A wealthy Utah rancher bulldozed large swaths of forest with taxpayer support, claiming unproven environmental benefits, but experts raise doubts about his methods.
A Utah rancher used millions in taxpayer funds to clear forests, promoting his untested tree removal method, “roller felling.”
The rancher, Mike Siaperas, received state funds through questionable contracts and political connections, promoting his method as a wildfire and drought solution.
Political connections helped secure millions in state funding for the rancher’s project, despite doubts about its environmental benefits.
Key quote:
“It looks like nothing more than a pet project with a thin veneer of science.”
— Ben Abbott, ecology professor at Brigham Young University.
Why this matters:
This rancher’s project, funded by over $5 million in taxpayer dollars, isn’t just a case of bad science—it’s a reflection of Utah’s broader issue with how political influence shapes so-called “green” initiatives. The claims of ecological benefits are shaky at best, and yet, thanks to powerful allies, this rancher’s proposal got the green light without much competition or scrutiny. Read more: Giving Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante the protection they deserve.
The province promised to implement more than a dozen recommendations made by an independent review. Some worry change for the old forests home to at-risk species hasn’t come fast enough
Paper Excellence bills itself as a proud player rejuvenating a troubled industry in an environmentally responsible way, but leaked emails and insider accounts reveal a company which may not be what it seems.
A new 9-month long cross-border investigation exposes the flaws of “green” forestry labels. Environmental auditors overlook harm by “sustainable" companies, hindering climate efforts.
