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Dear friends, 1 , HCN goes to Seattle board and staff would like The board and staff of the High to see accomplished. Country Foundation gathered in Seattle These include preparation Sept. 19 to hold iheir final meeting of the of an integrated index, year. The meeting, which was organized putting HCN in full text by board member Maggie Coon and vol- on an electronic data base, unteer Louise Stonington, with help from publication of college Vic Sher, toek care of business from 9 readers based on articles a.m. to 5 p.m. and then adjourned to a that have appeared in the potluck gathering with 50 or so readers at paper. and publication of the Elliott Bay Bookstore in downtown guides or books, also /, Seattle. based on already pub- While the meeting went well, the lished articles. party went wonderfully, thanks to a book- By themselves, each ish and yet comfortable setting and enthu- of these projects seems siastic readers eager to tell staff and board doable. and over the past IDGH COUNTRY NEWS about stories the paper should cover. year or so, staff has (ISSN/OI91/5657) Is pUblished There was plenty of food and three hours attempted to do them. biweekly. except for one Issue during of intense conversation. Unfortunately, they Jnly and one Issue during January. by The board meeting itself focused on haven't gotten done. the High Country Foundation. 119 the 1993 budget and on the management RaJher than conclude that Grand Avenue, Paonia, CO 814Z8.Sec- structure of HCN. The budget discussion we're lazy, staff suggest- end-class postage paid at Paonia. Colorado. was routine. But the discussion of the way ed to the board that the in which HCN is operated was not. POSTMASTER: send address changes paper's present organiza- to HIGH COUNfRY NEWS.Box 1090. Basically, the present structure and tion may not be capable Paonia, CO 81428. personnel are adequate for the present of taking on additional Subscriptions are $28 per year fo .. task of publishing High Country News. major tasks. And that led individuals and pubUc lIbrar Ies, $38 But there are several additional projects to a wide-ranging discus- New Intern Krlsty Ratliff per year fo.. institutions. Slng1e copies sion of what kinds of $1.50 plus postage and handilng. Spe- changes may be needed to make Jhe paper while wiJh the Des Moines Register. cla1lssues $3 each. better able to accomplish the additional Forturiately for HCN and all oJher projects. No conclusion was reached, but newspapers. Risser is not seeking a third TomBeD Pulitzer. He is now director of the John S. Editor emeritus the talk was very helpful. Knight Fellowship Program, which each Ed Marston In fact, board and staff agreed that it PNbMsluw was an especially useful meeting. Because year offers 19 or so joumalists from Betsy Manton eight of the 10 board members in atten- around Jhe world nine-month sabbaticals Ed_ dance were women, it was suggested that at Stanford University, in Palo Alto. Calif. Unda Bacigalupi A.uodate publisher perhaps women are better than men at Risser was traveling through the Florence Williams board meetings. Other theories were also West in early September with his son SfnUrepcwrer advanced. John, and stopped in Paonia to check up c.LRawlins Poetry edikw The next meeting of the High Coun- on the doings of two ofthe program's " Diane Sylvain try Foundation board will be in Carson recent alumnirEd 'anlJ'Betsy Marstoh~·''"·''··'' Pr'oducUofflgrapbics .~i'~? p.t !""'")r City. Nev., January 23. ,,'j' .' ,-:"~..... : ~".-._",?-..~, ;r~~'f:!T;~"" ...... ::~a\?! ClndyWchUng ····A·new,inte.l'n..,,;:c .:.; "'0,""'''':. .,,:!,.;,; DesldOp pubUsblng AnnUbich New intern Kristy Ratliff comes to Typeseni..g Fruit and game High Country News from a long line of Gretchen Nicholoff Cin:ula'ioJI Thanks to HCN's new office, we English Americans who settled in Win- Zaz Hollander' don't need a calendar to tell the season. chester. Kentucky. Rumor has it that her Kristy Ratliff ,...... We can simply look in our parking lot, grandfather brewed moonshine for a liv- ing before finding a more respectable Vktoria Bootberry,FONJs,vIJJe, o.JJf. which these days is filled with cars Maggie Coon, SHinle, W....". belonging to people working in the fruit livelihood as a furniture maker. While she Judy Donald, Wtlsbi"&'O"> D.C packing shed across the street. Normally, seldom gets the urge to skin a 'coon or Michael Ehlers. JloII.lJer, Colo. Bert Fln.,erhut. Aspew; Colo. the lot looks mostly empty, so we're brew a batch of rotgut, Kristy isn't sure Tom France. MiuOM" MmrL grateful for the company .. what direction her life will take. Karll Frohboese.P""" City, UI~. She recently finished her degree-in Sally GonIon. ""Dolo, IVyo. If the additional cars don't give us Judith Jacobsen. BoNItIer. Colo. enough information, we can look out the English from Colorado College, where Dan Luecke. BoNWer. Colo. she discovered High Country News. But Geoffrey O'G ..... lAtuIer. Wyo. back window. There the butchering of elk Dlane}osephy PeaftY.c.in!oy, 1"110 behind our neighbor, the Paonia Food that leaves her with, well ... a degree in., ., ' James 8. Ruch, FIAg.tag; Anz. Bank, tells us that it's black powder/muz-, English,. Althoug/lsure she doesn't Wl\fll,~."': Farwell Smith. McLeoJ, MOffL Emily Swamon.1Jo.znuI .. MOffL zle-loading season. to bl:aprofessional.volunteer for Jhe·re.s.t·c·· Lynda S. Taylor. s..... Fe, NoM. of her .life, 'recent ,wQrkchistorjl:indica.aes,•.;·'." Mark Trahant. s.II /.ll1Ie CUy, UIab Andy Wlessner • .Delwer, Colo. otherwise: She spent the past two Stirn·' BofWfl of Dtreaors He won two mers working at a YMCA wilderness camp in northern Minnesota. During the Articles appearlnl In IHg. eo...,.", News are Indexed ~ E"virotI--.a1 pmoJict:W Bibllo~ If you are wondering why High next three months Kristy hopes to discov· pby. Environmental Studies institute. 800 Gar· Country News doesn't have a Pulitzer er whether journalism suits her. den Sl••Suite D, Santa Barbara. CA93101. AUrights to publication of articles In this Issue Prize, blame Jim Risser - he has two. He Ed Marston are reserved. Write for pennl1J5lon to print any received both for agricultural reporting - Ed Marston for the staff articles or Illustrations. Contribmlons (manu- JlmRlsser scripts. photos. artWork) wUl be welcomed ·wlth the understanding that the editors cannot be held responsible for 1088or damage. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with aD UOfM)- HOTLINE BARBS liclted submissions to ensure return. Artkles and letters wID be edited and published at the dl8cre- lion of the editors. Advertising Information Is avaHable upon ij;~g~~~;a:~eD . .. ' .. . . ' ' '.' ...... •·····~~~~~irh:~r~:dy.w.a. : requesL To have a sample copy sent to • friend. ·d:o.··;~d~~i~i send us his or her addtells. Write to Box 1090. ~1)lt.l' Paonia. CO 81428. CaD Higb eo"",,,. News In •.~esiJe~;~~!'i~ri;h~~tlJer.rJ~· ..·•.. areremoved smaller trees are left ..' Colorado at 303IS27-4898 .. 'westinSeptembel'arid promised a mas, •• ··liebiild·tciacriis fuelibrwildj-m,s:Th~ •• .•sive sillvage logging plan: liwotijd open ...White HOuSeiisti~afudtJiatth~ act~let~ ... t ...uplourfegiorts in drought" and irt.ect···· .••ii : .~;~~1~(~ld~~~s~~6~t~~nm~~ ••.•• 'anboi9~aresd~_,eee·.·~t~rftro:tm~toednSvi:lf.fomnUempdie;~n;}IJ~r··e1srtnl:~c·~_·••·Northwest, Inanoiher aCt ofelectiortc' " ~ •.. year generosity,the£ush administration tions~CritiCssaid Bush's p;e-electionalso announced itwlllban .all Jog .' .peregririefalcoQs;imd siminer for.· •• .threehcitii-i.Season with twO well_ •..• ·.·.··i:;~Fr~?~~.~nO;!!~c~.·.· ••• . beaten ·environmentalistS."» .... .~.•. •·•.J~tt~;.~~:J~f~~£6~~}El~~·••. ."' ..".::::::.': .. -:-.:':/..
