E-News

Missoula Current

Missoula's News Journal

Local News Missoula

Environment

Critics blast NorthWestern Energy/Colstrip bill … again … during nighttime hearing

By Mike Dennison/MTN NewsApril 15, 2021

By

(KPAX) HELENA — At a marathon hearing Wednesday evening, the bill meant to encourage NorthWestern Energy to acquire a larger share of the Colstrip 4 power plant came under withering criticism, as a “corporate bailout” that could fleece the company’s ratepayers. Critics, including two public service commissioners, blasted Senate Bill 379 as a measure that would wipe out 100 … [Read more...] about Critics blast NorthWestern Energy/Colstrip bill … again … during nighttime hearing

Proposed Constitutional amendment wants to make trapping a right

By Laura LundquistApril 15, 2021

By

Trappers are backing a bill to ask voters to approve a Constitutional amendment to make trapping a right. But the bill also extends that right to hunting and fishing to increase the likelihood it would pass. This week, Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, told the Senate Fish and Game committee that the reason he wanted House Bill 367 to pass is to prevent wildlife advocacy … [Read more...] about Proposed Constitutional amendment wants to make trapping a right

Biden taps Missoula’s Tracy Stone-Manning to lead Bureau of Land Management

By Laura LundquistApril 14, 2021

By

A Missoulian has been tapped for the top position at the Bureau of Land Management. On Wednesday morning, the Biden administration confirmed that it would nominate Tracy Stone-Manning to take over as director of the BLM. She would serve under recently confirmed Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Stone-Manning is currently the Associate Vice President for Public Lands at the … [Read more...] about Biden taps Missoula’s Tracy Stone-Manning to lead Bureau of Land Management

Missoula County maintains Five Valleys contract for monitoring conservation easements

By Martin KidstonApril 14, 2021

By

The Five Valleys Land Trust will continue to monitor Missoula County's patchwork of conservation easements, most of which date back several decades before most land trusts were established. Commissioners this week approved the $1,625 contract with the local land trust, which is better equipped to monitor the easements. Five Valleys has been monitoring the county's easements … [Read more...] about Missoula County maintains Five Valleys contract for monitoring conservation easements

State legislators question purpose of proposed land transfer bill

By Laura LundquistApril 13, 2021

By

The reason for a bill to prevent the state from selling any federal land transferred in the future is confusing to some while others suspect a ploy to eventually do exactly the opposite. On Monday, Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, told the Senate Natural Resources committee that his House Bill 320 is a simple bill. “Contrary to the many hundreds of emails and messages I’m sure … [Read more...] about State legislators question purpose of proposed land transfer bill