People who havent traveled through Macon on Interstates 75 or 16 lately may be in for quite a shock.

The landscape is continually changing as contractors for the Georgia Department of Transportation are clear-cutting acres of trees through Pleasant Hill and along the Ocmulgee River.

The project kicked off in June and is progressing at a rapid pace, said Kimberly Larson, a GDOT spokesperson.

Lanes have closed on I-75 North from Hardeman Avenue to the I-16 East split, and only one I-75 North lane is open for motorists headed toward Pierce Avenue.

Drivers headed south on I-75 will also find narrowing lanes to I-16 and toward Hardeman Avenue as workers rebuild the highway without having to shut it down.

The carefully orchestrated changes typically happen in the overnight hours with Bibb County sheriffs deputies providing assistance in slowing down travelers through the work zone.

Lower speed limits are posted through the site lined with orange barrels, concrete barriers and freshly painted lanes to mark the traffic shifts.

Those driving along Walnut Street on the James Brown Bridge over the interstate also are shifting lanes.

They are taking that bridge out, Larson said Friday. They started removing handrails (Thursday) night and fencing. Were starting with pieces.

By Saturday, the formerly wide, two-lane road through Pleasant Hill was down to one corridor shared by vehicles headed in both directions.

Heavy equipment tore up chunks of concrete and piled up the rubble in the old westbound lanes, which are blocked by concrete barriers.

Demolition of the bridge will continue overnight Sunday through Thursday with an I-75 South lane closure from mile marker 163.5 to 164.5.

Monday through Friday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. exits, daytime workers will be paving temporary sections of the ramps and work on other temporary pavement sections for I-16 east and west.

Also during the day, crews will be placing storm drain pipes and working on a large culvert near the Walnut Street Bridge and along the Hardeman Avenue on-ramp to I-75 North.

A new $500 million interchange is being built to widen the highway and create safer access and exit ramps from Hardeman to Pierce avenues and I-16 to Walnut Creek.

The project includes designated exit and access lanes to alleviate the current mess of merging traffic lanes that are often the scene of collisions near the Ocmulgee River.

A construction bridge will be built on the western side of the river and will later become a pedestrian crossing to increase access on the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail all the way to the Amerson Water Park.

A Georgia Department of Transportation rendering shows a new Otis Redding Bridge during an unspecified future project.

Special to The Telegraph breaking@macon.com

The Otis Redding Bridge on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will also be upgraded and widened, according to an image posted on http://www.dot.ga.gov, but it was not immediately clear when that will occur.

The first four phases of construction are expected to be complete by 2021, including a new Jefferson Long Park in Pleasant Hill being built by the summer of 2018.

A tunnel also will be built for Norfolk Southern Railroad during the last of seven phases of construction, which wont go out for bids until 2023, and which will also finish the I-75 corridor north of the Ocmulgee River.

Read more from the original source:
Walnut Street bridge demolition part of major changes for Macon's I-75/I-16 - The Telegraph

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Blue Hill Public Library, 5 Parker Point Rd, Blue Hill, Maine

For more information: 207-374-5515; bhpl.net

Reverend Gary Brinn, pastor at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, will present a talk, From Horeb to Blue Hill, at the Blue Hill Public Library on Thursday, September 7th at 7:00 PM. The presentation will be a whirlwind look at the Judeo-Christian trajectory from the ancient Hebrew faith to Jonathan Fishers Congregationalism and on to the United Church of Christ, the modern denomination that includes the Congregational tradition.

Part history, and part constructive theology, according to Reverend Brinn, it will be sure to rattle some cages. He says that this talk will help locate this very New England tradition of Congregationalism, as well as the modern United Church of Christ in a landscape of Judaism and Christianity.

A second career minister, Rev. Brinn double-majored in Medieval to Renaissance British Literature and Studio Art before completing his Master of Divinity degree at Harvard. The presentation is free and open to everyone. For more information contact the library at 374-5515.

This post was contributed by a community member. Submit your news

Read this article:
From Horeb to Blue Hill: A History of Congregationalism and United Church of Christ - Bangor Daily News

Secretary of the Interior Ryan ZinkeRyan Keith ZinkeLawmakers push Interior to expand offshore drilling What veterans have to lose in Trumps national monument review Trump, don't take our national parks away from veterans MORE is silencing the voices of Westerners by attempting to roll back more than a decade of collaborative work with his recent recommended changes to protecting a native bird called the sage-grouse and its sagebrush habitat, which is vitally important to the West.

