait stations containing thallium for the week of Dec. 6-10. on public lands. The placing of such poisonous Baker said he would recommend a significant materials constitutes an unauthorized trespass. suspension of use on the publicly leased lands. A number of the antelope which were illegally The Diamond Ring leases some 96,000 acres killed and used for poison bait stations were of public lands as well as some 20,000 acres of located on federal lands. These were the an­ state lands. Grazing fees on the 7,139 AUM's telope for which Van Irvine and four others were (animal unit months-or the amount of forage .charged. required by a mature cow with calf at side for one month) in the Lander District of the BLM was 64¢ per AUM. This meant the Diamond Ring Ranch paid approximately $4,500 for its use of 37,696 acres in the Lander District. Van Irvine had requested the BLM to spray public lands in the area in 1968. In a letter dated September 16, he had asked BLM to spray a public land area " . . . large enough to do us some good. Say 5,000 or 10,000 acres or more?" The Bureau told Irvine that he would have to work out a management plan or grazing system before any spraying could be done. Irvine declined and made no further request for aut­ horization. In an official report on the matter, the BLM states that no authorization has been given to any individual or organization to spray federal lands. The report recommends a full in­ vestigation and the consideration of prosecution. The lands sprayed include not only sagebrush but water courses and one live stream. Willows and cottonwood trees were killed along the stream. Pine trees which grow at higher Fencing for the exclusive use of sheep ran­ elevations within the pasture were also badly chers even extends to the national forests. Here, burned and may have been killed. Rabbitbrush a fence in, the Big Horn National Forest in which is important to antelope was destroyed. Wyoming is only one of hundreds of miles of Buffalo Flying Service reported that it had sheeptight fencing. Such fencing inhibits the ~ used 2,4-D in the spraying operation. A natural movement of game animals and often University of Wyoming chemical analysis leads to unwarranted losses of young deer and reported the leaves of the sagebrush contained elk. Such fenced pastures for sheep also means only 2,4-D. But observers of the dead and dying all predators m\lst be ruthlessly controlled. Thousands of miles of sheeptight fencing have vegetation noted the kill of so many shrubs and been constructed on the public lands of the West. trees may have been from the use of 2,4,5-T. The The photo below shows the trailing which is often latter has been banned from use on all lands done around the inside of fenced sheep pastures. administered by the Department of the Interior_. A Way of Life 'J It was taken on the public land leased by the Within the sagebrush lands, if is all con­ Diamond Ring Ranch west of Casper, Wyoming. sidered important mule deer range. Much of it is by Jim Rathlesberger considered very important antelope summer . President Nixon's "New Economic Policy'' range, and the largest sprayed area was one of has been criticized on many counts - not the the'most important antelope fawning areas. least of which is the emphasis it puts on the The BLM report says the spraying does not automobile as a way of life. As a recent editorial constitute a "crucial impact" - that is it will not from the WALL STREET JOURNAL explains, lead to immediate loss of game. The Wyoming the repe~l of the auto excise tax will result in Game and Fish Department disagrees, saying it more cars, highways, air pollution and urban mapped the important areas for wildlife in 1969 sprawl. Environmentalists therefore asked John and a good part of the important areas lie within Connally's Department of the Treasury the sprayed areas. This is especially applicable (responsible for pushing the measure through to sage grouse. The combination of sheep-tight Congress) whether it ought not prepare an fencing and elimination of not only sagebrush Environmental Impact Statement. Now but other broad-leaved plants may have far­ published, the statement says there won't be any reaching effects on·game populations in the very "net environmental cost." While admitting important area. The Department says the winter that the result of repealing the excise tax habitat will be greatly reduced. "should be an immediate increase in the demand The Wyoming Wildlife Federation has for automobiles," and that an"increase in the use already asked that grazing