We are well rid of Larry Craig

[pscot]

Joel Connelly tells why in todays Seattle PI. Craig has long been a tool of the mining, logging and agri-business interests who regard Western public lands as their private cash cow. Because of his seniority and his position on key committees, he's been able to derail environmental legislation and push his pro-corporate agenda. Connelly details some of he recent mischief making.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/329774_joel31.html

"The federally funded Fish Passage Center quietly, credibly performed its vital task of counting declining salmon runs in the Columbia-Snake River system, until it stood as a potential obstacle to agencies and politicians running the river.

The Bonneville Power Administration, in 2005, mounted a sustained campaign to stop spring discharge of water over dam spillways -- nicknamed the "fish flush" -- to aid downstream migration of young salmon. The BPA wanted to generate kilowatts for sale to California.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, entered the picture. He inserted "report language" in a Senate energy appropriations bill, directing Bonneville to cut off money to the Fish Passage Center and transfer its functions....

Federal land managers have learned of Craig's raw power in the past two decades: He has been a dangerous man to run into.

In 1989, U.S. Forest Service regional forester John Mumma warned agency superiors: Timber quotas in the Northern Rockies could not be met without violating environmental laws and trampling already-approved plans for various national forests.

Craig, a timber industry ally, stepped in with a sharply worded letter to the Forest Service's chief, Dale Robertson.

"It is my hope that you will move to assure that (logging) targets are met and line officers are held accountable," wrote Craig. He demanded quarterly reports on the timber cut.

Mumma was told to jack up the cut. He refused to bend or break environmental laws. The regional supervisor -- the first biologist to hold such a post -- said he was forced out. Offered a desk job in Washington, D.C., he quit the Forest Service. Several national forest supervisors in the region were subsequently purged....more

[napi21]

1. Most important was his power due to his longevity in DC.

Wvwn if the Idaho Gov. names another Pub, he'll be a rookie with little to no power.

[partylessinOhio]

2. I was only half listening but I think I heard the governor himself is taking

Craig's position in the Senate.

[Warpy]

3. No, the rumor is that he'll appoint the Lt. Governor.

Appointing himself is out of the question.

And yes, those old dinosaurs have to go anyway we can get rid of them. Ousting them on a tide of ridicule is one way.

[partylessinOhio]

4. Yes, you are correct. I just saw that information rebroadcast and it is

the Lt. Governor that will be appointed to fill the balance of Craig's term. Like I said I was only half listening, sorry.

[jeffreyi]

5. Craig and Ted Stevens

never met a tree they didn't want to whack, soil they didn't want to foul, watersheds they didn't want to trash, wildlife and fish they didn't want to kill. Good riddance.

[pscot]

6. and it looks like Stevens may be swept out

on a tide of scandal with the rest of the garbage.