Public News Service

Environmental groups recently sued the Montana Department of Environmental Quality over its CAFO water pollution permit. (Adobe Stock)

Farm group calls on changes to USDA environmental funding

A farm advocacy group says large corporate agriculture producers are getting federal environmental safeguard funds that were intended for smaller oper…

More than 600 lakes and ponds comprise about 107,000 surface acres in Yellowstone, according to the National Park Service. (Adobe Stock)

Outdoor advocates file suit to stop sewage facility near Yellowstone

The Bozeman-based group Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and its members have filed a complaint in District Court to stop the operation of a new wastewater …

Wilderness areas comprise roughly 3.5 million acres of Montana's landmass, or almost 4%. (Adobe Stock)

MT seeks public input on environmental policy

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality wants to know what people think the state's next Environmental Policy Act should include. Critics …

The development and presence of roads can reduce landscape permeability, lead to habitat loss and increase habitat fragmentation. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates say even small development damages sensitive MT ecology

New research by ecology experts in Montana showed even small amounts of development can cause a widespread decline in stream biodiversity. It does …

Manure from CAFOs contains more than 150 pathogens that have the potential to contaminate water supplies, while fumes and particulate matter elevate rates of asthma, lung disease and bronchitis<br />among farm workers and people living nearby, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Call for Tougher CAFO Rules in MT

Rural advocates are calling on the state to tighten the rules governing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations - or CAFOs - in rural Montana…

The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is projected to help grow Montana's $7.1 billion outdoor recreation economy, protect tens of thousands of acres of wilderness, and establish two recreation areas. (Adobe Stock)

Backers: Blackfoot Act Would Add $2.6B to Montana's Recreation Economy

Lawmakers in Washington held their first Senate hearing on the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act. Authored by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., it would …

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering imposing

Severe Montana Drought Prompts Unprecedented Fishing Restrictions

Drought and soaring temperatures have prompted state wildlife officials to restrict fishing on some of the state's most popular lakes and streams…

Flathead Lake's high water quality results from its watershed being mainly national park, wilderness and managed forest lands combined with having a relatively low human population. (Adobe Stock)

Drought Tightens Grip on Montana Waterways

As crippling heat sears Western states, drought is creeping into Montana where Indigenous tribes are seeing historic waterways at record lows…

An increase in average global temperatures above 1.5 degrees Celsius risks sea-level rise, extreme weather and the loss of species and habitats, as well as food scarcity and increasing poverty for millions of people worldwide, according to ClientEarth. (Adobe Stock)

Montana Rolls Back Environmental Protections

Montana's environmental advocates are criticizing Gov. Greg Gianforte for signing a bill they said will allow the state to ignore the impacts of …

Experts say canopy cover to prevent rainfall from directly striking sloped soil, and a strong plant root system to bind the soil, are two of the best methods for preventing erosion. (Adobe Stock)

River Watchers Use 'Old' Technology to Renew Ecosystems

Environmental advocates in Montana are using an older form of technology in new ways to improve the quality of the land near river beds, and also …

About a dozen miles of Montana's iconic Gallatin river is polluted with

Dozens of Miles of MT's Mighty Gallatin Declared 'Pollution Impaired'

Montana environmental officials have listed dozens of miles of the Gallatin River as "impaired" following pollution-induced algal blooms over the last…

The Prairie Potholes region is considered some of the most important waterfowl habitat in North America. (DeVane/Adobe Stock)

Federal Funds to Conserve, Restore America's 'Duck Factory'

The Interior Department is investing funds in protecting what some call America's 'duck factory.' The Prairie Potholes are marshes and wetlands that…

The Gallatin River in southwest Montana is a tributary of the Missouri River. (melissadoar/Adobe Stock)

Montanans in DC Urging Protections for Iconic MT Rivers

Montanans are in Washington, D.C., to call for greater protections of some of the state's most iconic rivers. Anglers, business owners and river …

There's a long history of mining across the Canadian province of British Columbia. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Tribes Say BC Mine Waste Threatens Water, Way of Life

Tribal representatives from across the Northwest are flying into Washington, D.C. this week to discuss how mine waste in British Columbia is …

A photo from the top of the berm near the Smurfit-Stone site shows how close the Clark Fork River is. (Lisa Ronald/American Rivers)

Tour of Former Mill Site Underscores Dangers for MT River

Community members and conservation groups recently toured a former paper mill because of urgent concerns that the site poses a threat to a nearby Mont…

Protections near bodies of water such as headwaters of the Missouri River could be affected by a U.S. Supreme Court case next fall. (hmphoto06/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Could Remove Clean Water Protections Near MT Headwaters

A U.S. Supreme Court case before justices next session could determine what bodies of water are protected under the Clean Water Act. The case…