fees be revoked in of the automobile will contribute to traffic connection with the illegal killing of antelope and loads," the Treasury maintains that it will also eagles. There will undoubtedly be increased cause "a reduction in the over-all volume of demand for a complete revocation of grazing emissions of air pollutants." Also, there will be permits. ~·no effect on highway construction." The repeal Still to be considered are the implications of is expected to pass Congress easily. High Country News-13 Fencing, Spraying Pose Threat Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 Fencing, spraying, rest-rotation grazing, dual yields. In some cases, the increase has been use - these are but some of the new terms and spectacular. But if spraying is not very closely techniques used to implement grazing of controlled, the results can be disastrous for domestic livestock on western ranges. And much wildlife species, both large and small, which are of the grazing land is found on national forests a part of the sagebrush ecosystem. The following quotes are taken from COW and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Researchers say it is generally believed that COUNTRY, the official magazine of the Management. there were 96-1/ 2 million acres of sagebrush Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. The Much of the new management intensifies throughout the West before spraying began. This quotations are the words of Van Irvine, then grazing use on what is supposed to be "multiple­ is considered to be more than there was prior to president of the Association, in his monthly use" public lands. Such intensified use puts the advent of white man and his millions of sheep report to the stockgrowers. game animals at a disadvantage. And it may and cattle. Such numbers badly overgrazed the lead to the poisoning campaigns which are ap­ rangelands and opened the way for the invasion ••• plied so broadly that not only predators but of sagebrush. many other smaller animals are decimated. Chemical control of sagebrush was initiated '' . . . the Game and Fish Commission is ap­ Sheeptight fencing allows land managers to on the 12 million acres of BLM lands in Wyoming pointed to, of course, represent all the interests run both sheep and cattle in the same pastures, in 1952. From that time until 1966, some 145,000 concerned with game and fish, they uniformly as the Diamond Ring Ranch in Wyoming does. acres were sprayed. The figure could easily have seem to become "brainwashed" by the depart­ This allows open-herding in which the animals doubled by now. ment . . . ; they continue to undermine the are allowed to run freely within the fenced A. University of Wyoming agricultural philosophy of property and pri•rate ownership pasture. This also means that predators must be economist, W. G. Kearl wrote in 1965 that, "If as which to me is sacred ... " tightly controlled. It also means that animals much as 5 million acres of sagebrush could be such as antelope are greatly restricted in their controlled through chemical spraying, it is October, 1970 movements. Antelope normally do not jump conceivable that forage could be increased as fences but try to find holes under or through much at 1.5 to 2.5 million AUM's or roughly 10 to Editor's note: The commiSSIOn which Irvine which they can go. Deer jump the fences, and 20 percent. This increase could in turn add $15 to .castigated had three stockmen out of a seven­ once-in-awhile misjudge resulting in their death $20 million in gross income to Wyoming man board. At the same time, at least two or by hanging. Elk calves have great difficulty in agriculture each year." three other members of the commission could be crossing fences. And even mature moose have Kearl estimated that in the 10-year period, counted upon to be sympathetic to the livestock been found hanging in fences. 1952-1962, Wyoming ranchers had paid out interests. Once the animals are fenced in, the object $430,000 in chemical control projects. At the then becomes a matter of increasing forage. One same time, the Agricultural Stabilization and ••• of these methods is to spray sagebrush ·in order Conservation program (government subsidy) to eliminate competition and increase grass (Continued on page 14.) "We as cattlemen have not only to look out for andtry to provide for our industry, but we must do our best to protect arid perpetuate this way of life that is so precious to us all. It seems that as America grows in numbers, the quality of life not only suffers but so does the quality of philosophy."

