Citizens for Balanced Use » Forest News

USDA Economic Report on Public Lands

StacyBragg — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:29:38 +0000

USDA Forest Service Report Illustrates Benefits

CBU will be reviewing the accuracy of this report in regards to multiple use on public lands

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a report showing the economic importance of America’s National Forests and Grasslands to rural communities across the country. The updated National Visitor Use Monitoring Report reveals that recreation activities on national forests and grasslands have helped to sustain an estimated 223,000 jobs in rural areas and contributed approximately $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

“Outdoor recreation is a crucial part of USDA’s effort to help generate wealth and economic opportunities in rural America,” said Vilsack. “This report demonstrates clearly how recreation activities not only help Americans enjoy a healthier lifestyle and instill an appreciation for the great outdoors, but also sustain thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity in rural communities across the country.”

To read full story click here

CMR wildlife refuge open to public comment

StacyBragg — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:03:14 +0000

CMR Wildlife Refuge Under Review

This week a public meeting was held at the Billings Rod and Gun Club where the National Wildlife Federation’s Kit Fisher presented highlights of the CMR Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which is being completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Expected to be released in September, the general public will then have 90-days to submit comments on items like access, wildlife numbers, a possible wild, free-ranging bison herd and whether or not livestock grazing should remain part of the management plan.

To learn more about the plan, visit www.fws.gov/cmr/planning/.

Submitted by Russell Nemetz of Northern Ag news network

Enviro’s sue over sage grouse

StacyBragg — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:58:03 +0000

Wyoming Sage Grouse Conservation Continues

Maintaining a vibrant economy in Wyoming is directly tied to the conservation of the sage grouse, according to the chairman of the Sage Grouse Implementation Team which made its final recommendations to Governor Dave Freudenthal today.

Bob Budd presented his team’s report to the governor, who observed that he received it on the same day that several environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit over the bird’s status.

“They’re suing while we’re doing the work,” Freudenthal said. “We’re doing what they should be doing – conserving – but they’d rather litigate than fix anything,” he said.

To read the full story click here

FWP propose 186 wolves to be taken

StacyBragg — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:50:17 +0000

15 wolves in Gallatin and Madison Mountains would be hunted under proposed hunting regs

The 186-wolf quota that will be recommended to the state wildlife commission this week would mean 15 gray wolves could be killed in the Gallatin and Madison mountains south of Bozeman come hunting season.

The two ranges make up one of 13 wolf management units in the state that will each have a sub-quota of wolves for hunting. A quota as high as 20 has been discussed for the area as part of a statewide quota of 216, but Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department staff has recommended a lower statewide quota of 186.

To read full story click here

Comments sought for exploratory drilling on Gallatin

StacyBragg — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:09:51 +0000

Yellowstone Ranger District

News Release

Big Timber Office: Highway 10 East, PO Box 1130, Big Timber, MT 59011

Livingstone Office: 5242 Highway 89 South, Livingston, MT 59047

http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin

For Immediate Release Contact: Andi Falsetto, 406-657-6205 x217

Date: July 6, 2010

Mineral Exploration Proposed in Chrome Mt Area

Big Timber, MT – Premium Exploration, Inc. has submitted a plan of operations for exploratory

core drilling on Forest Service lands in the Chrome Mountain area between Nye and Big Timber,

Montana. The Gallatin National Forest’s Yellowstone Ranger District is seeking public comment on this

proposal. The Forest Service is responsible for approving or requiring modifications to this plan in

accordance with applicable mining and environmental law.

A maximum of 15 sites would be drilled in this area on the Gallatin National Forest. Dependent

upon weather and snow conditions, exploratory drilling could start as early as September 2010. Drill rigs

would be mobilized using helicopters and ground-based equipment. No road or trail construction is

proposed. Up to two drill rigs would be working at one time and drilling at each site could occur up to 24

hours per day. As each exploration hole is completed, the drill rig would be moved to the next location

and reclamation would be completed. All areas disturbed by exploration operations would be reclaimed

to prevent or control environmental damage and return the areas to a stable configuration similar to the

original condition.

As required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the Forest Service is conducting scoping

for public comment. Comments will be used to determine the level of analysis and identify any issues

relating to this proposal. Concerns or issues should display points of dispute or debate relevant to the

plans of operations. Scoping comments received, including names and addresses of those who comment,

will be part of the public record on this proposal and available for public inspection.

For further information, to provide comment, or to be added to the mailing list for this project,

please contact Dan Seifert, at 6811 US Highway 212 South, Red Lodge, MT, 59068; by telephone at

(406) 446-2103, or by email:

available online at

addressing the plans of operations by August 2, 2010.

- FS -

comments-northern-custer-beartooth@fs.fed.us. Project documents arewww.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin/?page=projects. Please provide comments or input

Public & private lands uses under threat from possible ESA listing

StacyBragg — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:32:25 +0000

Mountain Plover Could be Listed as Threatened

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reinstating a proposal to list the mountain plover, a native bird of short-grass prairie and shrub-steppe landscapes, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also requests the public to provide scientific information regarding the reinstated proposal and the newly available information regarding the status of the mountain plover.

To read full story click here

Enviro’s fail to stop timber project

StacyBragg — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:20:45 +0000

Appeals court upholds timber project in Crazy Mountains

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday ruled in the Gallatin National Forest’s favor in a lawsuit intended to stop a 180-acre tree-thinning project in the Crazy Mountains, forest officials announced Thursday.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council filed suit against the proposed Big Timber Canyon Vegetation Treatment Project in 2008, two years after it was first proposed, according to Andi Falsetto, public affairs specialist for the Custer and Gallatin national forests

To read full story click here

Private landowners under threat of uncontrolled free roaming bison

StacyBragg — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:29:10 +0000

Wild Bison Herds in Circle, Montana?

This week the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Department held two more public meetings on their discussion about the possibility of establishing a wild population of bison in Montana.

About 85 people came to Tom Milesnick’s ranch at Belgrade on Tuesday, and about 65 more attended in Circle at the County Market meeting room, to hear Arnie Dood, Native Species Specialist – Bison Coordinator for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department describe an idea to allow a wild population of bison to roam free across the state.

For FWP Bison online survey sheet click here

To read full story click here

Some state parks go to reservation system for camping

StacyBragg — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:04:29 +0000

Montana to implement reservation system for state-park camping

Campers will be able to make reservations at up to 21 of Montana’s 54 state parks beginning next spring.

Officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks say a reservation will cost about $10 on top of the regular campground fee and can be made online or by phone. Between 25 percent and 50 percent of the sites at campgrounds that allow reservations will remain on a first-come, first-served basis

To read full story click here

Enviro’s stop another three timber sales

StacyBragg — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:34:25 +0000

Judge halts Kootenai logging projects over threat to bears

A federal judge has blocked three logging projects in the Kootenai National Forest over claims they would harm the area’s endangered grizzly bear population.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies filed the lawsuit in November to stop the projects meant to reduce fire danger and provide commercial logging opportunities.

To read full story click here