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Montana Matters
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Flathead Lake research gains national recognition
Recent research conducted at The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station has provided important data about how introductions or invasions of nonnative organisms can lead to major changes in the structure of aquatic ecosystems. UM Assistant Research Professor Bonnie Ellis and FLBS Director Jack Stanford were among a team of scientists from around the Pacific Northwest who studied how the invasion or introduction of organisms into Flathead Lake has affected its biological diversity. |
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Wolves kill 27 sheep south of Great Falls
Montana wildlife authorities are investigating the killings by wolves of two dozen sheep near Great Falls.
U.S. biologists say wolves recently attacked and injured two calves on a Fergus County ranch, and wolves killed 27 sheep on ranches south of Great Falls. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says two wolves killed the 27 sheep on a ranch near Ulm. On Dec. 21, FWS shot a 3-year-old male wolf near one of the sheep kill sites. |
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Montana medical marijuana law facing changes
Senate Bill 154, introduced by republican Sen. Dave Lewis of Helena, asks that the Department of Revenue oversee the use of medical marijuana. SB 154 would require medical marijuana growers to be licensed, submit quarterly reports, and pay a 10 percent tax on the sale of marijuana. |
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Two skiers die in tree well accidents at Whitefish Mountain Resort
Two skiers have died by falling into tree wells at Whitefish Mountain Resort. On Jan. 2, skier Niclas Waschle, a 16-year-old German exchange student attending Columbia Falls High School, died at Kalispell Regional Medical Center four days after he fell into a tree well on Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort. On Saturday, snowboarder Scott Allen Meyer, 29, of Kalispell died after he was found in a tree well at about 7:30 p.m. That same day, an elderly man was found in the middle of Ed’s Run, dead from an apparent heart attack. |
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Montana snowpack well above average
The Montana snowpack is 12 percent above average and 46 percent greater than January 1, 2010, according to the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. Montana mountain snowpack was above average and well above last year. January 1 represents about 45 percent of the expected seasonal snowfall, so more than half of the snowfall season remains. November and December precipitation has led to January 1 snowpack to be above average and streamflow prospects for the spring and summer to be near average. |
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Gov. Schweitzer looking at Montana coal export project in Washington
Montana governor Brian Schweitzer is in talks with Washington governor Chris Gregoire to explore construction of a coal-export facility in Washington that would help ship Montana coal to Asia. However, environmental groups are appealing Millennium Bulk Logistics' development permits for a new coal export terminal in Longview, Wash, saying the first major coal export site on the U.S. West Coast would threaten public health and undermine Washington's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. |
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Grouse Mountain Lodge sold to Glacier Park Inc.
Glacier Park, Inc., a subsidiary of Viad Corp, today announced the acquisition of Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. Grouse Mountain Lodge is a 145 room, four-season resort hotel on Whitefish Lake Golf Club in Whitefish, Montana. Home to Whitefish Mountain Resort and with close proximity to Glacier National Park, the town of Whitefish is a vibrant, year-round resort community complete with abundant arts, shopping and recreational opportunities. |
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Tangled Web: Moose caught in volleyball net freed
Montana Fish, Wlidlife and Parks received a call early Tuesday morning from a Bitterroot Lake resident about a moose was tangled in volleyball net along the south shore of the lake. Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists responded and found the moose, which had the net wrapped around its small antlers. Biologists considered options of roping, physically restraining, or tranquilizing the moose, recognizing that using tranquilizing drugs on moose can be risky for the animal. Because of the strength and attitude of the young bull, they decided to tranquilize him before attempting any cutting of the net to free him. |
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