Here are some sites that might be of interest to Sierrans. I haven't had time to check them out yet myself. Jane Clark o The Natural Resource Defense Council has produced a 103 page annotated bibliography highlighting key findings of the effects of roads on wildlife called "End of the Road." Sections include displacement of wildlife, barriers to dispersal, loss of habitat, reduced nesting success, spread of tree diseases and bark beetles, promotion of insect infestations, exotic species invasions, damage to soils and tree growth, and impacts on aquatic ecosystems. It is available at http://www.nrdc.org/publications. o The Center for Public Integrity has a series of new reports that examine cases of conflict of interest between state legislators and the bills that they promote. The reports, part of a series from the center's 50 States Project, can be found at http://www.publicintegrity.org. o A handbook put out by Colorado State Parks called, "Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind," provides guidelines for trail planners who are constructing trails through habitat used by wildlife. The handbook is available on their website at http://dnr.state.co.us/parks. o Dan Pearson, a biologist with the Florida state park system, recommends three excellent Web sites with background information on animals underpass systems for roads. Visit them at http://www.paynesprairie.homestead.com/files/ppwc/ecopassage_2.htm, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wildlifecrossings/main.htm and http://www.fcsc.usgs.gov/Amphibians_and_Reptiles/Paynes_Prairie_Project/payn es_prairie_project.html. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]