Category Archives: Environmental Issues

Montana FWP seeks comment on “bucket biology” rule

Environmental Issues, News, ,

Montana FWP is collecting comments on a proposed rule on how to handle incidents of “bucket biology,” the unauthorized dumping of live fish into public waters.

Here’s the press release . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on a draft rule that outlines how officials will respond to the unauthorized placement of live fish into public waters.

Commonly referred to as “bucket biology,” the unauthorized placement of fish is a crime of significant concern and is likely to have adverse impacts on aquatic resources, angling opportunities, and fish management costs.

Examples include the illegal dumping of northern pike in the Upper Missouri River near Toston and walleye placed in Noxon Rapids Reservoir in northwestern Montana.

The new rule commits FWP to launching investigations within 30 days of learning about an unauthorized placement of fish in streams or lakes, followed by the development of an action plan to remove or suppress the fish.

Management actions could include removing unauthorized fish with nets and electrofishing or by chemicals that can kill fish. Actions to suppress the fish include changes to fishing regulations, fishing contests, and use of commercial fishing.

An electronic database would be established to catalog unauthorized fish placements and FWP management actions underway.

Eight public hearings are scheduled in February and March to discuss and take comment on the proposed rule. The sessions will begin at 7 p.m. at following locations:

  • Feb. 24 Kalispell FWP Region 1 HQ; 490 N. Meridian Rd.
  • Feb. 25 Missoula FWP Region 2 HQ; 3201 Spurgin Rd.
  • March 3 Helena FWP HQ; 1420 E. Sixth Ave.
  • March 3 Bozeman FWP Region 3 HQ; 1400 S. 19th
  • March 4 Great Falls FWP Region 4 HQ; 4600 Giant Springs Rd.
  • March 11 Glasgow FWP Region 6 HQ; 54078 U.S. Highway 2 W.
  • March 11 Billings FWP Region 5 HQ; 2300 Lake Elmo Drive
  • March 11 Miles City FWP Region 7 HQ; 325 I-94 Business Loop

For more information or to comment on the proposed rule online, visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Public Notices.” Comments, due by March 21, can be emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov; or mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

New fish species found in Idaho and Montana

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U.S. Forest Service researchers discovered a new species of fish, the cedar sculpin, living in mountain rivers in Montana and Idaho . . .

A tiny fish characterized by a disproportionately large head and previously unknown to scientists has been found in mountain rivers of Idaho and Montana, in what biologists said on Thursday marked a rare discovery.

The new aquatic species is a type of freshwater sculpin, a class of fish that dwell at the bottom of cold, swift-flowing streams throughout North America and are known for their oversized head and shoulder structure.

“The discovery of a new fish is something I never thought would happen in my career, because it’s very rare in the United States,” said Michael Young, co-author of a scientific description of the find that has been published in the latest edition of the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.

Read more . . .

North Fork Watershed Protection Act clears House panel

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Here is the Daily Inter Lake’s write-up on the North Fork Watershed Protection Act’s progress through the U.S. House . . .

A bill aimed at protecting national forest lands west of Glacier National Park cleared a key House Committee Tuesday, drawing praise from local supporters.

Known as the North Fork Watershed Protection Act and sponsored by U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, R-Mont., the bill would withdraw 362,000 acres of public lands from future oil and gas leasing and development, hard-rock mining and geothermal development.

Similar legislation sponsored by Montana Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester has been advancing in the Senate.

“The North Fork bill is a great example of people of all walks of alife coming together and developing local solutions for public lands issues,” said Chris Schustrom of the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “This bill will help ensure that traditional land uses and fish and wildlife habitat in the valley are protected in perpetuity.”

Read more . . .

North Fork Watershed Protection Act gets past House Natural Resources Committee without opposition

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The House version of the North Fork Watershed Protection Act easily passed its first hurdle this morning . . .

Legislation to protect the North Fork of the Flathead River from energy development passed a crucial congressional milestone early Tuesday morning.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved its version of the North Fork Watershed Protection Act without opposition, according to Rep. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., authored the measure and got it passed through the Senate Natural Resources Committee last June. That puts the bill in position for votes by both chambers.

“The North Fork is widely treasured as a precious corner of our state, a place where we harvest timber, we hunt and fish, and lead trips into the adjacent Glacier National Park,” Daines said in an email statement on Tuesday. “The local community wants to continue using this watershed of the river to benefit their local economy – which is largely outdoor recreation based.”

