FWP
proposes to improve
fisheries
habitat on Therriault Creek near
Eureka
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to restore riparian vegetation and improve fisheries habitat on Therriault Creek near Eureka in Lincoln County.
The proposed work on private land along Therriault Creek is located approximately 1.75 miles upstream from the confluence with the Tobacco River. The project would continue previous work on Therriault Creek and would increase woody vegetation cover along the stream, increase fisheries habitat diversity, and reduce the risk of bank erosion. The proposed work would enhance vegetation along about 1,000 feet of the 9,100 feet of stream that was previously restored.
FWP proposes three bioengineering treatments that would support the development of riparian woody vegetation. These techniques include stripping dense non-native pasture grasses and replanting with willows, slightly lowering inside stream banks and replanting with willows, and the installation of woody debris and willow cuttings along the stream bank.
FWP would fund the completion of this project with funding received from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA previously completed an environmental impact statement that analyzed the effects of similar projects that can be found online at https://www.bpa.gov/efw/Analysis/NEPADocuments/Pages/Watershed-Management.aspx.
Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., Sept. 10, 2019.
Public comments can be submitted to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attention: Jim Dunnigan, 385 Fish Hatchery Road, Libby, MT 59923, or e-mail to jdunnigan@mt.gov.
Submitted by Dillon Tabish
Cabinet peaks nurse attends end-of-life
nursing
education
consortium
Nurses spend more time with patients who are facing the end of life than any other member of the healthcare team. Yet, studies have shown that many nurses feel inadequately prepared to provide the comprehensive care so important at the end of life.
Devenne Leiss, RN, CRNI, Chemotherapy & Infusion Coordinator at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center has recently attended a national End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Core “Train the Trainer” course. This two-day session on end-of-life/palliative care was held in San Diego, CA. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and City of Hope (COH) had originally received a 3.5-year grant (2000 – 2003) from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop and implement of ELNEC Core. The program is specifically for nurses who provide and/or conduct continuing education courses in specialty areas such as oncology, hospice, nurse educators, and continuing education providers. This project is led by Betty R. Ferrell, RN, PhD, FAAN, PFCN (COH) as the principal investigator.
Leiss was one of hundreds of nurses from across the United States to attend this training program. The principal goal of the course is to provide nursing continuing education providers with information on end-of-life/palliative care and resources to integrate end-of-life/palliative care content into their in-service programs or courses. Course content was presented in several participatory formats including lecture, open forum discussion, small group activities, and training sessions.
The training program was conducted by a distinguished faculty of researchers, educator, authors, and leaders in the field of palliative care. Topic areas included nursing care at the end-of-life/palliative care; pain and symptom assessment and management; cultural considerations; ethical issues; communication; loss, grief, & bereavement; final hours of life; and leadership.
“I feel truly blessed to have attended this amazing course,” stated Leiss. “I was able to go thanks to the generosity of some special community members who donated money to the CPMC Foundation in an effort to help bring better end-of-life/palliative care to our small town facility. I am excited to share my new knowledge with more nurses in our medical center and community.”
Submitted by Kate Stephens
Storm
outages as of Aug. 10
Approximately 20,000 members of Flathead Electric Co-op (FEC) experienced a power outage sometime Saturday August 10 into Sunday August 11 as a severe storm swept through northwest Montana, causing lightning, hail, heavy rain and gusty winds. The storm caused trees to fall on power poles and lines, leading to outages across FEC’s service territory from Libby to the west, Whitefish to the north, and Swan Lake to the south. The hardest hit areas were Bigfork, Ferndale, Somers, Lakeside, Many Lakes, Kalispell and Creston due to damage at the Echo and Lion Mountain Substations. Bonneville Power Administration crews worked to repair transmission lines as FEC crews worked on distribution. There are a few spot outages remaining this (Monday August 12) morning as crews work on clean up and further repairs to the system. FEC anticipates residual impacts from the storm as well. For example, trees weakened by the storm can fall later, and sometimes power must be shut off to safely repair equipment.
Flathead Electric is aware of most outages, but people should still call to report them at 751-4449. If the line is tied up due to the volume of calls, members will be transferred into FEC’s automated outage system where they can report outages or get updates. Members can also access current outage information and sign up to receive text alerts about outages at www.flatheadelectric.com/outage.
Flathead Electric would also like to remind people to never touch or drive over a downed power line, but if you see one, report it to the Co-op right away or contact a law enforcement agency. Also, please make sure the addresses on your homes and businesses are clearly visible to linemen and emergency responders.
Submitted by Wendy Ostrom Price
Responsible huckleberry gathering on the Kootenai National
Forest
It is huckleberry season, and in order to provide plentiful opportunities for everyone, the Forest Service is providing some tips for responsible huckleberry gathering:
Recreational huckleberry gatherers are encouraged to pick only what they can consume so that others may also enjoy the fun of picking and tasting our delicious state fruit.
Methods for huckleberry gathering vary widely; however, it is best to handpick the berries to ensure that the bushes are not damaged and that only the ripe berries are harvested. We want our huckleberry bushes to remain healthy and productive for many years to come! Any methods that damage or destroy the bushes are illegal and may result in a fine for damaging natural resources.
Huckleberries are delicious favorites of both people and bears. Because huckleberries are a major source of nourishment for bears, gatherers are encouraged to leave some berries unpicked and to always carry bear spray and be bear aware when gathering berries.
Popular huckleberry gathering areas can become quite crowded. Exercise courtesy to fellow gathers and/or consider seeking out a new area if someone is there ahead of you. Be considerate and respectful of others. The 2.2 million acre Kootenai National Forest offers plenty of space for everyone!
Commercial gathering of huckleberries on the Kootenai National Forest is not permitted. Picking huckleberries with the intent to sell them is considered commercial use. Minimum fines for commercial picking start at $250, and can increase based on the severity of the offense.
Always practice Leave No Trace principles whenever recreating on National Forest so that everyone can enjoy their outdoor experience. Pack out any garbage and clean up your site before leaving.
For more information about huckleberry picking on the Kootenai National Forest, please contact your local Forest Service office.
Submitted by Willie Sykes