Bitterroot Star - September 11, 2024

Fish barrier being eliminated on North Burnt Fork Creek

by Michael Howell

A project to restore fsh passage and streamside habitat at the mouth of North Burnt Fork Creek as it passes through Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is under way. It’s been a long time coming. The project was frst envisioned as part of the Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Goals for the Bitterroot River Floodplain and North Burnt Fork Creek back in 2012. A Draft Environmental Assessment was produced in November of 2022. The project, led by Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Unlimited and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will help reconnect the lower portion of North Burnt Fork Creek to its historical channel alignment, restoring riverine habitat to a portion of the creek that has been impounded and managed as wetland habitat for many years and eliminate a barrier culvert that has prevented fsh from moving between the Bitterroot River and North Burnt Fork Creek for over 50 years. The project will open up 2.5 miles of North Burnt Fork Creek habitat to Bitterroot River fsh, improving the overall health of the fshery and recreation opportunities.

The current barrier structure – a set of two vertical pipes leading into two culverts – was historically used to impound and divert water for waterfowl habitat. It efectively impounds water but also created a full passage barrier to fsh migrating between the Bitterroot River and North Burnt Fork Creek. Many fsh species in the Bitterroot, including federally listed threatened bull trout and a Montana Species of Special Concern, Westslope Cutthroat trout, migrate into tributaries like North Burnt Fork Creek to spawn. The structure has encouraged sediment to precipitate out, which, over time, has made this area less benefcial for waterfowl. The project will place a new, larger, bottomless culvert to maintain public access throughout the trail system while also opening fsh passage.

According to the Environmental Assessment, the reason for selecting a bridged culvert over a spanned bridge is that it is cost efective and will also allow heavy equipment and emergency vehicles to pass over the creek, eliminating the need for, and disturbance of, creating an upstream low-water crossing. Eliminating the low water crossing

also precludes the need to haul approximately 813 cubic yards of material of site from sloping the creek’s levees.

Where North Burnt Fork Creek meets the water control structure, a smaller, ditched channel diverts a portion of water northwards. The channel is dry each summer. Under this action, this northward channel will be maintained for high fow events, but recontoured from its current, linear ditch form into a series of wetland swales.

According to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Project Manager Christine Brissette, plans also include a major efort to improve streamside riparian habitat for shade and cover. Reed canary grass, a highly aggressive non-native grass, has established throughout the riparian area, outcompeting the native trees and shrubs and simplifying habitat for migratory songbirds, amphibians, and other riparian-dependent wildlife. Heavy equipment will remove reed canary grass sod, and volunteer crews will follow with plants, weed mat and fencing.

managed for wildfowl and migrating songbird habitat.

Brissette said that the restoration, although signifcant, is not intended to fully eradicate reed canary grass from the property. “Given its aggressive root system and ability to recolonize, this is not a reasonable expectation,” she said. Instead, it will establish a native tree and shrub component alongside reed canary grass, providing shade, bank stability and cover. Over time, mature cottonwoods are known to shade out reed canary grass, further limiting its impact on habitat. Besides cooling of the water, the native trees and shrubs will also provide more varied habitat for the waterfowl and songbirds.

The 2,800-acre Refuge was established on February 4, 1964 and is managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the protection of migratory bird species. and is primarily

According to Refuge Manager Tom Reed, the Refuge provides a diverse mosaic of western mountain valley habitats including gallery and riverfront forest, wet meadow, wetlands, and grassland benches. The Refuge also provides opportunities for the public to enjoy compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting, fshing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation. It is a very popular community and tourist destination with more than 143,000 visitors annually. The fsh barrier being replaced sits below the popular Metcalf Trail in the Wildlife Viewing Area, used by many for walking, wildlife viewing, and environmental education and interpretation.

“This is a project that was on the books for a long time now but because of the size of our staf and funding we probably wouldn’t have gotten to it,” said Reed. “Because of where it’s at we did an EA, a Section Seven, a Cultural Resource Report, all as part of the permitting process, so it’s taken way longer than we expected. So, it’s really been positive to be working with Christine and Trout Unlimited to be able to move forward at the rate that we are now.”

Reed said that the culvert barrier is for a bona fde water right on North Burnt Fork Creek that diverts water northerly and runs north past the golf course located on the Refuge before returning to the Bitterroot River. He said they aim to keep the water right but hope to convert it to an instream right.

“We don’t want to lose the water right, but we want it to work better for fsh and wildlife than what it has been doing,” said Reed.

According to Reed, they have been spraying the area for yellow fag iris, another non-native invasive plant, in preparation for the work on removing the reed canary grass along the banks of the creek.

Timberland Excavating will be the lead contractor on the project, with oversight from River Design Group and Trout Unlimited. Great Bear Native Plants of Hamilton will supply native trees and shrubs. Volunteers from Jackson Contractor Group and Bitterroot Trout Unlimited have been instrumental in preparing for work, as has the City of Missoula and Missoula County who are supplying brush for streambank construction.

According to Dave Ward, President

of the Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited, although they haven’t gotten ofcial approval from the City of Hamilton, he is pretty confdent that the City Council will approve taking about 1,000 willow cuttings from an area in Skalkaho River Park to use in the project. He said they are not uprooting any willows in the park and the area should successfully regrow within a year.

His organization will be working together with volunteers from the Trapper Creek Job Corps on building the “exclusion areas” to protect the revegetated area. They have also enlisted the help of student volunteers from the Classrooms Without Walls programs in Hamilton and Corvallis. In total, this efort will plant, fence, and weed mat 300+ trees and shrubs and plant 3,000+ willow cuttings along the banks and foodplain of half a mile of North Burnt Fork Creek.

The project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Westslope Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Steele-Reese Foundation, Farmers State Bank (Victor Branch), and numerous private donors who came together to meet this need.

During construction, several measures will be in place to ensure that in-stream impacts from construction are minimal and temporary. In-stream work will only occur during a window of time that bull trout and other salmonids are least sensitive to in-stream disturbance. Additionally, temporary coferdams and pumps will be constructed at the culvert/stoplog location to provide localized dewatering during removal and bridged culvert placement. Suspended sediment, stormwater and erosion control structures (e.g., silt fence and silt curtain) will also be in place to limit sediment impacts to the immediate construction area.

Visitor access along the trail system may be limited during construction in September and October. Whenever possible the north trail system (Ponderosa Loop) will remain open, but full closures will be necessary at times to keep visitors and equipment operators safe.

Signs at the Wildlife Viewing Area parking lot will keep visitors up to date on project progress, trail closures and volunteer opportunities. For questions, contact Refuge Headquarters at 406777-5552.

Volunteers from Jackson Contractor Group remove the shade structure that will be replaced when construction of the new fsh passage is completed. Photo courtesy of Trout Unlimited.

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Manager Tom Reed removing a log jam at the fsh barrier. Photo courtesy of Trout Unlimited.

Montana history books go to Stevensville school

by John Dowd

For some, books seem to be falling by the wayside as a medium for learning. However, for those like the late Gary Habedank and his wife, Kathryn, books are a lost treasure trove of history that comes frsthand from the past. Gary was an avid collector of old books, especially ones regarding Montana history. According to Kathryn, Gary loved Montana, and had the opportunity to collect a number of important pieces before his death, in 2013. Now, Kathryn and the Habedank family are working to put his legacy to work to help keep Montana history alive within the state. They hope Gary’s legacy will further Montana history education across the state, and they have started in the Bitterroot.

Much of Habedank’s collection came from a purchase of a large private library in 2005 from Jerome Cate. Cate’s collection included books by numerous prominent Montana authors, Montana history books, books on Lewis and Clark, Montana artists, state geography and much more. This purchase bolstered Gary’s already growing collection from works he bought online, and from used book stores. After his death, his family has been looking to do something with his collection. According to Kathryn, the family really wants to see the books stay in Montana, and they have reached out to several places, including the University of Montana, in Missoula, all of whom have been interested.

However, getting the books to the college has proven to be a challenge because the university wants to have access to the books, all scanned into a computer programl, so they can view them digitally. This will be very

difcult and costly for Kathryn, as she would have had to hire someone to scan them. Because of this, and the fact that they really want to get the books out there, she began looking around at other options.

One caveat with the collection came from its original owner. When Gary purchased the books from Cate, the former owner expressed a desire for all the books to stay together. This would be difcult, unless the entire collection was sold together. The Habedank family felt the next best thing was to keep them in Montana, and to get them to places that would most appreciate them. After Gary died, Kathryn said she had a difcult time fnding out what to do with his collection of books, which numbered over 600 individual books. Some of the books are quite old, being original and quite valuable.

After speaking with several locals, including Beverly Welling, owner of Beverly’s Books, and Jane Lambert, author of the book “Charlie Russell: The Cowboy Years,” it was suggested that Kathryn look into donating some of the books to the local schools.

Lambert was the one who suggested the Stevensville school, and Welling was the one who came to see the books and discovered what Kathryn truly had. “She’s like a walking encyclopedia on books,” said Kathryn.

The suggestion to get them into the schools resonated with the Habedank family, who fondly remember Gary’s love for Stevensville. Gary was a retired businessman and fnancial advisor. According to his wife, he always wanted to write and got into purchasing the books to do research. Gary did end up writing numerous unpublished family letters in which she said he wrote elegantly on things he learned in his research.

vensville area, where Gary and a few friends of his became what Kathryn referred to as, “gentleman farmers.” However, she fnds it comical that she was the only one with any real farming experience, having grown up on a farm herself. She tells stories of how she often had to remind him of the things he needed to do to keep up their farm. According to her, he was also really well-liked among locals in the area, a lot of which had to do with him being from Montana.

According to Kathryn, the locals of the Stevensville area were always so friendly and would do anything for anybody that needed it in the community. Because of this, Kathryn contacted Stevensville High School, which was very interested in looking at the books. The principal at the time, Eric Larson, came out to look at the collection and Kathryn said, “They all were thrilled!” She then worked with the school librarian, Heidi Cohen, and donated 300 books to the school.

“He just loved Montana. He loved the land, he loved the people,” said Kathryn.

Gary grew up in Sidney, Montana, and he and Kathryn met at Pacifc Lutheran University, in Tacoma, Washington. She was a music professor there, and he was studying business. The two of them ended up traveling to several other schools, including a stay at the University of Montana, in Missoula.

