Environment
Bison management group discusses deadly winter for Yellowstone bison, plans for next season
Many of the federal, state, and tribal representatives of the Interagency Bison Management Plan described this winter’s hunt of Yellowstone National Park bison – the deadliest winter for the herds in 15 years – as a success, and the biannual meeting showed there is still some disagreement when it comes to management of the animals. […]
June is the wettest month in Montana, but this year, it’s extra rainy in Billings
It’s super soggy in Billings, and most of the state is covered by a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service. Last weekend in just 24 hours, Billings saw nearly six inches of rainfall, said Cory Mottice, warning coordinator with the National Weather Service in Billings. Typically, he said, the total for the month […]
On a record day in D.C. for smoke pollution, U.S. Senate panel debates wildfire strategy
As smoke from Canadian wildfires caused the most hazardous air conditions on record in the Washington, D.C., area on Thursday, members of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said that Congress should lift federal firefighter pay and encourage logging to reduce the risk of future blazes. “Smoke from the wildfires burning right now […]
Second lawsuit filed alleges Gianforte used ‘procedural trickery’ to stop popular marijuana bill
A second lawsuit challenging how Senate Bill 442 was handled by Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has been filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court. The lawsuit was filed at nearly the same time as the Montana Association of Counties filed a similar suit in the same county, seeking […]
Montana Supreme Court rejects Attorney General’s last-minute attempt to stop climate trial
The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a last-minute attempt by the State Attorney General’s Office to stop a lawsuit waged by a group of youth plaintiffs who charge the state has failed to preserve a “clean and healthful” environment for future generations, as guaranteed by the Montana Constitution. On Monday, the Montana Attorney General’s Office […]
State asks Montana Supreme Court to halt Montana youth climate trial slated to start next week
A week before the Montana youth climate change trial is set to start, the state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to halt the trial and take supervisory control over the case on the basis the district court judge set to hear the trial made “a mistake of law” in allowing the case to go […]
Coalition sues state in federal court for coal mining laws passed by legislature
A coalition of Montana groups have filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that newly passed laws that lawmakers say will speed up permitting of surface coal mines would have made the Copper Kings of Montana proud by gutting protections for the citizens and clean water. The Montana Environmental Information Center, Sierra Club, Wildearth Guardians […]
Yellowstone Park: Hawaii man pleads guilty to intentionally disturbing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park
Clifford Walters of Hawaii pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife on May 31, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick, according to Yellowstone National Park. Walters was given a $500 fine, a $500 community service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment, […]
FWP asks for information on grizzly bear shot and killed in NW Montana
State and federal wildlife officials are looking for information on a collared male grizzly that was shot and killed near Berray Mountain in Sanders County on what they believe was the evening of May 16. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release Tuesday the bear was discovered on May 24, more than […]
10th Circuit rejects authorization to kill up to 72 grizzlies in Wyoming under grazing program
A ruling by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday will protect up to 72 grizzly bears in the Bridger-Teton National Forest area in Wyoming from being killed after the court found the 2019 culling authorization violated the law. The court found that the authorization to try to allow a 10-year livestock grazing period in […]
‘We’re going to need so many seedlings’ for reforestation push
During the next few years, state tree nurseries across the country will build new greenhouses, expand irrigation systems, upgrade seeding equipment and bring on staff. They’re hoping to turn millions of new federal dollars into millions of new seedlings — part of a collaborative effort to reforest landscapes threatened by climate change. “We’re going to […]
Judge allows Montana youth climate change lawsuit to proceed to trial
A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge this week denied the state’s request for summary judgment in the Montana youth climate change lawsuit, meaning the case is effectively guaranteed to proceed to the trial scheduled to start June 12 in Helena. Judge Kathy Seeley wrote in her Tuesday order in the Held et al […]