National News

Pine beetle hearing set for Hill City

Sunday, 10 July 2011 15:27

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hold an oversight field hearing, at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, at the Rafter J. Bar Ranch in Hill City.

Participating in the hearing will be Subcommittee Chair-man Rob Bishop of Utah and at-large member S.D. Representative Kristi Noem. Other witnesses may be announced.

Noem described the epidemic as a "slow motion disaster for the Black Hills National Forest and the region's economy."

Read More  

Congress needs to energize itself and protect the national forests

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 15:27

Wildfires have rampaged through much of Arizona's wild lands in recent weeks. They have killed firefighters, destroyed buildings and burned almost a million acres.

That tragic news should contain a lesson, but it's one that should have been learned by now. It's been taught over and over as massive wildfires ravage the West.

Oregon's turn came in 2002 when the Biscuit Fire tore through nearly 500,000 acres of Southwestern Oregon. It started in mid-July and wasn't contained until December.

Read More  

Analysis: Wood fuel poised to be next global commodity

Friday, 20 May 2011 14:31

(Reuters) - Wood fuel, one of the oldest energy sources on the planet, could become the newest commodity market if it can overcome supply limits and green concerns as demand grows for renewable energy.

Supply constraints are starting to put wood fuel into competition with the paper industry, experts say, in an uneasy reminder of existing tension between the food industry and companies making biofuels from food crops.

In theory burning wood and crop waste emits less carbon than fossil fuels because it simply returns to the air carbon accumulated by plants as they grow, but that balance breaks down if stock is not replanted, or natural forests are logged.

Read More  

Colorado legislators work to fight bark beetle epidemic

Monday, 25 April 2011 15:27

Air Force conservation programs score widespread victories

Tuesday, 08 March 2011 15:27

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force is trustee to more than eight million acres of land, water and air assets, and is home to more than 70 threatened and endangered species.

Stewardship of these resources, in conjunction with sustainment of critical military mission activities, is a key priority for conservation programs across the Air Force, officials said.

Program achievements during fiscal 2010 were widespread, with many accomplishments in support of endangered species.

Read More  

More Articles...