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Capitol Christmas
from 11-30-22 issue
housing Governor Gianforte selects Capitol Christmas Tree
from page 6
ments. The final Phase 2 report is due to be submitted to Governor Gianforte by Dec. 15, 2022.
Public input on the recommendations is an important part of developing the final report. As has been the case at all task force meetings, there will be an opportunity for public comment at the Nov. 30 meeting.
In addition, the task force has scheduled a dedicated public comment opportunity the evening of Dec. 7, 2022. The task force anticipates releasing its preliminary draft report in advance of that date to allow the public to review the draft recommendations and provide substantive comments for consideration prior to submittal of the final report.
More information about all upcoming meetings, including links to join meetings via Zoom, is available on the task force web page at: https://deq. mt.gov/about/Housing-Task-Force
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News from the office of Governor Gianforte
HELENA — In a Good Neighbor Authority timber sale area in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday selected the 2022 State Capitol Christmas tree.
“Harvested on our public lands, this Montana tree will be proudly displayed in the state capitol for Montanans to enjoy this Christmas,” Governor Gianforte said. “We look forward to welcoming folks in to see it.”
The 2022 State Capitol Christmas tree was harvested from the Rancho Deluxe GNA timber sale in coordination with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Pintler District, Sun Mountain Lumber, and Parke Logging, Inc. This marks the first time the capitol tree was obtained from a GNA timber sale.
BDNF District Ranger Cameron Raser provided a special use permit for the harvest, and Sean Steinebach, Outreach Forester for Sun Mountain Lumber, recommended the tree to the governor for harvest.
“I was excited to help select the Christmas Tree for the Montana Governor from a GNA timber sale on the BDNF in conjunction with the Montana Department of Natural Resources,” Steinebach said. “The effects of these timber sales for our communities and local economies is so important and impacts families throughout the year, but especially during the holidays.”
The Good Neighbor Authority allows states, counties, and tribes to enter into agreements with the Forest Service to conduct authorized restoration services on National Forest System Lands.
Increasing the number of forest acres treated in Montana, including through the use of the GNA, is a top priority for Governor Gianforte.
Christmas tree permits for national forest land are available at local Ranger Districts or online at: Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2022 holiday season are $5 a tree, with a limit of three trees. A small transaction fee is associated with the online platform.
Montanans are encouraged to participate in the unique tradition of harvesting Christmas trees from public lands to benefit forest health and resiliency and improve wildlife habitat.
COURTESY PHOTO Gov. Gianforte and representatives from BDNF, DNRC, Sun Mountain Lumber, and Parke Logging, Inc. pictured in front of the tree
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Permit required to salvage vehicle-killed deer, elk, moose and antelope
Entire animal must be removed by permit holder
News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks
HELENA — Anyone wanting to salvage a roadkilled deer, elk, moose are antelope must obtain a Vehicle-Killed Wildlife Salvage Permit. These are available at no cost and must be obtained within 24 hours of the time a person takes an animal into their possession. Permits are available either through law enforcement officers on the scene of collisions or online on the FWP website.
As a reminder, any salvaged animal must be removed in its entirety from the roadway by the permittee. The animal may be field dressed before it leaves the area but entrails or any other parts of the animal carcass must be removed from site to prevent attracting scavengers and predators.
Other things to keep in mind if salvaging a vehicle-killer animal: — Road-killed animals may not be tagged and possessed with carcass tags issued for the purpose of hunting. — Any person who is picking up an animal to be salvaged must comply with all highway rules and regulations while removing the animal. Vehicles shall be parked off the roadway and out of the line of traffic. The permittee acknowledges that collecting vehicle-killed animals on state highways is inherently dangerous and is undertaken at the permitee’s own risk. — A person may not kill an injured or wounded animal that they encounter for the purpose of salvage. A law enforcement officer may, however, when on the scene of a collision, kill an animal injured in the collision and that animal may be taken for salvage. — Meat rendered from salvaged animals must be used for human consumption. It may not be used for bait or other purposes. — Meat rendered from salvaged animals may not be sold.
Any meat that is unfit for human consumption or unusable animal parts must be disposed of at a legal disposal site. It is unlawful to dispose of animal carcasses or parts in or upon any highway, road, street, or alley or upon public property. It is also illegal to dispose carcasses or parts within 200 yards of a public highway, road street or alley or public property
For more information, visit FWP’s website: fwp.mt.gov/ buyandapply/vehiclekilledsalvagepermit
Commerce awards grants to communities
News from the Montana Department of Commerce
HELENA — The Montana Department of Commerce announced on Nov. 22 that more than $433,000 of grant funding has been awarded to grow and assist businesses in seven Montana communities, including two in the Flathead Valley. The job creation, planning, and workforce training grant funding is provided by Commerce’s Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF).
“We know that sustainable, good-paying jobs are at the core of creating financial resiliency for Montanans. That’s why Commerce will continue to assist local Montana businesses in creating more good-paying jobs for Montana workers,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “This BSTF grant funding will help these Montana businesses plan for future growth, generate new opportunities through workforce training, and create long-term employment for workers in these communities.”
BSTF Job Creation grants are awarded to local and Tribal governments to create good-paying jobs for residents. In addition to grants, BSTF also provides funding for loans. BSTF Job Creation grant funding has been awarded to:
Polson - Lake County received $202,500 of BSTF grant funding to assist Rocky Mountain Twist Corporation to purchase equipment that will enable the business to create 27 net new BSTF-eligible jobs within one year.
BSTF Economic Development Planning grants are awarded to eligible Certified Regional Development Corporations (CRDCs), as well as Tribal or local governments to assist with economic development planning efforts that promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. BSTF Economic Development Planning grant funding has been awarded to:
Ronan - Rocky Mountain Twist Corporation received $90,000 of BSTF grant funding to train up to 18 new full-time jobs within two years.
In 2021, the Flathead County Economic Development Authority received $175,000 of BSTF Job Creation grant funding to assist Nomad Global Communication Solutions (GCS) with the creation of 35 jobs. One year later, the company has successfully met that hiring goal.
“Over the past 20 years, Nomad GCS has desired to build partnerships with local organizations within Flathead County that help both the County and Nomad’s ability to grow. Our partnership with the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund has been a resounding success in achieving that goal,” said Nomad GCS Chief of People and Development Clay Binford. “The BSTF program has helped Nomad GCS add jobs that would have otherwise been financially more difficult to do. We have been able to bring on employees with higher paying wages and promote internal candidates faster because we can backfill positions by utilizing the BSTF mechanism. As we continue to expand our team in the future, we are excited about our continued partnership with the BSTF program to build careers in Montana.”
For more information about BSTF programs, contact Annmarie Robinson at the Montana Department of Commerce at 406.841.2250 or visit: business.mt.gov
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces that the application period to apply for a Shooting Range Improvement Grant is now open. Completed applications must be received no later than Feb. 1, 2023.
Montana’s Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to non-profit shooting clubs, organizations, local governments and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state.
To learn more about the Shooting Range Grant Program and to download this year’s grant application, visit FWP’s website at: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/ grant-programs/shooting-range.
Online registration is available at: funding.mt.gov. For information contact Seth McArthur at: smcarthur@ mt.gov or 406-444-3753.
Completed Shooting Range Grant applications can be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Shooting Range Grant Program, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
