Remote cameras: Secretive wolverines give up furry clues in Glacier National Park

Environmental Issues, News, , , , , ,

This very interesting article about wolverine studies in Glacier National Park appeared in today’s Missoulian. Study volunteers Doug Chadwick, Karen Reeves, Stuart Reiswig and Flannery Coats all get a mention . . .

The carnivore’s eyes glow like orbs in the winter darkness, the front quarter of a deer clenched in its vice-like jaws.

As the fur-covered critter wrests the carrion from a steel bolt on a bait post, it leaves behind a token that will be treasured by researchers studying the animal – a lock of wolverine fur.

The remarkable scene was captured last month by remote camera at a backcountry site in Glacier National Park, where carnivore ecologist John Waller has been conducting an unprecedented study to determine the size of the park’s wolverine population.

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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

Environmental Issues, News, ,

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

News, , ,

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

News,

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

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

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

Environmental Issues, News, ,

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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Amy Secrest: On the North Fork, it’s a dog’s life

Commentary, , , ,

Amy Secrest is standing in for Larry Wilson in this week’s Hungry Horse News column. She does a very nice job of it, too.

Here’s the lead-in. Read the rest at the HHN . . .

At the New Year’s Eve party at Sondreson Hall, Larry Wilson asked me to write this week’s column.

The next day, after a night of dancing and celebration and an epic holiday season filled with family and friends and more blessings than I can count, I was skiing the riverbank with our dog Rio, an 80-pound yellow lab mix. I reflected on the year before and wondered on the year ahead while Rio, ever eager to go where I go, post-holed through chest-deep snow behind me. When I’d stop to marvel at the sunlit winterscape and ponder on whether new snow would make for an interesting newspaper column, Rio would interrupt my musings and insist on snowballs. It’s his favorite winter game. . .

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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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