Fort Missoula’s Forest Service Office Will Close As Headquarters Relocates

The Forest Service’s decision to move its headquarters back to the West is gathering some expressions of support, with the plan to shut down the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and relocate to Salt Lake as soon as next year.

But a lot of questions remain over how that will affect Region 1, the oldest of the Forest Service regions and a legacy in Western Montana for more than a century.

The transition to a “state model” will mean the closure of the regional office at Fort Missoula. However, the agency says an operations center will stay in Missoula, along with research functions, like the Fire Science Lab. Local offices for land management, recreation, and fire protection aren’t expected to see changes.

But the change has been on the minds of Missoula leaders since the proposal was first made last year. Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis told me previously that the city is concerned about losing some high-paying jobs.

“We value our Forest Service employees in the way that that organization and agency has contributed to the culture of Montana and in Missoula and in particular.”- Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis

Mayor Davis says it’s also going to be critical for the Forest Service to maintain a presence in Missoula to help with fire safety concerns in a warmer climate.

“Obviously, we’re very fortunate in Missoula to be living next to the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48 states,” Davis observed. “And we all know that with increasing temperatures and increasing wildfire risk, wildfire management and wildfire science are essential to the health of our communities, and we rely on the Forest Service for that.”

Bye-bye to the “Border Road”

One of the most iconic backroads in Montana is set to close this summer, with the Trump Administration announcing the short route known as the “Border Road” will be shut down in July.

The road stretches for 9 miles right along the Montana-Canadian border east of the Coutts-Sweet Grass crossing, and has served both Montana and Canadian ranchers for generations. It’s a symbol of the peaceful, “open border” and is actually maintained by Alberta’s Warner County.

But the BBC is reporting Warner County officials are preparing to build a replacement on the northern side after learning the route will close. That’s expected to cost nearly $6 million. There’s been no comment from DHS on the decision.

Supreme Court rejects Gianforte tax suit request

The Montana State Supreme Court won’t take expedited action in that fight over property tax reform.

Last month, Governor Gianforte had asked for the justices to make an expedited ruling in the fight with some conservative GOP lawmakers, who claimed SB 542 violates the Montana Constitution.

Gianforte had said the suit could derail plans for $95 million in rebates and skew property tax rates.

But the Daily Montana is reporting all the justices ruled against the request, saying the Governor hadn’t provided proof of the urgency for stepping into the case, which is filed in Gallatin County.

Family help as SNAP changes

While parts of Montana continue to adjust to the SNAP changes of the past year, including the state’s decision to cut off “junk food and sugary drinks” this week, JD Knite reports some families are finding that another state program is a source of help.

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