Environment Beat Note

Environment Beat Note

WSU’s rich history and agricultural foundation stretch as far back into university history as possible, and continue on to this day. I would like to cover a beat focusing on issues within the parameters of environment and public policy, as relevant to WSU’s continuing and expanding agricultural presence. This would entail areas within environmental issues and public policy to include, but not be restricted to creek restoration, issues focusing on topsoil, commercial development in relation to habitat and water systems, aquifer topics and wildlife issues.

As a university founded on the principles befitting an agricultural institution, WSU is a place of research not only in standard academic disciplines, but also in environmental and agricultural areas working to benefit the collective knowledge of both the national economy and farming industry and in turn the wider global community. The local issues affect all people in Pullman, including students and residents who pay to consume water from the area and who also directly affect the environment.

Because of the crucial nature of research done on campus and of the environment which surrounds the research, a beat covering issues which correlate or are influencing this gathering of knowledge is critical. Policy makers shape the progress or the maintenance of advancements in this field by what legislation is put forth concerning these issues.

Talking to WSU faculty and experts on environmental issues gave me a good and yet general explanation as to what I should be searching for in developing ledes. Ultimately, my search for information resulted in references to more critical sources for which I am emailing. Dr. Carroll and his teaching apprentice gave me some insight into some of the issues that could be examined, including the timber wolf presence in the area, aquifer issues, the water usage at Palouse Ridge Golf Course and the creek restoration on the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail.

Potential Story Ideas

1) Topsoil removal in the Palouse – This is an issue with years of research put into examining it. Uncovering some of the more current findings on this issue is important, especially when looking at this with a fresh angle which could be found through further personal investigation and use of my sources.

2) Wolf hunting – The hunting limit of five wolves in the Palouse-Hells Canyon Zone is still an issue. I’d like to explore this more with the help of several sources I was referred to: Dr. Sayler and Dr. Hardesty. I have yet to make contact with them, but this is something I was pointed out to by Dr. Carroll as a current issue.

3) Wal Mart – With any large commercial construction project, environmental issues are linked to them. I would like to explore what this means for city water direction and usage, habitat concerns, and anything else that may be implicated in this. I have already researched some of the City of Pullman documents relating to Wal Mart and the beginning of construction.


Relevant Articles

1) Topsoil removal - Seattle PI

2) Wolf hunting - Idaho Reporter

3) Smaller Walmart, smaller footprint - Spokesman Review

Potential Sources

Dr. Matt Carroll (interviewed)
Professor – Department of Natural Resource Sciences
(509) 335-2235
carroll@wsu.edu

Travis Paveglio (interviewed)
TA working with Dr. Carroll
509-335-1556 (university listed number)
travispaveglio@wsu.edu

Dr. Rod Sayler
Assoc. Professor – Wildlife Ecology, Restoration Ecology, & Conservation Science
(509) 335-6167
rdsayler@wsu.edu

Dr. Linda H. Hardesty
Associate Professor – Department of Natural Resource Sciences
(509) 335-6632
lhardest@wsu.edu

Tom Lamar
Moscow City Council member – Executive Director of the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
tlamar@ci.moscow.id.us

Gary Macfarlane
Activist/Ecosystem Defense Director – Friends of the Clearwater
media@friendsoftheclearwater.org