FIELDREPORT Northern Rockies | Summer 2017

Yellowstone Is Worth Why I am Speaking Out to Far More Than Gold Protect the Park I Love by Stephanie Adams by Valerie Naylor tanding beneath the famous n 1910, Theodore Roosevelt stated, [Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt Arch that marks the “Of all the questions which can come National Park] faces Snorthern entrance to Yellowstone before this nation … there is none threats in the form of drilling National Park, one can gaze across I which compares in importance with the rigs, pump jacks, noise meadows filled with bison and pronghorn great central task of leaving this land even and traffic related to antelope. Electric Peak looms in the a better land for our descendants than it is background and the Yellowstone River energy development for us.” As we celebrate the 70th anniver- meanders along the park’s border. projects on its borders. sary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park this year, his comment still rings true—but now, it is shrouded in irony. I can speak to how these obstacles have affected the park because my history with The last 10 years have challenged the this inspiring place is long and special. I first sanctity of President Roosevelt’s name- saw Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 1973, sake park in western North Dakota, a and it instantly became a place I loved and place that stands as a testament to our wanted to return to. Six years later I began country’s conservation legacy and the my first of five summers working at the park. very president who helped shape it. The My early experiences in Theodore Roosevelt park faces threats in the form of drilling launched a 31-year career with the National rigs, pump jacks, noise and traffic related Park Service, and in 2003 I returned to this park to energy development projects on its as superintendent. It was a full-circle home- borders. There are proposals for a river coming, returning to the park that launched bridge near the park, a four-lane highway my career. The park was still the amazing, through the North Unit and other beautiful, expansive wildlife haven I had Each year millions of visitors pass permanent infrastructure nearby. And if remembered. But trouble was on the horizon, beneath the Roosevelt Arch. Some pause the biggest oil boom in the United States in the form of the region’s third oil boom. to take in the wild scenery while others in the last 50 years was not enough for the reflect on the history and value of our park to endure, Meridian Energy Group The last four years of my time as park nation’s parks. Yet visitors could soon be is now proposing a 55,000-barrel-per-day superintendent were largely occupied by faced with another sight. Multinational oil refinery just 3 miles from the boundary working both with and against oil companies, mining companies have proposed two of the park’s South Unit. industrial-scale gold mines in the northern continued on page 4 Top: Painted Canyon Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park ©RRuntsch | Shutterstock continued on page 4 Left: Roosevelt Arch, Yellowstone National Park ©Jacek Sopotnicki | Dreamstime FIELD Grand Teton National Park Should Be REPORT Off-Limits to Energy Development Summer 2017 by Sharon Mader cold water fishery. The addition of power production infrastructure opens the door to Northern Rockies Regional Office n 2007, Lower Valley Energy, the local prioritizing energy production over the down- 321 E Main Street • Suite 424 power cooperative in Jackson, Wyoming, stream fishery and resources in the future. Bozeman, MT 59715 Iproposed a hydropower development on the Jackson Lake NPCA applauds (406) 577.2447 Dam in Grand Teton the Jackson Hole Bart Melton National Park. This community for its REGIONAL DIRECTOR proposal was pitched efforts to move [email protected] • (406) 577.2447 as a “green alterna- toward green energy tive” for the park’s sources. However, Holly Sandbo energy needs, but in national parks are REGIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR reality was far from special places that [email protected] • (406) 577.2447 it and was ultimately require special rejected by park consideration. We Paul Balle managers. Hydro- believe that other REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT electric development renewable and [email protected] (206) 276.2597 • impacts park efficiency options Kati Schmidt resources and is not need to be explored ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS compatible with the National Park outside of the park to fulfill both the park’s [email protected] • (415) 728-0840 Service’s mission to “preserve unimpaired and our region’s energy demands. Today, the natural and cultural resources and values Grand Teton National Park meets the Natalie Levine of the national park system.” majority of its energy needs through the GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS purchase of green energy and energy [email protected] • (202) 454.3326 Today, the Park Service is receiving renewed efficiency practices. Since 2008, the park calls by a small group of community members has purchased 100 percent green power Glacier Field Office to develop hydroelectric power on the from Lower Valley Energy. Michael Jamison Jackson Lake Dam. NPCA supports clean SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER energy but stands by the Park Service’s Expanding energy infrastructure in national [email protected] • (406) 250.2540 original position that the Jackson Lake Dam parks is a slippery slope. We must make is not an appropriate site for new hydro- conservative choices when it comes to Sarah Lundstrum electric energy production. protecting parks with an eye toward future GLACIER FIELD REPRESENTATIVE generations. National parks are our most [email protected] • (406) 250.5346 A new hydropower project on the Jackson special places, and protecting their scenic Lake Dam would alter natural river flows and natural values must always come first. Grand Teton Field Office and harm the Wild and Scenic Snake River’s Sharon Mader SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER Above: Snake River cutthroat trout ©Kevin Cass | Shutterstock [email protected] • (307) 733.4680 Below: Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park ©Yongyut Kumsri | Dreamstime Yellowstone Field Office Stephanie Adams PROGRAM MANAGER [email protected] • (406) 224.8661 Rachel Caldwell WILDLIFE PROGRAM COORDINATOR [email protected] • (406) 320.0010 Garret Visser WILDLIFE AND OUTREACH FELLOW [email protected] • (406) 320.2226

