NEWS ROUNDUP

Prehistoric artifacts threatened by off-road trails Seeking to preserve prehistoric artifacts, the Forest Service wants public feedback on a plan that could close or reroute a number of roads and trails on a small portion of the Tahoe National Forest between the Prosser Lakeview Estates subdivision and Prosser Reservoir. "This is a sensitive area being intensively used with notable damage being done to the land and to prehistoric archaeological sites," said Truckee District Ranger Joanne Roubique. "We need to put measures in place to change how people travel through the area.".... Tent caterpillars denuding acres of aspens Like a Sci-Fi horror flick it begins innocently enough. First you notice tent-like structures nestled between branches on your aspen trees. Then you see creepy crawly things squirming inside. Soon the creepy crawly things are spreading out over your trees and your trees have no leaves. Soon seemingly dead aspen line Angel Fire roadways and spread over grey, leafless acres. Then the hungry critters begin dropping to the ground, on your vehicles, your house … you. Crossing roadways, leaving a trail of slime where the critters met their doom under the wheels of speeding vehicles.... Column: Forest Service Delay Cost Cabins Our 70-year-old family cabin at Pine Lodge recently burned to the ground in the Capitan Wilderness Area of Lincoln National Forest. I am one of many cabin owners who are outraged by the gross mismanagement of the National Forest Service in handling the Peppin Canyon fire. The forest service failed to aggressively respond to a small, 12-acre lightning fire, allowing it to burn for several days. Initially they said it was only "undergrowth burn" and was contained. The forest service during this 15-day period reassured property owners they were protecting property. The fire quickly got out of control. The forest service did absolutely nothing to protect endangered property. After the fire, one firefighter said we should sue the forest service for their lack of any effort to protect property.... Western senators back avalanche bill Alaska Sens. Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski, along with senators from other Western states, are proposing a bill that could lead to more funding for avalanche forecasting. David Hamre, avalanche expert for the Alaska Railroad, told a Senate panel Tuesday that avalanche fatalities are on the rise, and if the current trend continues, avalanches could surpass tornadoes as the nation's most deadly natural hazard.... Study supports new gas wells A proposal to drill new gas wells in the HD Mountains of southwestern Colorado hits a benchmark today with the release of a long- awaited draft environmental impact statement that recommends the project proceed. U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officials said Wednesday the draft document indicates the preferred action is development of 211 coal-bed methane well pads, which could support up to 300 wells. It also involves building 94 miles of roads and disturbing almost 1,000 acres. Environmental groups issued a swift rejection of the plans Wednesday.... Judge halts assurances against endangered species 'surprises' A federal judge on Thursday temporarily halted the government's recent practice of assuring private landowners that they won't face unanticipated requirements for protecting endangered species after a development project is approved. The ruling was immediately hailed by environmentalists as a breakthrough and attacked by home builders as a huge threat to private development. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's ruling bars, at least for the next six months, federal agencies from providing any such future blanket assurances under the Clinton-era "no surprises" rule. The rule, adopted in 1998, has given home builders, timber and mining companies and other developers some immunity against unforeseen twists in providing species protections.... Dunes big business for Valley A large crowd of Imperial Valley business owners, leaders and members of the public turned out to the Barbara Worth Golf Resort here Thursday night to celebrate the work of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and hear the keynote speech of American Sand Association vice chairman Bob Mason. Mason gave an overview of the organization's efforts in promoting off-highway vehicle recreation as well as motorized access to public lands such as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.... Environmentalists sue to protect swallowtail butterflies Tropical swallowtail butterflies are coveted by collectors for their showy, colorful wings, often drawing a price of more than $3,000 for a pair. But the Portland-based Xerces Society and the Tucson, Ariz.-based Center for Biological Diversity want the seven rarest species protected by the Endangered Species Act. They recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland to force the government to include them on the list.... Chihuahuan Desert inventory helps preserve area parks If you see someone trapping snakes at Fort Davis or people electroshocking fish in the Rio Grande, they’re probably researchers working on the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program. Things are happening in the National Park Service, as its people fulfill their mission to preserve and protect our heritage in a time of ever-increasing environmental stress. Things were simpler back in 1916 when the park service was created. Most early parks – Yellowstone, Zion – were relatively isolated and protection was a matter of guarding the boundaries. Since then the number of national parks has increased to nearly 400, and the list of those with important natural resources now totals at least 280.... Lynx gives birth in state's first confirmed lynx den in decades Scientists have found further proof that lynx are homesteading northern Minnesota - a den with three healthy kittens. Lynx L07, one of 13 carrying radio or satellite collars in Minnesota, settled down last month 25 miles north of Two Harbors to have her kittens. It's the first confirmed lynx den in Minnesota in decades and another sign that the elusive forest cat may be making a comeback in the area.... Federal rules could limit Vegas water search with well drilling Federal restrictions could prevent southern Nevada water officials from drilling test wells on protected land in the Desert National Wildlife Range north of Las Vegas, officials said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday monitoring wells might only be allowed along existing roads, not in wilderness study areas in the 1.6 million-acre range.... Column: They Wouldn't Wait in the Lobby Folks at the National Park Service were buzzing this week over an effort to have the superintendents of the national parks lobby Congress on a bill that funds improvements in roads and bridges in the park system. Apparently, some of the nearly 400 superintendents -- all of whom are career employees -- were unhappy with a June 4 "Dear Superintendent" letter from Jeffrey K. Taylor of the NPS legislative and congressional affairs office here.... Groups protest 76 BLM leases Gov. Dave Freudenthal wasn't alone in his protest of federal oil and gas lease parcels this week. Several environmental groups also protested a total of 76 lease parcels that were included in a Bureau of Land Management auction Tuesday in Cheyenne. Among the groups was the Wyoming Outdoor Council.... Summer snowflakes surprise Sierra Rain saturated area valleys and snow fell in the Sierra late Tuesday into early Wednesday, but no controls were placed on mountain highways. “Roads are still very warm so the snow mostly stuck on the grass and trees,” said Jim Wallmann, National Weather Service meteorologist. “There have been reports of up to three inches in Stateline.”....