Chronology of Success 2003

‘Winning for the West‘

January 2003

• Advocates for the West begins operations. Executive Director Laird Lucas named “Idaho
  Environmental Leader of The Year” by United Vision for Idaho.

March 2003

• Injunction halts federal/state project to kill foxes, coyotes, badgers and other alleged “sage grouse predators” across southern Idaho.
• Consent decree with Idaho Power under Clean Water Act over illegal fill below Bliss dam requires $86,000 to establish a new wetland to restore water quality in mid-Snake River.

April 2003

• Won injunction against wolf killing in Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Second injunction closes BLM allotments to protect bull trout and rare plants in southern Idaho.

May 2003

• Grazing permit for northern Nevada held invalid for failure to conduct environmental review.

June 2003

• Idaho PUC approves “net metering” program allowing PacifiCorp customers to install small-scale solar and wind energy systems. Executive Director Laird Lucas honored as “Environmental Hero” by The Wilderness Society.

July 2003

• Settlement agreement prohibits federal agencies from aerially spraying poisons across southern Idaho to “control” Mormon crickets; USDA will use bait instead. Federal court litigation prevents new cyanide mill next to Frank Church Wilderness.

August 2003

• Notice letter to Bureau of Reclamation over Upper Snake reservoirs and impacts on salmon promote talks brokered by Sen. Mike Crapo (ID).

October 2003

• First-ever ESA injunction barring irrigation diversion in Upper Salmon to protect bull trout.

November 2003

• Settlement requires the U.S. Forest Service to conduct environmental reviews and improve stream protection on dozens of grazing allotments in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.

December 2003

• Won state court rulings reversing two major housing development projects that would degrade sensitive wetlands and wildlife habitat near Teton River.