Stream Access and PPL vs. Montana
Since this has been bouncing around since the PPL Montana LLC v. Montana decision, I thought this might add a bit of clarification. This is a statement by Bruce Farling of Montana TU regarding effects of the Supreme Court Decision. _________________________________________________ “About: Supreme Court decision on PPL v. Montana...
Another big win for corporate interests in Montana
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hand over ownership and control of your riverbeds to private, for-profit corporations. After all, “Corporations are people, my friend,” just like you and me. In PPL Montana v. Montana, 10-218 the court decided that there is no longer any such thing...
War On Pike
There was an interesting story in the Spokesman Review this morning about the State of Washington’s declared war on Northern Pike (Esox lucious) in Box Canyon Reservoir and the lower Pend Oreille River. As part of an aggressive campaign to reduce pike numbers, the state of Washington, Department of...
Hatchery vs. Wild the debate continues
As a fisherman and member of Trout Unlimited, I hear a question asked on a regular basis to the effect, “If our trout populations are declining, why don’t we just supplement with hatchery fish?” That a question like that could even be asked given our history with hatchery fish...
Conservation Hawks
A new nonprofit conservation group with local roots is ramping up in Montana and you might want to give them your attention. The motto of the Conservation Hawks is “HUNTERS & ANGLERS DEFENDING OUR FUTURE”. How could you go wrong with a mission like that? Anyone who would say...
Hopeful signs for native fish recovery
Idaho Fish and Game has released their 2011 fishery updates for the Panhandle region of the state and the news provides hope and some guidance for restoration of native fish in the Flathead. The Lake Pend Oreille Recovery Update shows “lots of indications that the recovery effort is heading...
Winter? We don’t need no stinkin’ winter.
January 5th, 2012. I’m sitting here staring out the window at sunny skies, a few puffy clouds and 48 degrees. The prediction for Billings today is near 60 and breezy. “More than a dozen communities across central and Eastern Montana saw record-high daily temperatures on Wednesday.” Did I mention...
Rose Creek Fish Barrier
Glacier National Park is currently accepting comments on the Environmental Assessment for removal of an abandoned weir on Rose Creek on the east side of GNP. The weir completely blocks fish passage to about a 1/2 mile of Rose Creek historical spawning and rearing areas for native fish above...