BLUEWATER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2/7 New York Times reported on the work of the Bluewater Network, which recently petitioned Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to ban snowmobiles in 28 units of the National Park system. Snowmobiles emit almost 225 times the amount of carbon monoxide and 1,000 times hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides of modern cars. The article says snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park have led to violations of air quality standards, even surpassing pollution levels in Denver. "A small minority of thrill-seekers are turning our national parks into playgrounds at the expense of the majority" who want clean air and quiet enjoyment of the wilderness.

FWS OPINES GRAZING HAS NO IMPACT?: The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity 2/7 announced the US Fish and Wildlife Service released a biological opinion saying changes to grazing management allotments are adequate to ensure grazing will not harm listed species in the next three years. The opinion reviewed the effects of grazing in national forests throughout Arizona and New Mexico, and found only 22 of 962 allotments harmed listed species. Environmentalists challenged the opinion, because it considered only the effects of grazing over a three-year period. Grazing leases are typically 10-years in duration.

PREDATOR CONTROL CHALLENGED: The Arizona Daily Star 2/5 reported 17 conservation organizations are suing the US Department of Agriculture over predator control programs in wilderness areas. The groups contend the Wildife Services program, formerly the Animal Damage Control program, is violating federal law when it kills bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and other species in wilderness areas. John Horning of Forest Guardians said, "Wilderness areas should be sanctuaries for wildlife--not slaughterhouses."

SHIP SPILL THREATENS BEACHES: A freighter grounded of the coast of Oregon last week is leaking oil and threatening wildlife, reports the 2/9 Portland Oregonian. The 639-foot ship planned on delivering wood chips to Japan, but was forced by heavy seas onto the shore. Officials fear the ship's 400,000 gallons of fuel will spill into the ocean unless the strong surf subsides. Winds pushed a 60-foot wide oil slick five miles up the beach, which is habitat for the threatened Western snowy plover.

SAND RECREATION THREATENS SPECIES: The National Parks and Conservation Association 2/5 reported several rare and endangered endemic plants in Death Valley National Monument's Eureka Dunes are threatened by overuse from sandboarders and skiers, campers and horseback riders. The group is urging the Park Service to implement a management plan to restrict these activities. For more information e-mail skrefting@npca.org.

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