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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 2017)
OUR VIEW: IS THE NEW TAX LAW GOOD FOR FARMERS? Page 6 Capital Press A g The West’s FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 VOLUME 90, NUMBER 52 Weekly WWW.CAPITALPRESS.COM $2.00 Photo courtesy USFWS, William Campbell A pack of wolves has been detected in the Boise foothills area for the first time. There have been sporadic, lone wolf sightings in the area for years but Idaho Wildlife Services is now keeping an eye on the seven-wolf pack. Wolf pack detected in foothills near Boise A very optional list of resolutions for the coming year Sporadic lone wolf sightings for years, now Idaho Wildlife Services watching pack in area for first time By CARL SAMPSON Capital Press I t’s a new year. A blank slate. Another 365-day-long opportunity to get ’er done. It’s also a good time to make a resolution, or two. It could have to do with the farm, or with you, or anything else that’s important to you. We’ve come up with a list of resolutions for 2018. It’s not comprehensive, nor is it exclusive. Or compulso- ry. Consider it food for thought as you launch into a new year chock full of promise and opportunity. Each new calendar gives each of us a chance to do the things we always wanted to do, catch up on things we didn’t do last year and seek new opportunities in business and in life. With 2018 offering all of these and more, we hereby offer for your consideration the Unofficial Capital Press List of Resolutions for 2018: By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press BOISE — Idaho Wildlife Ser- vices is keeping its eyes on a pack of seven wolves that has been de- tected in the foothills north of Boi- se. News that a pack of wolves has been detected in that area was not welcomed by the state’s cattle in- dustry. There have been lone wolf sightings in the Boise foothills over the years but this is believed to be the first time a pack has been con- firmed in the area. IWS State Director Todd Grimm said seven different sets of wolf tracks have been found near Avi- mor Subdivision, which is located in the foothills north of Boise, by far the state’s largest urban area. Wildlife Services is a USDA agency that solves conflicts be- tween humans and animals. Grimm said there have been no reported livestock depredations as- sociated with the pack, “but there are cattle in that vicinity, as well as pets, so the possibility is certainly there for a conflict.” Idaho Cattle Association Execu- tive Vice President Cameron Mul- rony said he has not heard of any problems associated with the pack from cattlemen in the region but the news is certainly not welcomed by them. • Fix that piece of equipment you’ve been meaning to fix since the end of harvest. • Upgrade your computer. While you’re at it, you’ll probably have to upgrade your software, too. • Help a neighbor. • Set up a succession plan for your farm, ranch or business. If you already have a succession plan, give it a check-up with your lawyer. • Go over the new federal tax law with your accoun- tant to figure out how it will impact you and your farm. • Hug your wife (or husband) every day. • Lose some weight. • Tell someone what a farmer does, and why. People are curious about farming. Expect lots of questions. • Plan a party and invite all of your neighbors. There’s no better way to get to know them. Turn to RESOLUTIONS, Page 10 Turn to BOISE, Page 10 EPA nixes bid to herd livestock under Clean Air Act By DON JENKINS Capital Press The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has denied a petition by environmental groups to regulate concentrated ani- mal feeding operations like factories under the Clean Air Act. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, in a letter to petitioners, acknowledged livestock are potential sources of air pollutants. The agency, however, doesn’t have a reliable method for estimating animal emissions. Until it does, new rules could be unjustified and ineffective, according to Pruitt. “Once the agency has sufficient in- formation on CAFO emissions, it will determine the appropriate regulatory approach to address those emissions,” he stated. The EPA decision, posted in the Federal Register, answers a petition filed in 2009 by The Humane Society of the United States and other environ- mental groups. The groups sought to bring concen- trated animal feeding operations un- der Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. The section requires stationary sourc- es of air pollution to adopt the “best system” for reducing emissions. The New Year’s deadlines 5th For the Jan. n of print editio s. Capital Pres • News display and legal ads deadlines Friday, Dec. 29th • Classified display ads are due by 10AM, Tuesday, Jan. 3rd • Classified line ads are due by Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 3rd groups said farms with a large number of animals harm human health, poison the environment and cause climate change. The EPA says it can’t judge a farm’s contribution to air pollution based on the number of its animals. Weather, geography, management practices and other factors affect livestock emis- sions, according to EPA. Pruitt said the EPA will finish work Turn to EPA, Page 10 20 1 8 52-2/HOU Environmentalists petitioned for regulation