10 minute read
Elk management
from 08-10-22 issue
Elk management group passes recommendations on to FWP
News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks
HELENA – After 10 meetings and much deliberation, the Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group has forwarded its recommendations to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech.
“I’m very impressed with the work that went into these recommendations,” Worsech said. “I asked the members to bring their own experience and creativity to help us advance potential solutions to issues facing elk management in Montana. Their recommendations are innovative, heartfelt and collaborative – all I could hope for.”
The citizen advisory group was formed this past spring after a call for applications. Nearly 300 people applied. Twelve members from across the state were appointed by Director Worsech and met for the first time on March 22. The remaining applicants served as a sounding board for advisory group members and provided feedback on the group’s work.
Now officially in the department’s hands, the recommendations will be assessed by staff for implementation feasibility, fiscal impacts and legal or other issues before all being released for public comment. Once the public has a chance to provide feedback on the recommendations and staff assessments, Worsech plans to present them to the Environmental Quality Council, an interim legislative committee.
The advisory group is one of three pieces of a larger effort aimed at improving elk management in Montana. The group was specifically tasked with developing a set of recommendations to address elk management issues and improve relationships between hunters and landowners.
The second piece of the process is the Private Lands/Public Wildlife (PLPW) committee, which is currently working on suggestions for the Elk Hunting Access Agreements Program, hunter ethics and education, and public access programs.
The third piece is the ongoing process of scoping for management objectives for the elk plan revision. Currently, FWP is collecting public feedback on what management objectives should be in hunting districts across Montana to inform the upcoming revision to the elk management plan.
The three separate looks at elk management in Montana will provide a variety of perspectives that will be critical moving forward.
“I wanted to get these efforts underway simultaneously because elk management in Montana presents such complex social and biological issues,” Worsech said. “Any similar solutions and ideas from these different efforts will tell me what elements have broader support. Each piece of the process will also raise unique ideas for improving elk management moving forward. That’s exactly the kind of comprehensive approach we need on the complicated task of managing elk in Montana.”
The Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group’s recommendations and staff assessments will come out for public comment in August. The next PLPW meeting is Aug. 24. The elk plan scoping meetings are ongoing with the plan slated to be out for public comment in spring of 2023 and finalized later that summer.
“I’ve insisted since becoming director at FWP that we needed to improve elk management both for hunters and for landowners. We’ve asked the public, and these groups in particular, for help and they’ve stepped forward in a big way,” Worsech said.
Clean up event to issue prizes
FLATHEAD WATERSHED AREAS — The Flathead Basin Commission, the Flathead Conservation District, the Flathead Rivers Alliance, the Flathead Lakers, and the Lake County Conservation District are co-hosting a cleanup event in the Flathead Watershed. The 2022 Flathead Waters Cleanup Event is a volunteer event to clean up trash in and around the waterbodies in the basin, including both Flathead and Lake Counties.
Individuals or teams of volunteers will sign up to collect trash and clean up any section of river, lake, creek, or pond. When they register, volunteers can select the area of interest to clean up through an interactive mapping feature on the event website. This will enable organizers to ensure that there is no replication and to track where cleanup efforts are taking place.
The event will take place on Saturday, Aug.13 from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m., with a celebratory afterparty and prize giveaway hosted at Sacred Waters Brewing from 4-8 p.m. The first 40 volunteers to fill out the registration survey will receive a meal voucher to be used at Sacred Eats during the afterparty. Prizes from our sponsors include: a half-day guided fly fishing trip, an evening sailing cruise, half-day rafting trips, camping gear, fly fishing gear, and tons of swag. Prizes will be given to the volunteers that collect the most trash, find the most unique item(s), or submit the best photo. To be eligible for prizes, all volunteers must register prior to the event by visiting the event website, or by contacting Emilie Henry by phone at 406-4616831 or email at: emilie. henry@mt.gov. Link to website: https://qrgo. page.link/A6gLX Link to Facebook event: https:// fb.me/e/3wq5t6U8h
Lake County Marriages/Divorces for July
Marriages
Hallie Jo Sohr & Maverick W. Nelson Donovan Scott Pugh & Kristy Kay Jarrett Am&a Jane Billingsley & William Elias Powell James Joseph Strosahi & Tami Sue Usher Jacie Morrison & Logan Nutzman Caleigh Brianne McCabe & Austin Matthew DeSilva James Neal Darlington & Elize Reinecke &rew Mark Drinnan & Megan V. Torgerson Kodi Kristine Woods & Caleb C. Chavez &rew Jude Hovan & Deilyn Johanna Graham Ashley Theresa Merwin & Joshua James Gallant John M. Mueli & Elisabeth R. Dunn Jerry Wayne Markus & Daphne Elizabeth Lubin Jacqueline Jae Wells & Vincent Paumier Cusma Keenan David Allison & Nianna Joimarcile Light Jared A. Halvorson & Emma Marie Didier
Divorces
Tanner B. Wardall & Samantha M. Wardall (Dodson restored)
Polson museum begins renovation projects
News from Karen Dunwell, Flathead Lake Museum
POLSON — Members of the Polson Flathead Lake Museum Board gathered in front of the museum to kick off the start of a multi-phase construction project. Donations from our community and the Polson Redevelopment Agency have made this work possible. The first phase of the project is replacement of the leaking roof, including installation of gutters and snow guards. The next phase will be new sidewalks/paving In front of the museum on Main Street and Eighth Ave. W. The final phase will be to paint the building exterior.