Northern Plains Resource Council is holding presentations on soil health at farms and ranches across Montana. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

Montanans Learn About Healthy Agriculture with Soil Crawls

Montanans get a sense of what soil health is like on farms and ranches across the state with Northern Plains Resource Council's soil crawls. The …

The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act would protect segments of 20 rivers and streams in the state. (digidreamgrafix/Adobe Stock)

Rivers Month: Call to Protect More of Montana's Iconic Rivers

June is National Rivers Month, and in Montana, a push to protect more rivers is swelling. The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act in Congress would nearly …

The Montana Constitution goes beyond even the U.S. Constitution in its protections of the environment. (stevengaertner/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Lawmakers Mark 50th Anniversary of MT Constitution

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Montana Constitution. The document is unique among constitutions, in part, because it recognizes the …

Nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen are major threats to water quality in Montana's rivers. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

MT Group Wants EPA to Stop New 'Subjective' Water-Quality System

An environmental group has filed a lawsuit in an effort to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to address changes to how water quality is measure…

Montana adopted a data-based approach to water-quality monitoring for nutrients in 2015. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

Groups Voice Concerns about MT Rollback of Data-Based Water Standards

Rule-making is under way for a new law that opponents say is a step backward for monitoring water quality in Montana. In the 2021 session, lawmakers …

About 39 miles of the Gallatin River would be designated Wild and Scenic under legislation in Congress. (Matt/Adobe Stock)

Diverse Coalition Backs Legislation to Protect MT Rivers

HELENA, Mont. -- A wide range of groups are supporting an effort to protect cherished rivers in Montana. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has introduced …

The Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwestern Montana. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Wikimedia Commons)

Fed Grant to Help MT Refuge Restore Wetlands, Bird Habitat

KALISPELL, Mont. -- A Montana wetland restoration project is among the recipients of a federal grant to preserve migratory bird habitats. The U.S…

Outdoor recreation is the second-biggest economic driver in Montana. (melissadoar/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Advocates: Water-Quality Bill Could Sink MT Waterways

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana lawmakers have passed a measure to change how water quality is measured in the state. Supporters said it will reduce red …

The coal ash ponds for retired Units 1 and 2 of Colstrip leak 400,000 gallons of contaminated water per day. (Western Organization of Resource Council)

Challenge to Colstrip Cleanup Plan Upsets MT Landowners

COLSTRIP, Mont. -- Many landowners in southeastern Montana are displeased with Talen Energy's decision to challenge a cleanup plan for Colstrip's …

The Keystone XL Pipeline is projected to carry about 830,000 barrels of crude per day through eastern Montana. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Keystone XL Pipeline Called Threat to MT Communities

HELENA, Mont. -- Tribes and conservation groups are urging Montana to deny a key permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. Under the Clean Water Act…

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act along the banks of the Gallatin River. (Office of Sen. Tester)

Sen. Tester Announces Bill to Protect Iconic MT Rivers

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has announced legislation to conserve some of Montana's most iconic rivers. The Montana Headwaters …

The three-month spring fishing season on the Smith River generates an estimated $10 million for the outdoor recreation economy. (Bitterroot/Flickr)

Fight Continues to Protect MT's Smith River from Mine

HELENA, Mont. - Conservation groups battle on to protect one of Montana's most popular rivers from a proposed mine. Yesterday, groups filed a …

The Good Neighbor Agreement between a mining company and Montana conservation groups ensures citizen oversight of water quality. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

Against the Odds, Conservation, Industry Celebrate 20 Years of Agreement

BILLINGS, Mont. - An unlikely pairing of conservation and industrial interests in Montana is celebrating two decades of cooperation today. In these …

Montana Conservation Voters is supporting candidates who will sit on the Land Board that favor protecting public lands. (Montana Conservation Voters)

MT Conservation Organization Weighs in on Land Board Races

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana Conservation Voters has released candidate endorsements for a state board key to public lands in the hopes of securing a …

The NEPA review process led to the installation of wildlife crossing bridges on important wildlife corridor in Montana. (photogramma1/Flickr)

Trump Administration Proposals Could Gut Environmental Law

HELENA, MT -- Conservation groups fear changes to a bedrock environmental law could dramatically roll back protections for local habitats across the …

Montanans gathered outside the Bozeman office of Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., to call for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. (Montana Conservation Voters)

Pressure Mounts on Daines Over Conservation Fund, Pendley Support

HELENA, Mont. — Groups in Montana are pushing for Sen. Steve Daines to back up his stated commitment to public lands with action. Today…

Because of concerns for their water sources, residents of Glendive, Mont. are pushing DEQ to make rules about radioactive oil waste. (Tony Webster/Flickr)

