Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Montana and other Western states are blessed with some of the most expansive grasslands on earth, which are optimal for grazing cattle. East and west coast residents do not understand what it takes to care for a ranch; they do not realize the bureaucratic burdens, and they do not care about the costs ranchers pay to stay in compliance. Frankly, they do not understand Montana, but that does not stop them from meddling. Too many unelected Washington bureaucrats who only think Glasgow is a city in Scotland and Malta is a country in the...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation has sent a letter to Vinita Shea, Field Manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Malta protesting the recent decision of approval of the American Prairie Reserve’s (APR) request for change of use on the Flat Creek Allotment. “Montana Farm Bureau, along with its members, was in opposition to the initial application for change in April of 2015 and submitted comments at the time saying as much,” said Montana Farm Bureau President Bob Hanson. “Our members are very concerned with the idea of and movement toward...
The Bureau of Land Management issued a proposed decision on Dec. 28 approving the removal of interior fencing for the purpose of year-round bison grazing at the American Prairie Reserve's Flat Creek Allotment in Phillips County. The practice has been described as "experimental" in internal BLM documents as recently as 2008. BLM cites APR's "proven track record on both Box Elder and Telegraph Creek Allotments" as justification for the decision. Accompanying BLM documentation asserts, "Removal of...
Since 2011, Phillips and Valley County ranchers have participated in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI). They have implemented actions both individually and together as a community to improve sage grouse habitat. By doing so, they have made improvements on their ranches, helped out wildlife and contributed to the historic decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to not list the greater sage grouse as an endangered species. Over 1,100 ranchers across the West have voluntarily signed up for S...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Land Management would like outdoor enthusiasts to be “Bear Aware,” even in Region 6. Although bear encounters are rare in most of Region 6, there are currently some bears present in the Little Rockies and the Bears Paw Mountains. In addition, bears are occasionally found wandering far from their traditional areas, and preventative measures should always be taken to prevent wildlife encounters. FWP recently relocated a black bear that was rummaging through garbage cans at Camp Creek campground,...
It has been more than a month since the Courier first asked the American Prairie Reserve's Hilary Parker for evidence of site-specific research related to "free-roaming" bison release efforts in Northeastern Montana. The best answer we've received to date has been a vague, "We base our decisions on modern scientific research and the data it provides," from APR lead scientist Dr. Kyran Kunkel. If true, the statement hasn't been followed by any relevant research or data. Phrases like...
Carroll MT Properties, the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation have teamed together to improve access to over 30,000 acres of public lands and to provide new access to 9,000 acres of private lands. This agreement, which begins with the start of the big game rifle season, provides public hunting access to the heart of the Deep Creek and Willow Creek watersheds in the northern portion of Valley County on the former Hinsdale Livestock Company lands. The agreement provides an access point off of Rock... Full story
Mining is not a major industry in Valley County, but it has seen historical significance. Beside coal of the old days and gravel pits scattered throughout the county, bentonite is the only mineral that has brought commercial value to the county. Developed in the 1960s, the bentonite mine outside Glasgow is proposing to start extraction again. The bentonite mine is owned by S&B Industrial Minerals based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. It is located about 20 miles southwest of Glasgow on Bentonite Road. It was active five years ago when S&B mined, then...
The Courier contacted local rancher and Wittmayer Grazing Association president Leonard Swenson early on Sept. 1 to see how he felt about the responses provided by American Prairie Reserve representatives to questions posed in Part II of our series, Probing the Project. His attitude remains skeptical and his opposition to free-roaming bison release determined. “They talk about their healthy grazing land, ranching system and stocking rate,” Swenson began. “I guess what I want to know is if the BLM [Bureau of Land Management] has agreed to remov...
Dear Governor Bullock: I, David Pippin, a lifelong resident of Valley County (political subdivision of the State of Montanan), do here by protest the “HiLine Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS)" on foundation herein. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), contrary to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and the Data Quality Act (DQA) have ignored many pertinent facts, previously published in a BLM sponsored study publications, and not preformed the requirements for a document of this magnitude... Full story
From DNRC The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and firefighters across Montana want to help you celebrate Independence Day with wildfire safety in mind. As we draw near the Fourth of July, many of us celebrate with family and friends by enjoying campfires, barbecues and firework displays. While these activities encourage fun times and great memories, it is important to understand they may also pose serious threats and risks. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which... Full story
After a lot of work on a bill that passed both through the Montana Senate and House, Sen. John Brenden-R was disappointed yesterday as his bill SB 284 was vetoed. The bill would allow county commissioners to approve the relocation of wild bison and allow them to ask for conditions if they saw a need. The bill passed in the the house and senate by the end of March with some amendments. It went up for the vote again in April and passed both the house (59-40) and senate (32-18). The governor made...
