public lands

An effort to purchase 480 acres on Marshall Mountain took another step forward on Tuesday when Missoula County approved an option agreement with Five Valleys Land Trust.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks are proposing to reduce the hunting quota for wolves statewide from 450 to 289, according to the department and an interview with a spokesperson.

U.S. House Republicans teamed up Thursday to rail against the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed rule to allow conservation leases on federal lands.

Republican Montana U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale accused Interior Secretary Deb Haaland of violating federal public lands law by proposing the rule during an April 19 U.S. House Natural Resources hearing.

Tom Woodbury writes, "This is the tragedy of the buffalo commons, brought to you by the State of Montana on behalf of its cattle barons."

BLM Missoula Office assistant manager Michael Albritton said the transfers should happen in 2024 and 2025, so the time is fast approaching when the BLM wants a plan for the area.

Joe Perry writes, "I ask Governor Gianforte to veto HB 635, but knowing his relationship with MOGA, PERC, UPOM, the Wilks and other supporters of this idea, I don't have high hopes."

Missoula County plans to seek a share of funding tied to the Federal Lands Access Program to create a new path to a popular recreation site, overlay several rural roads and replace a bridge leading to National Forest lands.

Harold Johns writes, "It’s yet another step in a direction towards privatization of Montana’s wildlife, a path that Montanans don’t want to be going down."

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Tuesday to revive a lawsuit against the federal government by two Montana property owners who say a public road brought increased traffic, trespassers and theft.