EPA

The environmental protection agency (EPA) was questioned about lawsuits last week. It seems in the last decade or so more regulations have been made because of mitigation of lawsuits from so called environmental groups than through legislation. It is unfortunate this has been the case without the scientific background and research to back up said regulations. Sen. Cordoza from California questioned the head of EPA~ Suggesting that EPA has been actually soliciting for lawsuits so they may place more restrictions on American farmers and ranchers. The head of EPA stated that would be unprofessional~ not confirming or denying the claim. Senator Cordoza went on to suggest maybe mitigating lawsuits was not the way to go if we were going to continue having a viable farming industry. Maybe the EPA should take the time and resources to look into the actual reasoning behind litigation before giving in. An interesting tactic from a Democratic Senator, suggesting maybe science should lead regulations not emotion?

What happened to common sense?

What has happened to common sense in the United States? Something that seems so simple becomes convuluted and complicated. I was reading a news article about Devil's Lake in North Dakota. The lake has grown exponentially over the past couple of decades. It has flooded out a couple of towns, taken in thousands of acres of farmland, and caused many to be concerned about towns further down stream if the overflow should ever become overpowered.

There were comments from people after the end of the article.

One said "Serves the Bush voting __________ right. They deserve to lose their homes for being bigots."

Um... Wow that was pretty ironic and without much backing.

Another " They shouldn't have polluted the earth in the first place. If we didn't have global warming they wouldn't have so much rain."

Ok. I have several issues with this statement. The whole entire state has less people than several cities in the U.S. I am sure they have contributed to global warming way more than New York or even Rhode Island (insert sarcasm). I mean especially if you look at the carbon credits that can be attributed to the northern portion of the Great Plains. My second issue is have you ever been to North Dakota? That is the least likely spot for a global warming issue. They are happy it is coming as rain because if it didn't it would likely come as snow which requires much colder temperatures. Which would still be moisture?! Right?

The list goes on until they start personally attacking one gentlemen who says he lives in the area. He spoke about the possibilities and what the true problem is in his eyes. Canada. Yep, sorry my Canadian friends but Canada has some environmental concerns in the dog fight and is worried about water quality so they cannot retrench the old overflow channel. Even though the border is still several hundred miles away.

Hope No Dak gets some relief, soon.

Ruby Pipeline Update

Looks like El Paso Corp is finding out what happens when you make deals with the devil. The spawn come out of the woodwork to get their due also.

Three environmental groups have asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline that’s being built in Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

The latest challenge to the 680-mile Ruby Pipeline project comes from three environmental groups: the Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter and the Great Basin Resource Watch.

The lawsuit, filed late last week, alleges federal agencies conducted incomplete and inadequate environmental reviews during the permitting phase of the project.

David Von Segern is with the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter.

David Von Segern: “They’ve chosen a route that should pretty much shoot it though pristine northern Nevada, a high desert steppe that is supporting wildlife especially the sage grouse and we’re very concerned about fragmentation of habitat.”

As spokesman for the El Paso Corporation, the company behind the project defended the permitting process, arguing it adequately protects wildlife along the route.

The 9th Circuit is still reviewing a separate request by the Center For Biological Diversity to halt the project.

The way I understand it the Center for Biological Diversity is being a front man for Western Watersheds Project. Boy I bet El Paso Corp is having a big DOH! moment.

El Paso Corps. trying to make amends with Ranchers.

New endowment aims to protect public-lands grazing


By Drovers news source
Wednesday, August 11, 2010



After many long conversations between representatives of the Public Lands Council (PLC), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Ruby Pipeline, an agreement has been reached, in principle, which seeks to ensure that the nearly 100-year relationship between the livestock industry and El Paso Corp. continues far into the future. While details of the agreement are still being finalized, it establishes a significant endowment with the mission to “protect, enhance and preserve the public lands grazing industry.” The concept was formally adopted earlier today after a unanimous vote by the board of directors of the Public Lands Council, whose board members represent 13 western states, NCBA, the American Sheep Industry Association, and the Association of National Grasslands.

“While we are concerned about the potential impacts of Ruby’s recent settlement agreement with the Western Watersheds Project and the Oregon Natural Desert Association, we are satisfied that this endowment provides us a tool with which to mitigate many of our concerns,” said Skye Krebs, president of the Public Lands Council. “As the organization which has represented public lands ranchers in the West for over four decades, we are confident that our industry will benefit from this endowment for many years to come.”

The $15 million endowment, $7.5 million to be contributed later this year and $750,000 to be added into the endowment annually for the following 10 years, will be governed by one representative from the PLC and one representative from El Paso Corp. While the principal amount will not be used, the endowment’s earnings will go toward meeting PLC’s mission to serve the public lands livestock industry. Specific projects may include scientific research, education, range monitoring, fire restoration, media, and community outreach for the benefit of the public lands grazing industry. It is important to note that funds from the endowment will not be used for litigation.

El Paso Corp gives to Environmental Groups

El Paso Corporation a large company that is putting in a natural gas pipeline from Wyoming to Malin, OR has given into environmental groups- Western Watersheds Project (WWP)and Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). Given in may not be the correct words more like bought off. These two environmental terrorists were given a combined $20 million to revoke their protest letters so the pipeline may proceed through Idaho and Oregon's Public Lands. The money is to be put into a trust.

Great just what they need more money to fuel their anti-grazing, anti-multiple use on public lands initiatives. Maybe they should also give the ranchers' some money to fight the litigation that will come forth. Oh wait, the ranchers' didn't protest the pipeline because they saw the good it would do for the rest of the United States. Jon Marvel leader of WWP has already stated this money will be used to "buy out" federal land permits from willing ranchers. Most ranchers wouldn't sell their permit except for the fact that WWP has made it very troublesome to run cattle and sheep on public lands. They put in complaint letters for almost all renewals, NEPAs, etc. The funny part is they protect "wild", no FERAL horses, the most detrimental animal out there.

ONDA is putting their cool $5 million towards a conservation trust for Hart and Sheldon refuges. The two wildlife refuges that have seen tremendous ecological degradation since the removal of cattle and the influx of FERAL horses. The reduction in the number of antelope has been exponential on the two, mitigating the reason they removed cattle in the first place.

Thanks for supporting our domestic terrorists El Paso Corp. It was kind of you to slap the face of the people who produce food for America.