A Forest Service project that once proposed almost 48,000 acres of commercial logging in the Swan River Valley has been finalized with less logging but the promise of more in the future. Last week, Flathead National Forest supervisor Kurt Steele released his decision on the extent of logging, burning and road work that would occur in the Mid-Swan Landscape Restoration and … [Read more...] about Forest supervisor scales back Swan Valley logging project

A group of conservation organizations have signaled their intent to sue if the state of Montana doesn’t uphold the law and pull the mining permits for the Montanore and Rock Creek mines in northwestern Montana. On behalf of six Montana conservation groups, Earthjustice attorneys sent a letter to Montana Department of Environmental Quality director Chris Dorrington, informing … [Read more...] about Groups to sue Montana DEQ over refusal to uphold “bad actor” mining law

An irrigation company has received clearance from Missoula County to move gravel on the Clark Fork River to divert water at certain times of the year, and push the gravel back when the season passes. In exchange, Hellgate Valley Irrigation Co. must remove what remains of several jersey barriers placed in the river years ago without proper authorization. The general location … [Read more...] about Irrigation company must remove Clark Fork River barriers to move gravel at canal intake

After this summer’s extreme drought, the state of Montana has chosen an appropriate time to begin work on a new statewide drought management plan. During Wednesday’s Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee meeting, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced that it was beginning a two-year planning effort to update the 1995 Drought Response Plan. A … [Read more...] about DNRC to revamp state drought response plan as conditions worsen over time

A Laurel legislator and three co-plaintiffs won’t be using their crossbows during this archery season after a Missoula federal judge found their arguments unconvincing. On Friday, the day before the archery season opened, Missoula federal district Judge Dana Christensen issued his order denying a request for an injunction and temporary restraining order on Montana Fish, … [Read more...] about Montana Judge: Handicapped hunters not harmed by crossbow restriction