Zinkes proposed changes, like forcing states to substitute population targets for conservation targets and prioritizing oil and gas development in areas the conservation plans set aside for sagebrush, undermine the integrity of the plans in place, and their proven success across sagebrush landscape.

Unsurprisingly, Zinkes review of the sage-grouse plans, created confusion and conflict where none existed. More importantly, Zinke conducted his review in a relative vacuum, without public input, leaving Western stakeholders out of the loop. Part of the reason why the original plans were successful is because they were locally driven not handed down to the states by Washington, D.C insiders and beltway bureaucrats.

And the reality is that this review and these changes could have devastating effects on our local economies and outdoor recreation opportunities. Each year outdoor recreation in sagebrush country generate $1 billion in economy output. Not to mention, these changes would deplete healthy sagebrush habitat, a landscape that provides both protection and sustenance for the vulnerable sage-grouse, and would threaten to land the bird on the Endangered Species List something that the pervious conservation plans had prevented.

At the core of any successful public land management is collaboration amongst stakeholders on the ground, rarely has an effort entailed as much collaboration and cooperation as the process to create the sage-grouse plans. But Zinke has turned his back on collaboration, sound science and the experiences of those who live, work and recreate near and on the sagebrush landscape, instead choosing to be guided by Washington lobbyists. His decision is reckless, counterproductive and is bound to set back true multiple use-management of our public lands for generations to come.

Zinkes decision compromises the well-being of Western communities, wildlife, landscapes and families at the behest of corporate polluters. Zinke might fashion himself a Roosevelt Republican, but his decision to shut out Western voices and listen only to corporate special interests says otherwise.

Zinke needs to wake up to the fact that our communities, landscapes, wildlife and economies are healthier and more successful when local stakeholders have a seat at the table not when Washington lobbyists and special interests get to call the shots.

In his review of the sage-grouse plans, Zinke missed a key opportunity to build upon decades of collaboration. Going forward he must make a concerted effort to include stakeholders from across the West in decisions made about sage-grouse conservation if he does not, the alternative looks bleak for the sage-grouse and Western communities.

Chris Saeger is the director of Western Values Project, a national conversation organization focused on public lands conservation and energy development policy. Saeger previously worked as communications director of the Montana Democratic Party and the Service Employees International Union in Arizona and Colorado.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.

Continue reading here:
Interior Secretary Zinke has turned his back on the American West - The Hill (blog)

After long last and much planning, I finally embarked on a trip to LehLadakh earlier this year. The Duronto Express took me to New Delhi, from where a one and half hour flight brought one to the paradise that is Leh.

The La Tso Hotel in the city was to be my address for the next few days the courteous staff welcomed one with a cup of steaming hot Kashmiri kawah (local green tea with saffron, cardamom and elaichi) and the room offered a luxuriant view of the vistas around.

That done, I took a leisurely walk around the city in the evening it is highly recommended, especially after sundown. The next morning, I decided to take in the local sites. First up, was the Hemis Monastery the largest in Ladakh and stunningly beautiful! As luck would have it, the Dalai Lama was there during the time but a glimpse of His Holiness wasnt to come by. Thereafter, one moved on to the Thiksey Monastery and the view from the top was simply beyond words.

How could one go to Ladakh and miss the Druk White Lotus School? It got national attention thanks to Aamir Khans 3 Idiots and is now called Ranchos School after the name of Khans character in the film! Shey Palace was my next stop the Hall of Fame there depicts memories of Indias brave soldiers. The morning after, one started for the Nubra Valley via Khardung La the highest motorable road in the world (18,380ft).

My stint outside the car to click some pictures was short-lived as the chill was bone-rattling! After a little diversion to the Siachen base camp, I arrived at Nubra Valley.

Hotel Sten-del it was but the sand dunes of Hunder was calling me. Picking up my camera, I made a beeline for the place and was richly rewarded. How can I not mention the ride on a two-humped Bactrian camel there? One word to describe the experience would be unique!

The road was rough but after braving it for a couple of hours, I reached Chang La the second highest mountain pass at 17,688 feet from Leh. A cup of coffee was all I had time for, there, as the Pangong Lake was waiting for my sore eyes. On the way, I crossed various infantry and artillery camps and spotted a local fauna wild marmots, which is a type of rodent found in the Ladakh Hills.

