The Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission is looking for public comment on two proposed maps to divide the state into two congressional districts – CP 10 and CP1. Written comments are particularly encouraged, either directly on interactive maps of the proposals or using the commission’s webform. Comments can also be submitted by email at [email protected], or by mail to Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission, PO Box 201706, Helena, MT 59620.

On Saturday, October 30, the commissioners will consider Montanan’s thoughts on two proposals – CP 10 and CP 11 – to divide the state into two congressional districts. In the afternoon of the 30th, the commissioners will select a single map for another public hearing on Thursday, November 4.

• Comments received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27 will be provided to the commissioners that evening.
• Comments received after that time but before October 30 will be given to the commissioners prior to or at the meeting.
• Comments received on October 30 or during the meeting will be provided to the commissioners prior to their next meeting.

More details on that single map will be available after October 30. Agendas for both meetings are now online at the commission’s website and details are below.

October 30 – 9:30 a.m. – Room 102, State Capitol
November 4 – 9:30 a.m. – Room 317, State Capitol

For more information on the commission or the proposed maps, please visit the commission’s website.

Commission website: mtredistricting.gov/

About the maps:

CP 10 – Proposed by the Republicans

CP 10 excludes portions of Gallatin County from the Western District, while also excluding Lewis and Clark County. It includes the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and all of Flathead County in the West.

CP 11 – Proposed by the Democrats

CP 11 keeps Gallatin County completely intact. The map also puts Park County in the West as well as Lewis and Clark County. Congressional Proposal 11 divides Flathead County, putting Whitefish in the West, while Kalispell and the bulk of Flathead go the east. The proposal also puts the Blackfeet Reservation in the Eastern District.

The Montana Department of Transportation is updating the State’s Freight Plan. Safe and efficient movement of freight is vital to Montana Agriculture and our state economy. The Montana Department of Agriculture is requesting producers and agricultural stakeholders share their perspectives and participate in the freight plan survey to relay the significance of freight-related challenges and policy issues facing agriculture.

The deadline to submit the survey is Nov 5, 2021

Governor Gianforte and DNRC Director Amanda Kaster are keenly interested in understanding the challenges and successes of the 2021 fire season and how the DNRC can better position their organization to support and improve wildfire response across Montana.  DNRC is requesting MSGA members to participate in a brief 10-minute survey, MT DNRC 2021 Fire Year Survey. Collectively, these responses will help DNRC better understand where and how they can support ranchers, landowners and Montanans in the seasons ahead.

The survey will remain open until Friday, November 12.

MSGA remains dedicated to advocating on the behalf of producers for the delisting of grizzly bears. Conflicts between grizzly bears and livestock continue to increase and we feel it is important to continue work to reduce conflicts. Bear relocations should not put additional burden on livestock producers.

As a result of the passing of Senate Bill 337 (SB 337), the Fish & Wildlife Commission has voted to tentatively adopt proposed relocation sites for grizzly bears. SB 337 outlined FWP’s role in the relocation of grizzly bears. FWP may not relocate a grizzly bear listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, except to a release site previously approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission for relocation of grizzly bears. Additionally, FWP may respond to a grizzly bear causing conflict outside of a federal recovery zone; however, if the bear is to be relocated, FWP may not relocate the bear.

On Thursday, October 28th, the commission voted to tentatively adopt and open public comment on these proposed site. Public comment will be open through Monday, November 22, 2021, at 5 p.m., with final adoption at the December 2021 commission meeting. MSGA encourages those who have thoughts on the proposed relocation site to comment. If you have comments/thoughts on specific proposed sites that you would like MSGA to include in the organization’s comments, please reach out to Raylee at [email protected].

Comments can be submitted here: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities

• Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites R1-5 Coversheet
  • Proposed Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites Cabinet-Yaak Document
  • Proposed Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites Greater Yellowstone Document
  • Proposed Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites NCDE Middle Document
  • Proposed Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites NCDE North Document
  • Proposed Grizzly Bear Relocation Sites NCDE South Document
  • Copy of Grizzly Bear Locations 1 Document
  • Copy of Grizzly Bear Locations 2 Document
  • Copy of Grizzly Bear Locations 3 Document
  • SB 337 Document

USFWS Moves to Rescind Definition of “Habitat” under the ESA

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have opened a 30-day public comment period on their proposed rule, which would rescind the definition of “habitat” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Following historic concern that the ESA did not define “habitat” in statute as well as the 2018 Supreme Court Decision in Weyerhauser Co. v. U.S. FWS, the Trump Administration undertook a rulemaking to define “habitat”, for the purposes of designating critical habitat only, as: the abiotic and biotic setting that currently or periodically contains the resources and conditions necessary to support one or more life processes of a species.”

The definition was finalized in a joint regulatory process in December 2020. The 30-day public comment period will end on Friday, November 26, 2021.

USFWS Moves to Rescind Critical Habitat Rulemaking

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have opened a 30-day public comment period on their proposed rule, which would rescind the ability of agencies to consider exclusions to critical habitat, namely those on public lands requested by a grazing permittee, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The proposed rule would rescind a rule finalized in December 2020 that amended Section 4(b)(2) of the ESA, citing concerns about transparency and limitations on agency discretion. The definition was finalized in a joint regulatory process in December 2020.

The 30-day public comment period will end on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Montana’s Livestock Loss Board is looking to revamp the loss prevention grant process and is requesting suggestions from Montana Ranchers to make the process easier for ranchers to apply. Give your ideas today!

In order to facilitate a new process, the board directed two of their members to come up with a new grant application. Elaine Allestad a rancher from Big Timber and Patty Quisno a rancher from Harlem have begun working on new grant requirements. Early thoughts in the process are lowering a cost share requirement for a grant match to make it more affordable. It’s not always a cash match for a cost share. It can be value for your labor such as installing an electric fence to help keep grizzly bears out of smaller pastures as just one example.

“The board’s philosophy has always been that a rancher will know what will work best for their own ranch. We will never tell you what you need to do to reduce predation. This is where you come in. If you have ideas that may help the board, we want to hear from you.” – George Edwards, Livestock Loss Board Executive Director

Ideas can be sent to [email protected]. Please keep in mind that our funding is restricted to non-lethal methods related to grizzly bears and wolves. 

The Livestock Loss board encourages public comment throughout their meetings and your input will help the board come up with better solutions In the future. 

A board meeting to discuss a new grant form will be held sometime during the week of October 11-15^th. Meeting details can be found at www.llb.mt.gov.