Congratulations! Petroleum County Producers Win Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) honored conservation leaders at an awards banquet during the 2016 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada.

Lee McDaniel, NACD president, left, and Jason Weller, NRCS chief, right, present Larry “Skip” and Diane Ahlgren of Winnett, Mont., with the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award.

The NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award was presented by Jason Weller, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Lee McDaniel, NACD president, to Larry “Skip” Ahlgren and Diane Ahlgren of Winnett, Mont. The Ahlgrens were recognized for their superior service to the conservation community and commitment to promoting and leading conservation on private lands. Diane serves on the Rangeland Resources Executive Committee for the Montana Department of Natural Resources. Larry serves as secretary/treasurer for the Grass Range Grazing District, as one of the directors of the Williams Coulee Grazing District, and on the board of directors for the Montana Association of State Grazing Districts. The Ahlgrens ranch and produce cattle on their land in eastern Montana.

NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award recognizes outstanding conservation leadership at the state and local level. The award is named after Olin Sims, former NACD president and rancher from McFadden, Wyo., who had many years of distinguished volunteer service to conservation at the state and national level.

February 2016 Newsletter Now Available

February 2016 Newsletter

Sage Grouse Will Not Be Listed An Endangered Specie

Tuesday, September 22, 2015/Categories: General News, Today’s Top 5, National News, Ag Issues, Wildlife, Sage Grouse

 

Denver, CO.—Governor Steve Bullock today joined Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and other western governors to announce that the US Department of Interior has decided the Greater Sage-grouse does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The decision ensures that states will continue to oversee management of the bird.

“Today’s announcement is good for our state, our economy, and this iconic bird. Montana’s Sage-grouse management plan is the right path forward in a state where 60 percent of the bird’s habitat is privately owned,” Bullock said. “This decision shows that when Montanans from diverse viewpoints put aside their differences, and focus on addressing a challenge, we can accomplish great things for our state.”

The announcement comes in large part as a result of intense work by Bullock and the Montanans he worked with to improve state management of the bird. In the first weeks of his term, Bullock issued an executive order to establish the Greater Sage-grouse Advisory Council, which he tasked to create a statewide management plan for the bird. Through the council, Bullock brought together diverse stakeholders on this issue including representatives from conservation, sportsmen, energy development, agriculture and ranching, tribes, local governments and the legislature.

He subsequently worked with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the 2015 legislative session to secure funding for the management plan crafted by the Council. The US Fish and Wildlife Service used this plan to consider whether federal protection of the bird would be necessary.

“Today’s decision is good for the Greater Sage-grouse, for the West and for our nation. I thank Governor Bullock for his valuable leadership. Montana evaluated Wyoming’s model and crafted a plan that meets the needs of its birds and its economy, custom and culture,” said Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming. “Governor Bullock’s commitment to preserving the Greater Sage-grouse and its habitat in Montana and other western states helped make today possible.”

Montanans heralded today’s decision and Bullock’s leadership:

“This decision respects private property rights, and ensures that Montana ranchers, farmers, and landowners will continue to have a voice in the management of this bird,” said Errol Rice, Executive Vice President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. “I want to commend Governor Bullock for his efforts in securing this decision, and ensuring that all stakeholders were heard in developing Montana’s management plan.”

“Today’s announcement is confirmation that Montana’s Sage-grouse conservation program is on the right track. Using a science-based approach, the state will now act to conserve sage-grouse habitat in an effort to bolster this bird’s populations across Montana,” said Janet Ellis, Senior Director of Policy for Montana Audubon. “I thank Governor Bullock for stepping up to the plate to bring diverse viewpoints to the table to focus on a solution that is in the best interest of Montana and this iconic bird.”

“We appreciate the efforts and leadership from Governor Bullock to ensure that management of the Sage-grouse remains in state hands,” said Dave Galt, Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. “The decision today recognizes the strength of Montana’s efforts to protect Sage-grouse and is a victory for Montana’s private landowners as well as our economic opportunities and quality of life.”

“Over the last few years, Montanans from all walks of life have worked together to protect sage-grouse habitat on public and private land,” said Dave Chadwick, Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “Today’s decision demonstrates that when we roll up our sleeves and put aside politics, we can preserve both Montana’s wildlife and our working farms and ranches. Now we need to dedicate ourselves to fully implementing these protections and recovering this important species for future generations.”

Source:  The Office of Governor Steve Bullock

http://www.northernag.net

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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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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2015 Winter Grazing Seminar January 21-22nd in Billings