February, 1971 ••• ''National ecology, pollution and preservation programs require daily attention and sound and prudent consideration in the face of widespread hysteria in many cases." April, 1971 ••• ''In closing I wish to extend my own and the Associations' best wishes to the new com­ missioner for the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission from Campbell County, Mr. Lee Mankin. Lee is certainly the kind of man that the ranchers of Wyoming can rely upon for fair and proper representation." ·

April, 1971 The Diamond Ring Ranch, west of Casper, Wyoming, is owned and operated by Herman Werner and his son-in-law, Van Irvine. This ranch is only one of Editor's note: In addition to Mr. Mankin several large ranches owned by Werner. Within the confines of the ranch Wyoming Governor Stanley K. Hathaway als~ properties are thousands of acres of public lands, all of it fenced to hold the sheep appointed a sheep man, Mr. Dave Nelson to the herds. When blizzards hit, the sheep bunch up in the brushy draws, there to die. Commission. Previously, he had appoint~ Mr. There are no herders to get them out or tend to them. The ranchers are jealous of William Krueger, a rancher from Shell their .public lands. They arrogantly post them (below) until their misdeed is Wyoming. He also reappointed Mr. Charle~ drawn to the attention of the proper authorities. In the case below, the lands were Crowell, a lawyer who often represents stock­ traversed by a county road. men. In a recent meeting, the Commission voted to keep the golden eagle on the predator list in Wyoming. Only two members voted to remove the bird from the list: rancher Krueger and Commission president Harry Barker. ••• ''Wherever there is property, there will be thieves. If crime is condoned by excessive judicial leniency - then of course crime becomes rampant."

May, 1971 ••• ' 'Witness the public outcry over the un­ fortunate situation concerning a few eagles in widely separated areas.of our state recently. The basic reasons behind this misfortune was ob­ viously the dramatic increase in coyotes in recent years. The sheepman is fighting for survival. Both locally and nationally. The sheepmen 's county, state and national assqciations have requested cooperation and assi"stancein coyote control from the cattle organizations. They have received little or no response . . . What is more, if we stand idly by and let the public frenzy and bureaucratic response put severe limitations on coyote con­ trol, our own calves could be the eventual victim. I have had several cattlemen inform me recently that they had suffered coyote abuses." Farewell address to the 99th Annual Convention 14--High Country News Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 . Act Defeated. • • person or corporation "for the protection of the action to compel the agencies of the state to air, water, land and timber and other natural enforce the laws of the state was an alarming Environmental· resources and the public trust therein from prospect, and for that reason the citizen should pollution, impairment or destruction." The bill not have such power. Those of us supporting the provided that the court could require the plaintiff bill took the position .that this was the very to post a surety bond in the amount of $500 to pay reason for the validity of the bill and it was long EaVesdropper costs. When the plaintiff makes a prima facie overdue. showing of pollution, the defendant may show The very nature of lawsuits and the process of LOONEY LIMERICKS that there is no feasible and prudent alternative the courts provide ample safeguards against to its conduct. The Act gives the court power to unfounded lawsuits being brought under HB 33. by Zane 'E. Cology issue temporary or permanent injunctions and to The plaintiff must post a bond to cover costs if he weigh the impact of the threat of environmental loses. He must have sufficient evidence to prove A climber, brave beyond compare destruction l>efore issuing its order. his case. This most likely means he must employ Was asked, "Did you climb it 'because it's It is fair to say that the bill created a furor in expert witnesses to substantiate the claims of there'?" the legislative halls. The immediate response pollution. He must have an attorney, and no "Well, no, " he said from the lobbyists on behalf of industry was attorney worth his salt would bring an action As he shook his head aggressively negative. The Montana Chamber under HB 33 without available evidence and "I just needed a breath of fresh air! " of Commerce in its newsletter to members called testimony to back the case up. this bill a "harrassment" measure and strongly A further amendment was offered to the bill ••• opposed it. in Committee which spelled out the right of a The bill was assigned to the House En­ defendant to counter-claim for damages for Dr. R. T. Ravenholt, director of the vironment Committee, where it received full and malicious prosecution if the plaintiff filed a population service in the War on Hunger Office fair hearing. Environmental groups groundless claim. This amendment also of