Montana Fish and Wildlife commissioners recently approved 19 projects aimed at restoring and improving wild fish habitat around the state.
The program aims to help rebuild critical aquatic habitats and protect sensitive fish species.
Arctic grayling, bull trout and mountain whitefish are just a handful of species that stand to benefit from the efforts.
The projects are part of the state’s Future Fisheries Improvement Program which provides funding and assistance to groups working to improve aquatic habitat.
Project Coordinator Michelle McGree says, “These habitat projects are important to support the fisheries not only recreationally, but also economically with people that are visiting Montana, visiting the communities, and wanting to have a good fishing experience.”
McGree says work includes improving fish passage through culvert replacements, installing riparian fencing and creating spawning habitat.
The approved projects will receive seven million dollars in program funding and are located in communities around the state including Butte, Missoula, Dillon and Glasgow.
-
A federal court ruled Wednesday the U.S. Forest Service broke the law when it expanded livestock grazing in grizzly bear habitat north of Yellowstone National Park. -
Plaintiffs suing the Trump administration over its energy policies argue the executive orders to boost fossil fuel development jeopardize their health. A federal court in Missoula heard arguments in the case this week. -
The Bureau of Land Management under President Biden decided to end the sale of new coal leases in an area spanning across southeastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming and parts of South Dakota. Montana Rep. Troy Downing carried a joint resolution to reverse that decision. That resolution passed in the House late last week. -
The Daily Inter Lake’s Jack Underhill is based in Kalispell and has been following the situation. He sat down with MTPR’s Elinor Smith to explain the timeline of discovery and how city officials handled the information. -
Conservation group American Prairie announced its second largest land acquisition in the history of the nonprofit. Like previous American Prairie land purchases, the move has stirred controversy. -
Montana wildlife managers are allowing hunters to kill a record number of wolves this season. Supporters of the policy say the practice helps reduce livestock losses to wolves. New research indicates that's not necessarily the case.