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2 - High Country News - October 5, 1992 Miners stake out a golf course in Idaho HOTLINE KETCHUM, Idaho - A group of includes part of a green, a fairway and a retained the subsurface mineral rights. Janis environmentalists pounded a wooden sand trap. VanWyhe, associate director of the stake into the grass of a posh golf course ¥edberry said he apologized to Shoshone District BLM office, verified that here Sept. 23 to drive home a point. Kuolt, explaining the ICL was trying to the private land where ICL wants to stake Members of the Idaho Conservation dramatize that the 1872 Mining Law its claims is legally open to minerai explo- League were not bent on vandalism. They needs to be changed. Kuolt was not con- . ration. wanted to prove that even Sun Valley vinced. "Hell, no, I won't give them any All ICL has to do is stake its claims resorts are vulnerable to mineral explo- support," he said. He advised the would- and file an operation plan. Once federal ration under the nation's l20-year-old be miners, who have incorporated as the agencies approve the plan - and they mininglaw. Mine-All-Mine Mining Co.. to wear hard have little power to do otherwise - the Elkhorn resort owner Milt KuoIt hats "in case golf balls hit them in the miner can begin to dig, Medberry said. If :: ',~- made it clear he wanted environmentalists head:' valuable ore is discovered, he added, the off the golf course, but the law doesn't Bunny Wilson, a land expert for the claim can be developed without paying allow him to throw them off, said Mike Bureau of Land Management, said the , the government a dime. Medberry, an ICL staffer. Mine-All-Mine Co. has the legal right to There is one catch: Mine-All-Mine The group set up one comer marker stake claims on federal lands if the mineral Co. can't start excavation at the golf on the golf course, another on a utility rights have not been withdrawn by the fed- course or ski area - their next target - pole and two more just off the golf course eral government. That legal right extends to without an agreement with property own- to mark their 1,500-by-600-foot claim. It private land if the federal government has ers to reclaim the land. Absent an agreeinent, the government would require Mine-All-Mine to pay a bend to cover reclamation costs, Wilson . said. Medberry said that didn't bother the new mining company since. "the law doesn't require us 10 bring the land back to its original condition:' Jack Lyman, executive director of the Idaho Mining Association, congratu- lated ICL on its entry into the mining business. The association supports mining law reform, he said, but not the kind ICL has in mind. "They want to scrap the min- ing law," Lyman said. Still, he invited ICL to join the Idaho Mining Association. But he warned the group of the time-consuming and expen- sive "gauntlet of state and federal require- ments applied to mineral exploration." -N.S. NokunMd Andy ArenzJThe Times-News ICL's Larry Warner and Will Caldwell survey the golf course whlle Sun ,The reporter w.rites for the Times ~ . Valley Police Lt. Mark t:6CkWbO'd lookS on News in Twin Falls, Idaho. Wayne Rage goes on trial(s) You win some. You lose some. Hage's attorney argued that the trees were members and supporters were on hand for Nevada rancher Wayne Hage has claimed removed to maintain the ditch. , the trial. Supporters said Hage was target- a big win in his $28.4 million "takings" While the Forest Service acknowl- ed by the government because of his tak- lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service. In edged that the rancher had a 50-foot right- ings lawsuit against the Forest Service mid-September, U.S. Claims Court Chief of-way on each side of the ditch; Assistant and his book Storm Over Rangelands, Justice Loren Smith blocked the Nevada U.S. Attorney Jay Cook said the ditch had' which lays out his view of private proper- attorney general and four environmental been bulldozed and was no longer in use. ty rights on public lands. groups from intervening in the case on the The only trees cut down, he said, were Although blocked from intervening side of the Forest Service (HeN, 7/13/92). those that were large enough to be as affected parties in the takings case, the But less than a week later in' a sepa- chopped up and sold. state of Nevada and environmental groups rate trial-in.Il.S. District Court in Las Hage and sawyer Lloyd Seaman are can still file "friend-of-the-court" briefs Vegasa'a jury-found Hage-and- a hired:' scheduled for sentencing in November on on the public interests in the battle woodcutter 'guilty -ofilfegal'ly: removing:-- . charges of injury to government property between the rancher and the Forest Ser- pinon and-juniper trees from-Toiyabe' and removal of government property vice. National Forest. ' without authorization. They face a possi- -Jon Christensen The' trees surrounded an irrigation ble fine or two months in jail. Hage said ditch that supplied Hage' s- Pine Creek he intends to appeal. The writer free-lances from Carson Ranch in Monitor Valley, AP reports. A dozen ranchers, fr~ends, family City, Nevada.
HOTLINE
HIgh Country News- OCtober 5, 1992 - 3 UneR T I
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HIGH COUNJRY NEWS classified ads cost 30 FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRON- ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CATALOG for remote homes. Solar electric, wind, hydro- cents ~ word up to 50 words. Rates increase needed for Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited. MENTAL POLICY. A fast-growing develop- after that. Display ads 4 column inches or less Issues awareness, fund-raising experience, ment consulting finn is seeking a wide range electric generators, wood-fired hot tubs, com- are SIO/col. inch if camera-reedy; 515/001. inch and administrative background-desirable. of expertise for upcoming projects in East posting toilets and more. $2.50, refundable with order. Yellow Jacket Solar, Box 60H, if we make up. Larger display ads are 530 or Annual starring salary: 520,000 to 524,000. and West Africa, Central America and Asia. 535/001.inch. We reserve the right to reject ads. Please send resume (references helpful) to: Specialists are needed for long-term/short- Lewis, CO 81327. (12xlp) term positions in Resource Economics, Land Send ad with payment to: HCN, Box Ilml, Pao- Trout Unlimited, P.O. Box 4069, Jackson, ~' nia, CO 81428, or call 303/527-4898 for more WY 83001. Deadline for resume and Use, Natural Resource Management. Envi- information. inquiries is Del 15, 1992. (2xl7b) ronmental Policy, Financial Management, Engineering, Envirorunental Impact Assess- n ~,. ORGANIZER FOR A NON-PROm FAMI- CAN LIVESTOCK GRAZING BE BOTH ment, Appropriate Pollution Abatement LY FARM and environmental organization. ENVIRONMENT ALL Y PROTECTIVE Technology, Ecology, Nature Tourism, Duties: Strategy and leadership development, AND ECONOMICALLY PROFITABLE? Coastal Zone Management, Wildlife Protec- membership recruitment, writing and some Hear experts debate this critical issue. A two- tion, Biological Diversity, Soil and Water research. Long hours. rewarding. Month hour cassette tape of the public-forum broad- Conservation. Forestry, and Community Ore- vacation. 511,000-517,000. DOE. Send cast throughout UtaH' is now available. The ganization. Foreign language expertise help- resume, writing sample to Northern Plains tape features High Country News publisher ful. B.S. minimum with at least 5 years rele- Resource Council, 104 N. Broadway, Suite Ed Marston and innovative Oregon rancher vant experience in developing countries. Indi- 419, Billings, MT 59102-2092. 406/248- Doc Hatfield. Send $30 to League of Women viduals meeting these requirements should 1154. (lxI8b) , Voters of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 send resumes to: Dept. IKA-8, 15825 Shady (801/272-8683). (2xI7c) Grove Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD OUTDOOR SINGLES NETWORK, estab- 20850, USA Fax 301/948-7174. (hI8b) lished hi-monthly newsletter.rages 19~90. no YOUR OWN PART/FULL-TIME BUSI- forwarding fees, S35/l·year, $7/trial issue NESS, with integrity and conscience. 100% WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST/RIPARIAN SPE- and information. OSN-HCN, PO Box 2031, guaranteed nutritional products. Call CIALIST seeking alternate employment with McCall, ID 83638. (6xI6-eoi) 303/440-6722 in Boulder/Denver area, 1- working canle ranch, conservation group, or 8oo-336-695610ng distance. private individuals. Sixteen years federal LOBBYIST WANTED FOR IDAHO experience in wildlife and riparian habitat AUDUBON COUNCIL - for 1993 session LAND LETTER ... the newsletter for natural development and impact analysis. Interested of Idaho State Legislature (Jan. I to April 30, resource professionals. Special introductory in permanent management or consulting posi- 1993). Must be an effective communicator offer. Write 1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1120, tion. Send inquiries to: RIPCORD, 300 S. 74 Get your new and familiar with resource issues in Idaho. Arlington, VA 22209 or call 703/525-6300. W., Victor,ID83455. (2xI8pp) Full-time salary 5I,200/month. Contact: HCNT-shirt Dave Siebanthaler, Box 1514, Bonners Ferry, and visor ID 83805 (208/267-2155). (3xI6p) Federal Employees ,,1/ _Cfp Solar Electric Power Systems Designed by HeN artist Diane Syl- Water Conservation vain, T-shirts are aquamarine with / f1T Alternative Energy Equipment Help High Country blue ink or oatmeal with cranberry Designs & Devices for High OJality, low-impact Living ink; visors are white with blue ink. Nateral ResourceCo. News keep an Prices are postage paid! Box 91 Victor, 1083455 (208) 787-2495 eye on the West T-shirt - $12. Visor - $6.50. When You Need you're watching. Quality Consulting Through Pleasesend_ aquamarineT-shirt(s): Applied Science, One Finn small medium Brings the World to You. Designate a portion _ large _ exira large • Hydrogeology • Geoarchaeology or all of your • Environmental Geology Please send _ oatmealT-shirt(s): • Expert Witness Testimony Combined Federal small medium • and Other Services Campaign _ large~ ~ extra large 71t~ contribution to the Please send _ visors (one size '§Ailild-in. geM Ii 11'I ij High Country 3230 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 205, fils all) Las Vegas, Nevada 89121 7021434-9733 Foundation CFC #1059. Enclosed is $ BACKof Name BEYOND , BOOKS ~ Street addr9S8 The Western Nature