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npca.org Oil Trains Threaten Glacier by Sarah Lundstrum In April, the Middle Fork Flathead River action, please visit: http://parkb.it/2rlNzlj. he Middle Fork of the Flathead River was designated as one of America’s Most As part of the ongoing attempt to protect is a designated Wild and Scenic river, Endangered Rivers by the conservation the Middle Fork, NPCA partnered with Tnestled between Glacier National Park organization American Rivers. The other NGOs on an educational video and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. designation is based upon the threat of a about the Middle Fork and the threat of It’s home to bull trout, westslope cutthroat derailment of an oil train carrying Bakken oil trains. That video is available here: trout and a myriad of other species. It’s also oil. That’s why we are asking that people http://cfrech.com/oil-and-water/. home to a major highway and rail corridor. contact the Federal Railroad Administration Every day through the Middle Fork corridor and ask them to be more proactive in Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved millions of gallons of Bakken oil travel protecting the Middle Fork, such as requiring and support NPCA’s work to protect this along the rail line—it’s an accident waiting additional avalanche sheds and upgraded special river. to happen. rail cars. For more information and to take

Speak Up for Our National Monuments

by Holly Sandbo national monuments long list of Democratic n 1924 President Calvin Coolidge that it is reviewing. and Republican designated a nearly 15,000-year-old lava As a result of the review, the department presidents over the last 111 years. National Ifield in southern Idaho as the Craters of might propose to change or lift the national Parks Conservation Association retained the Moon National Monument, deeming it monument’s protections altogether. Sadly, a legal analysis that determined the sitting “a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to the list includes iconic natural and historical president “has no power unilaterally to itself” with “great educational value.” The sites around the country. The Antiquities abolish a national monument under the volcanic features of Craters are so unique Act passed by Congress and signed into Antiquities Act of 1906.” We hope you that the national monument was expanded law by President Theodore Roosevelt in will contact Secretary of the Interior Ryan in 2000 to include an additional 600,000 1906 gives presidents the authority to create Zinke and let him know our national plus acres. This expansion included a robust national monuments; it has been used by a monuments should be left unchanged. public process that engaged local stakeholder groups and resulted in the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management TAKE Please write to Secretary Zinke by July 10, 2017 and let him know co-managing the land. Subsequent legislation ACTION that you want Craters of the Moon and all national monuments to was passed to further ensure that diverse user remain under their current designation. You may submit written needs, including hunters’, were being met and comments online at npca.org/craters changed the Park Service-managed portion ! of the expanded monument to a preserve.

