Enviro groups petition DEQ to limit nutrient pollution on Big Hole River
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation say an impairment designation will lead the state to put the Big Hole on a pollution diet to limit the nitrogen and phosphorus that are contributing to the fishery-damaging algal blooms that have become a recurrent issue.
Latest Environmental Reporting
Potential buyers seek permit to operate historic Holland Lake Lodge
Bill that would sell isolated state land to neighboring landowners nears Gianfortes desk
Trump rolls back Biden coal policies
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MORE ENVIRONMENTAL COVERAGE
Federal appeals court sides with corner-crossing hunters in Wyoming dispute
The March 19, 2025, ruling by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to have major implications for the corner-locked land common across much of the West.
Bitterroot National Forest hits brakes on thinning, prescribed burning project
Citing its commitment to gather more information on the proposals impact on grizzly bears, wolverine and bull trout all of which are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act the U.S. Forest Service sent a letter to project opponents on Friday saying it wont move forward with the Eastside Forest and Habitat Improvement
Trump administration seeks to unravel NEPA, reducing power to regulate federal action
Despite being one of the shorter laws on the federal books, the National Environmental Policy Act imposes tall workloads on federal decision-making. That has inspired the Trump administration to use a high-speed rule-making rule to essentially short-circuit NEPAs rule of law.
Labor board temporarily reinstates laid-off Forest Service workers employment
The Merit Systems Protection Board on March 4, 2025, ordered a stay on the mass layoffs that the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted at the behest of the Department of Governmental Efficiency and the Office of Personnel Management.
Eastern Montana lawmakers sponsor bills seeking to restrict wind development
Proponents of the proposals to restrict where new wind turbines can be built and how tall they can be argue the bills will reduce wind farms impact on neighboring landowners and communities. Opponents counter that the legislation will stifle a growing but underdeveloped Montana industry and tax base by making utility-scale wind development
USFS: Talented individuals laid off from agency will find countless opportunities outside of government
Montanas largest land manager is laying off 360 Montana-based federal employees. A spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service said the agency is confident that talented individuals impacted by the staffing reduction will have many opportunities to contribute to our economy and society in countless ways outside of government.
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MORE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Federal government approves BNSFs grizzly conservation plan
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has approved a BNSF Railway plan that will provide funding for grizzly bear conservation in northwest Montana in return for a permit allowing it to take 19 of the federally protected animals over seven years.
The great groundwater debate reemerges at Montana Legislature
A stakeholder group has been working on a bill that would allow developers to supply up to 24 homes with groundwater exempted from the usual water permitting process. Like other exempt well bills the Montana Legislature has heard over the past two decades, the proposal is expected to spark vigorous debate at the Capitol.
Trump energy policy aims to unplug Endangered Species Act
President Donald Trump has explicitly targeted the Endangered Species Act as an obstacle to his energy policies and appears intent to evade the 51-year-old law in other ways.
Forest Service authorizes controversial land swap along the eastern portion of the Crazy Mountains
The Forest Services authorization of the East Crazy Inspiration Divide Land Exchange will allow the agency to move forward with a land swap proposal that involves six private landowners spread across three counties.
Forest Service seeking public input on long-awaited Flathead River plan
The action document is not even a draft, but it does offer several insights into how the Forest Service hopes to address ever-increasing recreational usage on the three stems of the Flathead River.
Feds look to expand Montanas largest coal mine
Montanas largest coal mine is set for an expansion that could increase its coal production by 19 million tons.
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