Category Archives: News

Obama nominates Rich Moy, senior fellow at University of Montana, for U.S.-Canada joint panel

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Among other things, the Joint International Commission deals with concerns affecting the trans-boundary Flathead, so any change to its make-up is of interest to North Fork residents . . .

President Barack Obama has nominated a former state water official to a joint U.S.-Canada panel that resolves cross-boundary water disputes.

Rich Moy, now a senior fellow at University of Montana, was nominated for the Joint International Commission at the recommendation of U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, both Montana Democrats.

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Officials: Wolf population dips in Northern Rockies

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You’ll need to read the better part of this article to get the full context . . .

The gray wolf population in the Northern Rockies dropped in 2010 — the first annual decline since the animal was reintroduced to the region 15 years ago, federal wildlife officials reported Friday. . .

Fewer wolves in Idaho accounted for the entire 2010 population drop. Wolf numbers increased slightly in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington.

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Larry Wilson: Snow piling up on the North Fork

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This week, Larry Wilson talks about the higher than normal snowpack on the North Fork and the possible consequences when it starts to thaw . . .

I doubt if anyone on the North Fork is unhappy to see the end of February 2011. In the last two weeks nearly 36 inches of snow fell on the Trail Creek area. This was on top of nearly two feet of settled snowpack.

Before that — all in February — we had two shots of minus 20 degrees as well as two shots of thawing temperatures with heavy rain. Not unheard of in past winters, but a real challenge if you want to go to town.

Folks who plow their lane just plain ran out of room to pile snow and had to contact neighbors with bigger plows or with bigger snowblowers. Thank goodness for Mike Edy, Tom Franchini, Denis Moris and Larry Crane who combined to keep Trail Creek Road and private lanes open with their tractor snowblowers.

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Heaven’s Peak restoration raises concerns

Environmental Issues, News,

This sounds like one of those awkward debates between two groups of well-meaning people . . .

Glacier National Park’s plan to stabilize the remote Heaven’s Peak Lookout has sparked a lively debate over appropriate uses in wilderness. But unlike other public debates over the years, this one is, in part, between current and former employees of the Park Service.

The lookout was built in 1945 by conscientious objectors during World War II and one of the last remaining structures built by members of the Civilian Public Service.

For that reason, Glacier officials claim the lookout deserves preservation, whether it’s in wilderness or not.

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County still has openings in road dust program; deadline is March 21

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It’s that time again. Folks wishing to participate in Flathead County’s road dust control program have until Monday, March 21 to apply . . .

Flathead County residents still have an opportunity to participate in a cost-share program related to dust control on county-maintained gravel roads.

Flathead County Public Works Director Dave Prunty and Flathead County Road and Bridge Supervisor Ovila Byrd said the deadline to apply for the dust control program now is 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 21.

People can split the cost with the county to have magnesium chloride applied to roads at their properties, Prunty said.

Residents must sign up for a minimum stretch of a half-mile of roadway.

People have a few options in how they apply, Prunty said. They may call the Road Department at 758-5790, drop by the office or visit the county’s website under the road department tab where an application is available under the forms section.

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Grizzly’s threatened status appealed in Oregon court

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From today’s Flathead Beacon . . .

Dueling attorneys for a conservation group and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered starkly different opinions Monday about the future of the grizzly bear population in and around Yellowstone National Park, if the bear is taken off the threatened species list.

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Wolves find few friends among Montana lawmakers in 2011 legislature

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Lots of (ahem) howling about wolves in this year’s session of the Montana legislature . . .

As the Montana Legislature moves into the second half of the session the gray wolf is proving to be one creature with few friends in the Capitol.

Lawmakers are advancing a slate of bills that call for decreasing protections for wolves, while Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer encouraged killing the animals last month in defiance of the federal Endangered Species Act.

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Wacky wildlife bills progress through Montana legislature

Environmental Issues, News,

From this week’s Hungry Horse News . . .

Hunters just might be able to use a spear next season if a law that makes them legal holds up. The Senate passed a bill by a 27-21 vote in January that would make a spear a legal weapon.

Senate Bill 112, sponsored by Sanders County Republican Greg Hinkle, is now being considered by the House. It’s just one of the many fish and game laws that are under consideration by the Legislature this year.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has openly made fun of the bill and has promised he’ll veto it.

But spear chucking isn’t the only thing in lawmakers sights. They’d also like to nullify the Endangered Species Act. . .

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Tester amends federal budget bill to declare wolves recovered in Montana and Idaho

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From today’s Missoulian . . .

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has inserted language into the Senate’s Continuing Resolution – the bill that funds the entire national budget – declaring the gray wolf a recovered species in Montana and Idaho.

The $1.077 trillion, seven-month spending bill is expected to reach a full Senate vote on Tuesday, and then return to the House of Representatives.

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“Wild Places” needs cookies

News,

According to a note from Dave Hadden of Headwaters Montana, the Third Annual Wild Places Photo Exhibition needs cookies . . .

We need cookies and other treats to sell at the “Wild Places” photo exhibition on March 11 in Whitefish as part of our fundraising effort to continue the Work! Please call Meg Wolfe if you can bake a plate of cookies or other treats.

Meg’s contact: lullwolfe@msn.com or 863-9501.

Thanks for your help in making Wild Places a success.  See you there!