Category Archives: News

Big Creek officially completes water quality restoration

Environmental Issues, News, , , , ,

Big Creek, a major tributary of the North Fork, has now officially completed a restoration process aimed at reducing sediment contamination. . . .

Big Creek is the first stream in the state to have completed a water quality restoration process aimed at reducing sediments.

the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Flathead National Forest announced the news Thursday that Big Creek had been removed from the state’s list of impaired waters.

Recent monitoring data has shown that sediment and stream conditions in Big Creek, a major tributary to the North Fork of the Flathead River, now are similar to conditions in streams with minimal human impacts.

That wasn’t the case in 1996, when Big Creek was added to a list of Montana waters with impaired water quality.

Continue reading . . .

Wandering wolf settled in Northern California — for now

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“OR7,” the first wild wolf to enter California in almost 90 years (see earlier story), seems to have settled down in Northern California for now after a brief excursion back into Oregon . . .

A young male wolf from Oregon that has won worldwide fame while trekking across mountains, deserts and highways looking for a mate has had what appears to be his first close encounter with people, and got his picture taken, to boot.

A federal trapper, a state game warden and a state wildlife biologist were visiting ranchers in Northern California on Tuesday to notify them that GPS signals showed the gray wolf was in the area, when they stopped to look over a sagebrush hillside with binoculars, said Karen Kovacs, wildlife program manager for the California Department of Fish and Game in Redding, Calif.

“There, all of a sudden, out pops a head, and there he is,” she said. “He appeared very healthy.”

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Montana FWP gives tentative OK to wolf trapping

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The FWP commissioners voted tentative approval for wolf trapping this hunting season, as well as elimination of quotas . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks commissioners have given their initial approval to the 2012 wolf-hunt proposal that would allow trapping and eliminate quotas.

After a nearly four-hour hearing Thursday in which more than 60 people spoke, the commissioners voted to put the proposal out to public comment until June 25.

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National forest campgrounds start opening as weather warms

News,

Here’s another sure sign of spring: The area’s national forest campgrounds are beginning to open up . . .

Warm temperatures are expected to return this week and just in time for the opening of several campgrounds throughout the Flathead National Forest.

Campgrounds at Big Creek, Emery Bay, Holland Lake, Swan Lake, and Tally Lake will open to the public Friday, May 11, along with the Doris Point Boat Launch, according to the Forest Service. Other sites will open later in the month. The Doris Creek and Lost Johnny Campgrounds are scheduled to open May 18. Depending on weather conditions, the Lid Creek Campground is scheduled to open May 24…

Most campsites are first-come first-serve but other can be reserved beforehand. This year reservations can be made online. Or call 1-877-444-6777.

Continue reading . . .

Montana FWP considering wolf-trapping season

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There’s been some loose talk recently about introducing a wolf trapping season . . .

State wildlife managers want to substantially liberalize the 2012-13 wolf-hunting season in another attempt to decrease pack numbers in Montana.

Trapping wolves, allowing the taking of up to three wolves, using electronic calls, lengthening the hunt and eliminating quotas are among the proposals to be introduced at Thursday’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting.

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Controversial bill that aims to shift authority over federal lands within 100 miles of the U.S. border nears House vote

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From the Missoulian . . .

A controversial bill that aims to shift authority over federal lands within 100 miles of the U.S. border to the Department of Homeland Security could be nearing a vote on the House floor, a development that has renewed debate over the measure’s applicability in places like Montana, where it would strip dozens of environmental protections from Glacier National Park and designated wilderness areas.

The proposed legislation, called the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, or H.R. 1505, would exempt Homeland Security from compliance with 36 federal environmental protection laws in order to expedite border security, including the National Environmental Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Al-Qaida magazine pushes terrorists to trigger Montana wildfires

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You just can’t make this stuff up.

A fumbling article in an English-language Al-Qaida publication is urging wanna-be terrorists to set wildfires in Montana. Here’s the write-up, including the obligatory tough-talking response from local law enforcement . . .

Terrorists who want to strike fear in the hearts of Americans would do well to set wildfires in Montana, al-Qaida advises in the most recent issue of its English-language magazine, Inspire.

“It is difficult to choose a better place other than in the valleys of Montana where the population increases rapidly,” Inspire’s “AQ Chef” columnist writes.

The magazine disappeared for a while after its founders, Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan, were killed last year in a U.S. missile strike.

But it recently reappeared online, its grammatically challenged cover urging “It is of your freedom to ignite a firebomb.” Inside, the AQ Chef gives three pages detailing the recipe for an “ember bomb” – along with the suggestion to deploy such bombs in Montana.

Continue reading . . .

Bonus: For extra-snarky commentary on this story, see the Huffington Post’s take on the subject.

Going-to-the-Sun Road now open as far as Avalanche

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According to Glacier Park’s road status page, Going-to-the-Sun Road is now open to general traffic as far as Avalanche Campground on the west side and to Rising Sun from the east.

Here’s the official write-up:

Currently 21.0 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are open for travel.

Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche, and 5.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Rising Sun.

The section of the road between Avalanche and Rising Sun is closed due to plowing. On the West Side, Hiker/Biker access is to Packers Roost, approximately 6 miles from the Avalanche Gate – while the road crew is working. On the weekends, there are no restrictions. On the East Side Hiker/Biker access is to Jackson Glacier Overlook, approximately 8 miles from the Rising Sun Gate – while the road crew is working. On the weekends there are no restrictions.

North Fork River monitoring and patrol — sign up by May 21

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Rachel Potter thought people might be interested in helping Glacier National Park and the U.S. Forest Service with river management, so she passed along the following information. “North Fork River monitoring and patrol” sounds like a pretty neat volunteer opportunity, but anyone interested needs to jump on it pretty quickly . . .

Description: River monitoring is part of the Glacier National Park (GNP) Backcountry Patrol volunteer program.  Duties include:  visitor educational contacts, pulling weeds, picking up trash, conducting surveys, and completing River Use monitoring forms.

Date/s time: Spring-Fall.

Registration Deadline: Contact Kyle Johnson ASAP but you must be signed up before training starts May 21.

Where:  All segments of the North Fork Flathead River

Sponsor: Glacier National Park

Web page: http://www.nps.gov/glac/supportyourpark/volunteerdescriptions.htm for general Glacier volunteer info and application.

Contact: Kyle Johnson kyle_johnson@nps.gov, 406-888-7838

Training dates/info: You need to be certified as a GNP Backcountry Patrol Volunteer first and then additional river training in conjunction with the USFS will be conducted. Those without extensive experience will be in an apprentice program until skills are developed. Backcountry Ranger Training is May 21-23. River training dates are loose, but will be roughly June 25-28.

What to bring/equipment needed: You will need your own boat, lifejackets, etc. for your own patrols, or ride along with agency staff.

Who should participate: Excellent fitness as well as strong swimming and boating skills are required, especially during high water.

Minimum Commitment: Your involvement is flexible but you may be expected to commit at least 1-3 days/week.  Check with Kyle.