News in Brief: Nov. 8, 2017

Forest Service map prices set to increase Jan. 1

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

For the first time in nearly a decade, increasing costs of production, printing and distribution are driving the U.S. Forest Service to increase the price of its maps. Prices of Forest Service paper and plastic-coated maps will increase from an average of $10 to $14 on Monday, Jan. 1.

The Forest Service continually updates its maps and looks for ways to enhance them. The agency expects to shorten the revision cycle as cartographers continue to apply new digital technology to the map revision process.

The Forest Service is also working to increase the availability of digital maps for mobile applications, which can be downloaded at avenza.com/pdf-maps/store. Digital maps cost $4.99 per side.

In an effort to help offset the pricing increase for volume sales, starting Jan. 1 discount pricing will be made available on sales of 10 or more maps of the same title. Discounted maps are only available when purchased through the National Forest Map Store.

Maps can be purchased at national forest offices throughout the state, and can also be ordered in advance. To order maps, visit nationalforeststore.com, call (406) 329-3024 or mail inquiries to USDA Forest Service, National Forest Store, P.O. Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807.

Input sought for Big Sky housing survey

BIG SKY COMMUNITY HOUSING TRUST

The Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Big Sky Resort Area District resort tax board and Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, with support from other organizations in the community, are sponsoring a study to understand and plan for Big Sky’s housing needs now and in the future.

Housing for the local workforce is critical to the Big Sky community and economy. All employers, employees and residents living or working in Big Sky are encouraged to participate in the online survey designed to assess area housing needs, challenges and preferences.

Many business owners, employees and residents should have received links to the surveys through an email invite from the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, various social media sites or their employer.

Residents of Big Sky or those who work in the area are encouraged to provide their input.

The survey is part of a Housing Action Plan that will address housing needs in the community. WSW Consulting, Inc. out of South Lake Tahoe, California, has been contracted to conduct the study.

To access the Big Sky housing survey, visit bit.ly/bigsky2017. Surveys can also be accessed by visiting thehrdc.org.

For further information about the Big Sky housing study, contact Brian Guyer with the Big Sky Community Housing Trust at bguyer@thehrdc.org, or Wendy Sullivan, an independent consultant assisting with this study, at wendy@wswconsult.com.

Call for Salvation Army bell ringers in Big Sky

EBS STAFF

Salvation Army bell ringers are needed in Big Sky. For the first time in years, Big Sky will have a Salvation Army kettle in town to raise money for those in need during the holiday season.

Roxy’s Market in Big sky will have a Salvation Army kettle set up from Saturday, Dec. 9 through Christmas Eve, when the red kettles are packed away for the season. Volunteers can make the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour—enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries, or shelter an individual for a night. When you volunteer to bell-ring, you help improve, and possibly even save lives. The money dropped in a red kettle goes right back into your local community.

Sign up by visiting registertoring.com and searching Big Sky. Select Roxy’s Market and pick your time and date.

Scholarship fund established in Devon White’s memory

EBS STAFF

To honor and remember Devon White’s generous spirit, his family and friends have established The Devon White Memorial Scholarship Fund. It will provide an opportunity for a Lone Peak High School graduate to attend a culinary school or a two-year trade program.

Born in Maine on April 21, 1950, White was the longtime co-owner of the Corral Bar, Steakhouse and Motel, and purportedly Big Sky’s longest, living fulltime resident until his passing Sept. 4. He is remembered as a selflessly generous, tireless workhorse, and a fixture in the Corral kitchen until he took himself to the hospital Aug. 25 where he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund established in White’s memory, visit fobsedonate.org or send a check to Friends of Big Sky Education noting White’s name to FOBSE,
P.O. Box 160633, Big Sky, Montana, 59716.

Bough subdivision pre-application submitted to county

EBS STAFF

A subdivision pre-application for the development of the Bough parcel was submitted Nov. 30 to Gallatin County by Lone Mountain Land Company, on behalf of Big Sky resident and landowner Loren Bough.

On Feb. 28, commissioner Joe Skinner and chairman Don Seifert denied the Bough Big Sky Community Subdivision’s preliminary plat approval, citing construction variances that did not meet the county subdivision safety standards.

A pre-application is the very first step in the approval process, said Gallatin County Planner Tim Skop. It provides an opportunity for public comment on the development plan prior to the formal preliminary plat application. The county has 30 business days from the submittal date to collect and relay any comments on the project.

Although the Bough parcel was donated to alleviate the affordable housing crisis, Lone Mountain Land Company President Alex Iskenderian wrote in an email to EBS that this application does not specify this will be an affordable housing project moving forward, adding, “Loren [Bough] remains committed to having this property serve the community interest in some way.”

HRDC Community Development Manager Brian Guyer said after the initial plat denial last February, all parties decided it would be best for Lone Mountain Land Company move forward with the project independently, without confusing the application with affordable housing language.

“We’ll re-engage in the process between the preliminary and final plat and determine at that point the best way for the Big Sky Community Housing Trust to be involved,” Guyer said.