HELENA, MONT. – The Northern Rockies
Coordination Group (NRCG) and collaborating
federal, state, and local agencies have now officially launched www.MTFireInfo.org to keep Montanans and our visitors updated on current fire restriction information.
“We have a personal responsibility to one
another and our communities to take measures to prevent wildfire starts,” Governor Gianforte said. “We have several counties already in Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and this website is a great tool for Montanans to stay informed and protect their loved ones.”
The new website hosts a geospatial map that
depicts the specific fire restrictions order or
proclamation for each federal, state, tribal, and local jurisdiction in Montana.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are designed to limit human-caused activities that commonly start wildfires, such as campfires, smoking, or other
activities that generate sparks.
Each order or proclamation will outline the
prohibited acts and exemptions; however, an
exemption does not absolve an individual or
organization from liability or responsibility for
any fire started by the exempted activity.
“Every Montanan is impacted by longer, more severe wildfire seasons,” said Amanda Kaster, DNRC Director. “Because we are all impacted by wildfire, we are all also responsible for proactively preparing and equipping our communities to reduce wildfire risk and mitigate its potential impacts. This website will provide Montanans with the best available
information to keep themselves and others safe
this summer.”
Please remember:
– You could be fined up
to $5,000 individually
or $10,000 for an
organization and
imprisoned up to 6 months for violating restrictions and closures.
– You can be held liable for all suppression costs and damages if you start a fire.
Courtesy of Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation
Libby Rock Crushers finish strong at 2021 Montana
Scholastic Clay Target Program State Shoot
by Stacy Bender
The Libby Rock Crushers Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) is celebrating its eighth year under the mentorship of Mike Cirian and Tom Bailey of the Libby Rod & Gun Club. In less than a decade, local youth participation has grown from 3 shooters to now 13 fully engaged students of various ages on the range. This not to mention the 18 additional athletes now retired from the program.
Loading targets, keeping score, cleaning the grounds
and working around the Rod & Gun Club in general are all requirements for the Rock Crushers. “I also hold them to a higher GPA standard than most school athletic programs in order to participate at the State Shoot each year,” shared Cirian.
While SCTP is open to youth from elementary to college age, the Libby Rock Crushers leave age open to parents. It
is required, however, an athlete must be able to handle a firearm safely. “If the kids can’t handle a gun, we will
encourage them to try again later,” Cirian added.
This year, the Rock Crushers took 11 athletes to the
state competition held in Missoula and Polson, June 26-27. Of those athletes, an impressive nine placed in their trap and skeet events.
Maverick Owens also shot his first ever 100 straight to take High Overall Trap Champion in the first event of the weekend.
For information on the Libby Rock Crushers youth
program, please contact Mike Cirian at 406-607-9355 or by email at mcirian@msn.com.
Trap -Missoula
– 1st Place Senior Varsity Trap, Maverick Owens, Nate Pomeroy, Samantha Newton, Isaac O’Rourke and Lucky
Martin.
– 4th Place Open Team Trap, Allie Sanderson, Brock Faulke, Mattie Newton, Jake Newton, and Sophia Gernaey.
Individual awards went to:
– 1st Place Ladies Rookie Trap, Mattie Newton
– 1st Place Ladies Intermediate Entry Level Trap, Sophia Gernaey
– 2nd Place Ladies Jr. Varsity Trap, Allie Sanderson
– 3rd Place Ladies Senior Varsity Trap, Samantha Newton
Skeet – Missoula
– 3rd Place Varsity Team,
Isaac O’Rourke, Lucky
Martin, and Maverick Owens
– 3rd Place Open Division,
Jake Newton, Samantha
Newton and Nate Pomeroy
Individual awards:
– 2nd Place Intermediate-Advanced, Jake Newton
– 1st Place Ladies Rookie
Division, Mattie Newton
– 1st Place Ladies Intermediate Entry Skeet, Sophia Gernaey
– 2nd Place Ladies Jr. Varsity Skeet, Allie Sanderson
– 2nd Place Ladies Senior Varsity Skeet, Samantha Newton
Sporting Clays – Polson
– 3rd Place Senior Varsity Team, Maverick Owens, Isaac O’Rourke, and Nate Pomeroy
Individual awards:
– 1st Place Ladies Rookie
Division, Mattie Newton
– 1st Place Ladies Intermediate, Sophia Gernaey
– 2nd Place Ladies Junior Varsity, Allie Sanderson
– 1st Place Ladies Senior Varsity, Samantha Newton
– 4th Place Open Division Team, Samantha Newton, Lucky
Martin, and Jake Newton
(Team photo courtesy of
Libby Rock Crushers)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to hold public hearing in Libby;
seeking public input on proposed conservation easement to
protect wildlife habitat, public access on Stimson owned land
Submitted by
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to purchase a conservation easement that would protect approximately 27,289 acres of highly productive timberland, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities to the east and south of Libby in northwest Montana.
The property is owned by the Stimson Lumber Company, one of the oldest continuously operating integrated wood products companies in the U.S. with roots dating back to the 1850s. FWP would hold the conservation easement and Stimson would retain ownership of the land and continue to sustainably manage for timber production. The easement would preclude development, protect important wildlife habitat and key landscape connectivity, and provide permanent public access and recreational opportunities on the property.
FWP has scheduled a public hearing for July 14,
at 6 p.m. in Libby at the City Hall Ponderosa Room, 952 E. Spruce Street, to provide an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed project and submit public comments.
The proposed project would protect key winter range and a movement corridor for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and moose. In addition, it would protect critical habitat for bull trout, grizzly bear,
and Canada lynx – Endangered Species Act listed Threatened Species found on the property.
The property currently provides over 26,500 days per year of public hunting and angling use, which would be secured in perpetuity under this proposal.
Completion of this project would build on the
success of the nearby Forest Legacy Program-funded 142,000-acre Thompson-Fisher Conservation Easement, the 28,000-acre Kootenai Valleys Conservation Easement, and the 22,295-acre Kootenai Forestlands Phase I Conservation Easement, which was the first phase of this project. Forest Legacy projects in
Montana and Idaho have cumulatively helped to
conserve over 300,000 acres of working forestlands that remain in private ownership while securing
permanent public access and habitat conservation.
More information on the proposed conservation easement is available online under Public Notices or online at: fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2021/jun/0629_kootenaiforestlandsce.
Public comments on the draft environmental
assessment should be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 28. Email ktempel@mt.gov or mail comments to Kris Tempel, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
For more information, contact Kris Tempel at the email address above or by calling (406) 249-7481.
Troy’s Old Fashioned
4th of July on Parade…
After a long
two-year wait, the streets of Troy were lined again with
patriotic spirits and smiles as Troy’s Old Fashion 2021
Parade
kicked-off this past Sunday morning.
For many,
a most welcome and collective breathe of
freedom as
family, friends
and neighbors met again on main street to celebrate
America’s Day
of
Independence.
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 10