the U. S. Agency for -International Develop­ unanimously supported the bill, and a number of provided that the defendant could collect costs ment, says oral contraceptives will revolutionize citizens testified in favor of its provisions. On the and attorney fees if he won his case for malicious the world-wide control of human populations. He other hand, industry uniformly opposed the bill prosecution. With such an amendment and the said PG's (Prostaglandins) are the "ideal and had their accomplished and influential other safeguar.ds of the bill, it seemed ludicrous hindsight" compound. Research on the once-a­ lobbyists and representatives of industry testify to suggest that "harrassment" lawsuits would month fertility pill is being conducted in many in opposition to the bill. Representatives of result. countries, possibly including China which has agriculture also opposed the bill. It was assigned So far, we have been lucky in Montana; we one-fifth of the world's population. to a sub-committee where it was extensively have one of the finest environments of any place rewritten. in the country. Yet today we are seeing growing ••• The rewritten version of HB 33 eliminated the inroads into the quality of that environment. The rights of the citizen to directly sue the polluter. citizen is powerless to do very much to stop Some bishops of the Roman Catholic Church The new version provided that an action could environmental destruction on a large scale. Is it are questioning the pope's 1968 anti-birth control only be brought against a governmental agency not reasonable to give him limited access to the encylical. They question the stand of the church to require that agency to enforce an existing courts to protect his environment? in the face of increasing governmental measures standard, rule, or regulation in the area of en­ A true democracy has faith in its citizens. to control world population. vironmental quality. In other words, if the State Only if we want special interests to control the Board of Health or other agency charged with decision-making process should we deny to our ••• responsibility for enforcing environmental citizens the right to protect the quality of our regulations was not doing so, the revised HB 33 environment. Citizen concern for environmental Lake Baikal, the Russian lake which holds would have allowed a citizen to bring an action in protection is not a passing fad. Future one-fifth of all the fresh water on earth, is in court to compel the agency to enforce the rule or legislatures will have the opportunity to again danger of being badly polluted. As a result, the Soviets have ordered vast anti-pollution regulation. The situation existing in the Helena consider the wisdom and necessity for HB 33 or valley in regard to the ASARCO Smelter and its similar proposed legislation giving citizens the measures for a huge cellulose plant on the lake failure to comply with the 1968 particulate right to preserve and protect the world in which and other paper plants on rivers which empty emission standards of the State Board of Health we all live. into the lake ..The lake is 400 miles long and up to is a case in point. In an article in the ,Billings 5,000 feet deep. It holds more water than all the Gazette on June 17, 1971, the executive director Great Lakes combined. Its waters are some of of the Montana Department of Health is quoted the purest in the world. as saying that "we've been negligent" for not requiring ASARCO to apply for variance on its ••• particulate emissions, which failed to meet the standards. In this situation, a citizen could bring The Colorado Health Department says the an action to make the agency enforce those automobile and other transportation sources standards if the revised version of HB 33 had produced 68 percent of the smog in that state in passed and became law. 1970. Eastern slope cities produced 86 percent of Growing support for the bill, particularly in the total. Emission inventory figures showed its amended form, appeared in the House of almost 600,000 tons of visibility-reducing Representatives. However, the influence of the pollutants were spewed into Colorado's air last industrial-agricultural lobby influenced too year. many legislators to vote against the the bill and it failed. ••• To its sponsors, the amended version of HB 33 seemed truly half a loaf. But it was a step in the A California Superior Court Judge told Boise right direction. We were greatly disappointed Cascade subsidiaries to quit misrepresenting that even such a watered-down version could not Cleans Up land deals being made in Calaveras County. An be accepted. Again, the individual citizen's right Park order was issued on complaints by prospective to participate in the decision-making process An unusual search operation on a five-mile buyers of the land. had been severely limited. It seemed as if the section of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone opponents of the bill were afraid that citizen National Park last week yielded just what was ••• being looked for-litter and lots of it. The occasion was the fourth