and Environment Book Store City. State ZIP Native Americana Fiction of the New West Mail.to Hi~h Country N"ws, - The complete works of 92- Larry Michael Dobson P.O. Box 1090, Paonia,CO 81428 Edward Abbey , . . . We love mail orders! If you read about it in HeN, we can ship it. P.O. Box 387 Moab UT 84532 (SOl) 259-5154
CHAllENGE/DISCOVERY a professional development ,,,,,... program, an outdoor adventure-oriented, ,-- experientially based, ak'e UpCoIOfado! empowerment team- building program for Do you know that the Department of Defense has control over 70 percent of the air space in Nevada and is"trying to do the same thing executives. We offer here in Colorado? Using the Colorado Air National Guard as ~s pawn, the Dept. of Defense is trying to grab more of the air space over quality, not quantit)'. Our programs and services our national forests and wilderness areas right now. result in higher productivity, improved quality and Do you know what this means? They can fly their jets anywhere from 100 to 500 feet off the ground at 600 miles per hour, destroying increased profits for our dients. Every program is our chances for preserving our wildlife areas for our children and grandchildren. custom-designed for your group. The Colorado Air National Guard will by to. establish a Military Operation Area (MOA) overthe sangre de Cristo Mountain Ran~ and the • W. can plan the 1Int1,. progrllm to , Great Sand Dunes National Monument. They want to run thousands of fighters, pef year, day and night They plan to make thiS area a mMt your obJeetivel. national jet air combat training facility. If we don't stop them neM, some of the best Colorado wilderness will be lost to future • We Incorporale.nd tacilita. generations forever. selected modu... lnto yow Ilgeftda. Please don't let them steal Oll' wilderness right oot flOm under our noses. Write Of call and voice.Y0ur opposition to 1his emironmental For your free brochure, write: disaster. Contact Governor Rll\' Romer: State ca~ Building, Denver, CO 90203; 1-800-332·1716andICK Msjo< General John France, the leader of the military team reSJl!l!ls~~ fCK trying to get this (MOA)approved: FOUR CORNERS CENTER 6848 S. Revere Parkway, Englewood, COB0112; 1·303-397·3028. FOR EXPERIENllAL U!ARNING, LID. We need local wlunteers all across Colorado as well as contrbrtions to help fight the military. For more information regarding MeA's 1760 Broadway and to ~Iun~ your time and/or se~ mr m?netI'y contribJtion, caII1-8()().892-Q135. For every minute you wait, Colorado will lose Grand Junction, CO 81503 more of it$WIldemesS: SAY NO WAY MOA. ThilodplidlDrltylt.~NoWlj'lIOAAJhrIC' (303) 858-3607
4 - High Country News - OCtober 5, 1992 PESTS OF THE WEST STICKlNG WITH THE WEST A WATER LAW CONFERENCE Pests of the West: Named from a line in a hobo ballad, Transferring water across the Rockies is Prevention and Control Wallace Stegner's new collection of essays, the focus of the seventh annual water law and for Today' s Garden and Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade policy conference called "Moving Water in Small Farm is a new bible Springs, blends personal experience with Colorado," at the University of Denver Col- for Western gardeners. It is insights on the West The first essay recounts lege of Law, Oct 30. Everything from the not as beautiful as some how Stegner followed his father's reckless role of buyer and seller to courts and a failed full-color, glossy garden and consuming search for the illusory jack- ballot initiative called W.A.T.E.R. is up for books, but author and ento- pot Like so many other Western boosters, discussion The water initiative was an effort mologist Whitney Cranshaw Stegner's father never found the "big rock to ensure thatlocal communities decided -~- has packed the book with candy mountain," but he did leave a trail of whether to sell their water. Colorado Gov. information about "true broken lives and plowed-outland in his Roy Romer will give the keynote speech; bugs" (the bad guys that can do a wake. Stegner never seems to forgive other speakers include David Getches, law lot of damage iand how to dis- destructive men who exploited land for prof- professor at the University of Colorado Law courage them, bugs that it This resentment is also apparent infour School in Boulder, and Hamlett "Chips" are friends of the gar- essays reprinted here from a series of lectures Barry JlI, manager of the powerful Denver dener. and the vast Stegner gave at the University of Michigan Water Board For more information, call the 10"" percentage of insects in 1968. Stegner examines the West " Institute for Advanced Legal Stud- ~ that are in the garden minding through the lens of aridity, telling its i, ~.., ies in Denver at 303/871-6118. <~"\' --,,~ .'. .~ \ their own business. The book outlines bio- history as a tale of human greed and -'z.-. 14-. i ~. '.. logical and chemical controls for diseases, exploitation Even today, Stegner tells "?qi:~.:;'~:...-~>-_. weeds and large pests such as mule deer, us, Western industry nurses the "some- 1 HOT TALES rabbits and birds. The book's index, unfor- thing for nothing" dream of the past: Sub- The Rocky Mountain tunately, is hard to use. Rely-polys can be sidized water helps fill the pockets and the Peace Center has published an found only by poring over six index pages, fields of some Westerners who continue to updated version of its 1988 and tarnish bugs can be found only by leaf- live the myth of independence. But Steg- ", __ j-
Florence Williams is a staff reporter at High Country News. Nevada politics: rural no more
Management. ____ by Jon Christensen brush Rebels into the most heavily of full-time ranchers in the 1993 Neva- Assemblyman John Marvel, a life- unionized community in the state, and da Legislature will drop to one: Sen. Dean Rhoads, a Republican from Tus- long rancher and Republican from Battle nNevada's primary, not even God Reid is a staunch supporter of the min- carora, north of Elko. Rhoads sparked Mountain, is also running for re-election Almighty was able to challenge ing industry. the Sagebrush Rebellion in 1979 when this year, but he has sold most of his Democratic Sen. Harry Reid's re- The waning power of agriculture in ,ranch. The only two other Republicans Nevada can also be seen in the state- he introduced legislation to "take back" election. with ties to agriculture, one a rancher I house. Unless some long-shot candi- the 70 percent of Nevada that is con- Incredible as it may seem, candi- , trolled by the U.S. Bureau of Land and the other a farmer, retire this year dates in Nevada can run under any name dates win election this fall, the number they please. "God Almighty," however, garnered only 2 percent of the votes in the Sept. 2 primary, falling behind "None of the above" at 4 percent and coming nowhere near Reid, who tri- umphed with 53 percent. Republican Demar Dahl, a wealthy rancher from Elko County, will oppose Reid in the general election. But running on an unreconstructed Sagebrush Rebel- lion platform, Dahl has, well, about a snowball's chance on the Las Vegas Strip of defeating the incumbent senator, who has amassed a $2.5 million war chesL All told, Nevada's races this year reveal a state moving toward urban and cosmopolitan interests, such as growth control and "quality of life" issues. Reid has gained a reputation as an "environmental senator" for his support of a Nevada wilderness bill and water negotiations that were opposed by ranchers and farmers. Votes for Demar ' Dahl are likely to provide a good indi- cation of the discontent in the rural counties with Reid. But Reid may take even rural Elko County from the Republicans this year. The gold mining boom in northeastern Nevada has trans- Dean Rhoads Harry Reid formed the last redoubt of the Sage- . 8 - HIgh Couniry News - OCtober 5, 1992 after long stints in the Legislature. Alen. The county commissions in Reno decided there and the county offices are ~ Another longtime voice for rural and Las Vegas have essentially gained stepping stones to the governor's man- :~ interests, five-terin Republican incum- control of the future of all water devel- sion and to the U.S. Congress. ;l'!