Finally, I was at Pangong Lake and the sight was absolutely magical. It is 134 km long 40 per cent is in India and rest in China.

The knee-deep water was freezing but I waded in nonetheless, not intending to miss the thrill! Another must-see site is the Tso Moriri Lake, which is a salt water lake offering breathtaking views of the Sindhu River. The famed Magnetic Hill and confluence of the Sindhu and Zanskar rivers is on the way to Kargil.

En route, I also stopped at the Lamayuru Monastery, which is an old monastery and partly in ruins due to earthquakes. It stands in a massive theatre of rocky cliffs in front of some peculiar-looking hills no wonder local people call it Moon land! I reached Kargil in the evening and visited the War Memorial there.

One learnt a great deal about the Kargil War of 1999 and I couldnt help but express the utmost respects to the soldiers who had laid down their lives to protect our nation. On the way, one could see the mountains changing their appearance from dusty and rocky cliff faces to the rolling greenery of the Kashmir Valley.

It was the trip of a lifetime the harsh but undeniable beauty of the landscape in Ladakh will stay with me for many years to come.

More here:
In a rocky otherworldly landscape - The Statesman

Concrete barricades have been put along the T-intersection of Linden and Preston Avenues, not far from Lords Park in Elgin, as the city takes steps to permanently repair damage at that location which was caused by torrential July rains.

"We've made the intersection a hard closure," Interim Water Director Eric Weiss said.

The intersection is along the top of a hill. Heavy rains July 11 led to a landslide that exposed a 20-inch water transmission main and deposited a large amount of debris in yards below it. Work will involve reinforcing the hill, repairing the storm sewer, supporting the road and transmission main and removing debris.

At the Wednesday City Council meeting, the Council unanimously moved along an $122,392 agreement with Elgin-based Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. for engineering services related to the repair project. The measure will be up for final approval Sept. 13.

According to a memo for the Wednesday meeting, staff estimates that construction costs will be between $200,000 and $400,000. Staff also is investigating if there is any available Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to assist with the project.

Weiss that that there had been smaller barricades set out to block the intersection from traffic. At least one person contacted staff and City Council members, though, with concerns about drivers being able to move those barricades to drive through the potentially dangerous area, Weiss said.

At the meeting, Council member Terry Gavin mentioned hearing concerns and praised Weiss for acting promptly to work to get the concrete barricades, called Jersey walls, put in place the next day.

Mike Danahey/Courier-News

Elgin crews Thursday put concrete barriers at the T-intersection of Preston and Linden avenues to keep traffic from driving on a road where the hill and infrastructure beneath it washed out during heavy rains in July.

Elgin crews Thursday put concrete barriers at the T-intersection of Preston and Linden avenues to keep traffic from driving on a road where the hill and infrastructure beneath it washed out during heavy rains in July. (Mike Danahey/Courier-News)

Weiss said that two methods are being considered to support the hill. One method would involve installing a sheet pile wall, while the other would use reinforced geogrid fabric to create structural stability. A dry well to contain the overflow from Linden Avenue and to release it at a controlled rate into the ground also is being considered.

Weiss said temporary and permanent easements also would need to be obtained from some residents who live off Chicago Street in order for city workers to access the site and for installation and maintenance of any permanent structures.

This agreement moved along Wednesday is for engineering design of the repairs to the hill, storm sewer, road and transmission main, design of a dry well, assistance during bidding and construction, assistance in land acquisition and landscape design.

"We'll work to have the best solution for permanent stabilization," Weiss said. "The goal is to have this done by the end of the year."

mdanahey@tribpub.com

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Concrete barricades close Elgin intersection damaged by recent storms - Chicago Tribune

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Landscape Tree Nursery | Omaha Trees | Trees on Sale

Royal Road descends with a whoosh to the lip of Biscayne Bay. There youll find an oasis with a lovely ocean vista, a cooling breeze on your skin and the soothing sound of waves lapping against the seawall.

Youll also find discarded beer cans and condoms, pizza boxes, cigarette butts and an occasional pair of underwear.

You might run into someone fishing or smoking a joint or sipping whiskey or reminiscing about old Coconut Grove.

