Voters approved ballot measures on Nov. 2 that will strengthen environmental protections in several states. Although the Bush administration's return to power does not bode well for the future of environmental protections, the success of these state ballot initiatives indicates that citizens remain committed to protecting the environment. While only a few states voted down ballot initiatives to strengthen environmental protections, several states passed major environmental measures that will, among other things, clean up hazardous waste, limit mining with cyanide, and protect public lands. Victories For the fifth time, Arizona voted down a proposition that would have allowed the government to trade public lands. Residents of Colorado supported the Renewable Energy Requirement mandating that 10 percent of electricity produced by utilities that serve at least 40,000 customers come from renewable sources by 2015. The initiative will impact 80 percent of utilities providers in the state. Colorado joins 16 other states in requiring the use of renewable energy. In Montana, 75 percent of voters agreed "to establish and provide a funding source for a noxious weed management trust fund." According to Montana State University researchers, "Noxious weeds are a serious ecological and environmental threat to the natural resources of Montana. Noxious weeds displace native plant communities (including endangered species), alter wildlife habitat, reduce forage for wildlife and livestock, and lower biodiversity." Though the fund has existed through legislation since 1985, the initiative amends the state constitution to provide for the fund, making it difficult for lawmakers to spend the money on other matters. Montana also voted down an initiative to allow open-pit mining using cyanide ore-processing reagents. The vote reaffirms a 1998 decision to limit the mining of gold and silver using cyanide, which can cause severe water pollution. The failure of the initiative was a major victory for environmental advocates and shows citizens refuse to tolerate such highly toxic pollution, even in a tight job market. In the state of Washington, 68 percent of the electorate voted to clean up hazardous waste in the state and to limit future dumping "until existing contamination was cleaned up." The initiative mainly applies to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, a 586-square-mile site along the Columbia River that was first used during World War II to produce plutonium for atomic bomb development. The state initiative sets standards for cleanup, prohibits waste disposal in unlined soil trenches, and requires cleanup of tank leaks. Fifty-three million gallons of highly radioactive liquid, sludge and saltcake are currently stored at the Hanford facilities. Rhode Island voted to issue bonds that would provide up to $70 million to control water pollution. Failures An Oregon measure failed that would have required state forests to balance logging interests with environmental preservation. Another Oregon measure, which passed with 60 percent of the vote, would require that the government compensate landowners if regulation reduces the property value of the land. This "regulatory takings" measure does not apply to public health and safety regulation, but it does apply to environmental regulation that "restricts the use of the property and reduces its fair market value." Utah voters defeated an initiative that would have generated up to $150 million in bonds to support projects that "preserve or enhance" natural resources such as lakes, rivers, streams and wildlife habitats, as well as to "build local community facilities and improve natural history and cultural museums."