In 1996, they purchased land in the Ste-

According to Cohen, “It was kind of cool to see the older rusty dusty books still have life in them,” once the books made it into the school. Kathryn also donated a historic work of art and a historic photo to the school library, which are currently displayed there. Of the books Kathryn donated to Stevensville, some seven of them are part of a volume set of originals about the Montana Constitutional Convention of 1971-1972. Gary had two of these complete sets, as his father had been one to attend the convention, as was the previous owner of the library, Cate. For Kathryn, “Anytime a state rewrites its constitution, it’s very historical.” She added, “Montana has quite the fne constitution, and many states have modeled their constitutions after it.”

Kathryn and Gary attended several convention reunions, where

they got to meet with and speak to some of the original delegates. “It’s fascinating to meet some of these people who rewrote a state constitution,” she said. Kathryn spoke about how hard the convention delegates worked to get everything just right, while sticking to the spirit of the state. Cohen keeps the convention books on the side, hoping one day to put them into a display as a set. After speaking with the librarian, Kathryn learned the school library did not have a budget, so she also donated money to help get more books for the kids. That money was used on modern books. For the librarian, it is always a challenge to get youth interested in reading books. According to her, the books they purchased with the donation were for “newer publications with cooler covers the kids might actually read.” When asked about the books she looks to include in the library, she explained that a lot of them come from suggestions and requests. She tries to give interested youth every opportunity to have what they want to read and might be interested in, as well as to have reference books they may need.

Though Kathryn and the family donated many books to Stevensville over two years ago, she is still trying to donate many more of the books. Her family still donates money to the school in the town Gary really loved. Kathryn and the family are still working to get the books into the University of Montana, and plan to reach out to other places to donate the books where they will do the most good. Though Cate’s dream of keeping the collection together may not be realized, he may be happy to know that they will likely stay together in the state and be a treat for future generations of Montanans interested in the history of their home.

Annie Vaughn, Kathryn Habedank, Silke Olsen and Lexie Olsen at the Stevensville High School Library. Photo courtesy Kathryn Habedank.

Gary Habadank. Photo courtesy Kathryn Habedank.

Hamilton considers way forward after wind storm

by Nathan Boddy

The Hamilton City Council heard a variety of reports from city department heads when they gathered for their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 3. Less than two weeks prior, on Friday, August 23, Hamilton and surrounding areas of Ravalli County were battered with winds gusts of up to 82 miles per hour, causing widespread damage, cutting power and sending branches and whole trees to the ground. Consequently, much of the council’s discussion revolved around debris cleanup, and charting a way forward.

Tyrel Woods spoke on behalf of the fre department, stating that, on the evening of the storm, it responded to 19 calls in a two-hour period, acting in concert with the city police department, public works, and the Ravalli County Sherif’s Ofce.

“It was kind of chaos there for a moment,” he said, noting that county dispatch had gone silent for a bit during the storm. Acknowledging the scale of damage, he added, “I’m really surprised there wasn’t any injuries or fatalities.”

Public Works Director Donny Ramer informed the council that his crews have already removed

Amy Fox, Director of Parks and Urban Forestry, told the council that she estimates approximately 25% of the city’s trees sustained some level of damage. She also gave the council an estimated breakdown of costs associated with the storm, which included debris removal, trimming and pruning, as well as complete removal of some trees that have been damaged beyond hope. Her estimate also includes some repair of city property, addressing safety concerns of broken limbs hung up within branches, and replanting trees where possible. The total cost, she calculates, falls between $289-300,000.

“It’s defnitely not what we have accounted for in our normal budget,” she said.

With such a large, unanticipated fnancial strain, the city is in search of ways to fund the eforts. During the wind event, Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf drafted an emergency proclamation in concert with city attorney Karen Mahar.

The Bitterroot River Protection Association has been monitoring the water quality in the Bitterroot River Watershed annually since 2017. The river and its tributaries are the life blood of the Bitterroot Valley. If you want to help keep a finger on the pulse : VOLUNTEER

NOW!

A volunteer training session has been scheduled for Thursday April 18, 2024 at Bell Crossing at 11:30 am lasting a couple of hours. Officials from the Flathead Lake Biological Laboratory and Montana Department of Environmental Quality will instruct new volunteers in nutrient collection protocols. It also serves as a great refresher course for experienced volunteers. Another session will be held at a nearby stream with refreshments served 2:00 pm to get a lesson on taking stream flow measurements. Anybody is welcome to attend and it does not entail any commitment to the sampling program.

a Presidential declaration for funding from FEMA. In this case, certain loss thresholds would have to have been met by both city and county. In the case that the FEMA disaster relief is not possible, the city would still have the option of seeking state funding. State disaster relief funding would require a portion of match by the city, in this case an amount equal to a 2 mill levy, which would raise just over $29,000, according to Mahar. Mahar said that the city will test the FEMA option before considering

somewhere between 200 and 250 cubic yards of debris, adding, “we’re probably not even halfway there.” Ramer pointed out that his crews still have their ongoing obligations to attend to, and are collecting debris as they are able.

will instruct

The Bitterroot River Protection Association has been monitoring the water quality in the Bitterroot River Watershed annually since 2017. The river and its tributaries are the life blood of the Bitterroot Valley. If you want to help keep a finger on the pulse :

If, after your introductory lessons, you are interested in sampling at any site(s) located at six bridges over the Bitterroot River or any of the sites located on Rye Creek, North Rye Creek, Skalkaho Creek, Willow Creek, North Burnt Fork Creek or Three Mile Creek you can sign up for the season or any portion of the season starting in early May/June and lasting through late October. The river is sampled twice monthly the streams are sampled once a month. It takes about one hour at each site. Stream monitors usually do two sites on a single stream in one day taking three and a half to four hours.

Mahar was present at last Tuesday’s meeting to explain that an emergency proclamation can be used as the frst step in searching for such funds.

collection protocols. It also

a great refresher course for experienced volunteers. Another session will be held at a nearby stream with refreshments

In addition to city crews, the Trapper Creek Job Corps sent a crew to Hamilton armed with a wood chipper to help lift some of the burden.

VOLUNTEER NOW!

2:00 pm to get a lesson on taking stream fow measurements. Anybody is welcome to attend and it does not entail any commitment to the sampling program.

Mahar said that the city has been working with Emergency Management Director at Ravalli County, Eric Hoover, to ascertain if their combined losses meet a minimum damage limit in order to apply for

If you have any questions or just want more details you can email bitterrootriverprotection@gmail.com or call or text Michael at (406) 239-4838

volunteer training session has been scheduled for Thursday April 18, 2024 at Bell Crossing at 11:30 am lasting a couple of hours. Officials from the Flathead Lake Biological Laboratory and Montana Department of Environmental Quality will instruct new volunteers in nutrient collection protocols. It also serves as a great refresher course for experienced volunteers. Another session will be held at a nearby stream with refreshments served 2:00 pm to get a lesson on taking stream flow measurements. Anybody is welcome to attend and it does not entail any commitment to the sampling program.

If, afer your introductory lessons, you are interested in sampling at any site(s) located at six bridges over the Bitterroot River or any of the sites located on Rye Creek, North Rye Creek, Skalkaho Creek, Willow Creek, North Burnt Fork Creek or Tree Mile Creek, you can sign up for the season or any portion of the season starting in early May/June and lasting through late October. Te river is sampled twice monthly the streams are sampled once a month. It takes about one hour at each site. Stream monitors usually do two sites on a single stream in one day, taking three and a half to four hours.

Donations to BRPA’s Bitterroot River Health Check Program are spent only on equipment, supplies, laboratory/data analysis and professional services when required. To donate go to www.bitterrootriver.org, click on Bitterroot River Health Check and click the Donation Button. Be sure to add in the note option under the amount: “Health Check program” OR make your check out to: BRPA- Health Check and mail it to: BRPA- Health Check, P. O. Box 8 Stevensville, MT. 59870.

If, after your introductory lessons, you are interested in sampling at any site(s) located at six bridges over the Bitterroot River or any of the sites located on Rye Creek, North Rye Creek, Skalkaho Creek, Willow Creek, North Burnt Fork Creek or Three Mile Creek you can sign up for the season or any portion of the season starting in early May/June and lasting through late October. The river is sampled twice monthly the streams are sampled once a month. It takes about one hour at each site. Stream monitors usually do two sites on a single stream in one day taking three and a half to four hours. you have any questions or just want more details you can email bitterrootriverprotection@gmail.com or call or text Michael at (406) 239-4838

To sign up or for more information, email bitterrootriverprotection@gmail.com or call or text Michael at (406) 239-4838.

Donations to BRPA’s Bitterroot River Health Check Program are spent only on equipment, supplies, laboratory/data analysis and professional services when required. To donate go to www.bitterrootriver.org, click on Bitterroot River Health Check and click the Donation Button. Be sure to add in the note option under the amount: “Health Check program” OR make your check out to: BRPA- Health Check and mail it to: BRPA- Health Check, P. O. Box 8 Stevensville, MT. 59870.

Donations to BRPA’s Bitterroot River Health Check Program are greatly appreciated. To donate go to www.bitterrootriver.org, click on Bitterroot River Health Check and click the Donation Button. Be sure to add in the note option under the amount: “Health Check Program” OR make your check out to: BRPA- Health Check and mail it to: BRPA- Health Check, P. O. Box 8, Stevensville MT 59870.

ANNUAL MEETING

Thursday, September 19 • 6:30-8:00 pm Bedford Building • 223 S 2nd St. • Hamilton

GUEST SPEAKER: Bitterroot National Forest Fisheries and Watershed Program Manager Brandy Langum

Langum will give a presentation on the activities and plans of the recently formed BNF Aquatic Team. Additional speakers will give brief presentations on the Bitterroot River Health Check Program Including updates on water quality monitoring data collection on: • Bitterroot River Mainstem Project 2019-2023 • Sapphire Front Project 2018-2023 • Bitterroot Front Project • Sheep Creek Mine – Refreshments will be served –

For more information contact Executive Director Michael Howell at 406-239-4838 or email: bitterrootriverprotection@gmail.com

Shane Clouse

Abve, City crews get an audience during their efforts to make Hamilton streets passable. Photo courtesy of Dan Mitchell.

At left, Crews from Trapper Creek Job Corps make quick work of smaller branches with their industrial wood chipper.

Photo by Nathan Boddy.