bent Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, faces a opment around the cities, Fulkerson This fall, the majority on the Clark 0 is tight challenge from Pete Sferrazza, the says, and are actively seeking water in County Commission could swing from 'C Democratic mayor of Reno. Nevada's rural areas of the state to supply future old-line development boosters to a new ~ 2nd Congressional District covers all of growth. generation of politicians concerned with ] the state except the Las Vegas Growth is a hot-button issue in growth and lagging social services. It is ~ metropolitan area. Reno. One local race even drew the far from certain, however, that this will ;;;: "--,~r--,:., Tx Such developments follow the dom- auention of Bruce Babbitt, the two-term translate into a defeat for the city's ~ •,-,--., inant political trend in Nevada: urbaniza- former Democratic governor of Arizona grandiose scheme to pump water from @ tion. Close to 90 percent of the state's and a prominent advocate of water rural counties, says Chris Brown. He is ~ 1.2 million citizens live in cities, making reform, who appeared at a Reno fund- southern Nevada coordinator for Citizen Nevada the fourth most urban state in the raiser for Republican Steve Bradhurst, a Alert and director of a new lobbying nation. With population and political candidate for the Washoe County Com- group called Nevadans for Accountable NEVi\DA power concentrated in urban areas, the mission. Bradhurst, a planning consul- Government, or NAG. key elections on the environmental front tant, opposes a Las Vegas plan to import "A number of candidates have put • Population 1990, 1,201,833 in Nevada this year are county commis- water from rural counties. Bradhurst also growth and the environment in their • Median house value - $95,700 sion races in Reno, and especially in Las opposes a plan to transfer water from campaign literature," adds Brown. "But • Registered voters: Vegas. rural valleys to Reno. nobody has made it their banner." Democrats - 46%, 166,497 "The county commissioners are just Perhaps even more important, how- Republicans - 44%, 160,930 . as important as any legislators because ever, are races in southern Nevada's • Unafilliated - 10%, 37,537 , they have so much to do with water Clark County. Because the majority of Jon Christensen writes frequently on How it voted in 1988: .0_ \ these days," says Bob Fulkerson, direc- Nevadans live in the Las Vegas environmental issues from Carson City, Bush - 59% Dukakis - ~ tor of the environmental group Citizen metropolitan area, statewide races are Nevada. One-person, one-vote finds Wyoming
___ -JJby Michael Milstein former governor Ed Herschler - took elevising glowing green cows aim at incumbent may not seem like a smart Republican Craig campaign move. But when Thomas's votes on Tluminous bovines graced federal waste-siting Wyoming's TV screens this summer, it laws. With his glow- may have marked a new high on the ing cows, Herschler state's political scene. also became one of These particular hot cows were tools Wyoming's ,first in Democratic candidate Jon Herschler's statewide candidates to make an environ- mental issue central to the campaign. A green That is not often a popular stance to awareness take in Wyoming, where environmen- emerges in the talists are frequently considered stumbling Cowboy State blocks to progress and politicians are hailed for battling such initiatives as run for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. mining reform. But House of Representatives. They are the debate over a Tessa Dalton Photography meant to illustrate the fate of Wyoming's Monitored Retriev- Congressman CraIg Thomas Challenger Jonathan Herschler large cattle population should a much- able Storage (MRS) County. She faces Republican newcomer debated radioactive disposal site be built facility was different It focused citizens' As a result, a small county with a Glenda Stark, a Casper businesswoman. in the state. thoughts on Wyoming's future, and what population of 3,000 had the same repre- In broadcasting the image, Her- they wanted it to include and not include. sentation in the Statehouse as a county The only major statewide race is the one for U.S. House, a seat Dick Cheney schier - no relation to the ~te,.adored "It was one of the first times we saw with 8,000 people, a violation of the con- people standing up during a campaign stitutional assurance that each citizen held until he became secretary of and saying yes or no to something that will have an equal voice. So the court Defense. Craig Thomas took over and could have major effects on the state's ordered changes and the Legislature, was re-elected two years ago, but has an environment and image," said Sierra after a lot of kicking and screaming, undistinguished record in Washington. ~:'-"T:~~~~~:::::- Club Northern Plains representative Kirk gave in. Thomas, with a zero percent rating from oj, \ t1 T iND" Koepsel. Radical changes in the Legislature the League of Conservation Voters, is iID"" -:oJ SD Though Gov. Mike Sullivan, a are unlikely, but it is probable that the generally reviled by environmentalists. --,-- Democrat, killed the MRS proposal after strong sagebrush-rebellion attitude fos- Casting aside Thomas's explana- NE Herschler won the Democratic primary, tered by the legislators from small rural tions that it's hard to get anything done '.' CO 'KS it still provided good grist for state and counties will be .tempered by the more in a crowded Congress, Herschler told "1\2 rN~( OK local primary races. That candidates cosmopolitan interests of city-dwellers. Thomas to step down and give someone Even during primary campaigns, else a shot --_,-r-, TX were forced to address it may signal a -, new green awareness among both voters many candidates panned Wyoming's Herschler, an eye surgeon, is also -, ">, historic reliance on mineral extraction - threatening to usurp Thomas's touted !"\.EX-ICQ and politicians in Wyoming - which could be further heightened by a court- oil, coal and others - as an economic health care platform, saying that as a ordered shakeup in the state Legislature. foundation. Now that the value and sup- doctor he is more qualified to deal with Due to a dramatic reapportionment ply of some of those commodities are the nation's medical funding problems. w'10l"\\NG of the Legislature, about half the seats in waning, leaving the state in a serious "I restore people's vision," Herschler has the conservative capitol are likely to gain funding crisis, many candidates have said. "You tell me what he does." Thestate Republican chair called • Population 1990 - 453,588 new occupants, giving added power to begun talking about how to take advan- Herschler, who has lived in Wyoming .• Median house value - $61,600 Wyoming's urban areas. tage of more environmentally benign only about four years, a "carpetbagger" • Registered voters: Until now, Wyoming was the only industries such as tourism, which is Democrats - 35%;77,140 state in the nation without single-mem- booming. who moved to Wyoming only to run for Republicans - 57%, 125,900 ber state House and Senate districts. . One particularly notable statehouse Congress. The vehemence of the attack Unafilliated . 9%, 19,291 'Instead of representing an individual dis- candidate is Democrat Linda Burkhart. surprised some observers. Now both How it voted in 1988: trict, state lawmakers represented a Something of a local folk hero, Burkhart Thomas and Herschler are busy raising Bush - 61% Dukakis : 38% county or Sets of counties, often with fought the toxic pollution that contaminat- money, with much of Herschler's com- other legislators. ed the Brookhurst subdivision in Natrona ing from out of the state. • High Country News - OCtober 5. 1992 - 9 "-fl..-ClI T l
Marlenee- Williams is the big one
___ -Dby Todd Wilkinson
hen Montana voters go to the polls this fall, the sin- gle most important elec- W non m their state's mod- em historywill hinge upon one question: What role should government play in shapingthe lives of citizens and the nat- ural resources they use? Although this referendum will not appear officially on the November bal- lot, it has become the centralissue in the race for Montana's lone Cohgressional seat This summer, the U.S. Supreme Coon ruled that the Big Sky state must relinquishone of its two seatsin the U.S. House of Representatives based on the 1990 census. The decision has set the stage for a showdown that many view as a political bellwether for the rest of the West (HeN, 5/4/92). Ron Marlenee, a former farmer and auctioneerfrom Scobey, Mont., who has represented the eastern half of the state in Congress for 16 years, draws the bulk of his supporters from the sparselypopu- lated high plains. A championof private property rights and unbridled resource extraction, he relishes his role as the nemesis of environmentalists - whom he once labeled "prairie fairies." Marle- Todd Wilkinson nee also opposes any governmentregu- Ron Mar1enee lations that impinge upon a citizen's Pat Willlams abilityto develop raw materials. His challenger, incumbent Demo- most important election in a long, long represent the largest and most populous acts. "It's not fair to paint Ron as an crat Pat Williams, draws his political time," says Jim Gransberry, a veteran voting district in the contiguous U.S. - exploiter of the environment," says Will might from the more populated Rocky journalist who covers politics for The a 147,138-mile region that is equal in Brooke, Marlenee's campaign Mountain front, where federal lands Billings Gazette. "1 can't think of any- size 10the combinedland masses of New spokesman. "Ron's position is he wants have supported the state's logging, min- thing that approaches its significance. York state, Pennsylvania, Maine, Mas- sachusetts and Vermont. .:: ; to produce jobs and then prll'itffil'%e ing and tourist industries. While not an The person we choose this year will • _." 