Environment
‘Gas all over’: Alleged cause of Robertson Draw fire follows growing national trend
A 55-year-old Bridger man has been arrested and charged for acting negligently — putting people’s lives and property in danger — while attempting to fix a dirtbike near the Robertson Draw area and setting off a wildfire that has cost nearly $6 million. The Robertson Draw fire has burned almost 30,000 acres and consumed more […]
New increased wolf harvest plan goes out for public comment
With lawsuits regarding wolf hunting already in court, and news of more lawsuits likely, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission took the first in a series of steps that would serve two purposes — establish a 2021-2022 wolf hunt and comply with the intent of several bills passed by lawmakers earlier this year. By a […]
MSU microbiologist gets $3.4M federal grant to study ‘bio-mining’ from fool’s gold
The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday announced a $3.4 million grant aiding in a Montana State University microbiologist’s efforts to better understand how certain microbes can “bio-mine” economically significant materials from pyrite, more popularly known as “fool’s gold.” The grant is part of the DOE’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, which […]
Murkowski says she opposes Stone-Manning while Tester tries to keep support for Montanan
WASHINGTON — Another Republican senator plans to oppose President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, who has been targeted by conservatives over her connection to an Idaho tree-spiking scheme three decades ago. A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who serves on the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, […]
Montana tribe welcomes back tourists after risky shutdown pays off
Millions of people will flock to Montana’s Glacier National Park this summer after last year’s pandemic-caused tourism skid, and they will once more be able sight-see and camp nearby on the recently reopened Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The tourists’ return is a relief to the owners of the restaurants, campgrounds and hotels forced to shut down […]
Fire danger high in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park officials declared “high fire danger” in the park, and reiterated regulations aimed to help curb the potential of wildfire. Currently, there are no active wildland fires in the park. And no restrictions are in place or planned at this time. Park officials remind visitors: Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings […]
Robertson Draw and other blazes kick off what could be a devastating fire season
Lorna and Earl Shetler’s place outside of Belfry didn’t seem likely to burn. The Robertson Draw fire, first spotted on Sunday about 12 miles south of Red Lodge in the Beartooth Mountains, was headed away from their home. The wind direction was encouraging. The Shetlers had been out of town for Earl’s dad’s 94th birthday […]
Stone-Manning’s nomination doomed after tree-spiking incident?
Republicans in the U.S. Senate are ramping up opposition to President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management after a conservative news site and other news reports detailed her connection to an Idaho tree-spiking scheme three decades ago. Without GOP support, Montana’s Tracy Stone-Manning would need the votes of every Democrat in […]
Lawsuit challenges gray wolf harvest near Yellowstone National Park
A dispute about the wolf population around Yellowstone National Park and the size of elk herds has gotten chippy, as at least one Fish Wildlife Parks Commissioner alleged intentional pain and suffering, while an outdoor group claims the commissioners who are now in the minority are using legal stall tactics to appease out-of-state environmental groups. […]
Glacier: Park sees record 2021 through May
Glacier National Park counted its highest visitation year-to-date through May on record, the park said Thursday in a news release. The park hosted 170,277 visitors in May 2021, a 2% increase from May 2019 (167,403), according to the news release. (May 2020 cannot be used as a good year-to-year comparison due to the park being […]
Osprey population recovered, but new threats emerge
NorthWestern Energy was in Augusta earlier this month putting up a nesting platform for ospreys following a fire this spring from a nest built on a power pole. “Traditionally, they look for dead trees, snags, with the tops broken off for a nesting place,” said Marco Restani, NorthWestern biologist, in a statement. “Power poles, especially […]
Yellowstone National Park continues free day permits for horseback
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park will continue issuing free day permits to individuals who ride or lead stock such as horses and mules on park trails this summer. Launched in 2017, the free permit system helps park managers understand where, when and how many stock users visit the park. This information is important in […]