The museum will remain closed in 2022 due to this extensive project but plans to host a Grand Opening in 2023. Following completion of this work the museum board will begin a funding campaign to renovate the building’s interior and improve artifact displays.
If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to the museum, a 501(c)(3) organization, please send a check to: Polson Flathead Lake Museum, PO Box 206, Polson, MT 59860.
COURTESY PHOTO Pictured are board members Steve Sherick, Karen Dunwell, President; Clay Benkelman and Jeri Sturm; Gene Ashby, Northstar Custom Homes; and Roy Sturm Volunteer Project Supervisor. Not pictured, Doug Whiting, Whiting Waterproofing.
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Conference on Aging scheduled for October
News from DPHHS
MONTANA — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) wants to honor Montana centenarians during the 53rd annual Governor’s Conference on Aging Oct. 4-5, 2022.
The hybrid event will take place at the Copper King Convention Center in Butte with a virtual attendance option. Centenarians will be honored at a luncheon that will begin at noon on Oct. 4.
DPHHS is asking Montanans who will turn age 100 as of Dec. 31, 2022, or those who are already over the age of 100 to submit their name and a brief profile. “Honoring Montana centenarians is such an important piece of the Governor’s Conference on Aging,” said DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton. “I encourage Montanans to submit the requested information so we can honor as many centenarians as possible.”
All centenarians who submit information will receive a recognition framed certificate from Governor Greg Gianforte.
Centenarians, or friends or family members, are encouraged to submit the following information by Sept. 15, 2022, so they can be recognized. (NOTE: The first five items are required in order to receive a certificate.) — Centenarian’s name. — Contact person (who to send certificate to) — Contact person’s phone number and email address. — Mailing address (where to send the certificate). — Birth date of centenarian. — Is the centenarian a Veteran? — Where were they born? — If not born in Montana, what is their story on how they got to Montana? — What is the secret to their longevity? — What has been the most amazing event in their life that they would like to share? — What is their favorite quote? — Anything else they would like us to know about the centenarian? — Please provide a picture of the centenarian when the information above is submitted.
Please send centenarian information to:
Governor’s Conference on Aging - Centenarians DPHHS - SLTC P.O. Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604-4210 or email Nichole Thennis, DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division, at: Nichole. Thennis@mt.gov.
Or submit your information online at Honoring Montana’s Centenarians: https://mt.accessgov.com/ dphhs/Forms/Page/sltc/ centenarian/0.
The annual Governor’s Conference on Aging was created in 1968 to offer information and education to our older citizens, their families, and caregivers. Attendees include the elderly, persons with disabilities and caregivers. The conference covers topics relevant to all people who are dealing with aging and disability issues.
Registration for the conference is now open. For more information about the event, including how to register, go to the conference website at conference website.
Individuals can also call toll-free at 1-800-3322272, or call the Senior and Long Term Care Division at 406-444-6061.
GPCF awards grants to local nonprofits
News and photos from the Greater Polson Community Foundation
POLSON — On June 30, the Greater Polson Community Foundation awarded funds grants to 14 local nonprofits as part of its 2022 grant cycle. Directors and team members were on hand from Mission Valley Mariners, Flathead Lake Bio Station, Miracle of America Museum, Mission Valley Friends of the Arts, TUFF Film Festival, Ninepipes, CASA, Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, North Lake County Library, Mission Valley Aquatics, the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Boys and Girls Club of Flathead Reservation, Women 4 Wellness, and Mission Valley LIVE to share their upcoming grant projects and accept funds on behalf of the nonprofits.
Since 2009, over $1,121,350.00 has been granted to organizations to meet our community needs. “Being able to support our community non-profits and their projects is definitely a highlight of our year, we are able to do these grants because our donors truly love making a difference” said GPCF Grants Chairman Jeanette Phillips. Gifts and donations make it possible to add significantly to the permanent endowment, which totals over a million dollars. Grants are funded only by the interest earnings from the permanent endowment and are awarded annually.
With the 2022 grant projects off and running, the GPCF continues to put our words into action by inspiring philanthropy, community pride and improvement. If you would like to learn more about the Greater Polson Community Foundation you can contact us at (406) 883-GPCF, visit our website at www.greaterpolsoncommunityfoundation.org or find us on facebook.