We used to call this Big Hill Road because wed ride our bikes down to the bottom at high speed, said Will Gaines, a former Grove resident, describing one of the steepest hills in pancake-flat Miami.

Its a shabbily charming spot, but it could be so much nicer.

View of Royal Road, a publicly accessible strip of Coconut Grove that has become a magnet for trash and graffiti at its end near the bay.

Roberto Koltun rkoltun@miamiherald.com

Its always been a dump at the end of the road, a trash pile with a view, said Glenn Terry, a Grove activist and resident for 42 years. Its an interesting patch of earth that is gnarly and unloved.

It is also one of the very few waterfront places accessible to people who dont own multimillion dollar homes. The dead end off Main Highway that abuts Ransom-Everglades School on one side and the Australian pines of the vast yard of a large residential property on the other is the closest access point for West Grove residents.

Public space is a human right, yet we have so many waterfront spaces in our waterfront city closed off by gates and walls and guard houses, said Brian Carson, a Grove resident and landscape architect who sees enormous potential at the end of Royal Road.

Its a jewel, he said. Ive had lots of conversations with the regulars. No matter what they may look like they are passionate about preserving that space.

Trashbags left on the side of the road on Royal Road in Coconut Grove.

Courtesy of Glenn Terry

Carson wants to beautify and strengthen the 30-by-60-foot plot so it can adapt to the sea-level rise changes of the future. He has developed a plan to convert the neglected, graffiti-accented hangout into a mini park with a bench, picnic table, bike rack, kayak launch, dock and garbage cans. His landscape design would include rain gardens to filter the stormwater that runs down the sloping road into the bay and salt-tolerant plants and trees that could survive flooding.

Right now its difficult for things to grow there, he said. We want to make it a pilot project for resilient parks and shorelines.

Robert Lloyd collaborated on the proposal from the Grove 2030 group that has been selected as a finalist in the Miami Foundations Public Space Challenge. Winners of grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be announced Aug. 29.

These are public rights of way and it is super important to keep them public, said Lloyd, who used to live on bayfront Matheson Avenue, where people once went fishing but that has since been turned into a gated entry street. Royal Road has a lot of history.

Carson, Lloyd and Terry have discussed the concept with Miami Commissioner Ken Russell and the parks department and found support for maintenance of the mini park.

Its a place that can speak the language of sea level rise and educate the public about whats happening, said Daniela Romero, a landscape architect who helped Carson and Lloyd with the proposal. Its a gateway that belongs to the people, and we want to bring the ocean to the community.

Read more from the original source:
Dead end in Coconut Grove could be a park rather than a magnet for cans and condoms - Miami Herald

George Barnes Telegram & Gazette Staff @georgebarnestg

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was Worcester. The two cities also have in common the idea that they are defined by their seven hills. Worcester is one of many cities around the world that claim to have been built on seven hills. This includes Somerville; Seven Hills, Ohio; Providence; Seattle; Turku, Finland; Thiruvanananthapuram, India, and many more. In Worcester's case, there are at least 15 hills, and possibly more, depending how a hill is defined. The Worcester Historical Museum and the city's website agree on seven interesting, historical and beautiful hills. All the Worcester hills were once wilderness, but beginning in the 1700s a city was carved out of the virgin forests. Today, many of the hills are covered with homes and businesses, but some have been set aside as parks for the public to enjoy.

Seabury Heights Apartments seen across Bell Pond on Chandler Hill [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

To the north, Chandler Hill is difficult to distinguish as a hill. It seems more like a plateau and a jumping-off point for Green Hill and other hills that rise to the north of Belmont Street. Looking at the hill from the south and east, there is no question. It rises 741 feet almost straight up from behind Cristoforo Columbo Park and would afford a pretty good view of Shrewsbury Street, if there were fewer trees. At the top of the tree-covered hill are Bell Pond, Bell Hill Park and Seabury Heights apartments. There is also a former road along the top of the ridge. Chandler Hill is bordered by Belmont Street to the north, Shrewsbury Street to south and east and a densely packed neighborhood of mostly apartment buildings to the west. A hiking trail runs from Cristoforo Colombo Park to the top of the hill. That trail also links to Green Hill Park.