annual fall The Interior' Department has issued a draft Spraying Threat . . . cleanup of the most heavily used portion of the environmental-impact statement on the Navajo Yellowstone River from Fishing Bridge north to Power Project near Page, Arizona, which said had paid $206,102 for a total of $637,000. Buffalo Ford. the project would have to involve a trade-off of He estimated there had been a total of 505,000 Some 30 park employees and their families values "if energy demands of the nation are to be acres sprayed in Wyoming from 1952 through formed the litter crew at the invitation of met." The statement said total impact of the 1964. About 155,000 acres of the control had been Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Jack plant could not be assessed until all plans were done by the U. S. Forest Service and the Bureau K. Anderson, who led the party downriver by completed. of Land Management. canoe. - Sagebrush spraying is not all bad. When Everyone was equipped with heavy-duty ••• properly planned and judiciously used, it is an plastic garbage bags and long-handled litter important tool of the range manager. Even game prongs to snag and remove the trash. The managers have used the method on occasion to shallow waters were searched by canoe, while AAUW Endorses ZPG get a better distribution of vegetative types. But others debarked and scoured the river banks. The American Association of University indiscriminate use can be a disaster for all but At day's end, with one stop for lunch, over 60 Women, at its recent national convention in the livestock operator. bags of cans, bottles, paper, discarded fishing Dallas, passed the following resolutions : Sheeptight fencing and chemical spraying tackle and even tires were loaded into the AAUW endorses the principle of zero have already made a substantial impact on waiting garbage trucks. population growth. game populations. Without stricter controls and The Yellowstone River is a sparkling clear AAUW encourages its members and state greater ecological considerations, the impact stream with some of the best cutthroat trout divisions to work for repeal of restrictive laws on could be serious. fishing in the country. "Most fishermen you see abortion, making abortion legal for those who Will Johns, editor of the National Wildlife out here carry a litter bag with their gear, but we wish it after medical consultation. Federation's CONSERVATION NEWS, com­ need a cleanup like this to make up for a careless For the past two years branches of AAUW mented in the October 15, 1965, issue. He said, few~' Anderson said. have been learning about the environmental "Now, however, the fate of the antelope rests not Maintenance crews, of course, are constantly conditions in our country and abroad, and in so much with the hunter as it does with other picking up throughout the park after visitors who their communities. The study/ action topic, users of its range, especially with government don't use trash containers, but they never get it THIS BELEAGURED EARTH, will be continued agencies which control those uses. Today, it is all. for a second biennium. Matters of land use, air not the hunting rifle that poses a threat to the Enthusiasm over next year's centennial and water pollution, and solid waste are in­ welfare of these popular and important animals; celebration in Yellowstone, the oldest national separable from the question of population rather, the doom of the antelope may well be park, accounts for the large turnout this fall, growth. Studying and developing a policy on determined by the erection of fences and the Anderson said. Participating on a voluntary population is a secondary goal for this biennium. application of herbicides on its home on the basis, the cleanup crew represented over a third Reprinted from the Maine Environmental Bulletin, range." of the park's permanent staff. October, 1971. High Country Newt-IS - Photo by Verne Huser Friday, Oct. 29, 1971 by Verne Huser WDIL!l Senator Bob Packwood's bill (S. 717) to establish .the Hells Canyon-Snake National River is dead, but the bill has served its basic purpose: to focus the attention of the people of the nation on Hells Canyon and the need to preserve it. That doesn't mean that Hells , Canyon has been saved--far from it, for the dam builders are still at work trying to dupe the public into thinking a great many things: "Hydroelectric plants don't consume A anything at all"--what about the wildlife habitat W and the free-flowing nature of a river that is necessary to certain species of fish? What about the blocking of anadromous fish migration routes to spawning str~ms? What about the inundated river-side campsites? What about the free-flowing river itself? - "More dams are needed to alleviate the growing nitrogen supersaturation problem"-­ how can this be when the dams themselves have created the nitrogen supersaturation problem? When the present dams on the Snake River have killed hundreds of thousands--even millions--of fish and closed hundreds of miles of salmon and steelhead waters to those native species forever? "Sturgeon fishing is