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Environment

Montana news covering wildlife, public lands, natural resources and more.

Law Firms Sue Montana Over Climate Change On Behalf Of State Youth

By • Mar 19, 2020

Edit March 23: A correction version of this story clarified the judgement of the 2011 case mentioned.

Environmental activist groups representing 16 young Montanans are suing the state in hopes of changing Montana climate policies.

Report: Spring Coming Sooner, Warmer In Montana

By • Mar 19, 2020

Spring in Montana is getting warmer and lasting longer according to new research from a non-profit group of independent scientists. One of their meteorologist explains what the changing spring means for life in Montana.

Judge Asked To Force Decision On U.S. Wolverine Protections

By & Matthew Brown • Mar 18, 2020
Wolverine
Andrew Gainer (CC-BY-NC-2)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates on Wednesday asked a U.S. judge to force the government into deciding if the snow-loving wolverine should be federally protected as the rare predator becomes vulnerable to a warming planet.

Public Service Commission Halts NorthWestern's Purchase of Colstrip Plant

By • Mar 17, 2020

 Edit 3/18: The article has been corrected to reflect the full name of the Montana Environmental Information Center.

Montana utility regulators say they need more information from NorthWestern Energy before considering the company’s request to buy an additional share in the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.

Montana DEQ Continues Smith River Algae Study

By • Mar 16, 2020

DEQ said Tuesday morning after the story had been published that the agency has decided to cancel the in-person meetings for the Smith River Algae Study and will offer the Helena meeting as a live stream on YouTube channel.">DEQ's YouTube channel, Wednesday from 3-5 pm.

Updates on an ongoing study of algae growth on the iconic Smith River are expected from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality this week. Details on the study will be released at public meetings in Helena and White Sulphur Springs.

No Brucellosis Exposure Found In Bangtail Mountains Elk

By • Mar 16, 2020

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Monday that an elk herd in the Bangtail Mountains has tested negative for brucellosis. State wildlife managers recently completed the two-year project aimed at understanding the risk and spread of the disease in wildlife and livestock.

Landowner Group Files Complaint Against Bison Management, Conservation Plan

By • Mar 12, 2020

A landowner advocacy group in Montana filed a complaint this week against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks saying that the department has not thoroughly explored the consequences of allowing free-roaming wild bison in the state.

Grizzly Bear Encounters In Southern Montana Increase From Recent Years

By • Mar 11, 2020

 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Mar. 11 that encounters between people and grizzly bears in the southern part of the state were higher in 2019 than in recent years. The number of injuries has stayed about the same.

Interior Secretary: USFWS To Play A Bigger Role In Grizzly Conflict Management

By • Mar 6, 2020
Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Matt Hogan, U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Montana U.S. House Rep. Greg Gianforte listen to residents of the Rocky Mountain Front talk about conflict with grizzly bears, Oct 5, 2019.
Aaron Bolton / Montana Public Radio

U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is directing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be more involved in managing Rocky Mountain Front grizzly bear conflicts.

Boat Inspection Stations Opening In Montana

By • Mar 5, 2020

Early season boat inspections have begun in the northwest corner of Montana in an effort to block aquatic invasive species.

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