Fish and Wildlife staff down nationwide; 40% in Montana
The number of people staffing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has dropped by 3,600 during President Donald Trump’s second term.
environment
Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities
Consumer advocates worry that unchecked wildfire spending will drive up electricity rates across the West.
Stream advocates demand FWP answers on water rights enforcement
Three organizations have asked the courts to require Montana’s wildlife agency to justify why it’s not using its water rights to keep more water in the upper Beaverhead River for fish.
Groups reopen suit to block Utah national monument reduction
The same coalition sued the Trump administration in 2017 after Trump sought to significantly reduce protections for the two national monuments, which was resolved when Joe Biden restored them as president.
Bitterroot logging project suspended to evaluate grizzly protecti
The Bitterroot Front Project was a plan for road projects, logging and burning across 144,000 acres or 225 square miles, from the northern boundary with the Lolo National Forest south to the West Fork of the Bitterroot River.
City looks to address chemicals in Pattee Creek watershed
Stormwater runoff in the Pattee Creek drainage has revealed a number of pollutants, which the City of Missoula hopes to address in a proposed bio-filtration project.
Plan looks to remove Clark Fork River dam, improve fish passage
Trout Unlimited is looking to a federal grant to reconstruct a century-old diversion dam on the Clark Fork River to improve the passage of fish, improve irrigation and enhance boater safety.
National Elk Refuge plan calls for feeding, despite CWD risks
A long-range plan for the National Elk Refuge released Friday afternoon proposes continuing to feed elk for the long haul in the Jackson Herd, even as deadly chronic wasting disease propagates across the landscape.
Two dead, others still missing after Grand Canyon floods
State and federal officials are asking for help identifying at least 15 hikers believed to still be stranded after nearly 2 inches of rainfall reached the bottom of the Grand Canyon Saturday afternoon.
Groups seek more time, public hearings on roadless rule
As Americans are scrambling to take advantage of a final opportunity to oppose the repeal of the Roadless Rule, some organizations are asking the Trump administration for more time.