1_ ',"' ,- tT" leave repercussions well into the next Pundits view the race as a decisive environment. The two are'not mutuafly avowed environmentalist, Williams nev- exclusive." .' . ,'...• ertheless believes that government century." crossroads for Montana. Marlenee' s Williams's positions have been should protect citizens and the land' Polls say the contest is a dead heat. brash disdain for federal regulations is much more conciliatory. Although he against the avarice of big business. A Earlier this year, Williams held a slight evident in many of the positions he received a middling 54 percent rating formerschool teacher from the blue-col- lead, though in recent voter surveys, takes, such as opposing the creation of from the League of ConservationVoters Jar mining town of Butte, he has served Marlenee has inched ahead by three per- more federal wilderness in the state, last year, he supports the California in the House as Montana's Western Dis- centage points. attempting to block restoration of gray Desert Protection Act and the protection trictrepresentative for 14years. The winner will emerge as the sole wolves to Yellowstone National Park of Alaska's National Arctic Wildlife ''Without a doubt, this is Montana's congressman for the entire state. He will and opposing the Clean Air and Water
,
...... ; :.: .... :"::.:: ..::...::.:=:.;: ..::.:.: .::".;::: ...:::...::... ::".... Refuge from oil interests. He sponsored For many voters, the choice will thing in Montana" ND a measure to protect Yellowstone's gey-. come down to ideology. "Marlenee Such a defense may be misguided. sers from development on the edge of argues quite heavily in favor of multiple The 1990 census showed that nearly half SD r-:«, : VY use of public lands, as would Pat of all permanent Montana residents were the park and backed an initiative to save c, ! 'F--;','-- .. , NE wetlands - all things Marlenee Williams," says The Gazelle's Gransber- not born in the state, a factor that poll- ',NV ' UT: CO "-", ... i! : KS opposed. Williams is also credited with ry. 'The difference is whose multiple use sters say weighs in favor of Williams. leading the charge to maintain federal do they want to get preference." Steve Kelly, an activist with the ; s: .-~~--}-·iOK funding for the National Endowment for While Marlenee and Williams share Alliance for the Wild Rockies, says that '-._;". --.i 'rx opposition to gun control and support the , Williams has skillfully assessed the per- the Arts, an effort ridiculed by his oppo- '\-_.--.... nent, , right to hunt, Marlenee has pursued both ils of racking up a record that could be But Williams, like Marlenee, did not issues with zeal, drafting legislation that exploited by Marlenee. favor reform of the 1872 mining law, he would make protesting of sport hunts a "The established formula for opposed increases in livestock grazing federal crime. Last year, he disrupted a statewide voting in Montana is if you're fees on federal lands and he failed to gun control press conference on Capitol perceived as being too green, you lose deliver a much-needed vote this spring Hill by carrying an Uzi machine gun too many votes," Kelly said. "A 101 of /"\ONTANA on a bill to protect ancient forests in the loaded with blanks. people in the environmental movement, Pacific Northwest As a resolution of his positions, quite frankly, are not happy with either • Population 1990 - 799,065 Although the national body of the People Magazine called him "an enemy of these individuals. but they're voting • Median house value - $56,600 Sierra Club has officially endorsed of the earth" and Ms, Magazine targeted for one of them because the alternative is • Registered voters: Williams, a local group of the Sierra him as one of 10 congressmen on its unthinkable." • Unafilliated - 100%,435,900 Club based in Bozeman, Mont., with- "throw-the-bums-out wish list." Marie- (no parties) drew its support because of Williams's nee's spokesman Brooke dismissed the How it voted in 1988: opposition to' adding more Montana bad press, saying the successful feminist Todd Wilkinson lives in Bozeman, Bush - 52% Dukakis - 46% wilderness acreage in a bill currently magazine is "not a very fair representa- Montana, and writes about natural before the House. tion of anything that has to do with any- resource issues in the West. Conservatism still reigns in Idaho
___ -.<-oy Steve Stuebner
dahomayhold claim to some of the finest natural resources in the nation, but none of the candidates Irunning for Congress in 1992 is making bold promises to protect them. Three of the state's four seats in Congress are open this November. Thus far, the campaigns have focused on peripheral issues, ,including the integrity or campaign aides: ... Pundits say il's nOI surprising that 1:.~t ~'" .; __ • "'" ' <, .,1., ' _ 2lli~'»'\I!jllBS ,ilfS~'.~Jl)CH,s,il!g9'1.rlj1e,h~~vi- orlpqm;m,q nsdJ b~.c edoj ec nbo'rq ~1 '(H£lJJ::l.\ ~~9,wc~;\lliJFO~fvl\\i",e :1Ilj~ of the state," says John Freemuth, political science professor at Boise State Univer- sity and public lands expert. "The polls showed Bush is running way ahead of Clinton in Idaho, even though Clinton's ahead nationally," he adds. Environmentalists had hoped that quality of life issues would playa promi- Paul Peck Photography nent role in the congressional cam- DlrkKempthome Richard Stallings paigns. But Walt'Minnick, a board mem-: '0. -.-. ber of The Wilderness Society, says, At stake in Idaho is the fate of 9 mil- on the Environmental' Protection Agen- "The environmental community hasn't lion acres of de facto, unprotected cy, bad a zero rating. done a very good job, of molding envi- ' wilderness, :the cleanest' air in the coun- The race between Stallings and r\?nmenta! opi . ~"sll\le.'[lmt' s the try, a slew of endangered species, Kempthorne, a 'forty-something candi- real keyj(i''''' ~~.. to us." induding~S31mon, and a number of dams date who posed for a pinup 'calendar two' ," {ff;' , " . ..,..,.-"'""" . ~' . s »»: } proposed,Jor blue-ribbon streams, years ago, is expected to be very close. , a •~ '!. -~ . Despite a 'lack of heroes, environ- Two Democrais running for the U.S. mentalists find themselves endorsing all House, freshman Rep. Larry LaRocco of the Democratic candidates running for and state auditor J.D. Williams, have Congress. vowed to try to resolve the wilderness Four-term Congressman. Richard stalemate. LaRocco is expected to handi- Stallings, a Mormon and moderate ly defeat his opponent, former state Sen. Democrat, is running against Boise Rachel Gilbert, a right-wing Boise real Mayor Dirk Kempthorne for the Senate estate agent. seal held by retiring arch-conservative But Williams and his opponent, Republican, Steve Symms. state Senate President Pro- Tem Mike Kempthorne likes to go whitewater . Crapo of Idaho Falls, are running a close rafting and says that Boise's quality of race. Williams, as a former state Water life is partly responsible for the city's Board member, led efforts to protect the booming economy. But he's surrounded Henry's Fork in the Legislature while by conservative 'advisors such as retired Crapo voted against theplan. But so far, Sen. Jannes McClure and Synims's chief Williams has refrained from focusing on of staff, and he's received the endorse- the issue in his campaign, probably IDf\HO ment of thetirnber, mining, oil and agri- because the 2nd Congressional District is • Population'l990 '''1,006.749 cultural"i~dustries_- . Mormon and conservative. • Median house value - $58,200 Stallings, on the other hand, is a "You're not going in be out front on , • Registeredvoters: ' "; pro-lifer"wlili'one" of'llie worst environ- the environment in that district if you Unafilliated- 100%,540,247 mentalrecords of any Democrat in want to get elected;" says analyst Freemuth, ,,-, (no parties}: " " . . 'U" (:: Congress:..a 31 percent rating in 1991, How it voted in 1988: according to the LeilgiIe of Conservation In a few ofthe state'slegislative Bush - 62% Dukakis - 36% Voters: Symt;ls; ~ho'rallied to gut the Cle3h- Ai A~iand'regul8tlyhannmered ..-conU"ued 0" fU!~ page '.'," __'_ ._" '._ .__ JE.;E;, 2!l¥E~~t.£!1ill!Ei!2.Ll .- .c~- _ -&' :" HigIl G9uDtry:_News.,....O<:t9ber,5~iil~2 - 11 , -, "1 haven't found an issue that has more watershed. Conservatism still reigns ••• interest than the Henry's Fork," he says . If some Democratic candidates are "It's not abstract; it's something they can successful, it could change the balance see and interact with." of the Legislature. At this point, the Sen- COnltnuedfrom previous page "The defeat of the Henry's Fork was the final straw," says candidate John Earlier this summer, a hydroelectric ate is tied 21-21 and Republicans hold nearly a two-thirds majority in the races, however, the environment is as a Ochi, an environmental activist from project under construction went awry House .• major issue. Nearly a half-dozen. pro- Idaho Falls. "But it's not the only issue and blew out the Marysville Canal, environment candidates in eastern Idaho, I'm running on." spewing mud into Fall River, a tributary Steve Stuebner, a free-lance writer stung by the defeat last year of a plan to In door-to-door campaigns, Ochi says, of the Henry's Fork (HCN, 9/21/92). in Boise, writes frequently for High protect the world-renowned Henry's protection of the Henry's Fork appears to Ochi says that incident may help bolster Country News. Fork, are running on the issue. be the most important issue to constituents. support for banning new dams in the Growth is the Washington issue
