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New BLM Planning Rule a Boon to Montana Hunters/Wildlife

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Last week, the Bureau of Land Management issued its final planning rule for land management in the west. Planning 2.0 will update how the BLM manages the 245 million acres of public lands across the nation. The new planning rule has two major changes that will effect hunters and anglers – identifying and planning around wildlife corridors and public involvement.

Planning 2.0 establishes three additional periods where the public can be involved-increasing transparency and public involvement in land use decisions. While the land use planning for our public land has always been a public process, Planning 2.0 will allow sportsmen (and every citizen) to have a bigger role in deciding how they want to see their favorite spots to hunt and fish managed. Sportsmen having a seat at the table on these land use plans will ensure that a healthy landscape and the opportunity to chase critters will be passed on to the next generation.

The new planning rule also promotes landscape-scale management which is great news for wildlife. The old planning process had no language regarding wildlife migration corridors in BLM planning documentation, but under Planning 2.0, field offices must consider identifying and locating migration corridors early in the process of planning for land use. Migration corridors are a vital habitat component for big game like mule deer, elk, and pronghorn in the West. By identifying where animals move, feed, and rest between seasonal ranges early on in the planning process, we will reduce conflicts between wildlife and development.

The thorough pre-planning that is taking place in Planning 2.0 will help to better manage landscapes for all the ways they are used — whether its hunting, hiking, timber production, or energy development — and support the local community’s ability to maintain a high quality of life and healthy economy. With the new planning rule in place, it’s time for sportsmen and women roll up our sleeves and get to work on how we want our public lands managed.

For more information on the planning rule, visit New BLM Planning Rule a Boon to Public Involvement

John Bradley is the Eastern Field Rep. for Montana Wildlife Federation. Reach him at jbradley@mtwf.org

A Win for Wildlife: Sage Grouse Rider Left Off of Defense Bill

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Sage Grouse. Photos by Bob Wick, BLM Photos by Bob Wick, BLM. Sage Grouse.

Yesterday the Senate voted to send the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the White House for President Obama’s signature. In a victory for conservationists, ranchers, and hunters, the NDAA left out destructive language that would undermine existing Greater Sage-Grouse land-management plans. The Defense Bill previously had language that would have allowed states to roll back the federal sage-grouse conservation plans and would have prevented the Department of the Interior from changing the bird’s status for ten years. This extreme provision would have ended years of bipartisan cooperation between federal, state and private interests working to keep the bird and its sagebrush habitat healthy enough to avoid listing under the Endangered Species Act.

This latest victory for the bird comes after declines in historic sage grouse populations and habitat led to the bird’s consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In late 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that an ESA listing for the grouse was “not warranted.” The ruling was based on local conservation efforts that were taking place and the continued implementation of federal resource management plans by the BLM that advance the species’ recovery and improve sage grouse habitat.

The millions of acres of sagebrush steppe that the sage grouse relies upon also provide habitat for more than 350 species of fish and wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Healthy and functioning sage-grouse habitat across the West fuels our outdoor economy, while providing stability to local ranching communities.

With the NDAA moving forward without the negative sage grouse rider attached, it’s time for hunters and anglers, ranchers and farmers, state and federal land managers, and all who value the West need to roll up our sleeves and work together to protect this unique western landscape.

John Bradley is Montana Wildlife Federation’s Eastern Field Rep.

For more information, check out these articles.
Western Sportsmen: Drop Sage-Grouse Rider From Defense Bill

NWF Hails Removal of Harmful Sage-Grouse Rider in Defense Bill

Effort to Turn Forest Service Lands over to State Management Meets Opposition in Swan Lake

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During a meeting last night at the Swan Lake Community Center, a packed room of Montanans from all walks of life made one thing abundantly clear: We love our National Forests.

Hosted by Lake County Commissioners, the meeting was held to inform and seek input from the public regarding the Swan Resource Management Study, which entails a controversial proposal by the Lake County Conservation District (LCCD) to turn 60,000 acres of the Flathead National Forest, all within Lake County, into a “conservation forest” to be managed “in trust” by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Jim Simpson, Chairman of the LCCD, presented an overview of the proposal and answered questions from concerned citizens.

