Land transfer proposals don't tell the whole story

Springtime in the Montana legislature stirs hope for federal public land transfers in the hearts of some legislators.

House candidate Zinke wants locals to OK federal land plans

HELENA — Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke of Whitefish proposed Wednesday that federal land-management decisions must be approved by local government officials.

Flathead Land Trust completes conservation easement near Olney

In late December, Flathead Land Trust helped complete a significant conservation easement along the Stillwater River near Olney...

LETTER: Far-right begins propaganda to promote transfer of public lands

The onslaught of the far-right propaganda machine relative to the transfer of federal lands to state control has started in earnest. I am specifically referring to the far-right letter to the editor by Mark Agather in the April 24 Inter Lake.

Land Board OKs plan for Whitefish area

Hard work by the public and by a state agency paid off this week when the Montana State Board of Land Commissioners approved a management plan for the state trust lands near Whitefish.

Malia Renae Land

Malia Renae Land, daughter of David Land and Brandy Klein of Columbia Falls, was born May 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Transferring federal lands to state is bad idea

Public access to private timber land

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is again asking for public comments on the second phase of a conservation easement project with the Green Diamond Company, a timber company.

The Land Affair benefits open spaces, wild places

Flathead Land Trust is hosting The Land Affair again this year, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Federal lands must not go to the states

National forests and Bureau of Land Management lands belong to all of us. They do not and should not belong to the states in which they exist. These federal lands are much too important to be managed by state agencies guided by politicians. With federal ownership, each of us has a potential say in how these great landscapes are managed, no matter their location.

Legals October 21, 2018

No. 25707 NOTICE OF BOARD POSITION VACANCIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Flathead County is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in their community by filling vacancies on various Boards. Letters of interest are being accepted for a limited number of openings on the following Boards: Flathead County Board of Adjustment, Flathead County Planning Board, Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board and Zoning Commission, Whitefish City Planning Board, Ashley Lake Land Use Advisory Committee, Egan Slough Planning and Zoning Commission, Helena Flats Land Use Advisory Committee, LaBrant-Lindsey Land Use Advisory Committee, Little Bitterroot Lake Land Use Advisory Committee, Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee, Riverdale Land Use Advisory Committee, Rogers Lake Land Use Advisory Committee and the West Valley Land Use Advisory Committee. All positions are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE POSITIONS: Letters of interest (please specify which board/committee you are applying for) including name, physical address, mailing address, daytime phone number and qualifications should be submitted to: Angela Phillips Flathead County Planning & Zoning Office South Campus Building 40 11th Street West, Ste 220 Kalispell, MT 59901 All letters of interest should be received by 5:00 p.m. on November 09, 2018. For additional information and specific qualifications please call 751-8200 or visit our website: flathead.mt.gov/planning_zoning October 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28, November 4, 7, 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

Land trust idea worth exploring

As the battle cry for affordable housing intensifies in the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana, communities are looking for new ways to provide decent housing at affordable prices. They may have found the answer in a fairly old concept - community land trusts.

Public lands are national treasure

On Feb. 16 my wife and I attended the Public Lands Rally in Helena in the State Capitol rotunda. The rally began at high noon, but people started filtering through the doors well before that. Many sported posters and banners in support of keeping our federal lands in public hands. As the rally began, people continued filing into the room standing shoulder to shoulder. All the hallways, balconies and staircase were packed full.

Harrell Forest Community Trails open to the public

The Harrell Forest Community Trail system, a 238-acre recreational area outside of Bigfork, is now open to the public.

New land exchange proposal with Wilks ranch

GREAT FALLS, Mont.  — Montana’s largest landowner is proposing a new land exchange with the federal Bureau of Land Management after a previous one met opposition from hunters.

OPINION: Bullock's public lands agenda gets thumbs-up from wilderness group

Last month, two anti-public lands bills came up for vote in the House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C.

Work underway to build trail system near Bigfork

The Bigfork Harrell Forest Trails project, which at its completion will consist of 4.5 miles of single track trail alongside an existing two track road system, is expected to wrap up in September. The Flathead Land Trust, who owns the property, is spearheading the effort alongside other conservation groups.

OPINION: Support transfer of bison range to tribes

One of the core principles of Montana Conservation Voters is the protection of our public lands as well as access to those public lands. At the state and federal level, MCV has vehemently opposed efforts to transfer or sell-off public lands to state or private ownership or even to study these misguided proposals. Such an effort would certainly lead to loss of access to pristine public lands and likely mismanagement by states who are inexperienced at multi-purpose land management.

Zinke votes to prohibit federal land sales or transfer

U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., broke with a majority of Republicans Wednesday to vote for an amendment that would have prohibited the Department of Interior from large-scale disposal of federal lands.

Time to find a way to increase access to Montana state lands

It’s spring time in Montana and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in great abundance.