The Montana Conservationist August 22

Greetings, readers! Today, the hot topic is water and what lives in it. From snails and grayling to toxic algae we’re diving deep into Montana’s waters. In today’s issue:

• Some Big Hole River residents are getting another look from the Feds. And by ‘residents’ and ‘look’, we mean Arctic Grayling and their possible Endangered Species status. A recent judges ruling directly FWP to reconsider threats to the fish’s survival could have significant impacts on Southwest Montana.
• In Valier, invasive faucet snails have been confirmed in Lake Frances. Apparently, a snail’s pace is just fast enough.
• August is the season for toxic algae blooms, and Montana officials are asking people to keep a look out and stay out of water that looks suspicious. Meanwhile, the Salt Lake Tribune (where recent blooms in canals around Salt Lake have endangered people & pets) is reporting that the effects of climate change are causing an increase in the number and spread of blooms each summer.
• John Marble writes an interesting article for On Pasture, in which he details how implementing his Drought Management plan on his Oregon ranch has unexpectedly helped in combating weeds.
• As wildfires sweep across the West in traditional August style, the Forest Service recently announced a new plan to work more closely with states in order to improve forest health in areas with the highest payoff.
• A judge in South Carolina issued an injunction halting a rule that held off the Obama-era Waters of the US rule. Or in other words, WOTUS is back on. Except, of course, in the states where its not. Is your head spinning yet? Okay, moving on…
• Montana has been ranked sixth in the nation for Americorps members, and we’re proud that our own Big Sky Watershed Corps program is part of the tally. Whoo!

All of that, plus info on MACD’s upcoming Area Meetings, and more! Read The Montana Conservationist: TMC 2018-08-22