__ --lby Ken Olse~ for 10, faces Democratic dark rowth is the big issue domi- horse Patty Mur- . nating elections in Washing- ray, a state sena- ton state this year. Voters tor from the must. choose from an array of Seattle area. G Murray, candidates representing every platform from no-growth to pro-growth to old- who helped growth. champion The state's population soared 50 growth manage- percent, from 3.4 million to more than 5 ment during her million, between 1970 and 1991. The time in the Leg- surge has taken its toll: An estimated islature, has 30,000 acres of wildlife habitat is lost to earned the Sierra urban sprawl each year. Freeways are Club's endorse- clogged, mass transit is inadequate and ment. While that waste disposal and water supply prob- en d o r se m e nt lems are multiplying. may help her in Against this backdrop the state is western Wash- losing its most environmentally sensitive ington, where . U.S. senator, Brock Adams, D; the state voters are likely Legislature will see its most extensive. to feel the pain turnover in four decades; and the gover- of the unregulat- nor's mansion is wide open. . ed growth of the Sen. Adams, who has put forth sub- 1980s, it will stantial efforts to protect ancient forests cost her votes in and garnered high ratings from the conservative League of Conservation Voters, is leav- eastern Washing- ing office following allegations of sexual ton . harassment . In elections Candidates for his seat are mostly for the State- being viewed in the context of the state's house and gover- ,. timber wars. nor's office, can- The strongest contender is U.S. Rep. didates support- Rod Chandler, R, a former TV newscast- ing the state's Patty Murray Rod Chandler er from Bellevue, a prosperous Seattle controversial suburb. Heavily supported by thetimber growth management act contend with weakened everything from the state efforts for the environment during his industry, Chandler says he favors weak- those who wish to weaken it. Environmental Policy Act to the Growth tenure as attorney general "are as mild as euing the Endangered Species Act. First passed by the 1990 Legislature, Management Act," according to Beth can be," says Mike Layton, a political Chandler also the act requires Doglio, executive director of the Wash- columnist for the Seattle Post lntelli- supports making ~ participating ington Environmental Political Action gencer. Lowry's major challenge is government com- counties to identi- Committee. One of the so-called "dirty overcoming his image as a tax-and- pensate private :~ fy sensitive areas dozen" would have gutted wetlands pro- spend liberal. ~ and make them tection and another would have required If Eikenberry wins the governor's property owners ij '0 state and local governments to compen- race and if the Democratic majority in who must comply • off limits to devel- with environmen- ~ opment. It also sate property owners affected by govern- the House weakens, the growth manage- tal regulations. His '0 gives counties the ment regulations. This compensation bill ment rules are likely to be diluted. That list of contributors _powerI. to charge would have been retroactive for 10 worries David Bricklin, co-chair of the reads like a Who's '" developers impact years. Washington Environmental PAC and Who among oil ~ fees for things like Another of the bills would have pro- one of the principal authors of the and timber compa- roads, schools and hibited local governments from having a growth initiative. nies. parks before the say in pesticide use on agricultural and "I think the concern is that the act be ME: x i c o Once consid- subdivisions go forest land and along state highways. given a fair chance to prove itself," ered average by up. None became law. But two of the Bricldin says. "We are not totally satis- the League of Con- Thou g h "dirty dozen" made it all of the way to fied with the act either, but at some point servation Voters, '.JI\SH lNG TON optional for all but the governor's desk. That near success we have to get beyond tinkering with the his 1991 voting the most populat- will fuel the return of such legislation, legislation and start implementing it ed of the state's Doglio says. from the bottom up." record earned a • Population 1990 - 4,866,692 counties, 26 of 39 The changing makeup of the Legis- Another significant race in Wash- dismal 15 percent • Median house value - $93,400 counties opted to lature makes the outlook for environ- ington this year is the position of state approval rating. • Registered voters: operate under the mental legislation uncertain. Many peo- public lands commissioner. Democratic Chandler's Unafilliated - 100%,2,225,100 progressive law. ple believe that the 58-40 Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Belcher, endorsed by more recent politi- (no parties) But it's now margin in the House, where many of the environmentalists, faces Ann Anderson, cal posture surpris- How it voted in 1988: attracting heat "dirty dozen" were defeated, will be nar- a Republican state senator supported by es even environ- Bush - 48% Dukakis - 50% mentalists. He has because it affects rowed. Control of the state Senate is a the timber industry. gone from moder- everything from toss-up. At stake are 5 million acres of state 7 ate to joining other wetlands to subdi- On top of this, Gov. Booth Gardner, lands, much of it used for timber har- conservative visions, prompting who has done pretty well in the eyes of vesting and cattle grazing. With increas- Republicans in advocating "the pro- farmers and developers to complain environmentalists, is not running for a ing environmental regulations on federal stumps position," says Rick Johnson, about losing private property rights. third term. timber lands, pressure for clear-cutting, Northwest representative for the Sierra Those interests are gaining power. Former Congressman Mike Lowry, exporting logs and meeting high forest yields has moved to the state holdings. Club. During the 1992 legislative session, pri- a Republican not supportive of environ- Chandler, who spent eight years in vate property advocates managed to get mental measures, wants the job. Facing How these forests are managed will fall the Legislature and has been in Congress 12 bills introduced that "would have him is Democrat Ken Eikenberry, whose largely to the commissioner. •
12 - High Country News - October 5. 1992 Nukes,/ owls dominate in Oregon
____ -lJby Jim Stiak all favored to win re-election, But in the district that encompasses the eastern uclearpower,the spotted owl two-thirds of the state, Republican Bob and cattle are big players this Smith faces a windmill-tilting longshot election year in Oregon. opponent, Denzel Ferguson. SACRED . Thanks to a ballot initia- Ferguson, who has never run for N public office, authored a scathing look at tive, the state's 3 million residents are . COWS getting another.chance to shut down Tro- cattle grazing on federal lands, Sacred jan, Oregon's only nuclear power plant Cows at the Public Trough (see accom- -,,' AT THE After a similar measure lost in 1990, two panying story). Smith, former state legis- 'PUBLIC TB! . anti- Trojan forces have emerged. lator and five- term congressman, is a Jerry and Marilyn Wilson, million- rancher and proud owner of a zero per- aire founders of the Solo flex fitness cent rating from conservationists. machine company, have the finances to Although Ferguson is best known counter a campaign by Trojan's owner, for his convictions on cattle, he seldom Portland General Electric (pGE). They mentions them in campaign speeches. proved their willingness to spend those Instead, in a district that receives no fitness bucks hy mailing glossy defense money, he sniped at Smith's brochures - eight pages of reasons why support of high military spending. In the Trojan should be closed - to two-thirds 2nd District, which is about the size of of Oregon households. Iowa, Ferguson rallies the masses with Both the Wilsons' initiative and one his slogan: "D.F., not B.S:' led by perennial anti-nuke activist Lloyd Over the Cascades at the state capi- Marbet require closing Trojan unless it's tal in Salem, first-term Gov. Barbara made earthquake- proof, cost-effective Roberts seems safe in her office at least and safer. Trojan has been releasing radio until her term expires in 1994. A recent ation almost since the day it opened. But recall effort, funded by timber cornpa- the Wilsons' proposal contains the added nies after Roberts espoused logging cut- stipulation that decommissioning costs, backs, didn't collect enough signatures estimated at $500 million, must not be Trojan Nuclear Power Plant to make the ballot passed on to ratepayers. Democrats are also secure in control PGE, however, threw a curve in of the state Senate. They currently hold a 30-20 majority, a ratio unlikely to early August when it decided that, rather -,~---- than spend the millions needed to repair fiT ! ND change. In the House it's a different Trojan's aging generators, it would close story. There, Democrats are trying to the plant after 1996. The surprise move regain control after the last election pro- c~• N !L~y}~~~ duced a Republican majority for the first may convince a majority to vote against \, v : UT: CO •.. the initiations, and give the plant four time in two decades. more years. \\'/"';"')~~K Although the last session produced " AZ , NI1· -. In Oregon's sole Senate race, many several environmental bills, such as imple- T~' in the environmental community grudg- ··>.