In response to a question, Simpson assured those in attendance that he was not advocating transfer of federal public lands, and that this plan is in “no way” associated with the American Lands Council, an organization that seeks to transfer federal lands to the states. The conservation forest, he said, will remain under federal ownership, but would be managed by the state in accordance with the same rules and regulation that govern management of state forests. All American citizens would maintain the right to enjoy all activities currently allowed on the land, he said, and the forest would resort back to Forest Service management in 100 years. Net revenues from management would be invested into the Swan Valley community for “conservation projects” on state, federal, private and tribal lands. The project would require Congressional approval. ​

“Management emphasis will be on reducing fuel levels and fire risks, managing the forest locally and collaboratively, and actively managing the forest to promote forest healthy,” Simpson said. “We want to generate income for Lake County, and put that money into conservation.”

At this stage, Simpson said, he is merely seeking comments from the public. “We want to find out, from you, if this project goes forward or not, before we approach the governor and the Montana Congressional delegation.”

Simpson showed a time-lapse video of the devastating Roaring Lion fire in the Bitterroot Valley this past summer, a wildfire that burned nearly 8,000 acres and destroyed 14 homes. He seemed to insinuate that the creation of a “conservation forest” would prevent such fires in the Swan Valley. However, there was no talk about forest-fire ecology; the historical and natural role of fire in creating and shaping western forests; how past management activities and climate change have contributed to recent increases in size, frequency and intensity of wildfires, and how the Forest Service has been actively engaged in collaborative efforts to reduce fire risks near and around homes and structures.

Some of the concerns and comments brought up by those in attendance: National Forests belong to all Americans, and all American should have a say on how they are managed; State management seems more driven by profit than protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat and clear, clean rivers and streams that are important to hunters, anglers and others; the Forest Service has a larger budget, and therefore more resources to better manage the forests and fight wildfires, and the state should seek to work collaboratively with the Forest Service to achieve goals rather than take over management of our National Forest lands.

In fact, just south of Swan Lake, a collaborative effort called the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project is bringing together a diversity of citizens with various interests – including hunters, anglers, business leaders, county commissioners, loggers, ranchers, snowmobilers, mountain bikers, environmentalist and others – to set aside their differences, find common ground, and manage National Forest and other lands in a manner that protects fish and wildlife and related recreational activities, reduces fire risks, and helps local communities. It seems preferable to turning our National Forest lands over to state management for 100 years.

Simpson says public comments will determine whether the project moves forward or not. To learn more, and provide input, go to: swanforestinitiative.org

David Stalling is the Montana Wildlife Federation Western Field Rep. Contact him at dstalling@mtwf.org

Adding to our Public Lands Heritage

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Attacks on public land are so common these days that it seems hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts are constantly on the defensive.

But in fact, Montana hunters keep picking up wins on the public lands front. In fact, we’re adding public lands. And that’s a good thing for wildlife, for hunting opportunity and for wildlife watchers and other recreationists.

This week that can continue. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider the addition of 640 acres to the Lost River Wildlife Management Area in Hill County, located in the north-central part of the state.

The addition will help with habitat for deer, antelope and numerous other non-game wildlife species. It will add to the area’s hunting opportunity for upland game birds and big game. And it will also have the benefit of increasing access to adjoining public lands.

It’s a win, win, win. Wildlife gains habitat on lands that are specifically for that purpose. Hunters have more state land to pursue game. And hunters gain even more hunting opportunity by gaining access to other public lands.

It’s exactly how the Habitat Montana program is supposed to work. It’s also why it’s so vital that this program that protects habitat and increases access continues.

Nick Gevock is the conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation.

Montana Hunters, Anglers Laud Today’s Progress in Protecting the Badger-Two Medicine

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TonyBynum - Badger-Two Medicine Photo Credit: Tony Bynum

Montana hunters and anglers are celebrating today’s announcement of the cancellation of additional oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine Area. U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell joined U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes and Devon Energy Corporation President and CEO David Hager to announce that, through a collaborative agreement, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has canceled 15 additional oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in northwestern Montana. Devon Energy owns an interest in these federal leases.

The Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) has been working cooperatively with the Badger Two Medicine Alliance and other partners to help protect the unique array of fish, wildlife, habitat, and related hunting and fishing opportunities in the area.

“We fully support responsible gas and oil development in appropriate places,” says David Chadwick, the Executive Director of MWF, “But this is one place that is too wild, too special, and too important to drill. With a tremendous diversity of wildlife — including elk, bighorns, mule deer, mountain goats and grizzlies – and one of the last strongholds for native westslope cutthroat trout, the Badger-Two Medicine area offers some of the best hunting and fishing in Montana. We plan to keep it that way.”

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.