A large ponderosa sprawls across one of the buildings on the campus of Rocky Mountain Labs. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

FIRES: three big fres burning in ‘Root

take on initial attack responsibilities if new fire starts crop up with incoming thunderstorms in the area. Helicopters will be available to assist ground crews with water drops as necessary and as long as it is safe to do so. The fire will no longer be staffed by night crews due to a substantial decrease in nighttime fire activity.

Railroad-Daly Fire

The Railroad-Daly Fire on Skalkaho Creek confluence is being overseen by Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson as well. It is located 26 miles southeast of Hamilton. The fire started July 25 and its cause is still undetermined. The fire combined in size the 2,170-acre Daly Fire

and the 490-acre Railroad Fire. As of Monday, it had 33 total personnel working on it and it was 4% completed.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR.

At the end of your life, you will either go to Heaven or Hell.

According to the Bible:

In HEAVEN ——You will have perfect PEACE, forever!

In HELL ——You will have PAIN and TROUBLE, forever!

Enter into the narrow gate which is for the saved people. (Matthew 7:13) For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to Hell where you will never have peace. Most people will choose the wide gate! Don’t let that happen to you!

As of Monday, the Daly Fire was continuing to advance to the northeast towards Skalkaho Pass, with significant movement overnight due to gusty outflow winds. The fire has crossed north of Highway 38 on its northwest flank east of Gird Point. The fire will also advance into the previous years’ fire footprint as it progresses northward. Both fires have reached the fire footprint from last year’s Bowles Creek Fire. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees along the south side of Highway 38 to mitigate safety concerns for firefighters and members of the public when the highway reopens. Crews will also utilize previously constructed control lines in the Skalkaho Creek drainage. Thunderstorms passed through the Bitterroot on Sunday night, bringing wind gusts up to about 30 mph. However, the fire areas did not receive any measurable precipitation. Hot and dry conditions were expected to continue through the week, with temperatures likely remaining in the mid-70s, with relative humidities in the mid20s. The majority of the fires’ movement will be in the upper slopes where dry, subalpine fir has the potential to torch and cause short-range spotting up to a half mile.

Scripture about Peace (Isaiah 41:10)

“FEAR NOT —— for there is nothing to fear. For I am with you. Do not look around you in terror and be dismayed for I am your GOD. Yes I will strengthen you and harden you to diffculties - yes, I will help you.”

Get saved and know Jesus Christ as your Savior. Jesus will help you in this life and the next one.

In the coming days, precipitation is expected with up to 1 inch of rain possible in the fire areas. This wetting rain will likely hinder the fires’ ability to move substantially for a week or so or until fuels along the fire’s perimeter dry out. However, thunderstorms could potentially cause new fire starts.

Road Closures:

Magruder Fire:

Make alternate preparations if planning to travel on Magruder Corridor Road (#468).

The Magruder Corridor, Forest Service Road #468 from Magruder Crossing, including the campground, to Observation Point is closed as of today, Sept. 6, until further notice for public health and safety from the effects of the Magruder Ridge Fire.

For a digital version of this Order and map, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/ alerts-notices

Railroad/Daly Fires:

Make alternate preparations if planning to travel on Skalkaho Hwy.

An expanded road closure is in effect from Black Bear Campground on Skalkaho Hwy (Hwy 38) to the Skalkaho Pass due to fire activity on the Daly Fire.

Evacuation Status:

Johnson Fire:

Evacuation Orders for residents of Frog Pond Basin due to the Johnson Fire have been reduced to Evacuation Warnings. Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton said the Evacuation Orders for residents of Frog Pond Basin due to the Johnson Fire, have been reduced to Evacuation Warnings. Residents can return to the area but are advised to be ready to evacuate should fire conditions worsen. Evacuation Orders of Little East Fork Road have been reduced to an Evacuation Warning status. Residences in the affected area are returning to their homes.

Sharrott Creek Fire:

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has reduced evacuation orders for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott CreekFire to Evacuation Warnings. Download the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office app for information or call 406-375-6650. The Bitterroot NF has issued an area closure from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. See https://tinyurl.com/Sharrottclosure for the order and map. There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek.

Railroad-Daly Fire:

There are no evacuation warnings in place currently. The Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is closed from Black Bear Campground to the top of Skalkaho Pass. Gird Point Lookout is also closed. The Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions.

Can’t participate? Donate or

Rally your team! Form a team and participate

To create a team, please contact Amanda Fugina at (406) 375-4764 or amandafugina@biterroothealth.org.

Take your pick

I diligently watched both the Republican and the Democratic conventions and boy, howdy, am I ever glad that is over with!

There was lots of hype, razzle-dazzle happiness, joy, hand clapping, whooping and hollering in both parties.

I reckon that’s the name of the game, and all of that is to be expected, going along with the program as it happens to be.

There was such enthusiasm in the Trump/Vance camp. From a governing president of our homeland, they talked of the past particulars regarding his policies and the impact that had in both our country and our world.

Issues that are certainly verifable in one way or another, depending on who you are and how you perceive things.

Going forward, they spoke of the future and the specifcs of proposed strategies and plans of action with the efects and infuences that would come about.

In the Harris/Walz camp, there was certainly lots of excitement to be had.

In a similar way, as a governing vice president, they spoke of past accomplishments, tried and true, just look at the evidence and past performances. They also have great hopes for the future of our nation and the world.

Now, WE get to decide. Dear me, dear me! Is it as clear as mud? Naw, it’s not that difcult. You look into your HEART=SPIRIT ... or ... your HEAD=MIND. The heart and the head can have two very diferent views of the situation. Your moral conscience extends from your heart and then engages your mind to make a determination. There is quite a distinction and contradiction in perceiving things from a moral standpoint as opposed to a political frame of mind. That IS who we are, one way or the other. Is not your moral character supposed to determine your political position?

We shall see what we shall see. Won’t we.

I do believe I’d vote for my neighbor’s cat or donkey as opposed to voting for a continuation of these past three and a half years.

Emma Lou Elliott Stevensville

Support for Sheehy

I laughed when yet another political attack ad fashed on the TV screen. This attack on Tim Sheehy originated outof-state and was paid for by out-of-state lobbyists.

This particular attack ad featured spokesmen who said they were voting for President Trump, but then voting for Tester. Why? Senators from the “other” party stymie, back-stab, slow-down and refuse to act/vote on potential judicial or cabinet appointees. The people in Tester’s ad said they’re voting for Trump. I hope they realize how vital it is for Tim Sheehy, Montana’s next senator, to have Trump’s back.

Tester’s camp has no record to stand on. His votes were in concert with Biden-Harris 95 percent of the time. His votes on the fve trillion dollar bills that only Democrat senators voted for are responsible for 20 percent infation and gas doubling per gallon over the past four years. It’s why prices at Burnt Fork Market and Super One are as high as they are. Same with rent, motel rooms, veggies at farm markets, eggs and beef from local farmers, propane, utilities, insurance, fertilizer, fies, ammo, clothing, boots, etc. These high prices – caused by Tester’s votes – afect my cost of living as a Vietnam vet and impact every American.

Tester is doing everything possible to paint Tim Sheehy into a black hole. I asked Tim when he was here in Ste-

vensville about the attacks being aimed at him. Tim said he will not respond to Tester’s LIES. Instead he will visit people in every Montana county and share his story.

Tim Sheehy is a businessman, rancher, employer of hundreds including many vets, father of 4-6-8-10 year olds, pilot, Purple Heart vet and former SEAL commander, fghter for freedom and the Constitution and someone we should want representing Ravalli County and Montana in Washington DC.

My vote is for Tim Sheehy. Join me in doing what’s right for our state.

Jim Kalkofen Stevensville

Ode to Proposed Roundabout

Behold, the great roundabout, a ten-million-dollar spree, Where engineers conspired with Vision Zero’s decree.

A circle of confusion on Highway Ninety-Three, Where logic took a detour—did they even ask we?

A trafc light, they scofed, “That’s too mundane!”

“Why spend a million when we can spend ten?”—insane!

They sold us on safety, or so they proclaimed,

But the crashes will shift—diferent wrecks, just renamed.

The people of Ravalli, with common sense galore,

Signed petitions by the thousands, shouting, “No more!”

But the planners, bless their hearts, ignored the local cry,

“Who cares what locals think? We’ve got funds to justify!”

The engineers, with furrowed brows and a map in hand,

Admit the crashes won’t stop, just shift to diferent land.

A fender-bender here, a sideswipe there,

But who needs a simple light when chaos is in the air?

So let’s celebrate progress, as dollars swirl the drain,

In a roundabout that brings us only pain.

For in the end, what’s ten million to spend?

When all we needed was a light and some common sense, my friend. Bill Lussenheide Florence

Don’t waste your vote on mystery HD 88 candidate

If you are a resident of Montana House District 88, are you planning to vote for Glen Tate?

Who?

A fair question, since there is no one named Glen Tate on the ballot.

Except there is.

If you vote for Greg Overstreet, you are marking your ballot for a mysterious alter ego Glen Tate, a new immigrant from northwest Washington, an attorney who boasted that he “sued governments for a living” and describes himself as a political refugee.

When I hear the term “refugee,” a Russian-speaking lawyer who worked in the predatory loan industry and describes drinking in a swanky Seattle restaurant that features $105 shots of bourbon is not the image that comes to mind.

If this mystery causes you concern, you have a rock-solid option, Evan Schroedel, a Montana native, military veteran, retired railroad engineer and family man who will work hard every day in Helena to beneft Montana’s middle class.

Evan Schroedel deserves your trust – and your vote.

Wayne Adair Hamilton

Support for Busse

I don’t think Governor Gianforte cares about hard working Montanans. It would have taken one simple bill to head of the huge property tax hikes that property owners were hit with in 2023. The last four governors - two Democrats and two Republicans - fgured it out. They lowered the tax rate after the property tax appraisals came in much higher and, as a result, saved Montanans from massive tax increases.

Gianforte was told this would happen, but he chose to ignore it. Sure, he cut a few rebate checks to those who were able to sift through the maze of confusion before his deadline but many, including rental property owners, received zero in rebates.

On top of allowing higher property taxes, Gianforte also signed of on a bill that bans rent control, allowing landlords, including out of state corporate rental property owners, to raise rents whenever they want. Higher rent means renters need higher wages and when business owners have to pay more in wages they have to raise the prices of their products and services.

All Gianforte wants to do is play the blame game and point his fnger towards others for his disastrous infation - inducing policies. I don’t know about you, but I’m fed up with his excuses. That’s why I’m voting for Ryan Busse for Governor. Ryan’s a straight - shooter who’s tired of hearing about Montanans who have to leave our state because they can no longer aford to live here.

