OUTDOORS TRENDS -- Compiled by Headwaters, here are a few of the past week's outdoors and environmental news stories to ponder while relaxing this weekend:

USFWS study tracks lead's effect on songbirds in Idaho basin
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is studying the effects of lead in mine waste on songbirds in Idaho's Coeur D'Alene River basin.
Spokane Spokesman-Review; May 27

Senate bill would release 43M acres of public lands from wilderness designation
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch is among the members of the Senate Western Caucus that introduced legislation Thursday to remove 43 million acres of public lands from wilderness designation and would terminate Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's "wildlands" executive order issued last December.
Deseret News; May 27

Grizzly bear recovery efforts may take them off the endangered list
Efforts to recover the grizzly bear population in the United States have been ongoing since 1983, and the number of bears in the Northern Continental Divide recovery zone, one of five such zones, may have reached the point where they can be removed from the endangered species list, but those involved in the recovery effort wonder how the route wolf delisting took will affect the bear's path off the endangered species list.
Missoula Independent; May 27

Washington state fish farmers say dam releases into Columbia River killing fish
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said they have no option other than to release massive amounts of water from the Grand Coulee Dam into the Columbia River in Washington state, as they need to make room for run-off from snowmelt, but the releases thus far have resulted in the buildup of dissolved nitrogen and other gases that are killing fish.
Seattle Times; May 27

Alaska officials warn folks not to mess with moose after spate of attacks
There are an estimated 1,500 moose living in and around Anchorage, and after a number of recent attacks, Alaska wildlife officials warned folks to try to avoid the large animals.
Denver Post (AP); May 27


Montana officials say flooding may be worst in decades
The U.S. Geological Survey said record flows were reported in many Montana rivers, and communities such as Roundup and Joliet reported widespread flooding.
Helena Independent Record (AP); May 27