USDA, Montana enter public-private agreement to enhance Montana’s sage grouse conservation efforts

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Kaveh Sadeghzadeh
202-720-3210

HELENA, Mont., July 20, 2015 –A new agreement signed today by local, state and federal leaders will streamline and coordinate sage grouse conservation efforts on private lands in Montana.  USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the state of Montana and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Montana, Inc. (SWCDMI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance joint efforts to conserve privately owned working rangelands that provide habitat for sage grouse.

NRCS Chief Jason Weller, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and SWCDMI President Jeff Wivholm signed the agreement at Montana’s capitol.

“Almost two-thirds of Montana’s sage grouse habitat is on private lands, which is why voluntary, targeted conservation efforts are so critical,” said NRCS Chief Weller. “Today’s agreement builds on the Sage Grouse Initiative partnership, which is living proof that wildlife and agriculture can coexist and thrive in harmony. The steps we’re taking to improve habitats and outcomes for sage grouse and other wildlife are good for cattle, good for ranching operations, and good for America’s rural economy.”

The agreement provides the necessary framework for cooperation, streamlining protection and enhancement of sage grouse habitat on privately-owned working rangelands.  Through the MOU, partners will be able to better explore innovative approaches to sage grouse habitat conservation and management, promote voluntary and incentive-based approaches for delivery, and strategically align their collective resources to alleviate threats facing sage grouse and ranching.

Gov. Bullock’s sage grouse plan provides a comprehensive approach for conserving sage grouse in Montana. NRCS will use this plan to invest technical and financial assistance through the Sage Grouse Initiative  (SGI) to strategically implement identified conservation measures on private rangelands. Conservation districts provide dedicated human resources to create SGI conservation plans that ensure maximum benefits for both working rangelands and sage grouse.

While in Montana, Weller also met with ranchers at a roundtable hosted by Partners for Conservation where they told him first-hand about the power of conservation work on private lands.

“SGI is making a difference because private landowners voluntarily work with us to produce results on the ground,” Weller said. “The decisions Western ranchers and other private landowners make every day about what to do on their land will continue to have a critical impact on sage grouse.”

Since 2010, more than 1,100 ranchers have enrolled in the NRCS-led SGI, conserving more than 4.4 million acres of sage grouse habitat across 11 Western states. So far, NRCS has invested $296.5 million in conservation through SGI. SGI’s successes are best captured in its new publication, “Success on the Range,” which was also unveiled today in Montana. This publication highlights how SGI conserves an at-risk species through voluntary cooperation, incentives and community support.

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Range Ruminations: How Much Grass Will I Have This Summer?

By Dr. Jeff Mosley  

MSU Extension Range Management Specialist

Range forage growth this spring has been slow out of the chute in many parts of Montana.  My optimistic nature assures me, however, that plenty of rainfall and warmer temperatures will soon combine to ease my worries.  Those less optimistic souls among us might prefer to plan ahead using estimates of summer grass production.

Reliable estimates of summer grass production can be made by comparing this year’s amount of precipitation to the long-term average.  One method compares the amount of precipitation received in a “crop year”, while another method compares the combined total precipitation received in April, May, and June.

Read the rest of the article here:  range-ruminations.pdf

Trees & Shrub Sale Images

Tree & Shrub Sale–The Sequel

If you are interested in purchasing trees or shrubs, please stop by the District tree building (west of Credit Union) in the afternoon hours next week.  If the big cargo door is open, so are we!  Otherwise, please stop by the office in the USDA building for further assistance or call 485-2744 x100. 

May 2nd Tree & Shrub Sale

Spring is here–Are You Ready to Garden?

Gusty Winds on March 28th Blows Up Dirt–Reminiscent of Dust Bowl Days

Photo credit: Terry Juliano off of Facebook

It was a very windy day on Saturday, March 28th with gusts clocking up to 70 miles per hour.  This photo sequence was taken at a location north of Circle and apparently, it got even worse later that day!

Important Reminder:  Keep the ground covered!

Photos submitted by Jerry Meissner.

State Health Officials Remind Montanans to Take Precautions to Avoid Hantavirus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2015

Contact:  Jon Ebelt, Public Information Officer, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936               Chuck Council, Communications Specialist, DPHHS, (406) 444-4391

Given the recent investigation into a Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) case in Missoula County, state health officials are reminding Montanans statewide to take precautions this spring and summer to avoid rodent exposures.

 “We know the potential exists in Montana for people to become infected with Hantavirus infection,” said Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Richard Opper.  “However, by taking a few extra precautions, that potential can be greatly reduced. Stop and think this spring before cleaning out that shed, garage, summer cabin or RV.”

While DPHHS and Missoula City-County Health are still investigating the recent Missoula County case, they do expect the individual to make a full recovery, but stress HPS is a serious  and sometimes fatal condition. 

 In a typical year, about 1-2 cases of Hantavirus are reported to the state health department. Studies conducted in Montana show that deer mice populations are most likely to be infected with the virus and can result in human exposures. Montana has reported 39 cases since 1993, when the virus was first recognized, making the state second only to New Mexico in the highest rate of reported cases.  Unfortunately, ten of Montana’s cases did not survive the illness. 

A person is most likely to become infected with Hantavirus when saliva, urine, or droppings from an infected deer mouse are stirred up and inhaled. This can happen when dust from disturbed rodent excreta or contaminated nesting material become airborne. Transmission may also occur when dried materials contaminated by rodent excreta are directly introduced into broken skin or introduced onto the eye. Although rare, persons have also become infected after being bitten by rodents.

Early symptoms of Hantavirus infection include fever and muscle aches, possibly with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and a cough. Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. Seeking medical care and informing your provider of any exposure to rodents at this phase is important. The symptoms develop one to six weeks after exposure.

The best way to prevent Hantavirus transmission is by controlling rodent populations in areas where one lives and works. When cleaning areas where rodents may nest, the following precautions should be followed: 

·         wear rubber or plastic gloves

·         thoroughly spray/soak area with a disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water

·         wipe or mop the infected area with a sponge or paper towel (throw away items after use)

·         wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after removing gloves

·         never sweep or vacuum in these areas as this can stir up dust and aerosolize the droppings

More information on Hantavirus and its prevention can be found at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ website at: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/

DPHHS also encourages Montanans to watch an educational NBC Montana TV news story on Hantavirus that is available on the agency YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp0c0gQw3f4

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October 16th Workshop in Circle

October 3rd–Rangeland Monitoring Roundup