Crossing the Next Meridian: Land, water, and the future of the West, Charles Wilkinson.
Excellent reading on issues facing the west. It 10 years old or so, but much hasn't changed. Especially the Mining Law of 1876. Very interesting that mineral/nastural resource extraction can still be had from $2.50 an acre lease, $5.00 an acre to buy. If you're a fat cat. And guess who get's fleeced? :D
