Volume XXI, Number 19

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Above the valley floor west of Victor, a barn full of hay stands in readiness to help the cows through the long, cold winter. Jean Schurman photo.

Groups rally to stop 'complexing' of wildlife refuges

By Michael Howell

Over 75 people attended a meeting last week in Stevensville, called by the Friends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, to rally opposition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recent decision to "complex" the management of the Metcalf Refuge with that of the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Great Falls. The decision would place the Metcalf Refuge under the supervisory authority of the project director at the Benton Lake Refuge, currently David Gillund. Made by officials in Region 6 headquarters in Denver, the decision came as a surprise to local officials when they received word in mid-November. The decision is to become effective on January 1, 2006. More...

State Land Board considers land exchanges

By Michael Howell

According to information posted on the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation web site, officials in the State Land Trust Division of DNRC are considering at least three different land exchanges that involve state land here in the Bitterroot Valley. More...

Stevi QRU concerned over spike in responses

By Michael Howell

Jeff Motley of the Stevensville Quick Response Unit (QRU) told the Stevensville Town Council on Monday that a recent spike in the number of responses involving the all-volunteer QRU was related to the Fire District's growing lack of ambulance service. He said the QRU had responded to 50 calls last month, compared to 50 calls in all of 2004, raising a "red flag" for the community. More...