Fishermen, former loggers, and conservationists are just some of the groups with a stake in whether a mining operation takes root in Washington state.
The U.S. Forest Service has permitted exploratory drilling in Washington's Green River Valley, near Mount St. Helens, after Canadian company Ascot Resources proposed drilling over 900 acres to determine whether the area holds enough gold and copper to warrant a full mine.
In an area that has lost employment opportunities from a declining logging industry, the potential mine has support. But the location is also one of the Wilderness Society's 15 places in the U.S. deemed "too wild to drill," and environmentalists say that an open-pit mining operation could pollute drinking water and threaten steelhead. One advocate suggested to Northwest Public Radio that looking to mining for renewed prosperity could also preclude an alternative economic future in outdoor recreation.
FULL STORY: Possible Mount St. Helens Mine Sparks Familiar Debate: Economy Or Environment?
US Forest Service Could Open Millions of Roadless Acres to Logging
The USDA indicated it plans to repeal the ‘Roadless Rule,’ a Clinton-era regulation that prevents new road-building in undeveloped federal forest areas.
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Inadequate access to transportation hinders many Americans’ access to job opportunities.
Trying to Keep Youth in Changing Alaskan Fishing Towns
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
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Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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