Environment

The Trump administration plans to drastically restructure the U.S. Forest Service. The agency manages millions of acres across more than 150 national forests. MTPR's Sheri Quinn spoke with Rob Chaney, author and reporter at Mountain Journal, about what the reorganization spells for Montana and wildfire management.

Mining company executives interested in gold near Lincoln met with locals this week to discuss their exploration plans. Australian mining company, Sentinel Metals, has applied for a permit to drill 21 holes on private land just east of Lincoln, the first step in determining if there is enough gold to build a mine.

Environmental groups are challenging the federal approval of a mining exploration project near Libby. The groups have concerns over the potential impacts to the surrounding Cabinet Mountains Wilderness area.

Trout are prized and ubiquitous residents of Montana’s waterways. They’re less commonly found in the classroom – unless you know where to look. In the Bitterroot Valley, some students are getting a hands-on lesson in what it takes to raise rainbow trout.

A small company operating in western Montana has been tasked with supplying the federal government with a critical mineral. The project raises hopes and concerns for locals who have experienced the impacts of mining industries in western Montana.

An Australian mining company is looking to build a gold mine near the town of Lincoln. State environmental regulators are now soliciting public feedback on the project.

Another AI company has set its sights on building a data center in Montana, this time in Bonner. The community is wary after problems with a similar facility in the past.

The nominee to lead the country’s largest land management agency had his Senate confirmation hearing last week. The hearing centered around the nominee’s track record supporting the sale of federal public lands.

Lincoln County was hit hard by flooding from winter storms in 2025. Records of major floods in the area date nearly 100 years. A closer look at that history shows decades of mitigation measures, plans and preparations that officials say prevented further catastrophe in December.

The EPA Friday repealed standards for limiting toxic mercury, arsenic and lead that come out of power plants. The Colstrip power plant in Montana is one of the highest emitters of these cancer-causing chemicals.