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bureau of land management

As fire season bears down, fractured federal wildland fire service complicates efforts

As fire season bears down, fractured federal wildland fire service complicates efforts

This story originally appeared in Mountain Journal. Last week, a panel of Montana state officials asked their federal colleagues how plans for this summer’s wildfire season are shaping up. The responses they got left many in the room frustrated. “Everybody has lots of serious questions about this new Wildland

Conservationists sue the FS to stop Cooke City deforestation project on the border of Yellowstone National Park | Mike Garrity (copy)

The Cooke City area of Montana has one of the healthiest whitebark pine forests in the region. Yet now, the Forest Service wants to apply an unscientific method of logging across more than 2,000 acres of these whitebark pine forests on the northeastern border of Yellowstone National Park. Whitebark

Thomas Baumeister: Bison, bureaucrats and bad politics with American Prairie

In Montana, our way of life starts with the health of the land. When the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to yank bison grazing permits from American Prairie’s allotments, after years of treating bison as eligible livestock, it turns its back on that land ethic. For decades, the

'Slippery slope': American Prairie, tribes await decision on bison grazing permits

A proposed federal decision to cancel American Prairie’s bison grazing permits is drawing sharp reactions from ranching groups, conservationists and tribal leaders, as the Bureau of Land Management reviews whether the animals qualify as livestock under the Taylor Grazing Act. As the BLM’s 45-day final decision deadline

Daines dodges BLM nominee’s anti-conservation voting record, indicates support for Pearce

In a confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s controversial nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, Montana Sen. Steve Daines said he “secured commitments for Montana priorities,” but offered a rosy view of Stevan Pearce’s record, ignoring key votes against conservation funding measures. The BLM oversees 245

Meet mayoral candidate Douglas Fischer

Meet mayoral candidate Douglas Fischer

While in high school, a teacher told a young Douglas Fischer that democracy works when people show up and get involved. After nine years serving in the public sphere, he is aiming to bring this sentiment to the mayoral seat. Fischer is a journalist-turned-city-commissioner seeking to bring

Free Press Fest hosts discussions on the state of journalism

Free Press Fest hosts discussions on the state of journalism

The second annual Montana Free Press Festival invited community members to campus for candid conversations about threats to journalism, democracy and public lands — and how local reporting offers a path forward. MSU — the primary sponsor of the festival — hosted this year’s events, which were organized by the Montana Free