Please note that all links to the
news stories below were accurate and working at the time of posting and
archiving, however, the Guardian has no
control on the length of time that a respective news source will
continue to maintain any story in its own archives, so be advised that
you may encounter non-working links - Bill
McKee - Editor.
Tri-state
swan flock rejected for protection Despite an
apparent decline in their numbers, trumpeter
swans living in and around Yellowstone National
Park won't be protected under the Endangered
Species Act
Group’s
First Meeting Marked by Confusion "Eight
new commissioners were in attendance at the
public meeting that was held at Santa Fe
Community College, but the State Game Commission
is supposed to have only seven members"
Friday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +33F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+43F. Rainfall overnight comprised the
bulk of the total accumulation of
0.5" of rain for the last 24 hour period
ending at 6AM this morning. Daily
local min-max temp & precip charts may
be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Laible
writes bill allowing counties to take over
forest [political
grandstanding by another clueless state
'legislator' from town - about the only thing
worse than letting the USFS continue to 'manage'
the national forests would be to allow counties
to 'manage' them - Ed.]
Forest
managers warn of another dangerous fire season
in Colorado [this
is a rib-tickler considering the worst fire in
the state's history was intentionally started
last year by a Forest Service arsonist
employee - like here in Montana, they could
lower the forest fire danger by keeping all the
forest service employees in the office and out
of the forest - Ed.]
Thursday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +33F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+39F. A mix of rain and snow fell overnight
yielding an accumulation of about an (1) inch of
heavy wet snow + 0.25" of rain by 6AM this
morning. Daily local min-max temp
& precip charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Wednesday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +18F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+40F. No measurable precipitation was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
UM enviro studies counterproductive, industry
says: Mining,
timber groups ask lawmakers to yank funding In a
surprise move, mining, timber and construction
lobbyists urged lawmakers Monday to remove
funding for University of Montana's
environmental studies program because it has
hurt the state's economy
[what these extractive industry spokesmen mean
here is that the environmental studies emanating
from the University of Montana are too truthful,
the industry would rather do the 'enviro
studies' themselves or have the so-called
'resource managers' at the logging-crazed US
Forest (dis)Service 'prepare' them - Ed.]
Huntin'
News
3 hunters accused of trespassing A Missoula
man who shot an adult female grizzly bear along
the Rocky Mountain Front on Nov. 19 has been
cited along with his two hunting companions for
trespassing during the incident, according to
state wildlife officials
Tuesday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +30F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+40F. No measurable precipitation was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Monday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +35F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+42F. 1.0625" (17/16th") of
precipitation in the form of rain was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
From:
David Dedmon [david@catchmontana.com]
President, Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited
a forwarded message from
John Talia of Montana Trout Unlimited
ESPN
WANTS TO BEND REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO HOLD
TELEVISED FISHING CONTESTS FOR CASH ON YOUR
WILD TROUT STREAMS!
Howdy,
ESPN and Barrett Productions
of Missoula is asking the Montana Dept. of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as well as the
Montana FWP Commission for a waiver from
regulations that prohibit fishing contests
for wild trout on Montana rivers. So far the
only public proponents of this proposal are
a fly shop and the Missoula Area Chamber of
Commerce.
FWP needs to hear what you
think by Feb. 7. Contact Karen Zackheim at
FWP at kzackheim@state.mt.us
or at 1620 East Sixth Avenue, Helena 5962.
Because the politically oriented commission
is making the decision and it is being
lobbied by commercial interests, it will
require a large outcry from anglers,
including letters to the editors, to
send a message to the commission that the
contest is a bad idea.
ESPN argues that the contest,
which will be held April 8-10 on
"Missoula area rivers, will have
"only" 18 contestants and they and
the assorted camera and production crews and
boats will be fishing during the week. The
contest does require 50 candidates to
compete for the 18 final slots, but FWP's
information on the contest doesn't say when,
how and where that will occur. The contest
requires catching the biggest fish in a
short period of time for cash.
According to the producer, spreading
messages about conservation or angling
ethics will not be an objective of the show.
This is the proverbial
"camel's nose under the tent"
But irrespective of the
immediate impact on fish, the contest can
have a significant effect on fishing and
fishery management. For example, you could
mention to FWP that:
1. Approving the contest
requires waiving rules that have been
adopted for a reason, and that is to
recognize that Montana's wild trout
fisheries are an uncommon resource that
should be insulated from undue commercial
exploitation and questionable angling
ethics. If Montana needs to change its rules
to accommodate commercial angling contests
for wild trout, then that should be the
discussion. But asking for waivers is
another matter.
2. Tension is mounting on
Montana rivers among anglers. Crowding is
increasing, traditional angling experiences
are being compromised. Calls for restricting
resident, nonresident and commercial
outfitters are on the increase. Montanans
are struggling mightily with how to deal
with river conflicts that have been caused
in part because of over-promotion of fishing
here. We even invested some of our license
dollars on a two year study to figure out
solutions to overcrowding. Do we need
to have a show that is watched by millions
nationally showing how to catch big fish in
the quickest amount of time and where to go
to get them?
3. The contest is being
pushed by the chamber of commerce, which
never speaks out in defense of protection of
water quality and fish habitat. In fact, the
state chamber is often the first in line at
the Legislature and elsewhere when it comes
to DEFENDING PROPOSALS THAT HARM FISH. Yet
the chamber shamelessly sells the angling
experience that we still have because you
speak out and fight attempts by the
chamber and others to increase pollution and
fish-hostile development.
