Environment
‘Actually not an oxymoron’: For some young Republicans, climate and environment are top issues
The sight of young Republicans gathering with a presidential candidate over beer, appetizers, and a conversation about the environment may appear as a paradox. But it’s not, at least for a growing segment of young conservatives who are calling for leadership on climate change and environmental issues. They’re bucking the national GOP’s most vocal members […]
Lawsuits: Some of Louisiana governor’s transition team operated illegal Montana dump for years
A co-chairman on Gov.-elect Jeff Landry’s coast and environment transition team has been embroiled in litigation for nearly a decade because of his alleged illegal operation of a dump for toxic and hazardous oil and gas waste in Montana, according to court records. And another member of that team was co-owner of the company that […]
Attorneys for Gianforte, agencies ask Supreme Court to put order in Montana climate case on hold
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration says it is impractical for the state to immediately start addressing greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts to the environment following a judge’s ruling this summer that the state was violating Montanans’ constitutional rights by not preserving a “clean and healthful” environment. Attorneys representing Gianforte and several state agencies in […]
Conservation groups concerned with incidental trapping exceptions in wolverine listing
Conservation groups in Montana and the West largely applauded the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday to list the North American wolverine as a threatened species, but some said they remain concerned that the animals could still be incidentally trapped under exceptions in the interim rule. The effort to get wolverines […]
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists wolverines as ‘threatened’ under Endangered Species Act
After more than two decades of petitions by wildlife conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed wolverines as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The decision marks a win for conservation groups, who have petitioned for a federal listing since 1995 and have gone through six rounds of successful litigation […]
FWP asking for tips on several elk shot and left to waste
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are asking for tips on who shot four elk near Anaconda, and one in Musselshell County, and left them all to waste. FWP is characterizing the killings on the Ueland Ranch and ARCO Block Management Area, near Anaconda, as poaching. A spokesperson said all four elk were killed in […]
FWP hosting public meetings to answer questions about updated wolf management plan
Montanans will have the ability to get questions answered by Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials starting next week on the agency’s first proposed update to its wolf management plan in 20 years. FWP is holding six public meetings, including five in person across the state and one virtual meeting, on the 2023 Montana Gray Wolf […]
Supreme Court halts Westmoreland coal field expansion near Colstrip
The Montana Supreme Court has reinstated an order that halts Westmoreland Rosebud Mining from expanding its coal mining operation near Colstrip because the state failed to properly consider expert testimony on water quality. The decision sends the case back to the district court, the Montana Board of Environmental Review and the Montana Department of Environmental […]
Montana Republicans ask for delayed decision on wolverine protections
As a deadline looms next week for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to decide whether to put Endangered Species Act protections in place for wolverines in the Lower 48 states, Montana’s three Republican members of the federal delegation are calling for a pause on the decision because it accounted for the effects of climate […]
Judge limits Montana wolf trapping season over threat to grizzly bears
A federal judge in Missoula issued an order late Tuesday afternoon that will limit Montana’s wolf trapping season to Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 next year in hunting Regions 1 through 5 and three counties along the north-central border, citing the possibility that threatened grizzly bears get caught in wolf traps or snares. U.S. District […]
Groups ask U.S. Forest Service to close Beattie Gulch to hunting
A group of bison conservation proponents asked the Custer Gallatin National Forest superintendent Thursday to close Beattie Gulch to hunting – the same area where hundreds of the animals were killed primarily by tribal hunters last winter. Representatives for Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Roam Free Nation, the Council for Wildlife and Fish, and the […]
Grizzly spotted in Missouri River Breaks on American Prairie land
The grizzly bear that wandered far enough into the Missouri River Breaks to warrant a celebration was probably eating chokecherries along the rivers and streams and maybe sniffing its way to hunters’ gut piles. “That’s a possibility,” said Wesley Sarmento, bear management specialist with Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “Bears have been eating leftover hunter kills […]