Montana
Managing noxious weeds in Montana
Montana law states that “it is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weed to propagate or go to seed on the person’s land.” It further states that “…any person who adheres to the noxious weed management program of the person’s weed management district or has entered into and is in compliance with a noxious weed management agreement” is considered to be in compliance. (Montana Code 7-22-2116 (2023)).
Legally, a noxious weed is any plant designated by a Federal, State or county government as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property. Montana Noxious Weed List includes 36 plant species ranging in priority from 1A and 1B to 2B, and five regulated plant species.
The first step in any well executed project is to identify the goals and create a plan that is both realistic and effective. Managing noxious weeds begins with plant species identification, includes taking an inventory of the level of infestation, and involves creating an action plan that is viable.
Invasive plants thrive on disturbed soil and seeds are distributed by many vectors including birds, wind, wildlife, livestock, humans and all sorts of vehicles. Some invasives also have aggressive root systems that spread long distances, often from a single plant. Noxious weeds and other non-native invasives left untreated become established, quickly reproduce and spread and cause harm to the environment as well as the economy. Invasive species compete directly with native and desirable species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients and space. Populations unchecked cause major change faster than native ecosystems can accommodate.
The most effective approach to controlling noxious weeds is the implementation of integrated weed management (IWM), the integration of effective, dependable and workable weed management practices such as cultural (e.g. pulling weeds), mechanical (e.g. mowing), chemical and biological that can be used economically.
Powell County Weed District and Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension work with land owners and managers to promote IWM practices including site visits and vegetation management plan development, loaner equipment programs, cost-share grants, revegetation tools, biological control with insects, organized weed pull events, outreach and education events and no-cost materials such as weed ID books. We offer plant identification and also provide contact information for licensed spray contractors and other resources that promote healthy land use practices.
I would encourage anyone seeking advice on noxious weed management to contact their local county weed board coordinator or Ag Extension Agent. County coordinators and Ag Extension agents are trained and licensed and provide the most accurate and up to date options and resources for managing noxious weeds.
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Clark Fork River has long been a defining feature of Missoula, shaping the city’s culture, economy and outdoor lifestyle.
The river is so closely tied to the area that it helped inspire the well-known book and film “A River Runs Through It.” But local conservation advocates say its importance goes far beyond scenery.
“Without the Clark Fork River, Missoula would just be another town,” said Lisa Ronald, Northern Rockies associate conservation director for American Rivers. “We wouldn’t be the River City. I think we’re known in Montana as Missoula the River City, and it’s really because of the Clark Fork River and its central role in business, in economics, in recreation, that really makes Missoula the town that it is.”
Carmen Murill, a field organizer with Wild Montana, said the river is deeply woven into daily life for people who live in Missoula.
“A lot of us would wonder what to do on a beautiful or a rainy summer day,” Murill said. “I mean, it’s really a lifeforce of town. And I think it’s pretty unique that Missoula, as a community is living and breathing on both sides of the river. It’s really like two downtowns but connected by the Clark Fork.”
Conservation groups say protecting the river begins with community involvement.
Advocates encourage residents and visitors to spend time outdoors, whether on a trail, in the woods or along the river, and to learn how they can become better stewards of the environment.
MISSOULA — Sam Forstag edged out Ryan Busse to secure the Democratic nomination in Montana’s 1st Congressional District.
Busse conceded the race to Forstag on Wednesday morning. Forstag had trailed behind Busse Tuesday evening, but he made up ground as the votes were counted into the early hours of Wednesday morning. The other two candidates in the race, Russl Cleveland and Matt Rains, are sitting at third and fourth, respectively.
Forstag leads in close race for Montana’s 1st Congressional District
Forstag spent eight years as a wildland firefighter, including four as a smokejumper, and he’s been vice president of the local National Federation of Federal Employees union. Last week, U.S. House of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, held a rally in Missoula to support Forstag’s campaign.
He told MTN on Tuesday that his campaign has been for the working class.
“We got a whole lot of people here that have been working their tail off to finally get some working-class representation in Washington,” Forstag noted. “So proud of everything we’ve done and so grateful.”
Forstag further noted he wants Montanans to be able to afford groceries, have universal free childcare and restore and expand Affordable Health Care Act subsidies.
“Hearing people’s stories and struggles and commonalities in the ways that we’re all fighting in the system that does not serve us so often, and the government serves corporations and the richest people in this country more than working people. It has been frustrating and saddening, but it has also inspired so much hope in me, like the fixes we can actually make,” he told MTN.
The 1st Congressional District covers much of western Montana, including Kalispell, Missoula, Butte and Bozeman. It is currently held by Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, who chose not to seek reelection.
By securing the nomination, Forstag is slated tol face off against Libertarian candidate Nick Sheedy and Republican candidate Aaron Flint in November.
Brian Miller won the Democratic primary Tuesday for the U.S. House seat in Montana’s eastern district.
The Associated Press called the race for Miller, an attorney in Helena, who fended off a challenge from state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, a longtime legislator from Box Elder, and Sam Lux, a farrier from Great Falls.
In the Republican and rural eastern district, any Democrat will be an underdog, and Miller will face off against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who was unopposed Tuesday.
Libertarian Patrick McCracken is also running.
In the primary, Miller took 58% of the vote. Lux took 27% and Windy Boy took 16%, according to the Montana Secretary of State’s website.
In April, Windy Boy paused his campaign amid “serious sexual abuse” allegations raised by the Montana Democratic Party — but Windy Boy restarted his campaign and later called the allegations “political attacks.”
Miller is representing the victim of the alleged abuse and her mother, although he said he didn’t take on the role until after Windy Boy initially suspended his campaign.
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