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.

A proposed rule from the Department of Interior would grant those in the hydroelectric industry the exclusive right to appeal rulings about how dams are licensed and operated. The rule could save the hydroelectric industry hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements while effectively cutting Indian tribes, states, federal agencies and environmental groups out of the appeals process.

The cap-and-trade method for curbing mercury emissions will greatly harm those from the Great Lakes region, particularly American Indians, according to a new white paper released by the Center for Progressive Regulation (CPR).

The following chart details the sequence of regulatory actions in the Clinton snowmobile ban and the subsequent Bush rollback of the ban. Initial Background Fund for Animals sues NPS, alleging Yellowstone winter use plan violates NEPA and ESA 1997 settlement agreement - NPS to prepare EIS on snowmobile use and trail grooming in Yellowstone 2001 Snowmobile Ban 1999 Draft EIS In response to lawsuit, NPS studies winter use in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and John D.