Environment

The surge in river usage that started in 2020 with the pandemic was accompanied by increasing use of the Blackfoot’s upper reaches, which have traditionally been used only by anglers and outfitters.

In order for the expanded bear buffer zone to work, officials say the city will need to hire more animal control officers to patrol and give warnings and citations to people who break the rules.

Beth Schenk writes, "While the impacts from climate change are frighteningly real and happening now, and the challenges to addressing them are enormous; I come away optimistically heartened and invigorated for action."

The plan detailed a total of 16 goals to improve the health of Missoula’s urban forest and emphasize the community’s connection to its trees. In terms of numbers, the city failed.

The agency has been dragging its feet rather than study whether the insecticide it approved eight years earlier is harmful to endangered species.

After Gov. Greg Gianforte released his draft budget last week, some Montanans were disappointed to see that conservation programs weren’t slated to get as much money as they expected.

A Canadian energy company may see plans to increase pipeline capacity of natural gas across the Northwest come to fruition after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday found the project would have little adverse impact on the environment — despite the objections of states and environmentalists.

POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records.

An effort was begun in 2005 to rewrite the plan but it was drafted under a 2005 Forest Service planning rule that gave forest managers more discretion to approve mining, logging, and other commercial projects without environmental review.

A judge has granted a temporary order requiring Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to immediately reduce the number of wolves that hunters can kill and stop the use of neck snares.