Unlike Gianforte, Ryan Busse cares about hard working Montanans and will fx this mess.

Jana Gorton Kalispell

Support for Farris-Olsen

Join me in supporting Erin Farris-Olsen for Montana Clerk of the Supreme Court! I’ve had the privilege of working with Erin both personally and professionally over the years, and I can attest to her unwavering competency, efectiveness, and work ethic. With over 14 years as a licensed attorney, Erin’s extensive experience includes serving as a Law Clerk for the Montana Supreme Court and managing six self-help law centers across the state. Her career has been dedicated to developing community-based, statewide solutions, driven by her steadfast belief that everyone deserves equal access to justice.

The Clerk of the Supreme Court may be a lesser-known position, but it is immensely important. As an independent ofce, the Clerk protects both the people and the Court. This role involves receiving and processing court flings, storing records, and facilitating key attorney proceedings, such as the swearing-in of new lawyers and handling attorney discipline. Clerks of court serve as a vital resource for anyone involved in a court proceeding, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. Erin truly believes that ‘The Court should serve all people, not politics.’ This principle guides her dedication to ensuring that the Clerk’s ofce remains a fair and impartial resource, protecting the rights of everyone who interacts with the judicial system.

Hannah Gimpel Hamilton

Bridger Aerospace scandal

Let’s do the math. How much is

134,000,000 divided by 6? Did you get 22.333+?

$134,000,000 is how much Tim Sheehy’s Bridger Aerospace spent buying back shares of its Preferred Legacy Stock (PLS) from early investors. 6,000,000 is the number of PLS shares Tim Sheehy’s Bridger Aerospace bought back. $22.33 is the average price paid by Tim Sheehy’s Bridger Aerospace for each PLS owned by an early investor. Today, it (BAER/Bridger Aerospace) is trading at under $2/share, under 10% of the price Tim Sheehy paid to his early investors not quite a year ago. Next, let’s tackle the thorny part. Who held the PLS Tim Sheehy’s Bridger Aerospace bought back at an average price of just over $22.33 per share? Did Tim Sheehy himself hold any PLS? Members of his household? His brother? Current or former employees? Close friends or more distant relatives?

Normally in Montana reporters or even just a member of the public can ask these types of questions and get an answer from a candidate for public ofce. Honesty and transparency are Montana Values enshrined in the New Constitution we adopted more than 50 years ago. They are norms which are grounded in the lessons we learned from our history, the legacy of Copper King Corruption. But not since the transplants took over Montana. Sheehy’s campaign manager does not share these values. He’s a New Jersey native. As Governor Gianforte’s Strategic Communications Specialist, he ended up on the losing side of at least fve lawsuits fnding the body slamming New Jersey native, ex-congress person had violated Section 9 of Montana’s Constitution: The Public Right to Know. No, Jack O’Brien, Tim Sheehy’s campaign manager, refuses to permit him to be interviewed by the media, make unstructured public appearances, and answers documented news stories about Sheehy’s lies with avalanches of ad hominem, red herring, guilt by association fallacies. Even the college he attended costs north of $81,000/year, at least some of its graduates are not aware these errors are sins in political rhetoric. Jim Parker Hamilton

Are you better of?

Are you better of due to the 4 year 6 million plus continuous tax dollars being spent by the State of Montana trying to limit your access to the ballot box and the citizen initiative process? (https:// montanafreepress.org/2024/08/30/ secretary-jacobsen-seeks-u-s-supremecourt-action-on-2021-montana-election-laws) Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen’s appeal to the US Supreme Court of same day voter registration and paid ballot collection is the latest wasted expensive litigation boondoggle.

To date restricting same day election registration, paid election ballot collection, early distribution of mail in ballots to minors, inactive voter signatures and new voter ID requirements have all been judged unconstitutional by the Montana Supreme court. Secretary of State Christi Jacobson and Attorney General Austin Knudsen have hired a Virginia law frm to further waste money appealing to the US Supreme Court. Why should taxpayers continue to pay for this lost cause campaign year stunt?

Neither Christi Jacobsen nor Austin Knudsen should be re-elected.

Jesse James Mullen, candidate for the Secretary of State and Ben Alke, candidate for Attorney General, are the fscally responsible protectors of your voting rights and taxpayers’ pocket book deserving of your vote.

Archie Thomas & Merry Schrumpf Corvallis

A Course of Love study group

Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480

Florence American Legion

Florence American Legion Post

134 is having a free pancake breakfast on the frst Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Hall.

Yoga for Veterans

FREE to veterans, frst responders, and their families! Tuesdays, 1-2pm at the American Legion Post 94 in Stevensville Register at: redwillowlearning.org OR call 406-530-7175. Come see us on 1st Friday in May ‘bout 1800 for more info! We’ll be in front of Active Care Wellness on Main in Stevensville.

MS Support Group

Bitterroot MS Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gallery room at the Cofee Cup Cafe in Hamilton, 500 S 1st Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Have a slice of pie, dinner, or just come to chat with others about living with Multiple Sclerosis. This is a positive and uplifting group that holds open discussions, and the occasional guest speaker. Find more information at www.nationalmssociety.org or contact Jackie Peterson, (970)518-293, jackierpeterson@gmail. com

Bitterroot Celtic Society

The Bitterroot Celtic Society meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-proft organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.

Hamilton school board

Governance Committee Meeting

Thursday – October 3, 2024

12:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room

The Committee will be conducting

this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube. You are encouraged to join the meeting at: https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday – October 8, 2024

6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room

The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube. You are encouraged to join the meeting at:https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg

North Valley Library

Fiber Arts Club - Thurs. Sept 5 at 12pm

Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting, embroidery, hand sewing, or quilting?

Bring your work-in-progress, problem piece, or brand-new pattern and enjoy the company of like-minded crafters during this informal Fiber Arts Club. All experienced levels welcome.

Library Board Meeting – Wed. Sept 11 at 3pm

Meetings are open to the public.

Agendas and the Public Participation are posted on the Library’s website. If you are a member of the public and are unable to attend the Board meetings, the Board would still like to hear from you. Please email the Director at denisea@northvalleylibrary.org or you can email board members directly. A link to Trustee contact information can be found at Montana.Gov. Myth & Fairytales – Thurs. Sept 12 at 6pm

This is the 2nd part of the series but if you missed part 1, that’s ok! Tonight we will look at the archetypes, story patterns, and interpretations of fairytales, as well as sample fairytales from around the world. Zoom option available.

Role-Playing Games for Teens –Tues. Sept 17 at 4pm Enter the exciting world of RPGs! New campaigns are beginning now for ages 12-18.

Flu shot clinic

Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street, will have Valley Drug giving fu shots at 11:30 a.m. on September 11th. Bring your insurance information.

Lone Rock Park Board

Lone Rock Park Board will meet Wednesday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m. at 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery

Road. Stevensville. Public welcome.

Wings Program beneft

Join the Wings Programs Equine Rescue and Sanctuary on Saturday, September 21 from 12-4 p.m. for the annual Art in the Barn Open House and Fundraiser. There will be art for sale, pictures and activities with mini-horses, a live painting demo, snacks and drinks, a silent auction and rafe, kids activities, adoptable kittens from the Heidi’s Kittens rescue and more! Bring the family to meet the rescue horses and donkeys and support a local non-proft that supports the equine community in the Bitterroot Valley. Wings is located at 208 Rusty Spur Way in Corvallis, on the big S-curve.

Victor Museum Ice Cream Social

The Victor Heritage Museum has rescheduled the Ice Cream Social and 35th Birthday Celebration for September 21st. The 21st is also Homecoming day for Victor School. The Museum will be open immediately after the Parade, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Out West Wagons’ horse-drawn wagon will be in the Parade for the Museum. Afterwards they will be giving wagon rides around Victor until around 2 p.m. Come to the Museum to help celebrate with cake and ice cream, then enjoy a wagon ride. The Museum is on the corner of Main & Blake Streets in downtown Victor. Call Suzanne Tout at 406-381-8861 or the Museum at 406642-3997 for more information.

Roundabout meeting September 25th at 11 am, meeting with the Commissioners, at the Commissioners meeting room. Anyone is welcome to attend. 215 S. 4th St STE A, Hamilton.

Mature driver safety course

Bitterroot Health Daly Hospital, located at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, is hosting an all new AARP Driver Safety Course on Friday, September

27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This safe driving course is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The program features new laws and up-dates specifc to Montana, Defensive Driving, Winter Driving, new Vehicle Technologies to name a few. Class size is limited; pre-registration is advised. There are no tests or written exams and Montana mandates insurance discounts for qualifed drivers. Certifcates are now good for three years! Class fee: $20.00, AARP members; $25.00, for non-members. For class sign up, call Hamilton Insurance at 406-3636583. For further information, call Thom Ainsworth, Instructor, at 406-369-0149.

NV Library beneft book sale

The annual Big Book Sale to beneft the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville will be held the frst weekend of October in the library Community Room.

The sale will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. The best selection will be available on Oct. 4, and books will be priced accordingly. Prices will be lowered on Oct. 5, and a “bag sale” is planned for the last 90 minutes of the sale on Oct. 5, with a bag of books selling for $10.

Book donations will be accepted in the Community Room of the Library on Oct. 2-3, from 3 to 8 pm each day. Textbooks, magazines, and VHS tapes will not be accepted. The NVPL Foundation and Friends of the Library are presenting the sale.

The library Community Room is located at 208 Main St., Stevensville. For more information, contact Carla at (406) 777-7318.

Vendor registration St. Mary’s Christmas Craft Sale Event “Fall Into Christmas” will be held Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. in Stevensville. If interested as a vendor or a volunteer, contact Phyllis Rogers Green by email at bitterrootcraftdesign@gmail.com.

Bitterroot Valley Chorus This will be the 52nd consecutive year of the Bitterroot Valley Chorus providing our traditional gift of a Christmas concert to the Bitterroot valley community. Monday night rehearsals begin Sept. 30 at 7:00 pm in the Hamilton High School choir room. Concert weekend is Dec. 14,

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Sports Stevensville soccer loses legend

Ralph Serrette, Stevensville’s longtime men’s head soccer coach, died on Wednesday, September 4 at the age of 77. Serrette and Stevensville Soccer have been intertwined for the last 30 plus years. Serrette started coaching the Stevensville High School boys team in 1995 and has been the program’s only head coach.

