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Montana project ranked No. 1 priority in federal budget
Published
10 years agoon
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Outlaw PartnersWASHINGTON, D.C. – The protection of land and water in western Montana’s Haskill Basin is the nation’s top-ranked working forest conservation project for the U.S. Forest Service, The Trust for Public Land announced on March 10.
Last summer, TPL and F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co., Montana’s oldest family-owned lumber company, announced a plan to conserve more than 3,000 acres of Stoltze-owned land. The property straddles the Haskill Basin drainage and provides about 75 percent of Whitefish’s drinking water supply. It will be permanently protected for water, wildlife and recreation, as well as continued sustainable forest management.
“Not only will conservation of Haskill Basin ensure continued timber jobs in the area, it protects outstanding wildlife habitat, a popular trail system, and most importantly, Whitefish’s drinking water supply,” said Deb Love, Northern Rockies Director of The Trust for Public Land.
More funding is needed to permanently protect this land, she added, explaining that TPL will work with the local community to raise additional money from private donors and various public funding sources to make possible the protection of this beloved resource.
The USFS ranked the Stolze project the highest priority for the 2015 fiscal year – beginning Oct. 1 – and will use it for its Forest Legacy Program, which makes grants to states to purchase permanent conservation easements and other property interests that protect Forest resources.
The agency would provide $7 million of the estimated $17 million total cost. President Obama sent the government-wide budget to Capitol Hill in the first week of March, and Congress is now considering it.
The request was part of the broader budget for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the fed’s premier program for protecting land around the nation. Obama proposed to fully fund LWCF at $900 million.
All three of Montana’s congressmen support the deal.
“Making smart, responsible decisions about forest management and recreation will strengthen our economy and make sure our kids and grandkids can enjoy our treasured lands,” said Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat and a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that will consider this part of the budget.
Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Daines said the project is important to Stoltze Land and Lumber and surrounding communities to help sustain logging and recreational use of the Haskill Basin. “I was happy to lend my support for this project and am pleased that it continues to be recognized as a priority for northwestern Montana,” Daines said.
Sen. John Walsh, a Democrat who is newly appointed to national office, said it promotes important Montana values.
“Montanans deeply understand the unbreakable connection between land, water, resource-related employment, and life in our communities,” Walsh said. “I appreciate the willingness of Stoltze Lumber to conserve this special property and to maintain important jobs in the woods, and the Forest Service has appropriately recognized the unique significance of this property.”
Stoltze was founded in 1912, although it began as the State Lumber Co. in 1891.
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, in an effort to ensure healthy, livable communities. Nearly 10 million people live within a 10-minute walk of a TPL park, garden or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
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Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
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July 22 (Monday) 9:00 am - September 23 (Monday) 12:00 pm
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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July 22 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 30 (Monday) 6:00 pm
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
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