Chandler Hill can be seen in the background through Cristoforo Colombo Park. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

A runner races up a steep slope in Green Hill Park as a couple descends. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

It is not a surprise that Green Hill Park is one of the gems of the city's park system. The prominent family for whom the 780-foot hill and park are named valued beautiful landscapes. Andrew Green, who once owned the property and donated it to the city in 1905, was associated with famed landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted and is known as the father of Central Park in New York City. As a planner he also played a key role in developing other New York institutions, including the Bronx Zoo, the New York Public Library and the American Museum of Natural History. The 780-foot Green Hill is not far from Chandler Hill. It is at the northern end of Green Hill Park near the golf course. Visitors will see Green Hill Pond, where people fish, occasionally boat and picnic on its shores, a Little League field, the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial and many trails to hike and run. The park encompasses three hills, Green, Crown and Millstone. Green and Millstone are the same height, and Crown a little shorter.

A Green Hill Park sign. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Bancroft Tower. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Bancroft Hill rises 720 feet and overlooks Park Avenue, across the street from the WPI athletic complex. Its most prominent feature is 52-foot tall Bancroft Tower, which is at present closed to the public. The hill is part of Salisbury Park, and the tower and hill are named for noted Worcester resident, historian and statesman George Bancroft, who grew up at the base of the hill. Bancroft Tower was built in his honor by his friend Stephen Salisbury III. Mr. Bancroft served as secretary of the navy and later as U.S. minister to Great Britain. He also founded the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Among his historical works is the History of the United States from the Founding of America.

Directional marker at the base of Bancroft Tower indicates points south. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Directional marker shows way to points of interest to the north. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

An apple tree and flagpole at the summit of Newton Hill [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Newton Hill, at 672 feet, is down Park Avenue from Bancroft Hill - across Park Avenue from Elm Park. It is part of the park, formerly the Newton farmstead. There is still a field at the top of the hill where the city erected a flag pole. The hill offers hiking trails, exercise stations and a disc golf course. At the foot of the hill is the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial donated to the city to illustrate the history of Massachusetts as a colony. The park is maintained by volunteers, including a group of teen-age park rangers who were out in force last week, picking up trash and making minor repairs.

Sign for Newton Hill [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

A home near the top of Hancock Hill [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

John Hancock not only had a large signature he affixed to the Declaration of Independence, he also owned a pretty big hill. Hancock Hill rises 780 feet between Salisbury and Forest streets. At one time it was owned by Hancock, but it is now one of the citys nicer neighborhoods, dotted with good-size single family homes. To get there, you take Hancock Hill Drive off Forest Street, up to Montclair Drive. This photo was taken near the top.

A sign for Hancock Hill Drive. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Looking down Dorchester Street from Union Hill. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Union Hill is one of the citys most historic locations. It is also a hill of many names. At times, the 625-footer has been known as Sagatabscot, Dungarvan, French, Crow and Oak hills and generally as the Grafton Hills. There are a series of hills each side of Grafton Street, but at top of the hill best defined as Union Hill are Union Hill Elementary School and Worcester Academy, a private boarding and day school. The traditional neighborhood consists of apartment buildings and small markets. The hill was home to the citys first permanent settler and one of its more unfortunate. Jonas Rice settled on the hill in 1713. He served as a Worcester selectman, first schoolmaster and a justice in the court of common pleas. Mr. Rice settled in the area even though just 12 years before, Digory Sargent, who also lived on the hill, was killed in his home by Indians. The hill was named Union Hill because inexpensive land was made available in the area after the Civil War. The land also took names relating to French and Irish families who settled there.

Jonas Rice historical marker. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

View from atop College Hill [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

College Hill, also called Mount St. James and Pakachoag Hill is aptly named for its modern use. An increasing amount of the hillside is covered by College of the Holy Cross. Near its top and along its north, south and east slopes the College Hill neighborhood includes a mix of single-family homes. The college originated in the 1800s. The name Mount St. James comes from the Mount St. James Seminary founded by Rev. James Fitton, who bought a farm and set up a Roman Catholic school there. The property was sold in 1843 to the Diocese of Boston to develop a college. Before the seminary, the land was farmed. The Native American name Pakachoag Hill is said to mean Hill of Many Springs. From the college, the hill offers a nice view of southwest Worcester.

Sign for the College of the Holy Cross. [T&G Staff/George Barnes]

Read more from the original source:
Like Rome, Worcester has its 7 hills - Worcester Telegram

DUII driver crashes car through McMinnville home, destroying entire kitchen (Photo from McMinnville Police)

Police say a man driving under the influence crashed completely through a McMinnville home, destroying several walls and the kitchen.