Serrette was a coach for Stevensville Club Soccer before being the high school coach and has led the club ever since. He organized years’ worth of tournaments, fundraisers, trips, team rosters, and took meticulous care of the soccer complex. Generations of Stevensville’s youth have been positively infuenced by Serrette’s dedication to soccer.

“It’s been hard for everyone,” said C.J. Clark, Stevensville’s assistant boys head coach under Serrette since 2020. “Ralph is Stevensville soccer. He did so much for the team and for soccer in Stevensville. The felds were his frst home, and his place in Missoula was his second. He handled everything with the felds, organized the watering, organized the mowing, put the lines on the feld. He literally ate, slept and breathed Stevi Soccer.” Clark also played for Serrette in club soccer growing up, and also coached diferent Stevensville club teams.

in the Montana Youth Soccer Organization.

A statement by the Helena Youth Soccer Organization sums up Serrette’s infuence.

“Ralph was a major force in Montana soccer, serving as a referee, club coordinator, referee assignor, and tournament director.”

Serrette was originally from Trinidad, where he was the youngest of six children. He attended high school in New Jersey, then served a three-year stint in the Army before moving to Missoula to play club soccer at the U of M.

Serrette coached his last game on Tuesday, September 3, against Whitefsh, the defending state champions. The ‘Jackets lost, 4-5, in a hard-fought match.

Beyond Stevensville, Serrette and soccer in Montana have been entwined for 50 plus years. Serrette came to Montana in 1970, where he played for the University of Montana club soccer team and began ofciating soccer, and over the years he was heavily involved

Dave Gross, Stevensville’s girls soccer head coach, said, “I have known Ralph on all sorts of levels: I was his assistant coach, I was a soccer ref with him, I traveled to matches with him, I taught soccer clinics with him, I was a roommate with him on trips, I interacted with him as a parent when he coached my son. I talked with him daily. He is one in a million. It is not an exaggeration to say

that from the time he woke up, until the time he went to bed, everything he did was for the beneft of the Stevensville community and the Stevensville soccer program.”

Bitterroot Football Roundup

The Darby Tigers improved to 2-0 for the season with a thrilling 36-34 road victory over Plains on Friday, Sept. 6th. The Tigers were down 14-34 at halftime, then came roaring back, scoring 22 unanswered points to get the victory. To end the game, the Tigers blocked a feld goal as time ran out to secure the win.

Darby’s McCoy Townsend rushed for 143 yards, had 64 receiving yards and had 5 total touchdowns. Eli Jones also rushed for 100 yards. Jordan Browning passed for 75 yards and a touchdown. Darby hosts Bitterroot Valley foe Victor for their Homecoming game this Friday.

The Florence Falcons got back to their winning ways by defeating Townsend 31-14 on Friday, Sept. 6 in Townsend. The Falcons are now 1-1 on the season and face a strong Huntley Project team this Friday in Butte.

The Victor Pirates were defeated 0-52 by Seeley-Swan on Friday, Sept. 6. The Pirates will make the trip south

this Friday to take on Darby.

The Stevensville ‘Jackets were defeated by the defending state champion Beavers 55-0 on Friday, Sept. 6th in Dillon. Dillon jumped out to a 35-0 frst quarter lead and coasted to the victory over the young Stevi squad. Stevensville will host Browning this Friday.

In a bit of a surprise, Corvallis was handily defeated 42-0 by the Frenchtown Broncs in Frenchtown on Friday, Sept. 6. Frenchtown led 14-0 after the frst quarter and 35-0 at halftime to stun the Blue Devils. Corvallis has no time to rest as they head north on Friday to face a strong Whitefsh team.

The Hamilton Broncs traveled to Butte Central on Friday and lost in overtime to the Maroons 21-22. The Broncs had a chance to win the game after scoring a TD in overtime, but their 2-point conversion attempt fell short. The Broncs will travel to Bigfork this Friday to take on the Vikings.

“The guys just played an emotional game on Tuesday, going toe to toe with one of the top teams in the state in Whitefsh,” said Clark, “Then the next day, Ralph was gone. So for me and the players it has obviously been tough.”

Stevensville’s home game on September 7 was canceled due to the smoke levels. Stevensville’s next game is scheduled in Stevensville against Corvallis on Thursday, Sept. 12. It will be the frst time in the history of Stevensville boys soccer that Serrette hasn’t been involved, and the school and team will honor Serrette before the game.

“The smoke has made it hard,” said Clark, “because everyone just wants to keep going. Everyone knows that Ralph would want us to get on with it, and just keep pushing forward. So I think everyone will be able to process it better once we start playing again.”

Condolences and online tributes for

Serrette have come from all corners of the state highlighting his impact. At the Corvallis and Hamilton boys game on Thursday, Sept. 5th, both teams formed a circle at the center of the feld and maintained 34 seconds of silence for Serrette’s 34 years of soccer service in the Bitterroot Valley. In Helena, the Helena Youth Soccer Organization honored Serrette on Saturday, Sept. 7th by having a moment of silence before every match on all the felds.

“He didn’t have kids himself,” said Gross, “but all of us were his family. He had an unrelenting passion to help Stevensville and the kids of Stevensville. We were extremely lucky to have him. He set the bar high. And now that he is gone, the rest of us will have to step up to fll the void and maintain what he built.”

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial for Ralph Serrette on Sunday, September 15th at 6 p.m. at the Stevensville Soccer Complex on ALC Way. A GoFundMe page titled “Ralph Serrette Memorial Fund” has been set up to help cover the cost of the Memorial.

Hamilton

fag football wins again

The Hamilton flag football team won both of their games in East Helena on Saturday, September 7. They beat Butte High 31-0, then defeated Helena 19-6. The team plays at Glacier on Tuesday, Sept. 10 and at Mission on Friday, Sept. 13

Hamilton 31, Butte High 0

HAM - Mariah Johnson 1-yard

TD Run (extra point good - Aubrey Korst Run)

HAM - Mariah Johnson 5-yard

TD Run (extra point no good)

HAM - Aubrey Korst 7-yard TD

Run (extra point no good)

HAM - Mariah Johnson 10-yard

TD Run (extra point no good)

HAM - Kari Hattlestad 61-yard

TD Run (extra point not attempted)

Hamilton 19, East Helena 6

EH - Ivers 74-yard INT Return for TD

HAM - Mariah Johnson 20-yard

TD Pass to Tallulah Pinjuv

HAM - Aubrey Korst 3-yard TD

Run (extra point good - Codie Clark to Reagan Burrows)

HAM - Mariah Johnson 1-yard

TD Run

Photo by John Fecteau.

Photo by Natalia Johnson.

Photo by John Fecteau.

Sports Broncs bounce Blue Devils

On Thursday, September 7th, the Corvallis and Hamilton boys and girls soccer teams played in Corvallis. Both of the matches were hard-fought and all four teams competed well, but, in the end, Hamilton dominated both matches with the boys winning 7-0 and the girls winning 9-0.

In the boys game, for Hamilton, Marian Sasse and Dane Hayward each had 3 goals, Haven Osher had a goal, Zach Olbricht had 4 assists, and Marihas Osher had an assist.

In the girls game, for Hamilton, Greta Gantz had 3 goals, Ellie Hughes had 3 goals, Hannah Hughes had 2 goals and an assist, Anna Lewis had a goal and an assist, and Victoria Stuart, Ayami Hanada, and Lauren Nelson all had assists.

Stevensville soccer at Whitefsh (under the Corvallis/Hamilton soccer story)

The Stevensville boys and girls soccer teams had a tough week with the passing of longtime boys head coach Ralph Serrette on Wednesday, September 4th (see related story). The teams played one game last week as they went to face traditional power Whitefsh on Tuesday, Sept. 3. In the girls game, the

Corvallis golfers win at Bigfork

The Class A Bitterroot Valley golf teams of Hamilton, Corvallis, and Stevensville were at Bigfork on Thursday, September 5 for a one-day tournament.

In the boys team standings, Corvallis took 1st place, winning by 11 strokes, while Hamilton

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took 6th and Stevensville took 11th. In the girls team standings, Hamilton took 3rd.

Individually for the boys, Corvallis’ Brady Powell took 2nd, shooting a 4 under 68. Hamilton’s Tyce O’Connell shot a one under 71 to take 3rd. Hamilton’s Josh Bender tied for 5th with a

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73. And Corvallis’ Tate Jessop tied for 7th with a 75. Individually for the girls, Hamilton’s Cameron Burnett shot an 83 to tie for 3rd, while Heather Beerman tied for 11th, and Bryn Cianflone tied for 18th.

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Lady ‘Jackets were defeated 0-8. The boys lost to Whitefsh 4-5, despite playing down a man in the second half. For Stevensville, David Beames had 2 goals, Evan Montague had a goal and an assist, Anton Ptok had a goal and an assist, and Mario Garcia and Silas Seibert each had assists.

Above, Hamilton’s Anna Lewis (#12) and Corvallis’ Anya Hammill (#1) battle for the ball in Hamilton’s 9-0 victory in Corvallis on Thursday, Sept. 5 in Corvallis. Photo by Scott Sacry.

At left, Corvallis’ Colt Heiland (#11) and Hamilton’s Zach Olbricht (#2) fght for the ball in Hamilton’s 7-0 victory over Corvallis on Thursday, Sept. 5 in Corvallis. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Ralph Alanzo Serrette was born in Trinidad, the southernmost island country in the Caribbean on February 5th of 1947 to Joseph and Clotilde Serrette. Ralph was the youngest of 8 children: Horace, Irma, Desmond, Michael, and the triplets : Junior,Joyce and Joycelyn. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Horace, Irma, Michael, and Joycelyn.

At the urging of his minister Ralph’s mother allowed him to come to the United States at the age of 13 to attend a Christian private high school in New Jersey. After graduating from high school Ralph joined the Army where he served three years gaining his citizenship which he treasured.

After his service, Ralph joined an Army buddy in Missoula where he attended the University of Montana and earned a bachelor degree in Botany.

It was there that Ralph further developed his love for soccer with the men’s soccer team, boasting wins over Pacific Lutheran and Gonzaga University and winning the Northwest Intercollegiate Soccer League in 1972. In terms of his career, Ralph was a bit of a renaissance man. He worked for the forest service in Alaska, sold insurance, ran a soccer store, sold freworks,

and substitute taught school, but his primary love and interest was in coaching soccer. Ralph was also a highly re spected and skilled soc cer referee and blessed the entire state with his skills.

said of Ralph and his

Early this evening the air was pleasant.