__L.\ mentation of the Clean Air Act, a bill ingly support Democrat Rep. Les ,-,.-.." mandating curbside recycling, and a slight AuCoin in his battle against incumbent J"IEX leo \, tightening of logging regulations on pri- Republican Sen. Bob Packwood. vate lands, Democrats complain that Like most congressmen, AuCoin is Republican control is gumming the works. stronger on environmental issues outside When the Republicans gained power OREGON in 1990, the Democrats say, the position of his region. He earned a 77 percent approval rating from the League of Con- of speaker of the House was given to • Population 1990-2,842,321 servation Voters (LCV), but as a memo Larry Campbell, a director ofpublic • Median house value· $67,100 ber of the House Appropriations Com- affairs for Louisiana Pacific Corporation. • Registered voters: mittee played a major role in the rapid Campbell promptly ousted Ron Cease, . Democrats- 47%, 692,100. clearcutting of Northwest ancient forests longtime Democratic chair of the Energy Republicans- 39%, 570,933 in the 1980s. AuCoin now supports cut- and Environment Committee, replacing Unafilliated- 14%,213,467 backs in logging and the reauthorization him with Fred Parkinson, a Republican How it voted in 1988: oftheEndang~edSpec~sAct with little experience with or interest in Bush-47% Dukakis· 51 % Packwood, with a 13 percent LCV environmental issues. rating, wants to keep the timber cut high Unless Campbell and his committee and raise spotted owls in zoos. chair appointees lose control, say the For AuCoin, who won a ruthless tion, bullet trains and ''products that con- Democrats, the Senate's environmental primary by only 300 votes over forest serve energy and protect the environment" bills will continue to die in the House .• conservationist Harry Lonsdale, the race Oregon's three incumbent Demo- is uphill. Packwood is one of the Sen- cratic congressmen - Peter DeFazio, Jim Stiak frequently writes on Ore- ate's ablest fund-raisers, nicknamed the Ron Wyden and Mike Kopetski - are gon's environmental issues for HCN. "Six Million Dollar Man" for the size of his cache in the last election. This year, Packwood is paying for a statewide tele- vision blitz, featuring ads such as "AuCoin: A Study in Hypocrisy." The race for AuCoin's House seat, in a district that runs from Portland to the Pacific Coast, is between Oregon State Treasurer Tony Meeker. a conservative Republican, and Elizabeth Furse, a social activist in her first run at elective office. Born in Africa of British parents, Furse watched her mother lead one of the first demonstrations against apartheid. Meeker wants to revise the Endan- gered Species Act to ignore species with low odds of survival, such as Snake River salmon. "Why sacrifice thousands of jobs for something that won't work anyway?" he asks. Furse supports reauthorization. of the act, but advocates long- range economic plans for timber communities. !;he also favors development of light-rail transports- LesAuColn Bob Packwood High Country News- OCtober 5, 1992 - 13 .N.M. Legislature is battleground ___ --- -,- __ -IJby Peter Aleshire ment lies behind Symington's change. be on the rise, led by Mesa Rep. Mark Kil- He has suffered a series of political dis- lian. The odds-on favorite for House rizona, a state that has been asters, including involvement in a Speaker, Killian, a developer, is a long- politically unstable since the bankrupt savings and loan and embar- time defender of private propoerty rights. departure of Gov. Bruce Bab- rassing publicity about an aide who hit a He was co-sponsor of the takings bill, and bitt and his moderating influ- pedestrian and fled the accident. As he describes the Nature Conservancy. as a A Symington lost the support of moderates, "radical" environmental group. ence in 1986, appears headed once again for stormy waters, and environmental he sought the support of the right wing On the national level, two strong interests are likely to suffer. of his Republican party. environmentalists have a chance of win- They have already taken some Buoyed by the governor's change, a ning House seats in a congressional dele- blows, with the passage of a "takings" resurgent Republican Party appears gation whose members rank near zero on bill this spring that was then signed into poised to recapture control of the state the rating cards of environmental groups. law by Gov. Fife Symington (HCN, Senate. Republicans lost control of the In addition, both Republican incumbent 8/24{92). It was a turn-around for the Semite as a result of the impeachment of Sen. John McCain and his underdog governor, who campaigned in 1990 as 'a Republican Gov. Evan Mecham in 1988. challenger, Claire Sargent, have taken .' strong environmentalist, and whose first Of 30 contested seats, six are con- increasingly pro-environment positions. major act in office was to block comple- sidered close races. Democrats must win McCain appears likely to be re- tion of a hazardous waste incinerator five of them to retain control. However, elected to the U.S. Senate despite the near Phoenix ..He then supported protect- the Republican candidates are favored in criticism that engulfed him last year for ing riparian areas, including giving legal four of the six races. assisting convicted financier Charles standing to in-stream flows. . " In the Stale House, already controlled Keating. With nearly $2 million iit cam' Observers say political embarrass- by Republicans, conservatives appear to paign funds, McCain is well situated to Oaire Sargent. ' fend off a challenge from Sargent. who is not' well known and who spent mosr of her money winning a primaiy.'.· .: The race wcuId be a shOO-iri exoept for a wild card: the independent candidacy of the irrepressible Evan Mecham. He woo the governorship in a similar three-way nice. Generally, environmentalists are pleased by McCain's strong support of the Grand Canyon Protection bill, which would change the way in which Glen Canyon Dam is operated in order to pro- tect the canyon's beaches and other natu- ral resources. McCain also received liigh marks for his role in requiring control of emissions from the Navajo Generating Station. The . plant's emissions are held partially respon- sible for haze in the Grand Canyon. How- ever, McCain has drawn fire from envi- ronmentalists for his support of a Univer- 7 sity of Arizona project that would build telescopes on Mount Graham, the haunt of John Mccain an endangered squirrel. In the U.S. House, state Sen. Karan some of whose support comes from English, head of the Arizona Senate's national religious-right groups. They are environmental committee and a favorite vying for the newly created 6th District. Ann and Lttron Sutton of women's and environmental groups, Incumbent Republican Congressman Grand Canyon will face White House aide Doug Wead, Jay Rhodes faces a strong challenge from . 14 - HIgh Country News- OCtober 5, 1992 _T LRT V2 Phoenix auomey and Democrat Sam Cop- persmith in the 1st District. encompassing the heart of Phoenix. Rhodes is plagued by the checks he bounced on his congression- al banking account. But despite that and anti-incumbency fever, Coppersmith, who has been endorsed by environmentalists, remains an underdog in the heavily Repub- lican district. In the remaining four districts the one . incumbent Democrat and three incumbent Republicans face only token opponents. In addition to choosing among candi- dates, Arizona voters will be asked to vote on Proposition 200, an initiative that would I\R1Z.0Nf\ ban steel-jawed traps and similar devices on public lands. by a lawyer for a man Led • Population 1990 - 3,665,228 injured while trying to free his dog from • Median house value - $80,100 such a trap, the grass-roots effort gathered • Registered voters: more than 170,000 signatures to qualify Defenders of Wildlife/Dick Randall Democrats - 42%, 779,351 for the ballot. Early polls showed the mea- An Arizona initiative would ban steel-jawed traps on public lands Republicans - 47%, 871,073 sure leading by a two-so-one margin. Unafilliated - 11%,212,994 But opposition is coming. The How it voted in 1988: In addition, a coalition of environ- - tional. In the closing weeks of the cam- Wildlife Legislative Fund, a pro-hunting Bush - 60% Dukakis - 39% group, has already raised some $600,000 paign, opponents are expected to mount mental groups has been circulating peti- to fight the initiative. Assisting are the a $750,000 advertising blitz patterned on tions to put an irtitiative on the Novem- National Rifle Association, the Cattle successful efforts to defeat similar initia- ber ballot that would repeal the Legisla- Growers' Association and Safari Interna- tives in Oregon, Ohio and elsewhere. ture's