Several 911 calls just before midnight Friday reported a car into a house in the 1200 block of Southwest Darci Drive.

Officers and medics arrived on scene and rendered aid to the sole occupant of the car, later identified as 28-year-old Mario Gomez-Martinez of McMinnville.

Gomez-Martinez was taken to the Willamette valley Medical Center by ambulance and later transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

Police say Gomez-Martinez was driving a 1998 Buick Century south on Southwest Hill Road and an "extreme" rate of speed. Gomez-Martinez failed to make the first 90-degree curve to the right and left the road with no indication of braking, police say.

The car crashed through brush and small trees on the south shoulder of the road and continued through a 6-foot wood fence that borders the property. The car continued across the back yard, crashing through the home.

Not slowing at all, police say the car continued through the interior of the home, destroying another wall and the entire kitchen, including cabinets, a refrigerator, and more.

Police say the car then continued through the home, crashing through the southern exterior wall and exiting the structure.

Police say the car still had enough momentum to travel across the front yard, moving large rock and landscape stones.

It finally came to rest in the middle of Southwest Darci Drive.

The total distance traveled by the vehicle from the point that it left Southwest Hill Road, until coming to a stop on Southwest Darci Drive was about 205 feet.

Fortunately, the residents were not home at the time of the crash.

The American Red Cross was notified and is offering the residents housing assistance.

Police say the investigation further revealed that Gomez-Martinez had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana just before the crash.

Charges of DUII and reckless driving are pending his release from the hospital.

Link:
Police: DUII driver crashes car through McMinnville home, destroying entire kitchen - KATU

The Trump administration is changing the way it protects the greater sage grouse in an effort to provide states more flexibility in how they deal with the imperiled bird.

Interior Secretary Ryan ZinkeRyan Keith ZinkeFederal employees step up defiance of Trump Why our large-scale national monuments should stay intact Climate change and oil prices should bury Arctic drilling forever MORE publicly released a 53-page report Monday from an internal review committee and ordered his department to implement numerous recommendations from the report.

The strategy answers longstanding complaints from the oil and natural gas industries, ranchers and others, as well as some Republican state officials in the West, who said the Obama administrations conservation strategy was too restrictive and costly.

The 2015 plan set new management standards for federally owned land in the birds 11-state rangeand sought to coordinate with states on other policies.

It was seen at the time as a way to avoid listing the sage grouse as threatened or endangered, a more blunt instrument that would have been far more restrictive.

In a letter to Deputy Interior Secretary David Bernhardt Monday, Zinke ordered the implementation of nine broad recommendations, including re-evaluating habitat protections, allowing states to set population objectives, providing more flexibility in management decisions, clarifying standards for waivers to habitat protections and changing the policy on oil leasing in affected areas.

I am particularly interested in assisting the states in setting sage-grouse population objectives to improve management of the species, Zinke wrote. I also believe we should examine a program to enhance scientific research.

Population standards were a top request of opponents of President Barack ObamaBarack ObamaDemocrats introduce another 'false hope' act to immigrants Illinois makes 'Barack Obama Day' a state holiday GOP senator: I wish Republicans had stood up to birtherism MOREs policy, but conservationists criticized the idea as a poor measure of recovery.

The internal task force said population standards can be good, but they shouldnt be relied on too heavily.

The best method for determining [sage grouse] viability will be to assess a combination of habitat availability and populations, which are inseparable, it wrote.

Green groups sharply criticized Zinkes new plan.

The recommendations are a sideways attempt to abandon habitat protection for unfettered oil and gas development and in favor of discredited, narrow tools like captive breeding and population targets, Nada Culver, senior director of policy and planning at the Wilderness Society. Gutting the structure of these plans puts the entire landscape at risk.

When you hear the same message from western governors, ranchers, your own wildlife biologists and land managers and you still ignore it, that's a problem, said Kate Kelly, public lands director at the Center for American Progress and a former Obama administration Interior official.

These recommendations confirm that Zinke is on a path to derail years of collaborative work, putting an entire landscape and the economy that relies on it at risk.

The recommendations stem from a June secretarial order Zinke wrote seeking a full review of sage grouse policies.

Read more from the original source:
Trump administration to overhaul sage grouse conservation strategy - The Hill