The air quality index varied between moderate to good – stable enough for Jan to plan ahead, marinate some fresh veggies and chicken chunks for kebabs, throw them on the grill, and plan a pleasant outdoor meal.

Left in my hands, we’d have eaten cold tuna sandwiches indoors. It’s a good thing she’s more energetic and playful than I am these days. Smoke gets to me – and I become a house-bound creature of dour habits when enough wildfre smoke hangs in the air to shut down my breathing. I huddle indoors with a variety of room air flters, try to imagine what it would be like to go fshing, and grouse around because I can’t.

the water was low – uncomfortably low, for me. The upper Bitterroot drainage is also low and smoky. Pass.

That means, for the next few days, I’ll plan to fsh somewhere else. Fortunately there are plenty of options.

by Chuck Stranahan

The sky overhead was a shade of blue when Jan and I ate dinner, although the silhouettes of the Bitterroot Range on the horizon were a bit blurred in the lingering smoke. The mountains around our home in the middle of the Bitterroot Valley are pock-marked with fres.

I started to daydream, when I came indoors, about where to fsh. When I let the dog out, a couple of hours later, a blast of harsh smoke hit me in the face. In that instant my eyes burned. No, I thought to myself, I don’t want to get trapped outdoors by a sudden wind-shift bearing heavy smoke. Pass.

Usually this time of the year I like to go down to the Stevensville Bridge for a long morning and fsh the small black-bodied and silver-winged tricos that fall from delicately dancing swarms just a few feet above the wa ter. The fshing can last for hours. dies down, the fshing usually slacks of - but it can be fun for as long as it lasts. I was down by the Stevensville Bridge just a couple of days ago and

We’ve done well at Georgetown Lake this time of year. The smoke levels there have been clear enough. The fsh usually stay close to shore in the morning hours, and move into deeper water as the day heats up.

Damsel nymphs, stripped in erratic short jerks under the surface (experiment with depth and retrieve – spray your casts around) near the weedbeds have always done well for me

at Georgetown. This time of year I’ve also done well on small olive-gray nymphs, any size from #12 to #18, fshed on a slower retrieve near the weed-beds. To get tighter information on Georgetown before making the commitment to head over, I’ll call Flint Creek Outdoors in Phillipsburg at 406-859-9500.

Another option is to head east to the Missouri. Air quality in the area has been decent; again, I’ll check locally before I head out. The Mo typically yields some good fshing this time of year.

When the dry fy hatches seem a little of, you can usually fnd me doing one of two things: fshing a foating line, a long, light leader, and small mayfy or caddisfy nymphs under the surface if the wind is reasonably still, or when the surface line gets blown around and a good presentation gets troublesome, I’ll switch to a full-sink line and a streamer. If

the weed snag-ups aren’t too bad, I’ll start with the streamer rig – or maybe fsh the streamer on a sink-tip line. In the evening when it all settles down I’ll look for a caddis grab. This time of year on the Missouri they can be superb. I’ll dance a Caddis Variant on the surface if the big fsh are up and I’m into one nearly every time I get the cast in, but until then I’ll fsh a caddis emerger under the surface on a twitch-pause retrieve – and try to steel my nerves against overstriking. And at that, I’ll plan to get broken of a time or two. Those broad-shouldered Missouri River rainbows and browns can get aggressive, downright savage, on the take. I’ll slip-strike when I can, letting the line slide through my hands as I raise the rod.

To learn more about what’s happening on the Missouri, call Mike Bushly at his Trout Montana shop in Cascade, 406-468-9330.

ShrD-a Paloza!

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Legal Notices

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the Name Change of Sarah Ruth Grifn Nelson, Sarah Ruth Grifn Nelson, Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-24-315

Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change.

The hearing will be on September 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 13th day of August, 2024.

/s/ Howard Recht District Court Judge

BS 8-21, 8-28, 9-4, 9-1124. MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Daemin Lee Larson, Brandy Riddle, Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-41-20240000295-NC

Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Daemin Lee Larson to Daemin Bradley Riddle.

The hearing will be on September 18, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 30th day of July, 2024.

/s/ Paige Trautwein, Clerk of Court

By: Catherine di Gleria, Deputy Clerk of Court.

BS 8-28, 9-4, 9-11, 9-1824. MNAXLP

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ORVILLE ORIN WARNER, Deceased.

Probate No. DP-2024-88

Dept. No. 1

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that Laura Melis has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Laura Melis, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in care of Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

BS 8-28, 9-4, 9-11-24.

MNAXLP

Megan S. Winderl

CHOUINARD & WIND-

ERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 meganw@cwlawmt.com pleadings@cwlawmt.com

Attorneys for Co-Personal Representatives

MONTANA TWEN-

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT WILLIAM FROST, a/k/a BOB FROST, Deceased.

Probate No.: DP-41-20240000086

Dept. No. 1

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that the undersigned have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Melia Rose Frost and Autumn Lehua Frost, the Co-Personal Representatives, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C., 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.

DATED this 8th day of

August, 2024.

/s/ Melia Rose Frost /s/ Autumn Lehua Frost

CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C.

Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives By: Megan S. Winderl BS 8-28, 9-4, 9-11-24.

MNAXLP

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DUSTON WAYNE WEBB, Deceased.

Probate No. DP-2024-77

Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jennifer Shatto has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Jennifer Shatto, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in care of Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

BS 9-4, 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

Lewis N. Stoddard, Bar No. 60723896 Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C.

300 W. Main Street, Suite 150 Boise, ID 83702

Phone: 801-355-2886

Facsimile: 801-328-9714

lewis@hwmlawfrm.com

Attorney for Plaintif HWM File Number: MT21711

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT RAVALLI COUNTY

Greenspring Capital Management, LLC, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Administrator of RMH 2023-1 Trust, Plaintif, v. Unknown Heirs and Devisees of the Estate of Jonathan W. Guahunga; and Unknown Parties in possession of or with an interest in the real property commonly known as: 5770 US Highway 93 South, Sula, MT 59871, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE

Case No.: DV-41-20230000313-FO

Under and by virtue of a Second Writ of Execution issued in the above-entitled action on August 29, 2024, I am commanded to sell at public auction all of Defendants’ rights and interest to the below described property: TRACT 1 A parcel of land located in Section 27, Township 2 North, Range 20 West, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a point in the east line of U.S. Highway 93 a distance of 100.00 feet from centerline at Station No. PSC 1058 - 71.6, said point of beginning being South a distance of 2403.93 feet and West a distance of 272.93 feet from the north 1/4 corner of said Section 27; thence S. 61°12’29” East a distance of 263.67 feet; thence N. 87°32’07” East a distance of 253.45 feet; thence S. 78°10’17” East a distance of 266.44 feet; thence S. 55°08’07” East a distance of 181.70 feet; thence S. 07°34’05” East a distance of 310.63 feet; thence S. 26°09’37” East a distance of 521.59 feet; thence S. 12°57’57” East a distance of 351.74 feet; thence S. 13°49’48” West a distance of 282.84 feet; thence S 20°58’56” West a distance of 342.94 feet; thence S. 16°38’51” West a distance of 343.37 feet; thence N. 71°54’30” West a distance of 402.56 feet to the easterly line of U.S. Highway 93 at Station No. 1034+98.2; thence Northeasterly along a spiraled curve concave to the northwest the chord of which bears N. 16°19’38” East a distance of 509.81 feet to the beginning of a tangent curve to the west and having a radius of 1195.92 feet; thence

northwesterly a distance of 650.36 feet along said curve to Station No. 1046+21.4; thence northwesterly along a spiraled curve the chord of which bears N. 31°24’32” West a distance of 509.82 feet to Station No. 1051+21.4; thence N. 35°37’10” West a distance of 450.20 feet to Station No. 1055+71.6; thence northwesterly along a spiraled curve concave to the east the chord of which bears N. 31°21’20” West a distance of 287.94 feet to Station No. 1058+71.6; thence N., 67°25’50” East a distance of 50.00 feet along the radial line to the point of beginning.

EXCEPTING AND RESERVING THEREFROM all that portion of land in the SE1/4NW1/4 of said Section 27. ALSO FURTHER EXCEPTING AND RESERVING THEREFROM that portion of land in the W1/2SW1/4SE1/4 of Section 27.

Recording Reference: Book 133 of Deeds, page 445.

ALSO EXCEPTING AND RESERVING THEREFROM that portion of the SW1/4SE1/4 of Section 27, Township 2 North, Range 20 West, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana and being more particularly described as Parcel B, Certifcate of Survey No. 1277.

With a property address of: 5770 US Highway 93 South, Sula, MT 59871

Notice is hereby given that on September 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM on the front steps of the Ravalli County Courthouse at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 the above-described property will be sold to the highest bidder to satisfy Plaintif`s judgment, with interest and costs.

Date: 08/29/2024.

/s/ Sherif of Ravalli County, State of Montana By: Steve Holton **WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ANYONE INTERESTED IN BIDDING ON ANY PROPERTY NOTICED FOR SALE RESEARCH THE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO BIDDING**

BS 9-4, 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FY24-25 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 @ 6:30

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a public hearing on SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870 for the purpose of obtaining public comments regarding the preliminary FY24-25 Budget. Review of the Preliminary Budget will be available September 18, 2024.

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their opinions regarding the preliminary budget. Comments may be given orally at the public hearing or submitted in writing via email to townclerk@townofstevensville. com<mailto:townclerk@townofstevensville.com><mail to: Town of Stevensville, Attention Town Clerk, PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870 before 5:00 pm on September 26, 2024. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 406-777-5271.

Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk

BS 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Burnt Fork Water Commission will hold its fnal meeting of the 2024 irrigation season on October 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Jay Meyer’s shop (3651 Meyer Lane). Help fnding the meeting site will be available as you approach the address. If you have agenda items for the meeting, please call Jay Meyer at 406-2077808 before the meeting.

BS 9-11, 9-25-24.

PUBLIC HEARING

Annexation of Property Into the Darby Rural Fire District (Application No. 219) THE RAVALLI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM in the Commissioners Conference Room located at the Ravalli County

Administrative Center at 215 S. 4 th Street (3 rd foor) Hamilton, Montana. The purpose of this public hearing is to hear a petition by Vara McGarrell for Parcel #1052590; that her property be annexed into the Darby Rural Fire District with decision by Resolution.

