Environment
Environmental justice advocates see $3.5 trillion package as chance for bold action
Congressional Democrats and the Biden administration want to use their massive $3.5 trillion spending plan to help communities that have been devastated by environmental pollution and degradation. For years, activists have been pushing for government recognition of what’s known as environmental justice, the broad movement to provide restitution to communities that have suffered disproportionate harm. […]
FWP adopts preliminary wolf hunting regulations, including trapping, snaring, baiting
In a meeting replete with tears, legal threats, and accusations of political puppeteering, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission forwarded a proposal to increase the wolf harvest in Montana, including using the controversial techniques such as snaring, baiting and night hunting. The proposal, brought by Commissioner Patrick Tabor, was narrowly approved, with commissioners Pat […]
FWP research: Wolves may not contribute to elk loss as much as other predators
As the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park Commission meets on Friday, among the most contentious and consequential decisions it will make is how to implement new legislative tools, granted by state lawmakers, to manage wolf populations, against the backdrop of more than 26,000 public comments on proposed changes to the wolf harvest. Lawmakers passed a […]
‘Hoot owl’ restrictions lifted for some Montana rivers
Several “hoot owl” restrictions currently in effect on portions of some Montana rivers have been lifted. Restrictions will be lifted on: Missouri River from the Cascade boat ramp to Holter Dam (river mile 2,166.2 to 2,202.1) Madison River from Ennis Dam to the border with Yellowstone National Park (river mile 40 to 131) Stillwater River […]
FWP gets more than 26,000 comments on wolf hunting
The public has a lot to say about Montana’s proposed changes that would allow trapping and more hunting of wolves. In a one-month public comment period, more than 26,000 written comments were submitted – so many that Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks published them on 10 separate PDFs because of the unwieldy size. If a […]
Gov’s fire briefing: 50 residences have burned this year, top-priority fire is Thorne Creek
Montana may be in for a cold, rainy spell, and most of the state might have breathable air for the first time in what feels like forever, but wildfire season is still in full swing. There are 25 active large fires in the state, which has seen 792,000 acres burn so far since January, Gov. […]
Biden nominates Oregon tribal member as director of National Parks
President Joe Biden plans to nominate the first enrolled tribal member to head up the National Park Service—Oregon conservationist Charles F. Sams III, the White House announced Wednesday. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would be the first full-time director since Jonathan B. Jarvis left the job at the end of the Obama administration. […]
White House pledges to fight court order on oil and gas leases, but activists want more
The Biden administration plans to appeal a federal court decision forcing the government to restart oil and gas leases that have been paused since January. But administration officials are also promising to comply in a way that takes into account the damage caused by fossil fuel development. The two-part move worries progressive activists and members […]
Pay boost for federal firefighters OK’d by Biden administration
WASHINGTON — As wildfires rage in the western United States, the Biden administration on Tuesday announced it is hiking pay for federal wildland firefighters to at least $15 per hour. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the change will boost pay for 3,500 firefighters with the Interior Department and […]
Nice boreholes: The hidden heroes of Yellowstone’s science
When it comes to data, Yellowstone is a geophysicist’s dream. There is continuous activity from earthquakes, geysers, and of course, the volcano itself. A keen eye may be able to spot one of the park’s numerous GPS or seismometer stations hard at work, but some of the park’s data collectors are buried deep within the […]
Full fishing closures for portions of the Big Hole River
Full fishing closures will go into effect on portions on the Big Hole River Aug. 17. Full fishing closures prohibit fishing at all times of day. These closures will stay in effect until conditions improve. These closures go into effect, Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 12:01 a.m.: Dickie Bridge to North Fork Big Hole River. Tony […]
…Now about that volcano: Helping to find the ‘Yellowstone volcano’ in the park
There are numerous questions posed by curious visitors to Yellowstone National Park. Some are questions of orientation: “Where is Artemisia Geyser?” “How do I get to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone?” Some questions relate to timing: “When will this geyser erupt?” “How often does Old Faithful go off?” “When will Yellowstone explode?” Other questions are […]