Recently, the Department of the Interior Above: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve ©Kwiktor | Dreamstime Inset: Craters included Craters of the Moon on the list of supports a surprising diversity of plants, such as these bitterroot flowers ©Daniel Larson | Dreamstime Yellowstone Is Worth Far More Than Gold continued from page 1 a public process to determine whether gateway to America’s first national park— to extend protection for these lands on threatening this world-famous landscape. Yellowstone’s doorstep for up to 20 years. One of the proposed mines would be within view of the Roosevelt Arch. Hitting the pause button also buys the community and Congress time to discuss Massive gold mines simply don’t belong on and consider the prospect of a longer-term the border of Yellowstone. The mines could solution. Just this April, Sen. Jon Tester from diminish the park’s air quality, pollute Montana took the next step to permanently scenic views, impact unique geothermal protect these treasured public lands by resources, as well as affect the iconic introducing “The Yellowstone Gateway Yellowstone grizzly bear and a long list of Protection Act.” Concerns over the threats other wildlife. Additionally, the mines to Yellowstone and its nearby communities could have disastrous impacts to the and waterways have been echoed by Interior Yellowstone River that flows out of the park. Secretary Ryan Zinke, Montana Gov. Steve two-year moratorium on gold exploration Bullock and Sen. Steve Daines. Yellowstone is worth far more than gold. or mining on more than 30,000 acres of There is too much at stake for the land, the threatened public lands. This time-out The threat of mining on the doorstep of water, the wildlife, the millions of visitors and ensures that no new mining activity takes Yellowstone is a stark reminder that we must the local communities to let these short- place on the public lands while the Department all remain vigilant in our efforts to protect sighted plans become a reality. In order to of Interior and the Forest Service undertake Yellowstone, America’s first national park. protect Yellowstone from this threat, NPCA is working with our conservation partners and TAKE We need your help. Join us in standing up for this world-famous the local community members including the ACTION landscape by asking the Department of Interior and Department Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition— of Agriculture to withdrawal these public lands from mineral a growing coalition of more than 350 development for twenty years. regional businesses that believe this is not a ! political issue, but a business, community, Visit www.npca.org/dontmineyellowstone and quality-of-life issue.

Progress toward preventing these mines is occurring thanks in part to national park advocates and the local community speaking up for Yellowstone. In the fall of 2016, the U.S departments of Interior and Agriculture responded to our call and announced a

Right: Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, Montana ©Welcomia | Dreamstime Why I am Speaking Out to Protect the Park I Love continued from page 1 construction on the refinery could begin opposition. Together, we can and must trying to achieve win-win situations that immediately. But even if the proposed ensure that the area that inspired Theodore would allow for development while protecting refinery somehow meets the stringent air Roosevelt and still inspires so many people the viewsheds and soundscapes and integrity quality standards required for a national today is protected for future generations. of the national park. There were victories, park under the Clean Air Act, it should not failures and compromises. When I retired be built so close to the park. The facility Valerie Naylor is the former in 2014, the oil boom was beginning to would still threaten the park’s air, dark night superintendent of Theodore release its grip on the North Dakota badlands. skies and scenic views. It would also be the Roosevelt National Park But now this proposed refinery looms at the first thing most visitors would see as they and currently serves as a park’s doorstep. approached the park. consultant for NPCA.