A road closure and temporary health department closure will affect area residents in the next week. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that the Beaver Branch Road south of Glasgow will be closed starting Jan. 27, 2015. It will not open until late May or early June, officials said. Newly constructed Judy Dam, which serves as a portion of the road, has failed and will be breached until weather allows repair of the damaged area. The road is still usable by the public on either end of Judy Dam, but the road will not be a through... Full story
There have been two more state bison meetings since last I wrote. One was July 14 and 15 in Billings to propose testable alternatives for an Environmental Impact Statement, and one was Oct. 9 in Great Falls to develop those alternatives. There was a lot to be depressed about at those meetings. A depressing number of people travelled from western Montana to Billings to say they want a herd of bison, and they want to keep it in our backyards. They didn’t comprehend why that was an issue for us. Depressingly, the bison discussion group r... Full story
Much of rural and small town Montana depends on the economic impact of recreation and tourism. Camping, hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, guiding and other activities in 11 Western states, including Montana, brought in $623 million in direct spending and $1.06 billion in indirect spending, according to a recent Western Values Project study (http://www.cfra.org/western-values-project-study). And nearby communities also benefit economically from the nearly 68 million visitors that spent time time on land administered by the Bureau of Land... Full story
Bureau of Land Management offices along the Hi-Line are warning drivers to be cautious when traveling secondary roads en route to or on BLM-managed lands, due to damage caused by a recent multi-day rain event. Preliminary assessments by BLM personnel of Phillips and Valley counties’ non-paved roads on or en route to BLM-managed lands revealed a range of damage and dangerous situations. Here's a look. Valley County According to Glasgow BLM Field Manager Pat Gunderson, there are several damaged roads within south Valley County. The two main B...
A water drawdown planned to begin Aug. 15 at Paulo Reservoir south of Glasgow has been postponed, Bureau of Land Management officials said Tuesday. The postponement will allow more management options to be considered as Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and BLM staff work to enhance fishing opportunities at the popular impoundment. The reservoir has primarily been managed by FWP for bluegill and largemouth bass, but FWP says it has been infested with common carp.... Full story
It’s a big idea and it’s rightfully reaping big debate nationwide. Can and should states assume control of federally held public lands within our borders? Many colleagues and experts throughout the west have studied the issue intensively, and we now believe there’s no reason why we can’t. The challenge is to get the facts on the table, put protections in place consistent with Montana values, and prepare our state agencies for an orderly transition. Montana’s study of public lands shows Montanans want more multiple use access, reduction...
Dear Editor: Since one third of Valley County is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, I am extremely interested in the happenings with Mr. Bundy in Nevada. Putting aside the big issue of Federal verses State, my concern is the force being used by BLM. Why does a “Land Management” agency have a SWAT team with snipers and armored vehicles at all? Other federal agencies are also arming in the same manner. Every county in the U.S. has an elected sheriff whose responsibility is to enforce the law. Why have states and “us” as tax payers...
This year’s Montana paddlefish seasons will again kick off on May 1 with the opening of the Missouri River section from Fort Benton downstream to Fort Peck Dam. But the public needs to be aware that camping and other access will be limited at the James Kipp Recreation Area at the Fred Robinson Bridge south of Malta due to recent ice-jam related flooding. The area is a popular location for many paddlefish anglers and their families to base. “Anglers need to be aware that camping sites will be limited at Kipp” said Bureau of Land Manag...
Montana outdoor enthusiasts have it pretty good. With over 32 million acres of state and federal land open to all sorts of recreational opportunities, we truly are an outdoors mecca. Most of that public property has ample access, but some is landlocked and accessible only by obtaining permission from an adjoining landowner, or in some cases by flying or boating in. The Montana legislature, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Land Management, and other agencies have all been challenged with finding new ways to increase access to landlocked...
The Bureau of Land Management Glasgow Field Office is seeking public input regarding an application for a Special Recreation Permit for providing commercially guided big game hunting on BLM administered public lands in north Valley County and northeast Phillips County. The BLM is currently in the scoping phase of the planning process, which provides an opportunity for the public to identify issues that should be addressed in the Environmental Assessment. Once the EA is completed, it will be posted to the Glasgow Field Office website for public...
The Courier was flooded with news releases Tuesday after the Senate passed the so-elusive Farm Bill, 68-32, that President Obama was expected to sign into reality. Here's a sampling. Montana Grain Growers Association The Montana Grain Growers Association is pleased with Congressional approval of the Agricultural Act of 2014. MGGA President Matt Flikkema said, “It’s taken several years of hard work to get to this point and we’re happy to finally have a five-year farm bill within reach.” “Throughout this process, our growers have told us their... Full story
July • The airline that provides Essential Air Service to Glasgow and other small cities in Montana has decided to leave the state. Silver Airways notified the U.S. Department of Transportation that it will not bid for another two-year contract and will stop flying scheduled service in Montana on Sept. 27. Part of the reason for Silver's departure is the upcoming termination of EAS subsidies to Lewistown and Miles City on July 15, leaving only five cities in the program: Glasgow, Wolf Point, G...
Too often in our debates over Montana’s public lands, we seem to forget just how incredibly lucky we are to have these lands at all. This is especially true of the 2.4 million acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the Hi-Line District of central and eastern Montana. These lands are the grasslands, sagebrush, hoodoos and coulee country that may lack the breathtaking scenery of Glacier National Park or the Beartooth Plateau, but are every bit as valuable for livestock grazing, energy development, hunting and fishing, and a m...
