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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obama creates planet’s largest protected area

OUTTHERE – Using his executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act, President Obama last week created the largest ecologically protected area on Earth – a Pacific Ocean sanctuary so remote few people will travel there.

The Papahanaumokuakea (pronounced “Papa-ha-now-moh-koo-ah-kay-ah”) Marine National Monument was established by President George W. Bush a decade ago, but Obama has quadrupled its size to 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The monument of coral reefs, seamounts and undersea ridges and fisheries covers an area greater than the size of Texas, California and Montana combined.

The expansion was opposed by commercial longline fishermen. Scientists expect it will take time to convince them that conserving fisheries ultimately could benefit industries outside the protected area.

The big question is how effectively protections can be enforced in such a huge, remote area of ocean.

The area will be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is now responsible for administering or co-administering nearly 1 billion acres of lands and waters for wildlife, more than any other entity on the planet.

Meanwhile, Obama’s Aug. 26 action underscores the high priority he has placed on issues of conservation and climate change in his second term.

So far, the president has used his executive powers to protect more than 548 million acres of federal land and water, more than double the designated areas of any of his predecessors.

Panhandle Forest Collaborative

works for consensus

OUTDO – People with a special interest in North Idaho national forests are invited to sit in on the Panhandle Forest Collaborative. The next meeting will be noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Bonner County Administration Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 1500 Highway 2 in Sandpoint

The group discusses issues by involving representatives from diverse perspectives, including federal and state agencies, community nonprofit organizations, county commissioners, economic development, contractors, forest industry representatives, environmental and conservation groups, elected officials, concerned community members, landowners, tribes, recreation interests and local businesses.

The group works to provide consensus recommendations for forest plans and projects.

Info: Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, lizjg35@hotmail.com, (208) 448-0210).

Boulder Meadows work planned

OUTPROJECT – Volunteers are needed for repairing the Boulder Meadows trail near Bonners Ferry in a work part set for Friday.

“We will be digging water drainage ditches, installing water bars, and replacing soil that has been washed off the trail,” Tom Dabrowski of the Idaho Trails Association said.

Info: (208) 263-6854. Sign up: www.idahotrailsassociation.org.