MT DEQ Proposes Quadrupling Radioactive Waste Disposal Limit

GLENDIVE, Mont. – The latest proposed rules for disposing of radioactive oil waste in Montana have some residents concerned. The state …

Conservation groups estimate the Land and Water Conservation Fund has paid for more than half of the fishing access sites across Montana. (Skeeze/Pixabay)

Rally Today to Press Sen. Daines on Land and Water Conservation Fund

MISSOULA, Mont. — Conservation groups are holding a rally in Missoula today to press Sen. Steve Daines to back full funding for the Land and …

Thousands of stream miles could lose Clean Water Act protections under an EPA proposal to change the Waters of the United States rule. (Laurent Lebois �/Flickr)

Opponents: Clean Water Act Rollback Could Affect Drinking-Water Supplies

HELENA, Mont. – Monday is the deadline for public comment on a change to the Clean Water Act that opponents say could threaten drinking-water …

A new report says extensive cleanup of Colstrip's coal-ash ponds would create more than twice as many jobs as current cleanup proposals. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

Report: Colstrip Cleanup Would Create Jobs, Save Groundwater

HELENA, Mont. – A thorough cleanup of the Colstrip Power Plant's coal-ash ponds could provide a major boost for the local economy, according to …

The defunct Mike Horse Mine must be perpetually treated so that it doesn't pollute the nearby Blackfoot River. (Earthworks/Flickr)

Ballot Initiative Would Hold Hard Rock Mines Responsible for Their Mess

HELENA, Mont. – Montana environmentalists and outdoor recreation businesses are looking to hold new hard rock mining companies accountable for …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

Farmer Dena Hoff, who opposes the Keystone XL project, surveys the Yellowstone River from her property, which was negatively affected by a ruptured pipeline in 2015. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

Keystone Pipeline Protest Today in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A hearing on the Keystone XL pipeline is set for Thursday in federal court in Great Falls, so opponents are rallying today at a …

Plastic particles were found in the majority of samples collected by volunteers for the Gallatin Microplastics Initiative. (Courtesy of Adventure Scientists)

Not Just an Ocean Problem: Microplastics Found in MT Watershed

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Even as scientists discover worrying evidence of the large amount of plastic floating in the ocean, there's growing evidence …

An artist rendering of Gordon Butte Storage Hydro Project shows where the two reservoirs for the system would be located. (Absaroka Energy)

Project Would Make '100-Year Battery' for Renewables Out of MT Landscape

MARTINSDALE, Mont. – A proposed project in central Montana would create a huge battery for renewable energy sources out of the natural …

For more than 40 years, the League of Conservation Voters has graded members of Congress based on their votes on environmental issues. (David Restivo/National Park Service)

Environmental Scorecard: Tester Again Leads MT Delegation

HELENA, Mont. — Montana's congressional delegation is split on protecting the environment, according to the scorecard unveiled by Montana …

Advocates for the Clean Water Rule worry that its repeal could endanger fishing in Montana. (Bob Wick/BLM)

Public Comment Period Closes for Clean Water Rule

HELENA, Mont. - The public has one final day to submit comments on the 2015 Clean Water Rule, which clarifies where the Clean Water Act applies…

Beaver dams have been used to lower stream temperatures and restore water levels in arid parts of the West. (ramendan/Flickr)

Are Beaver Structures Key to Fighting Drought?

HELENA, Mont. – For Montana and other parts of the West to fight drought and arid conditions, taking a cue from beavers might help. Thought …

Rancher Seth Newton has been concerned for years about a radioactive oil waste facility upstream from his property. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

After 4 Years of Concerns, MT DEQ Drafts Radioactive Waste Rules

HELENA, Mont. – After more than four years of urging, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has released draft rules to oversee the …

The river walkers are traveling from the Missouri River's headwaters in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi in Missouri. (Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management)

Native American Women Begin Awareness Walk Along Missouri River

THREE FORKS, Mont. – Women from native tribes across the country begin their walk along the Missouri River today to show their respect for the …

The Clean Water Rule protected the drinking water sources for about one in three Americans, according to the EPA. (Mark Byzewski/Flickr)

Ending Clean Water Rule Could Put MT Drinking Water At Risk

HELENA, Mont. - The Trump administration has made its first step toward repealing the Clean Water Rule, a safeguard put in place by the Obama …

Montana Conservation Voters assessed state lawmakers' records this session on issues such as public lands policy. (Deja Elder/Montana Conservation Voters)

MT Leg. Scorecard: Ice-Blocking Conservation Issues 'Thawing'

HELENA, Mont. – With another session in the books, marks for Montana state lawmakers on conservation are in. Montana Conservation Voters has …

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