New Forest Planning Rule Seeks to Restore the Nation's Forests through Science and Collaboration

Secretary Vilsack Announces Release of Final Environmental Impact Statement by US Forest Service

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/01/0028.xml&contentidonly=true
This post is mainly a more detailed explanation of the previous post regarding the new plans for forests.  This helped me to make more sense of it, and hopefully to you the reader it will too. The USDA posted more details regarding what is actually specified in the plan.

Feds Propose New Rules To Manage National Forests

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jan/26/feds-propose-new-rules-manage-national-forests/

When I first read this article, I was lost as to what was going to take place, just because the article seemed vague.  After reading it a second time, it made some what more sense.  From it I gathered that the 1982 planning rule is still in effect and needs to be updated... seeing as how it is over thirty years old and a lot has changed with the environment, I agree with this.  However, lawmakers don't seem to think along the same lines, seeing as how they shot down an opportunity in 2009 made by the Bush administration.  Is it because they don't want to get involved in trying to reestablish all the rules all over again? Or is it because what was set by Reagan in '82 really is better for the environment?

Bill Seeks Exemptions To Calif. Environmental Quality Act

Fracas Over San Diego Fireworks Show Prompts Legislation

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jan/27/bill-seeks-exemptions-calif-environmental-quality-/

It is sad when something that is supposed to protect the environment gets spun into something of a political stunt. In California, a bill was issued to make for cleaner air quality but instead turned into a reason to sue and get permits just so they can do things their own way. Fireworks displays are a common occurrence on holidays but La Jolla is known for a great display in the cove. In the revised bill, there are a number of activities to be exempted from having to get a permit such as recreational tournaments, sporting events, youth tournaments, racing or walking events, fireworks displays, holiday celebrations, concerts, military appreciation events, block parties, weddings, job fairs, festivals and parades, street fairs, beaches and neighborhood cleanups, farmers' markets and art markets. To me, if it is going to harm the environment to have activities such as big fireworks displays or other forms of emissions, find an alternative celebration to have.

Just because you think it's fixed doesn't mean it's really fixed...

Not All Wetlands Are Created Equal...

Wetlands have always been an interesting topic of discussion, depending on who you ask. Developers love the idea of turning the vast, flat land into the next "mall of America" or a gigantic shopping center. But for those who know what is churning in the bottoms and that not so appealing water, it means a lot more than a new outfit.  Researchers say that even when developers say they will make a new wetland in replacement of the one they just bulldozed, it isn't all that simple. "In addition to nurturing biodiversity, wetlands purify water, produce fish, store carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming, and protect shorelines from floods, storm surges and erosion" (Nuwer).  Over time, flora and fauna may return, but we are talking way longer than a year or so. At most, only 77 percent recovery happens in about 100 years. Plants are the slowest thing to recover in a new wetland. When you don't have that much plant life, the food web gets interrupted. Your macro-invertebrates and insects don't have much to eat, affecting your larger predators, and so on. So, just because somebody wants to build a new Belk or Macy's doesn't mean it is going to be good for "everyone"... think of the ducks!

Bird-Watchers Revel in Unusual Spike in Snowy Owl Sightings

Bird-Watchers Revel in Unusual Spike in Snowy Owl Sightings

Even at age 22, I am still a fan of the Harry Potter series and when I saw an article about the snowy owl, like Harry's faithful pet owl, Hedwig, I had to read it. According to ornithologists, the great birds are ranging from in the north from Boston to Seattle, and everywhere in between. “One showed up at the airport in Hawaii, and they shot it,” Denver Holt, director of the Owl Research Institute in Charlo, Mont. “It’s the first ever in Hawaii and they shot it!” This was not pleasant to read that just because air control felt this one bird was going to affect the run way, they shot it... there has never been anything like that in Hawaii before. The owls are coming down from their cold natural habitats due to a lack of lemmings because of an "owl boom." Many states are getting a little more publicity in certain areas because of the owl's presence. Photographers are happy at the opportunity to get something so spectacular on film. Personally, I would love to see a snowy owl in SC. Crazy, but I would drive to where ever they had set up camp for a little while!