Meridian Energy recently submitted its Regardless of where you live, you can speak request to the North Dakota Department of up for the park and tell Meridian Energy TAKE ACTION To learn more about Health for an air quality permit. It has already Group to consider alternate locations in what you can do visit received zoning approval, and a water-use North Dakota. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, npca.org/advocacy/64 permit is pending. If the air quality permit who proudly proclaims his admiration for ! and some wastewater permits are issued, Theodore Roosevelt, can join this chorus of GLACIER’S HEADWATERS: Water Tower to Our Continent by Michael Jamison The Canadian Rockies tumble out of British that proposals for new mines be reviewed eople tend to think Glacier National Columbia into both Montana and Alaska, with a critical eye. It’s long since time, frankly, Park is all about mountains. coursing through wild transboundary rivers. that downstream stakeholders have a Glacier’s western border is marked by the meaningful seat at the Canadian table and PAnd people are wrong. North Fork Flathead River, which spills a voice for protecting places like Glacier south from Canada’s high alpine country. National Park. Glacier is also about water: icy cold water Farther north, Canadian headwaters flow rushing clean and clear across gravel and into Alaska’s LeConte Wilderness, by way So. We’re asking that our Canadian neighbors stone; whitewater plunging over cliff-band of the winding Stikine. strengthen their permitting process for falls; sky-blue water eddying into lakes set like industry in our headwaters. We’re asking sapphires into the deep green of wilderness. These borders matter, even to rivers. that they not allow more mines until we first have time to collect baseline science. From the summit of the park’s Triple Divide In Glacier’s headwaters, British Columbia’s And most importantly, we’re asking that Peak, meltwater flows west to the Pacific, leadership once planned vast coal mines. We they designate new parks and protected east to the Atlantic, north to the Arctic by and our partners fought for decades, and in lands, adjacent to Glacier Park, to offset way of Hudson Bay. Glacier is water tower 2011 the province finally banned industry from the loss of mine-impacted habitat. to a continent, spiked by peaks sharpened the watershed that feeds our protected park. on a grindstone of Pleistocene ice. This is still a new partnership, with Alaska But right next door, in the next valley west, and Montana pressing British Columbia I recently flew north out of Glacier, over a Canadian coal mines still send selenium and from both north and south. But already the long slice of Alaska—another place branded other toxins south into Montana’s Kootenai coalition includes state, tribal and federal by its mountains. Chugach. Wrangell-St. Elias. River. It’s the same story in Alaska. Mines old officials, outfitters and guides, commercial The Aleutians and Brooks and Chilkats. and new and still proposed dot the Canadian fishermen, scientists, and conservationists maps of the transboundary Taku, Stikine But Alaska, like Glacier, is not really about – pretty much everyone who drinks from and Unuk rivers. mountains. the downstream end of the upstream straw. That’s why I flew up north—to join forces What I saw unfolding below was, again, a Together, we shared some stories, shared with Alaskan allies, and to confront our wild country defined by water: an endless some salmon, tracked whales to the mouth common problems in these transboundary winding coastline; miles of muskeg pooling of the Taku, and began the long work of watersheds. It’s long since time that British like quicksilver; rivers washing the feet reversing the tide. With your help, we will Columbia clean up its paltry process for of mountains, slicing tundra and stone, become a powerful current, pressing back permitting industry in our headwaters. It’s spilling sediment braids into an ocean the against the flow of Canadian industry into long since time that the province’s color of steel. these last wild watersheds. regulations catch up to those of its Montana and Alaska are alike in this way. American neighbors. It’s long since time that They also share a common headwater: waste from old mines be contained, that Below: North Fork of the Flathead River ©Mark LaRowe British Columbia. waste from working mines be treated, and NonProfit U.S. Postage NORTHERN ROCKIES REGIONAL OFFICE 321 E Main Street • Suite 424 PAID Helena, MT 59601 Bozeman, MT 59715 Permit No. 221

Antelope Flats Volunteers RestoreX Pronghorn Receives Permanent Migration Routes Protection by Rachel Caldwell Recognizing the risk these pronghorn faced, NPCA stepped in. Since 2010, we f you head toward Yellowstone in the by Sharon Mader have worked collaboratively with landowners spring, signs of the changing season e are pleased to report that after and hundreds of student and local volunteers are all around. Snow-capped peaks top six years of advocacy by NPCA I to remove or modify more than 25 miles greening foothills, RVs transport early and our partners, the 640-acre of fencing beyond Yellowstone’s borders. W season campers down the road, and mule Antelope Flats property, a Wyoming state- By simply raising the bottom wire of a deer gather in lush fields. If you’re lucky, you owned inholding within Grand Teton traditional fence, we enable pronghorn to may see another sign of spring: pronghorn National Park, was purchased in late 2016 crawl underneath, reach their winter range antelope migrating back into Yellowstone thanks to a combination of private and and then return to the park come springtime. federal funds and transferred to the from their winter range. National Park Service. Antelope Flats is one So this season, look for another sign of Yellowstone pronghorn need to migrate of two priority Wyoming-owned parcels spring: a team of NPCA staff and volunteers outside of the park to escape Yellowstone’s within Grand Teton that NPCA has been working on a fence line. Perhaps the next harsh winters. But pronghorn aren’t good working to protect as a permanent part time you pass through you’ll see pronghorn jumpers and increased fencing along their of the park. where we once stood. traditional migration corridors has prevented NPCA advocated effectively with our them from reaching winter habitat beyond To learn more about pronghorn and how partners in both Washington, DC and park borders. As pronghorn try to follow you can help restore their ancient migration Cheyenne to ensure federal decision historic migration routes, fences stop them route visit www.npca.org/pronghorn. makers allocated $23 million from the in their tracks. federal Land and Water Conservation Below: Student volunteers modify a fence west of Yellowstone ©NPCA fund for this purchase. These successful efforts provided important leverage for our philanthropic partners to secure private donations to acquire this critical parkland. We are grateful for the tremendous fund- raising effort led by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the gener- osity of the many donors who supported this campaign. None of this would have been possible without the strong leadership and perseverance of former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, former Rep. Cynthia Lummis, and Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi. NPCA will be working with our partners in the coming years to ensure a second inholding, known as the Kelly parcel, is acquired by the National Park Service from the state of Wyoming.