The judge partially agreed with environmentalists that the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law when authorizing the Black Ram Project in northwest Montana.
Over the past century, the Blackfoot Valley has been a source of livelihood for many but hasn’t always been treated well. Now, with the help of some partners and federal money, some areas will be restored to a healthier condition.
Following a winter of above-average precipitation, the Bureau of Reclamation released its Colorado River Basin plan Tuesday that reduces the cuts states reliant on the river will have to shoulder.
As if the mushroom cloud swelling north of Missoula Tuesday night wasn’t enough of a hint, Missoula was shrouded in light yellow haze Wednesday morning, an indication that excessive heat has recharged local wildfires.
A federal judge sided with environmental organizations on Friday over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for an endangered species of bumblebee, ruling the agency must reconsider its decision for the species.
Tim Dougherty and Doug Ferrell write, "The Kootenai National Forest currently has some 7,811 total miles of road. Of those, approximately 2,500 miles are undriveable and in storage. That leaves 2,734 miles which are open year-round, some 704 miles that are open seasonally and roughly 1,909 miles available for administrative use only."
While Missoula County officials remain mum for now, they hinted Tuesday that a grant application through the U.S. Forest Service may have been successful and would, if true, provide a large piece of funding for the Marshall Mountain acquisition.