BS 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Ronda Kaye Blatter, Ronda Kaye Blatter, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-24-338 Dept. s NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Ronda Kaye Blatter to Ronda Kaye Kulczyk.

The hearing will be on October 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County. DATED this 3rd day of September, 2024. /s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine di Gleria Deputy Clerk BS 9-11, 9-18, 9-215, 10-2-24.

OG-24-09-347

LEGAL NOTICE

The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on foodplain application FA-24-14 for work proposed within the FEMA regulated foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Chris and Tessa Lynn. The project is proposing to construct a residence, shop and associated site development on the Lynn’s property at 5562 Klements Lane, Florence, MT in Section 12, Township 10 North, Range 20 West, Ravalli County. The existing septic system will be disconnected from the existing residence and connected to the proposed residence. The existing residence which sits within a FEMA approved Letter of Map Amendment Envelope and is not within the FEMA foodplain will either be removed, converted into dry storage, or connected to a future septic system if possible. The project also involves improving the existing driveway and installing a new driveway to serve the proposed residence. All construction will be completed in accordance with the Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations. Detailed information regarding this application is available for review at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed ( planning@rc.mt.gov ) and must be received by September 25 th , 2024 (Reference Application #FA-24-14).

BS 9-11-24

MNAXLP

PUBLIC HEARING

The Town of Darby will hold a public hearing for the purpose of obtaining public comments regarding a proposed application to the Montana Department

of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and other programs, as applicable, for a wastewater system improvement project. At the public hearing, the proposed project will be explained, including the purpose and proposed area of the project, activities, budget, possible sources of funding, and if applicable, any costs that may impact local citizens as a result of the project. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to ask questions and to express their opinions regarding this proposed project.

Comments may be given orally at the hearing or submitted in writing before 5:00pm on September 25th.

Anyone who would like more information or who wants to submit suggestions should contact Paul Simonich, Triple Tree Engineering, (406) 431-8209.

The hearing will be held at: Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue September 24, 2024

6:15PM BS 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

PUBLIC HEARING

The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing for the purpose of obtaining public comments regarding the Town’s overall community development needs (public facilities, economic development, and housing needs), including the needs of low and moderate income persons. The Town of Darby will also seek the views of citizens on the activities that should be undertaken to meet the identifed needs and their relative priority. The Town may apply for funding from the Montana Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program (federal funding administered by the Montana Department of Commerce) and other state and federal funding sources to deal with local housing, public facilities, or other community needs and would like comments or suggestions from local citizens regarding the Town’s needs and the type of projects which should be considered.

Comments may be given orally at the hearing or submitted in writing before 5:00pm on September 25th.

Anyone who would like more information or who wants to submit suggestions should contact Paul Simonich, Triple Tree Engineering, (406) 431-8209.

The hearing will be held at: Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue September 24, 2024 6:00PM BS 9-11, 9-18-24.

MNAXLP

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND LOCATION OF Montana Retail On-Premises Consumption Restaurant Beer and Wine License

WILSON CO LLC (Eric & Kylee Wilson, Owner(s)) has applied to transfer Montana

Retail On-Premises Consumption Restaurant Beer and Wine License No. 13-8706443-401 to be operated at AHAVA COFFEE, 515 Main St, Stevensville, Ravalli County. The public may protest this license transfer in accordance with the law. Who can protest this transfer? Protests will be accepted from residents of the county of the proposed location Ravalli County, residents of adjoining Montana counties, and residents of adjoining counties in another state if the criteria in 16-4207(4)(d), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), are met. What information must be included? Protest letters must be legible and contain (1) the protestor’s full name, mailing address, and street address; (2) the license number 13-870-6443-401 and the applicant’s name WILSON CO LLC; (3) an indication that the letter is intended as a protest; (4) a description of the grounds for protesting; and (5) the protestor’s signature. A letter with multiple signatures will be considered one protest letter.

What are valid protest grounds? The protest may be based on the applicant’s qualifcations listed in 16-4401, MCA, or the grounds for denial of an application in 16-4-405, MCA. Examples of valid protest grounds include: (1) the applicant is unlikely to operate the establishment in compliance with the law; (2) the proposed location cannot be properly policed by local authorities; and (3) the welfare of the people in the vicinity of the proposed location will be adversely and seriously afected.

How are protests submitted? Protests must be postmarked to the Department of Revenue, Ofce of Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, Montana 59604-5805 on or before September 28, 2024. What happens if the transfer is protested?

Depending on the number of protests and the protest grounds, a public hearing will be held in Helena or Stevensville. All valid protestors will be notifed of the hearing’s time, date and location. Hearings typically are scheduled within 90 days. A protester’s hearing testimony is limited to the grounds in the protester’s letter. Following the hearing, the Department of Revenue will notify the public whether the license transfer is approved or denied. How can additional information be obtained? The cited MCA statutes are online at leg.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/. Questions may be directed to Witt Williams, Compliance Specialist for the Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, at 444-3505 or Witt.Williams@ mt.gov. BS 9-11, 9-18-24. MNAXLP

Wildlife in the Bitterroot

by Michelle (Micki) Long

Driving back from a familiar hike in mid-July, I had to stop myself from singing, to the tune of a song from The Wizard of Oz, “Pikas and marmots and moose, oh my!” I was afraid that my song, refecting the wildlife we’d seen on our hike, would be so dorky that my dog Tess would scrunch down in her seat, embarrassed to be seen with me. But I was thrilled by seeing these animals.

Most Bitterroot residents and visitors recognize the value of the wildlife that lives in the Bitterroot National Forest and surrounding areas. Many, like me, thrill at the species they see while driving, hiking, biking, skiing, or otherwise spending time outdoors. And game species provide food for many residents.

statement is maintained:

1. Give a high priority for big game (primarily deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats) winter range restoration and adequate security habitat. Give special emphasis on control

fall within the normal range of variation.

10. The Forest should plan for and provide suitable habitat linkages, habitat connectivity, and habitat security across all spatial scales by combining areas managed for non-motorized recreation with designated Wilderness Areas, unroaded areas, WSAs, inoperable terrain, seasonal road closures, and mapped habitat security areas.

of invasive weeds as well as encroachment of native conifers.

In a May 22 column, I introduced Bitterroot Star readers to the Bitterroot Forest Collaborative and promised to present our Position Statements, one at a time, in future issues of the Star. These Statements are the products of years of research and discussion. The statements are far too long to present in their entirety, so in each column, I’ll present some recommendations from one Statement; you can fnd the complete Statements and Recommendations by following the link here: https://montanaforestcollaboration.org/app/ home/committees/bitterroot/

As you may have guessed, this column ofers recommendations from the Bitterroot Forest Collaborative’s Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Position Statement. The original numbering of the full

Considering change?

3. Maintaining and/or improving water quality should be a primary objective when planning and implementing forest management practices.

4. Where opportunity exists, timber harvest should be planned and implemented to extend streamfow and provide cooler water temperatures for fsh.

5. The BNF should provide wide streamside bufers and closed vegetation canopies over streams to improve cold water fsh habitat and provide movement corridors for wildlife.

6. Where suitable habitat exists, the Forest should encourage beavers to create dams to help prolong summer streamfow.

7. Within the intensively managed portion of the Forest, strive to provide a diversity of age classes in variable-sized patches distributed across the landscape. Specifc patch size and acreage can vary but should generally

11. Where non-motorized habitat is in short supply, establish new disturbance-free areas to meet wildlife movement and security needs.

12. The Forest should give management priority in management decisions to relatively rare and charismatic species such as bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears, fammulated owls, wolverines, and fsher as well as other species in decline, including songbirds.

13. The Forest should avoid or minimize disturbance of bird habitat, especially during breeding season. Snags should be left standing, as many birds use them for nesting. Snags in prescribed burn units should be protected from ignition.

14. The Forest should anticipate potential human conficts with fsh and wildlife caused by evolving technology (e-bikes and advanced forms of recreation) and mitigate or minimize conficts before they become impossible to resolve.

15. The Forest should anticipate increased conficts between trappers and non-consumptive wildlife enthusiasts and recreationists and restrict trapping in important wildlife habitats and popular recreation areas.

Pika. Photo courtsy Michelle Long.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) issued a thank you to those who attended the Bell Crossing Roundabout project open houses throughout July and August. Questions, comments, and concerns were heard, read, and strongly considered by MDT staf as a fnal design advances.

For those unable to attend, the project webpage at https://www.mdt. mt.gov/pubinvolve/bellcrossing/ has been updated to include display boards from the open house events, as well as simulations of the intersection.

“We had about 200 attendees across all three Bell Crossing open house events,” stated Bob Vosen, Missoula District Administrator. “It means a great deal that folks took the time to voice their concerns and ask questions. We hope to continue to provide background information and updates to the public as the project progresses.”

Throughout the course of the three events, MDT received a handful of similar questions and feedback from the public.

MDT stated in a press release that it aims to provide transparency and answer questions as thoroughly as possible. “We understand some oppose a roundabout at Bell Crossing and have also heard comments from those in favor,” stated the press release. “A roundabout is the safest solution that solves the issue of T-bone and serious crashes occurring at this location, and keeps trafc fowing on US Highway 93 (US 93).”

Here is a compilation of most commonly asked questions about the roundabout and MDT’s responses:

Q: Why didn’t I get a chance to vote on the selected design?

A: MDT seeks and considers public input on transportation projects, but voting is not part of the public involvement process. A crash trend was identifed at the Bell Crossing intersection. MDT analyzed why crashes are occurring, crash severity, and solutions to best address these fndings. When MDT had this information about the Bell Crossing intersection, we began providing the roundabout design as the best safety solution.

In some planning projects, where

multiple safe solutions are possible, we can consider community preferences. For this location there is only one design solution that best addresses safety to avoid T-bone (right angle) crashes and serious injury crashes.

When MDT reviews an intersection to determine if an upgrade is necessary, a signal warrant analysis is conducted using nationally accepted criteria that considers trafc volumes and crash history. When the analysis was conducted for this intersection, multiple volume warrants (related to the number of vehicles using the intersection at certain times) were satisfed. Therefore, both the trafc signal and the roundabout alternatives were initially advanced for further consideration. However, from a safety standpoint, the history of several addressable high-speed, T-bone crashes makes the roundabout alternative superior.

A Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersection (RCUT) alternative was also considered (this type intersection does not allow left turns). The RCUT’s acceleration/merge features are not cost-efective at this location due to the large right-of-way acquisition required. Furthermore, the RCUT does not address the crash history that a roundabout does. Also, the individual approaches onto US 93, both north and south of the Bell Crossing intersection, present additional confict points that result in diminished safety for highspeed merge lanes.

Best engineering practices show that the roundabout will handle the trafc volume and address the highspeed, high severity T-bone crashes that often involve injuries or, unfortunately, death. MDT’s responsibility is to choose the safest option when conducting a safety improvement project, even if it’s not popular.

Q: Emergency services use this route. Will a roundabout make it difcult for fre trucks and other large vehicles to safely travel through the corridor?

A: No. Roundabouts have been highly efective in other Montana communities similar to Victor in supporting Emergency Medical Services, large loads, and other oversized vehicles.

The roundabout will be designed for large trucks and frst responders. Numerous observations have shown that well-designed roundabouts support trucking operations and add benefts unique to truck operators. This roundabout will be designed specifcally for the types of trucks and large loads that will navigate it.

Operators often recognize the ease of entering a roundabout due to the one-way circulating trafc and no longer having to wait for a gap in two-way trafc (particularly in

multilane facilities). Slowing,

Q: How is this project being funded?

A: The project is funded primarily through federal National Highway and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds allocated to Montana, supplemented with matching funds from the Highway State Special Revenue Account.

Q: Why are you spending money on something the community does not want?

A: We recognize that a roundabout at this intersection is not popular with everyone. Our number one priority at MDT is saving lives. Bell Crossing crash data indicates that this intersection needs a safety solution that eliminates T-bone crashes, which can involve serious Injuries and death. A roundabout is the safest solution for this intersection.

Q: Are my property taxes impacted by this project?

A: No. This project is funded by federal funds and state special revenue funds (see question above). This funding has no impact on property taxes.

Q: Why don’t you reduce speeds throughout the area?

A: MDT reviewed trafc speeds while assessing the Bell Crossing project, and we’ve heard time and time again that drivers ‘fy through’ this corridor. Posting signage and lowering the speed doesn’t change driving patterns. A physical change in the roadway is needed to force slower speeds. Safety is MDT’s top priority, and a roundabout is the best engineering solution to reduce speeds. As such, no proposed regulatory speed reduction is planned at this time.

A roundabout introduces a forced speed reduction as drivers must navigate it between 15 and 20 mph.

The Bell Crossing roundabout project will include other features to help slow US 93 speeds when approaching the intersection. In addition to warning signage on approach from every direction, there will be chicanes. This curved alignment with medians forces drivers to signifcantly slow down before entering. An example photo of this is included below.

In a signalized intersection, drivers have the ability to run a red light and through an intersection at full speed. This Is not possible with a roundabout.

Q: Are roundabouts more expensive than a signal?

A: While the construction of roundabouts does require more of an initial fnancial investment, they ofer long-term cost savings compared to traditional signalized intersections. Roundabouts typically have lower maintenance costs due to the lack of signalization hardware and other components prone to wear and tear. Moreover, the safety benefts of roundabouts result in reduced healthcare costs associated with trafc crashes and fewer expenses related to vehicle damage and insurance claims.

Data shows the roundabout will manage projected trafc volumes

through the year 2045. A signalized intersection will not, resulting in spending additional tax dollars in the future when the intersection does not function well.

Q: People will be confused because drivers don’t know how to use a roundabout. How do you navigate a two-lane roundabout?

A: MDT is working to increase education on driving roundabouts including having roundabouts included on drivers’ tests. We recognize this is new to some, and MDT is working to educate the community further. This type of intersection is becoming more common throughout Montana and the United States.

More information on how to drive a two-lane roundabout is below. A two-lane roundabout is very similar to a single-lane roundabout.

As you approach a two-lane roundabout, slow down.

Choose the lane you need to travel in based on the exit you need to take.

If you plan to turn right, use the right lane.

If you plan to travel straight, use either lane.

If you plan to turn left, use the left lane.

Then, look left and yield to drivers inside the roundabout. Never change lanes once inside the roundabout.

Turn your blinker on as you exit the roundabout.

Q: What is “Vision Zero” and how does it relate to this project?

A: This is a statewide initiative with the goal of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana Roadways. There has been some confusion with Montana’s trafc safety Initiative and vision zero used in other forums. MDT’s Vision Zero initiative is not afliated with the Vision Zero Network. Vision Zero Network staf are not associated with MDT in any capacity.

MDT’s Vision Zero focuses on:

Education through training programs and activities, public information, and trafc safety outreach campaigns,

Enforcement of Montana’s trafc laws and deterrence including changing driver’s understanding of law enforcement, prosecution and adjudication penalties, and the impact on victims and survivor families and friends.

Emergency medical response to support the essential role of emergency services in reducing severity of injury outcome and to ensure technologies and systems are adequately funded and equipped to respond to crashes.

Engineering of Montana’s roadways to ensure best practices are implemented and maintained with safety as the priority.

At Bell Crossing, a crash trend was identifed that included fatal and serious injury crashes. Our goal through education, enforcement, emergency medical response, and engineering of the roadway is to prevent future occurrences.

WATER: reservoir dam tender says no more contract water

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fsh. Once the reductions start, each adjustment will be around 50 cubic feet per second (cfs), and changes will occur every three days until the outfows match the infows. They will release about 300 cfs into the river for the next 10 days. So far, they only have about 8,000 acre feet left to deliver.

The goal has always been to extend the normal season by about 30 to 40 days. That includes both the agricultural season as well as the recreational season. According to Iman, they were able to accomplish this and then some this year, reaching far beyond what was predicted early in the year.

In the end, the dam will always need to keep about 7,000 acre feet of water to maintain 15 to 20 feet above the intakes, which are all original. The reservoir holds around 32,000 acre feet in total and draws from a

drainage that covers over 50 square miles. In a season of regular snowmelt, the reservoir could be flled fve times over. However, it can only catch enough to fll once. The rest of the water fows over the top and down into the system.

The water from Painted Rocks Reservoir fows down the West Fork of the Bitterroot before combining with the East Fork to form the main stem of the river about four miles south of Darby. The water is measured at the dam when it leaves. Within eight hours, about 80% of the water will reach Darby, where it is measured again. The water will then be measured at Bell Crossing, where Iman says about 50% will reach. The major users are between those points, closer to Hamilton. All these users have head gates that allow the water to fow in

and irrigate their land.

These users all have water rights to the river, some going back as far as 1865, and as recent as 1905, and the river is not their only water right. “The water they buy helps the whole system,” said Iman. The users are all members of the Painted Rock Water Users Association. This is the group that purchases the 10,000 acre feet from the dam, and all users pay a fxed rate.

The money from the association and state FWP purchase goes to the DNRC to cover maintenance, operation and a fund saved in the case the dam needs future repairs. With the dam completely original, and having been built in 1938, this fund helps assure the dam can continue operation. Because of the water the users and the state pay for, “everybody gets enough

to get by,” though maybe not everything they want, said Iman. He added that it is only meant to “supplement river fow” throughout the season, allowing everyone to beneft. With current water rights, the water users could legally pull all the water from the river. However, the contract allows them to supplement their felds while the river continues to fow for everyone, including the fsh. The agreement safeguards a few extra weeks. When looking over the last year, and on to future years, Iman commented that this year reminds everyone why it is “extremely important that we are careful with use early on in the season.” Going into the fall, Iman said, fortunately, “The ag season is pretty much over.” As for the fsh, “Hopefully cooler weather and fall storms supplement the fow.”

CLIMATE: renowned doctor comments on issues

tion discovered by Keeling inspired the global scientifc community to ask more questions about humanity’s impact on the planet. Thinking back to when Keeling frst started collecting CO2 data in the 1950s, Running said, “no one thought globally about anything back then. We never had any satellites, so we never had a global view of the world. [Keeling’s work] was the frst evidence that humanity was having a global impact on anything. This CO2 record has been called the most important geophysical dataset of the century. It was our frst early warning that global warming was on its way.”

“Perspective is everything in climate science,” Running summarized, “and the scientifc perspective has broadened in recent decades to include observation of global trends. When we talk about climate, particularly global climate, we’re talking about global trends over decades… climate is the long-term view at the whole earth… When we think of the entire climate system, we look up at the sky. You can’t just measure atmospheric conditions and be looking adequately at climate because the big engine is the ocean.”

Above, The Keeling Curve is the record of the earth’s atmospheric CO2. Measurements were originally taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii starting in 1958. Graphic sourced from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Below, climate scientist, Dr. Steve Running, prepares to begin his lecture, “Climate Change: Real? Hoax,” at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 7, 2024.

Graphics displayed to the crowd represented oceanic warming and changing pH factors over time. “Every square meter of the entire planet is being loaded with extra watts per square meter of additional energy. That’s the greenhouse gas/global warming physics in a nutshell,” said Running. “Over this last 60 to 80 years, it is unquestioned that this is human-driven greenhouse gasses,” he said, adding that the recipient of most of this extra energy is the ocean.

From local to national climate change implications to advancements in scientifc data collection and renewable energy, Running touched on an array of topics attempting to cut through the Gordian knot of information that represents the topic of climate change. Data visualizations selected by Running showed humans produce more CO2 and greenhouse gasses than wildfres and volcanoes by a large margin.

Data from the 2017 Montana Climate Assessment indicated an increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation over the past several decades. Projections estimate this trend will continue.

America’s CO2 emission rates were also put on display, showing a downward trend over the last decade. Comparatively, China’s emissions continue to spike and have increased to more than the rest of the industrialized world combined.

Running took questions for nearly an hour after his lecture. Audience

members focused their inquiries not on questioning the data they were shown but on potential innovations, the efectiveness of current sustainable energy technologies, the issue of public trust in the scientifc community and perceived politicalization. They asked nuanced questions about global economic infuences on pollution, how to mitigate them and if those mitigations would realistically have to come about through global legislation.

Running appeared candid in his responses. When he thought certain climate change “fxes” were not efective. He touched on the abuse of the U.S. government grant system related to green energy and misapprehensions about the success of carbon-sequestration practices. While he ofered no “quick fxes” himself, the doctor did say he is more optimistic about the situation than he was fve years ago. Advancing technology will likely be easier than asking for a global cultural shift from humanity, he said, and seeing certain recent innovations gives him hope.

Photo by Sarah Glass.