not really a sport"-have your ever landed--or even played--a great white The pika, or coney, lives in rock piles in alpine and sub-alpine country where it sturgeon? Many sport fishermen rank the spends the short summers making hay which it stores for his winter use. Oregon sturgeon with the blatkmarlin, both huge fish full has recently given this interesting creature protection under its Fish and Game of action. Ask any sturgeon fisherman about the laws, but most states simply ignore it as they do most species that aren't sport involved in catching a sturgeon. classified as game animals or predators. Most state game and fish departments All the statements quoted above were made are given jurisdiction over all wildlife in the state, but they nonetheless forget by PaCific Northwest Power Company numerous species like this little haymaker of the high country. representative Hugh Smith at a recent meeting of the Baker County (Oregon) Chamber of expensive modern tourist facilities or worse: an and the Forest Service wants to buy, but the Commerce in an attempt to get the Chamber to exclusive rich-man's paradise that leaves the money is not available. And the big land oppose the Packwood bill. He was back a month average American citizen, the general public, -developers fom California have the cash; they later when the Chamber planned to take action with inadequate recreational resources. One 100 are - already putting the pressure on those on the motion to oppose Packwood's bill. by 100 piece of land in Hells Canyon recently sold courageous land owners who want to see the But this time the Forest Service, which wants for $4000 for a modest tourist facility. How many canyon saved. to save Hells Canyon but opposes parts of the of those could be established on the roughly ten As I see it, conservationists must come up package, was there to present an thousand acres of private lands inHells Canyon? with between two and three million dollars unbiased version of the Packwood bill. So were These lands were homesteaded during earlier before May if Hells Canyon is to be saved. The JimZanelli, who runs jet boat trips and float trips days, the choice lands on the deltas of tributary major land owner involved has given the Forest in Hells Canyon, and I, who have floated the streams flowing into the Snake River, level Service an option until May 1972 to buy his canyon three times. lands--relatively speaking--along the river, the holdings. If they don't come up with the cash by F-ollowing the Forest Service presentation, logical place for public campsites, campsites that time, he may sell to the highest bidder, and Zanelli and I had an opportunity to speak briefly. that would have been provided through Senator Hells Canyon will be lost, with or without another and the Chamber plied us with questions about Packwood's bill (S. 717), which is now dead (it dam. floating. Then Hugh Smith got up to speak but provided ten million dollars for acquisition of Try floating Hells Canyon with no campsite was rapidly and politely put down when the those private lands and another ten million for 65 miles. Try riding the trails or hiking them­ president of the Chamber said, "Mr. Smith, we dollars for the development of public recreation -into Hells Canyon with no river-side campsites. heard from you last month; you've had adequate facilities). Public use of Hells Canyon will be limited to the time to present your case." By the time another legislative session gets commercial jet boats and flights over the And the Chamber voted 6-5 against the motion around to trying to save Hells Canyon through canyon--neither is a bad way to see the canyon, to oppose Packwood's bill. A move to support the another piece of legislation, those private lands but to experience on your own would be virtually bill died for lack of a second. Obviously the may be gone and with them the last chance for impossible if the existing private lands are tied chamber did not support the Packwood package­ meaningful recreational development within up by big business. Anyone got a million dollars -it was a dead issue by then anyway--but they the canyon. The land owners are willing to sell, he's not using just now? just as obviously did not oppose its basic pur­ pose: to save Hells Canyon. Save Hells Canyon from what? Primarily from the dam builders, namely Pacific Nor­ thwest Power Company, an amalgamation of Disaster Revisited. • • power companies in the Pacific Northwest that harmed a single human being except by ac­ Disaster Lobbyists, the most insidious are their spends eight times as much of its budget on cidental misuse." attempts to destroy our free enterprise system. advertising and public relations (Hugh Smith) Dr. Charles F. Wurster, associate professor And they are succeeding only too well. According as it does on research. But the Moritorium will do of environmental sciences, State University of to Professor Yale Brozen of the University of that, at least for seven years. New York at Stony Brook, N.Y., said that DDT Chicago, free enterprise in the United States is Saved from the California developers, most