Pointing to new science suggesting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem lacks quality lynx habitat wildlife managers are proposing an 88% cut in the area designated as “critical habitat” for the rare snowshoe hare-dependent felines. The Fish and Wildlife Service proposed its revisions to critical lynx habitat in conjunction with a final recovery plan for the species throughout its range in the Lower 48 states.
The U.S. Postal Service has announced it will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to Canada and customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to Canada until further notice. Canada Post has indicated it is unable to process or deliver international mail or services due to the ongoing national strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has finalized its plans to end future coal leasing of about 1.7 million acres of federal land in Montana’s Powder River Basin. The BLM had until today to complete a record of decision. Existing leases for the Spring Creek and Rosebud mines will allow their operations to continue through 2035.
Bozeman Democrat Scott Rosenzweig’s win in Montana’s tightest legislative race over Park County Republican Marty Malone was confirmed Monday in the Gallatin County recount of House District 57. In an interview with Montana Free Press Rosenzweig said he spent more than $70,000 on the campaign making it one of the most expensive state House campaigns in Montana history.
As Montana heads into winter the Montana Department of Environmental Quality is urging residents to follow strict guidelines for open burning to prevent poor air quality caused by smoke trapped in mountain valleys during temperature inversions. Recreational fires construction site heaters and flares are not classified as open burning. Outdoor burning of materials like slash piles or yard waste is closely regulated during winter months to minimize health and environmental impacts.
Some of these United States have filial laws that make children responsible for taking care of their elderly parents. Montana is one of them to ensure elderly individuals receive the necessary care and support in their old age. The laws impose a legal obligation on adult children to provide financial support and care for their aging parents if they are unable to do so themselves.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport’s $180 million East Terminal Expansion Project continues to take shape. It will add three more baggage claim carousels a second security checkpoint more retail shops and food concessions and the ability to add three more gates for flights. The project is being conducted in phases through 2030.
Great Falls’ second largest pumping station pumps about 40 to 45 percent of all raw wastewater through the city to the wastewater treatment plant but the current stormwater pumps and associated ball valves are deteriorating and parts are no longer available for repairs. Today City Commissioners will consider two contracts for the Lift Station Number One renovation project to fix the problems.
The Billings parks department is looking to put some bigger projects on hold to focus on maintaining existing parks with a goal of making all of them better and safer. Currently about $4 million of the parks department’s approximately $8 million budget goes to maintenance. Part of the maintenance would involve adding a second police officer to patrol parks.
Monday Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte lit the State Capitol Christmas Tree and then donated toys to the Helena-area Marine Corps Toys for Tots. They encouraged Montanans to donate a new unwrapped toy to a Toys for Tots campaign in their community.