takings law. • BOOKNOTES VOTING GREEN A GREEN SUPERPOWER? VOTE FOR THE EAf(['H VOTE SMART The latest in a series of election guide- Vice President Dan Quayle's favorite In 1991, Congress allocated $55 million Need more information on the candi- books for environmentalists, Voting Green argument, that environmental regulations for enforcement of the Endangered Species dates? Project Vote Smart may be exactly offers descriptions of candidates and how hurt America's competitiveness, is convinc- Act. That amounts to a week's worth of bet- what the pollster ordered. This toll-free, they voted, overviews of key legislation ingly ripped to shreds in the new book, The ting at America's dog tracks. And that, call-in service. sponsored by the non-parti- Once and Future Superpower: How to according 10 Votefor the Earth, is one of san, non-profit Center for National Inde- such as the Endangered Species Act and background on relevant policy issues. Restore America's Economic, Energy and many compelling reasons to lake environ- pendence in Politics, provides information Compiled by Washington, D.C., activists Environmental Security. Joseph J. Romm, a mental issues to the polls this November. on how the candidates vote and where they Jeremy Rifkin and Carol Grunewald researcher at Colorado's Rocky Mountain Votefor the Earth couldn't be more timely, got their money. Operators also answer Rifkin. the book also contains anecdotes, Institute, argues that the key to this country's quotes and cartoons. Probably longer and success lies in efficiency. including speeding more proselytizing than it needs to be, Vot- up our manufacturing cycle and minimizing ing Green will nevertheless provide much energy and pollution waste. Currently, he Books court the useful information for November 1992. points out, American companies rely on pol- Doubleday, 666 Fifth Ave., New lution-eontrol technology imported from the York, NY 10103. Paper: $15.390 pages. D Oernllfus1ln BLAME THE AGENCY consider whether modest recreational- assigns forever, was for 'the most part use fees might encourage our public taken by force and violence .from the Dear HCN: Ie lands managers to manage our lands for original inhabitants. There is nothing SACRIFICED WILDERNESS There can be no doubt that ridgeline those resources we find most valuable. sacred ahout the way our society treats home construction in the bean of a wilder- property rights. And any person with a ness is a travesty (HCN, 9nm), at least for Richard Domingue religion worthy of the name will tell you Dear HCN, the public. However, to shout with anger at Morrison, Colorado that the earth is the Lord's, intended by I hope we don't have to sacrifice our the perpetrator, a holder of vested property the creator for the use of all its creatures. wilderness just to spoil a rich man's view, rights, is folly. Tom Chapman is not to PROFIT ABOVE PRINCIPLE as Ed Marston suggests (HCN,9fll/92). blame. Clearly, he lacks even a modicum Chuck Worley Do we want to look like the Front Range of a social conscience (wbat1and developer Cedaredge, Colorado going into Denver? Ask the old-timers does?). But hey, this is the West, the tradi- Dear HCN, over there how they ended up that way. tion of dominion long ago demolished the I don't think there is any doubt that "GIVE THEM A SUBURB" I know there is a lot of pressure to myth of conscience. the value of the property Tom Chapman change things here on the Western The fault here lies not with Tom but says he wants to. develop was created by Slope. If the towns change, which most with the Forest Service, which hugely the fact that it is in a wilderness (HCN, Dear HCN, do, so goes the town. But if the wilder- • I read Ed Marston's editorial, "If the ness goes, it's gone forever. Once the West Elk Developers Want a Suburb, damage is done; it doesn't really mauer Readers react to the West Let's Give Them a Suburb." It won't what the reasons were. come as a surprise to you that I think the I also feel sorry for the'hunters who problem you describe is the result of plan to hunt that area. The game has Elk Wilderness story political control of wilderness land. probably been run into the next county What surprises me is that you didn't rec- by now. I have many fond memories of ognize the private solution to this prob- '" that area. It's sad to see how greed can- undervalues in-place and wilderness 9/7/92). That value was created by the lem. Rather than waste more of the tax- cels out a man's conscience. recreational resources. For as long as I commonwealth and by rights should payers' money logging the land and have lived in Colorado (about 20 years belong to all the people. destroying Chapman's value, why not Leonard Weiss now) I have watched as holders of pri- Henry George, whom many modem sell the West Elk Wilderness to him? Paonia, Colorado . vate property rights slowly but surely economists have never even heard or.' That way the taxpayers gain, and 'the usurped public rights. The Forest Service pointed out a hundred years ago that all wilderness won't be destroyed though its A SIMPLE SOLUTION and county governments have stood idly land values are created by society and values will be privatized, by as private property owners reduced that this unearned increment (as he Near-Bozeman we have a land Dear HCN, our access to our forests. called it) should be taxed by government development where 20-acre parcels are Conservation groups have got it an So layoff Torn; he's merely a western .to pay its expenses. sold, but 17 acres are deeded back to the wrong when they try to buyout hit-and- entrepreneur (aka, slimy furbal1), and go Legally, Mr. Chapman is not a thief, collective association to remain in a nat- run developers like Tom ,Cbapman. The after the Forest Service. Ask them why it is but what else can you be if you take for ural state. The three-acre "inholdings" solution to keeping him fronrbuilding ritzy that they have money to bum on wilder- yourself something you did nothing to can be used for housing with strict houses in the middle of wildemessareas is ness-destroying below-cost timber sales earn and that rightfully belongs to some- covenants. Just as Chapman is capitaliz- simple. lnstead of buying Tom Cbapman's and not a dime to spend buying out in- body else? Equally contemptible, it ing on the wilderness; the developer near land, we should buy Tom Chapman. holders or acquiring right-of-ways. And if seems to me, are those who willingly sell Bozeman is capitalizing on the natural For ahout the same (admiuedly exor- Ranger Posey of the Paonia office points a their services to assist in such enterpris- space he has preserved, Selling the West bitant) ransom, a .group like The Nature finger toward 'Capitol Hill, well then es. It's little wonder that lawyers are Elk Wilderness to Chapman would allow Conservancy could purchase an option on maybe you should ask a 'few questions of increasingly coming into disrepute. the federal government to capitalize on Chapman, then go searching for a suitable Ben Campbell and Tim Wirth and the rest Many people in our society place profit the natural space it has preserved. government 'agency that will handle his of our illustrious protectors. ahead of principle. It is interesting that I would propose long-term care. Perhaps he could be This issue is much larger than one As for all the fine talk about the sanc- privatization to preserve wilderness placed in the Interior Department's jerk usurping the amenity value of a tity of private property rights, there are while you call for subsidized political Washington, D.C., museum on Third and wilderness for his own use - it is an many reasons why government can take !I.!',slttl,c\i\\nJ:lL~\I!l.l(,rness. Who is the C streets, which houses fossils, extinct issue about priorities in public lands your property or Part of its value: non-Pay- true envirenmentalistjo--av ,~...vo ~~ruG vertebrates and other "non-adaptive" management and the crazy set of incen- ment of taxes, mining (if you don't own species. Or he couId be moved to a small tives our laws have set in place which the minerai rights), utility rights of way, Terry L. Anderson _. island in Micronesia and allowed to create those priorities (please read, drug smuggling, to name a few examples. Bozeman, Montana develop all the inholdings he can find. Reforming the Forest Service, Randall But the biggest scam of all is that O'Toole). We should all examine the the deed to any property, properly signed The writer is a senior associate and Fred Swanson management incentives created by our and sealed by the state, which guarantees professor at the Political Economy Salt Lake-City, Utah current set of land management laws and its sole possession to you and your Research Center, See the Western lands with High Country News o One year - $28 ·0One year,' institution - $38 Name _ o Two yeais - $49 ·0 Two years, institution :$fJ1 Address ..,.-- _ "Institutional rate applies to subscriptions paid for with a business, government, or other organization check. Public and school libraries may subscribe at the $28 rate. . City, State, Zip -----,,---,--=-=--=::-:---=--::c,.-;::-:-;----:--;;--- ,, o My check is enclosed, or, 0 charge my credit card Please mall to: HCN, Box 1090, Paonia, CO 81428 ' o Visa 0 MasterCard: acct. no. ~ __ ~::- Expiration date Signature --,-- _ o Please bill me Vol. 24. No. 18 16 - High Country News - October' 5, '1992