has killed millions of birds, but that is not the only half alive." immediately. If Hells Canyon is to be saved central issue. Prof. Brozen, professor of business • from the exploiters, the most critical issue in my Of major importance, said Dr. Wurster, is economics in the graduate school of business at mind is the immediate acquisition of those that DDT affects bird reproduction so that the the University of Chicago, said Shepard was privately owned lands that lie between the river number of some species has declined sharply referring to a magazine article he wrote about a and the canyon rim on both the Oregon and Idaho while entire populations of some birds have year ·ago in which he said governmental side of the free-flowing Snake between the disapp~red. This is especially true among econ~mic controls are hampering free en- existing Hells Canyon Dam and the confluence of predatory birds, which tend to get the highest terpnse. - the Salmon River some 65 miles downstream. DDT does. DDT also has been known to cause "I was not thinking of environmentalists A trio of landowners on the Oregon side and a cancer in test animals, he said. when I wrote that thing," said Prof. Brozen, who single landowner on the Idaho side control vir­ To speak of toxic substances only in terms of said he is in favor of conserving natural tually every acre of privately-owned land in whether they kill things outright avoids the resources that are being used and polluted question, and all have indicated a willingness to larger question of chronic long-term effects, said without restraint. sell to the Forest Service. The Forest Service, Dr. Wurster. "We've got to establish some way of getting however, doesn't have the funds, though it is Shepard: "In addition to endangering human economic use of the air and water, but at the budgeting for the acquistion in Fiscal years 1974, life, the Disaster Lobbyists are making things as same time conserve them' said the professor. 1975 and 1976. By that time, Hells Canyon will difficult as possible for us survivors. By "That is what econmic use means- conserving have been lost to the exploiters. preventing electric companies from building it." These private holdings within the confines new power plants, they have caused most of ~hepard: "When it comes to a choice between of Hells Canyon constitute the choice lands for those blackouts we've been experiencing." saving human lives and saving some fish, I will recreational development. Floaters of Hells The Federal Power Commission News. has sacrifice the fish without a whimper. It's not that Canyon camp on these private lands now with reported 42 cases of power failures and voltage I'm antifish; it's just that I am pro-people." the blessing--for the most part--of the land reductions for a period covering Oct. 1, 1970 to "I don't know anybody who prefers fish over owners. Any future recreational development June 30, 1971, and their causes.. In ~ vast people or birds over people." said Dr. Wurster. within Hells Canyon depends upon these lands majority of the cases, mechamcal £allures, "That is not at stake. Ultimately, it is likely to be being in the public domain. accidents or heavy power demands coming at a both or neither. They both live in the en­ If they are tied up by private developing time when key generating equipment had been vironment. If the environment is destroyed, they companies, Hells Canyon will become another shut down were given as causes. will both be destroyed. It is a matter of doing Coney Island or Lake Tahoe, a strip mine of Shepard: " But of all the activites of the things intelligently." 16-High Country News Photo by Wyoming Tl".a.vel Commission

Rams Horn Peak is a landmark along the southern Primitive Area, in which the peak is located, in the new boundary of the proposed Washakie Wilderness in area. The Stratified Primitive Area is north of Dubois, Wyoming's Shoshone Forest. Hearings held in House Wyoming. Committee this month would place the present Stratified Mercury Not Dangerous In Oregon Fish

John McKean, director of the Oregon State parison, recently caught tuna was found to have milligram of mercury per day is equivalent to Game Commission, today announced the results mercury levels ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 ppm. the amount in 2.2 pounds of fish that have a of mercury analysis performed on 48 specimens Press said that there is justifiable concern concentration of 1 ppm of mercury. To be doubly of trout, crappie, and bullheads caught in the regarding mercury levels in fish and in other safe, one could halve this amount and limit his Antelope and Owyhee reservoirs in March 1971. parts of our environment and that every effort to consumption to 1.1 pounds of fish per day; or if The analysis was made by Dr. Donald R. reduce unnecessary mercury pollution of our he wished to quintuple this safety factor, he Buhler at the Oregon State University En­ waters is warranted. He believes, however, that would not eat over .44 of a pound per day, which vironmental Health Sciences Center. It showed there is no justification for the near panic and amounts to about 3 pounds per week. The FDA the average level of total mercury in the fish to hysteria that sometimes is associated with guideline for commercial sale of fish to sick or be about 0.9 of a part per million (ppm), with reports that the traces of mercury found in fish healthy persons (including infants and pregnant nine of the specimens above 1.25 ppm. The exceed the 0.5 ppm currently used by the FDA women, who are more susceptible to mercury) highest level was 1.51 ppm found in a bullhead for prohibiting the sale of fish in commerce. The uses a safety factor of 10 instead of 2 or 5 and, in taken from Owyhee Reservoir. 