4. Montana FWP, Trout
Unlimited and others spend immense resources
promoting and protecting traditional angling
pursuits and an ethical code that ensures
fishing continues to be a family-friendly
outdoor pursuit. This tradition involves
being challenged by trout, but it also
provides a contemplative sport wherein
anglers can learn about fish, fellowship
with other anglers, habitat and the
obligations we have to maintain this legacy.
Commercial fishing contests tell people that
angling is a competition that is all about
catching the biggest fish and winning money
for it. Is that the message Montana wants to
send to anglers and non-anglers? Is
everything for sale?
Write today. Oppose bending
the rules for ESPN. Speak up for Montana's
angling. And spread the word.
John
Below is a letter one of our
friends sent. You can use it, copy and email
it ...whatever you think best.
"I request that the
Department deny the application by ESPN for
a fly fishing contest in the Missoula area
in April. Our river
trout fisheries are already under stress
from overuse, and the angling public is
increasingly concerned about recreational
use allocation. The ESPN proposal represents
a request for commercial use of the public
resource -- media corporations (such as
ESPN/Disney) constitute some of the largest
commercial enterprises in the nation and
they are out to make a profit.
That is not how we should
be
managing our public recreational resources.
Moreover, authorizing a televised fishing
"contest" in Montana is certain to
(a) raise the visibility of, and thus future
requests for, this kind of commercial use of
our public fisheries; (b) set a precedent
that would make it very difficult for the
Department to say "no" to future
requests; and (c) draw additional anglers to
Montana rivers, thus contributing to the
existing crowding problem.
[Readers,
whether you're in state or out of state: I
recommend that you do consider promptly writing
(or emailing - the FWP address is shown above)
the Montana FWP before Feb 7th and tell them to
just say "NO" to this type of 'event'
which really does run counter to all
conservation efforts - Bill McKee, Editor - PR
Guardian]
Sunday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +34F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+43F. No measurable precipitation was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Light rain began falling after 6AM this morning.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Saturday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +32F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+39F. No measurable precipitation was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Friday,
24-Jan-2003
Dams
& Fish: The Next 30 Years
"Fish and wildlife populations need better
protection from Idaho Power Co. before the
federal government gives the Boise company
permission to continue using the Hells Canyon
Dam complex to generate electricity"
Funding
rejected for Southern California off-road dunes
site A state
commission on Thursday rejected $1.1 million for
operating far southeastern California's Imperial
Sand Dunes Recreation Area, which draws 200,000
or more often rowdy off-road enthusiasts and
party-seekers on holiday weekends.
Friday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +23F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+40F. No measurable precipitation was recorded
in the last 24 hr period ending at 6AM today.
Daily local min-max temp & precip
charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
This
time, pleas are real "good
theater has made bad politics and bad politics
always makes bad policy. It has come at the
astoundingly high price of lost jobs and ravaged
communities throughout Montana's northwestern
corner. The
brutal truth is that industry, timber and
mining, has economically whip-sawed those
communities, poisoned them, diseased their
people and, in the end, abandoned them, all the
while convincing their elected politicians to
adopt policies on trade, environment, and the
economy that have combined to make the situation
worse."
Seven
groups appeal Targhee land swap Conservation
groups have appealed a land exchange that would
give developers national forest land at Grand
Targhee Ski and Summer Resort in exchange for
privately held grizzly habitat near Yellowstone
National Park
Wednesday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +33F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+38F. Due to the warm temperatures, rain, heavy
at times, rather than snow fell overnight.
0.15" of rainfall was recorded at our
location. Daily local min-max temp &
precip charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
Finger-Pointing
About Wasting
Disease Escalates "1990
grazing study on the Western Slope by Colorado
Division of Wildlife purposely using elk exposed
to chronic wasting disease was a mistake, but
it's time to move on, DOW officials said
Friday."
Tuesday
The local overnight low temperature last night
was +26F and yesterday's afternoon high temp was
+37F. Approximately an (1) inch of snowfall has
been recorded in the last 24 period ending at
6Am this morning. Light snowfall was
continuing after 6AM. Daily local min-max temp
& precip charts may be seen on our PR
Temp & Precip Data page
News
Archives
In order to keep the news page loading time short, we
regularly archive the stories appearing on this page. You can see other News,
Links, & Commentary stories by selecting the appropriate
available archive period in the table below.
In accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in the stories above is
distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit
research and educational purposes only.
About
the Painted Rocks Guardian's News, Links, & Commentary Section
It is
a daily look at environmentally related stories from around the country,
many of which are illustrative of the high level of incompetence (and
worse) existing within most of the government entities currently charged
with administering our nation's parks, forests, other public lands,
waterways, and airsheds. As you read these news stories from many
different sources, you will note that almost all environmental
protection/preservation efforts and programs to save our nation's public
treasures originate from private environmental organizations, often
times via court order, and NOT through the respective governmental
agencies with primary administration responsibilities. Most of these
governmental entities (e.g., the Forest Service) have become top heavy
with many levels of career bureaucrats who, instead of protecting and
preserving the nation's priceless resources, are 'busy' catering to
consumptive/extractive industry interests in the course of administering
politically designed social welfare employment programs and wealth
redistributionist grant programs. While the current system is almost
hopelessly corrupt at many levels, it is being increasingly understood
as such by the general public. Increased general public awareness of the
problem is necessary to trigger environmentally informed political
actions that will eventually save the nation's public treasures.
Effective solutions to the current situation will most likely involve
the deconstruction of several bureaucratic agencies as they exist today
with a functional redesign that will shift major policy development and
administrative direction authority into the hands of environmental
groups/organizations (as contrasted with agency hand-picked and selected
'citizen groups' dominated by consumptionists) and out of the hands of
self-interested bureaucrats and extractive industry interests.
- Bill McKee - Editor.