Read more . . .

Largest Mission Valley easement protects wildlife corridor

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Some encouraging news regarding habitat connectivity . . .

Animals from grizzly bears to dairy cows will benefit from the largest-ever conservation easement in the Mission Valley, according to the people who signed it.

Five Valleys Land Trust announced this week that almost 2,300 acres east of Charlo will be protected for both wildlife and agricultural purposes after a conservation easement was entered into on the property.

Grasslands on the Moiese Valley Ranch – better known locally as Hillside Farms – buffer Crow Creek, a critical corridor used by grizzlies and other wildlife to travel between the Mission Mountains and the Flathead River.

Read more . . .

National Park Service, wildlife experts developing plan to protect migrating wildlife

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Concerns over protection of migratory wildlife are growing . . .

The National Park Service and the country’s leading wildlife experts are developing a plan to conserve migrating wildlife as it moves through protected areas, sometimes crossing vast regions of the globe to reach birthing and feeding grounds.

Unveiled in a paper published last week in Conservation Biology, the plan details the need for more collaboration between the NPS, local governments and public landowners.

If migratory species are to survive the slow creep of human development, the plan adds, conservation efforts must begin sooner than later, and the public must have a participatory role.

Read more . . .

Medusahead detected on Flathead Indian Reservation

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Just what we need, a new invasive weed to look out for . . .

The latest “Wanted” poster in western Montana isn’t for a person, but rather, a plant.

Authorities from three counties and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are asking people to be on the lookout for medusahead.

The invasive weed has been detected in the north Valley Creek area of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It is capable of drastically reducing the livestock carrying capacity of rangeland.

Read more . . .

Canadian Flathead bioblitz tour next week

Environmental Issues, News,

If you happen to be in Canada next week, you can find out more about the recent “bioblitz” at a series of talks offered around British Columbia. Here’s the announcement, courtesy of the Flathead River Valley web site . . .

Birds, bats, bugs… oh my! Come hear about the exciting biodiversity recently discovered in BC’s Flathead River Valley and how you can help save it forever. Speakers include Royal BC Museum’s Claudia Copley and Melissa Frey among others.

January 21st @ Science World In Vancouver – 7PM
January 22nd @ College of the Rockies Lecture Theatre in Cranbrook – 7PM
January 23rd @ The Arts Station in Fernie – 7PM
January 24th @ Canmore Collegiate – 7PM

Montana FWP seeks comment on fish and wildlife action plan

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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public comment on the latest State Wildlife Action Plan revision by February 9. Here’s the press release . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on an update to the state’s comprehensive conservation plan for more than 100 of the state’s fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Initially completed in 2006, the recent revision of Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy was led by FWP, working closely with team members from other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations.

“The team’s planning efforts included regular public updates and participation opportunities. Public input continues to be an important part of wrapping up Montana’s State Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 year-cycle,” said Deb O’Neill, FWP’s fish and wildlife plan coordinator in Helena.

In 2000, federal legislation created the State Wildlife Grant program intended to fund conservation programs for all fish and wildlife, including species not pursued by hunters and anglers. Montana has since been awarded $12.7 million in SWG funds for conservation programs ranging from prairie fish surveys and loon research to trumpeter swan and grizzly bear conservation.

To continue to participate in the federal grant program states must revise their plans every 10 years.

“Montana’s update contains the latest and best information available on the status of species and habitats in the greatest need of conservation, which will help to better direct Montana’s conservation and management efforts through 2024,” O’Neill said.

Comments on the State Wildlife Action Plan are due Feb. 9 by 5 p.m. For more information and to comment, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov choose State Wildlife Action Plan.

Carnivores captured on camera in burn area

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Here’s an interesting article about a study of carnivores in a burn area in the Bitterroot National Forest. They even turned up a wolverine . . .

There was no way of knowing what kind of critters might venture through the charred trees left last year in the wake of a wildfire in Soldier Creek.

“The ground was basically dust,” said Bitterroot National Forest biologist Andrea Shortsleeve.

Far up in the head of the West Fork drainage not far from Devil Creek, a team of Bitterroot National Forest researchers led by the biologist decided to set a photographic trap in an effort to see what might show up.

Read more . . .