0.5 ppm is an FDA guideline and is not intended addition, halves Birke's allowable level. This The tests were for total mercury and it is as a rigid rule. It cannot be stated that all would permit about three-fourths of a pound of assumed that most of the mercury present was mercury residue in fish above 0.5 ppm is unsafe these fish per. week. methyl mercury. nor can it be said with absolute assurance that Dr. Edward Press, State Public Health Of­ all residue below the 0.5 guideline is safe. ficer, was asked to comment on the implications The Swedish study referred to by Dr. Press of the findings and has expressed his opinion that was that of Dr. G. Birke in an individual where No Profit Loss there would likely be no harm to healthy, non­ detailed history of his fish mercury intake was pregnant adults from eating up to three pounds available, an amount equivalent to 1.0 milligram The cry is often heard that being forced to of fish a week caught in these reservoirs. of mercury per day had no detectable adverse install pollution control measures is so costl/ Press explained that opinions differ among effect and the blood levels of mercury in this that it will cut a company's profits, "Not s public health officials as to the amount of methyl patient were less than half of levels associated comes the answer from a report which analyz mercury that could be ingested safely. He said with persons who did have adverse effects. One the environmental performance and profitabilit that his own views are based on studies made of 17 pulp and paper companies. According to an with human subjects in Sweden and on additional article in BUSINESS WEEK, the report is based factors which are: . Oceans In Danger on a pollution analysis of 131 mills which was put -There have never been any recorded out by the Council on Economic .Priorites, and cases of human illness in the United States or Jacques Yves Costeau, internationally shows that the least polluting companies are Canada from ingestion of fish containing methyl recognized oceanographer, told a Senate usually the most profitable. mercury. Commerce Committee that an estimated 30 to 50 "The two paper producers with the best en­ --There is no evidence that the levels of percent of ocean life has been damaged by vironmental records, Owens-Illinois, Inc., and methyl mercury found in the Antelope and pollution in the last 20 years. He predicted that if Weyerhaeuser Co., were among the leaders in Owyhee reservoirs fish are higher or lower now damage to the ocean resources continues un­ growth of earnings per share from 1965 to 1970, than in previous years. checked, it could mean the end of the oceans as while Potlatch Forests, Inc., with the in.­ --New methods of laboratory analysis have an ecosystem in 30 to 50 years. du·stry's worst pollution control record, was one made it possible in recent years to detect traces "The legendary immensity of the oceans has of the least profitable. Though some heavy of mercury that previous methods failed to not proved invulnerable. Historically, the polluters showed high earnings growth reveal. ecological cycle has shown that a threat to our (Diamond International Corp. for one), the study The health officer pointed out that national water system is a threat to survival. We must says that they were companies that boosted news wire services in the latter part of August keep our oceans alive in order to keep ourselves profits mostly through mergers." 1971 carried articles describing the mercury alive," he said. Several reasons are suggested: analysis of seven tuna which had been caught Costeau called for a massive increase in 1. Installing pollution control devices when between 1878 and 1909 and preserved by the pollution research funds, a change in the the mill is built is less costly than later. Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Raj Kishore, educational process to direct attention to the 2. Costs of pollution control are offset by professor of physical chemistry at the Irvine environmental crisis, and a change in business higher productivity, recovery of raw material Campus of the University of California, repor­ philosophy. He said there was a need for change and improved health of employees. tedly found mercury concentrations of 0.5 to 1.5 in the competitive business philosophy from 3. Good environmental record reflects good ppm in the nearly 1QO-year-old fish. By com- "quantity-producing to quality-producing." management.