Volume XXI, Number 14

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Bearing witness...can you spot the six black bears in this tree? This group, consisting of two mothers with two cubs each, was hanging out in a ponderosa pine west of Stevensville. Some bears are still out getting their last meals in as they prepare to den, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park bear specialist Jamie Jonkel. Even with abundant natural food sources, bears can be tempted by dog food, birdseed, fruit trees or garbage cans. Bear-proof your property by cleaning and storing barbecue grills and keeping dog food and garbage where bears can't get at it. Kiana Fecteau photo.

Civil rights lawsuit filed over FS meeting exclusion

Friends of the Bitterroot as an organization and three individual members have filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Missoula against the Forest Service and Bitterroot Forest Supervisor Dave Bull. The lawsuit is a civil rights case based on events at a press conference held at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisoršs Office. The plaintiffs claim that their Constitutional First Amendment rights to free speech, freedom of association, freedom to peaceably assemble and right to petition the government to redress grievances were violated by being barred from the press conference. More...

Mediator called in for Middle East Fork Project

Forest Supervisor Dave Bull has asked a mediator to explore possibilities to resolve differences raised during the objection process for the Middle East Fork Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. According to Bull, "Several people have expressed an interest to bring in a neutral third party to see if there is a potential for successful resolution to the objections. I have contracted with Brian Kahn to conduct an assessment within the next few weeks by contacting each objector and other project participants. If Mr. Kahn's assessment is positive, he will recommend a process to hopefully resolve the objections. It is my hope that all participants are willing to work toward a resolution so that the goals of the Ravalli County Community Wildfire Protection Plan can be met in the East Fork." More...

New nature trail opens at Metcalf Refuge

A new walking/hiking trail on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, entitled the Kenai Nature Trail, was formally dedicated with a ribbon cutting at the Refuge Visitor Center on Friday, November 4. More...

Proposed resort promotes skiing to FS

Bitterroot Resort, in urging that forest planners provide an opportunity for the community to consider establishing a destination ski resort in the future, has asserted that skiing is among the most popular activities on national forests, and that western Montana has the fifth-highest concentration of avid skiers among all U.S. markets. More...

Stevi Foundation awards grants

The Stevensville Community Foundation has announced the grants awarded in its 2005 fall award cycle. More...