From the Wednesday, July 16, 2008 online edition of the Missoulian . . .
Environmental groups concerned that Montana water may be threatened by potential coal-bed methane extraction and expanded coal mining in southeastern British Columbia took their concerns to Canada’s ambassador to the United States.
Read the entire article . . .
The Summer 2008 NFPA Newsletter is available online. It is in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader for viewing. Most folks already have Adobe Reader installed on their computers. If you don’t have it, you can get it here. (If you do need to grab Adobe Reader, make sure you clear the little checkbox where they offer to include additional software with your download. Right now, they are pushing something called the “eBay Desktop.” Go figure.)
There has been a lot concern over Plum Creek’s gradual shift from timber production to real estate development, particularly their recent closed-door negotiations with the Forest Service to expand permitted road easement use.
“Tester wants Plum Creek investigation,” an article in the June 25, 2008, issue of the Missoulian, provides a good overview of the situation.
A piece in the July 5, 2008, Washington Post titled “Closed-Door Deal Could Open Land In Montana” offers more information, although it is a little heavy on editorial content.
On a positive note, an article in this week’s Hungry Horse News, “Plum Creek inks massive land deal,” covers the announcement of “the largest land conservation purchase in the United States history” — the negotiated sale of about 30% of Plum Creek’s holdings in Montana to a pair of conservation groups.
Michael Jamison, a journalist with the Missoulian, showed up at the 4th of July parade this year and filed a nice story on the festivities.
From the Sunday, July 6, 2008 online edition of the Missoulian . . .
About 30 years back, John Frederick and a couple of neighbors stood on the side of a dusty dirt road and watched as a horse trotted by.
Then a 1942 military Jeep motored past.
They cheered.
Someone waved a flag.
Read the entire article . . .
From the Saturday, June 28, 2008 online edition of the Lethbridge Herald . . .
Southern Albertans who treasure the unspoiled qualities of Waterton Lakes National Park may believe the park
From the Friday, June 27, 2008 online edition of Forbes . . .
Possible coal mining and coal-bed methane extraction in southeastern British Columbia warrant investigation by an international board, a coalition of 11 U.S. and Canadian environmental groups said.
The groups on Thursday requested investigation by the International Joint Commission, a Canada-U.S. panel charged with preventing and resolving disputes under a 1909 water treaty. Possible contamination of water in the Flathead River system, which flows into Montana from Canada, is among the groups’ concerns.
Read the entire article . . .
From the Thursday, June 12, 2008 online edition of the Daily Inter Lake . . .
Road dust has been a Flathead County scourge for years, and residents have complained that the clouds of particulate matter were affecting their health.
The problem of road dust isn’t going away any time soon, but a University of Montana study of the North Fork Road has helped quantify the health risks. Whether that translates into immediate solutions from the county is still uncertain.
Read the entire article . . .
From the Wednesday, June 11, 2008 online edition of the Daily Inter Lake . . .
(Note that there is an open house to discuss these changes to fire suppression policy tomorrow, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Sondreson Hall.)
A wildland “fire use” policy that has been mostly applied to wilderness areas is being considered for other parts of the Flathead National Forest.
The proposal came up a year ago, but forest officials are seeking public comments on a proposal for allowing some naturally caused fires, in some circumstances, to burn outside the wilderness.
Read the entire article . . .
From the Wednesday, June 11, 2008 online edition of the Missoulian . . .
(Note that there is an open house to discuss these changes to fire suppression policy tomorrow, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Sondreson Hall.)
Foresters looking to fight fire with fire have started looking beyond the boundaries of designated wilderness areas, and this summer will apply a sort of “let it burn” policy to public lands throughout northwest Montana.
They call it “wildland fire use” and this summer it could be used in the North Fork Flathead drainage above Columbia Falls, the Swan Range near Bigfork and the Mission Mountains.
Read the entire article . . .
From the Tuesday, June 10, 2008 online edition of the Daily Inter Lake . . .
Two University of Montana professors revealed the results of the North Fork Road Dust Study to Flathead County commissioners Monday morning.
The conclusion: Airborne particulate matter along the road during summer months is often twice the nationally accepted amounts, which could lead to significant health problems.
Read the entire article . . .