Montana

Montana FWP files notice to sue the feds over wolverine Endangered Species Act listing – Daily Montanan

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

Montana FWP files notice to sue the feds over wolverine Endangered Species Act listing – Daily Montanan

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Friday within 60 days if it does not overturn its November decision to list wolverines as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

“In Montana, wolverines continue to do well and inhabit much, if not all, of their available habitat,” FWP Chief of Conservation Policy Quentin Kujala said in a statement. “We work closely with our neighboring states to ensure the continued conservation of these iconic species. Federal protections in this case will only get in the way of good conservation work.”

FWP’s objection to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision involves contentions that the federal agency did not use the best available science about interconnectivity between wolverines in the Lower 48 and Canada, the range of the genetic pool between different populations, future snowpack changes due to climate change, nor wolverines’ supposed resilience to the effects of climate change and thinner snowpacks.

FWP’s notice of intent to sue says that USFWS has previously acknowledged wolverines in the Lower 48 “are not currently in danger of extinction” but also that they are threatened because of the effects “of climate change on spring snow.”

“In reaching this conclusion, the service has neglected to fully consider the breadth of evidence regarding wolverine adaptability to climate change, recreation, and genetic connectivity,” FWP’s Chief Legal Counsel Sarah Clerget wrote. “The service speculates on the impact factors A and E will have on the perpetuation of wolverines, while acknowledging the high levels of uncertainty among the factors. In short, the final rule will not protect wolverines, as there is a dearth of evidence supporting the species’ viability is threatened today or will be threatened by climate change impacts in the future.”

Some of the state’s argument involves different scientific studies USFWS has used in going back and forth during the previous 15 years to make different decisions on whether wolverines should be listed under the ESA in the Lower 48.

In 2008, it found there were not significant differences between the U.S. and Canadian populations, then in 2013 proposed listing them as threatened. But that proposal was withdrawn in 2014 before being reinstated in 2016 by a court order.

In 2020, USFWS withdrew the proposal again, and again found minimal distinction between the U.S. and Canadian populations. But conservation groups sued, and a federal court in Montana ordered a reevaluation, which led to a new Species Status Assessment addendum last year that informed the final rule published in November.

FWP says the USFWS 2020 finding that the Lower 48 wolverine population of an estimated 250-300 wolverines “to be the natural result of habitat fragmentation and not reflective of a difference in conservation status” means the more recent finding of a Lower 48 Distinct Population Segment was made in error.

“Under existing scientific evidence, the Canadian and United States’ wolverine population must be considered as one population. In doing so, it is clear that wolverine populations have expanded further south into the United States, not retreated, and that listing United States’ wolverines as threatened is arbitrary and capricious,” Clerget wrote.

FWP also believes the uncertainty in predicting how climate change will affect the landscape and the habitat of wolverines should not be considered as much of a factor because the state believes the wolverine population is expanding, according to the letter.

FWP said new research from last year from Scandinavia showed wolverines were more adaptable than previously thought to climate change and the effects of reduced snowpack in the spring.

“The primary argument the service uses for listing is how a lack of snow, due to climate change, will negatively affect wolverines; however, the service inadequately considered the potential for wolverines to adapt and thrive under a changing environment, as demonstrated by the best evidence available,” the notice of intent says.

FWP said in the letter that even with the USFWS model that predicts a roughly 30% decrease in snowpack during the next 50 years, other science has shown that the high-mountain areas where wolverines typically den will see less reduction than lower elevations.

“Wolverines have been found to use locally available denning structures in lowland habitats, despite a lack of deep snow and persistent spring snow cover … This adaptive behavior suggests that wolverines are more flexible in their distribution than previously assumed,” the letter says. “These studies are not relying on projections, but provide direct evidence to the level of behavioral plasticity that wolverines have to a changing climate.”

The notice also takes issue with the genetic population size and gene flow science used in the final rule, saying the primary study used was flawed and other studies misinterpreted, and that even if there are fewer paths to genetic connectivity than thought, translocation of the animals could be used in the future if that is the case.

“In the Northern Rockies, wolverines are doing well and states are working closely on monitoring and conservation efforts. This listing is not only unnecessary, it fails to recognize current science,” FWP Director Dustin Temple said in a statement.

Before the decision was released in November, Montana’s three Republicans in the federal delegation — Sen. Steve Daines and Reps. Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke — had called on the agency to delay its decision. On Friday, Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said the decision on wolverines was “illogical and ill-informed.”

“In Montana, we’ve worked hard to manage and conserve the wolverine population and have partnered with neighboring states on research and monitoring efforts to ensure the future conservation of the species,” the governor said. “Adding a layer of unnecessary bureaucracy does nothing for conservation but does everything to undermine our responsible management of this species.”

Notice of Intent to Sue Letter_Wolverines 1.26.24

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Montana

Wind damage highlights insurance challenges for Montana homeowners

Published

10 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Wind damage highlights insurance challenges for Montana homeowners

It’s the talk of the town this week — powerful winds ripped the roof off Lincoln Elementary School on Sunday, leaving students, teachers, and residents in shock.

The incident has sparked concern among homeowners who are now worried about how such weather damage could impact their own homes—and what their insurance would cover.

According to Tauna Locatelli, owner of Advantage Insurance, most insurance policies have a set deductible for things like fire or theft, but wind and hail damage deductibles are often much higher, or even based on a percentage of a property’s value.

Quentin Shores reports – watch the video here:

Wind damage highlights insurance challenges for Montana homeowners

“Right now our industry is going through a really challenging time, especially when it comes to wind and hail in Montana. Several carriers are going to a standard ‘all peril’ deductible for everything other than wind and hail. So, it could be $1,000 for all but wind and hail, $2,500 wind and hail,” Locatelli explained.

A deductible is the amount homeowners must pay before insurance covers the rest. For wind and hail, that deductible can be steep.

“Some companies are going 1 or 2% of a coverage value, so that’s the building value. If it’s insured for $500,000 and you have a 1% deductible, you’re looking at a $5,000 deductible for wind and hail, which is what we get in Montana,” Locatelli said.

It’s important for homeowners to know their deductible—if repairs cost less than the deductible, insurance won’t pay anything.

Filing small claims can also impact your rates; Locatelli said, “Because if you have a $3,000 patch job claim and you have a $5,000 deductible, you really don’t want to file that because you’re not going to get anything in. That claim is going to follow your insurance record for five years.”

Age of property factors in as well. If you have an older roof, insurance may not fully cover its replacement.

“You’ve now lived half the roof life. Well, insurance is about indemnity and putting you back in the same condition you were in before the loss. You can’t put a 16-year-old roof on a home, so at 16 years, they’ll now pay 50% of that roof instead of 100% because it’s already lived half of its life. And then it drops each year as it goes by,” Locatelli added.

The bottom line: Keep your property maintained, review your insurance policy, and think carefully before filing a claim—especially as Montana faces more intense weather.

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Montana

Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 11

Published

22 hours ago

March 11, 2026

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Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 11

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Montana

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

HELENA — On Monday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a letter to the City of Helena claiming the municipality is not in compliance with the state’s law banning “sanctuary cities.” The letter comes just under a month after the State of Montana launched an investigation into a city resolution on Helena Police policy and Helena’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

In the letter, Knudsen laid out the ways he believes the city’s resolution violated state law. The attorney general gave Helena 15 days to respond or reverse the policy. If the city does not comply, his office will pursue legal action.

“Helena’s resolution appears to contain blatant violations of this law,” wrote Knudsen.

MTN News

On January 26, 2026, the City of Helena adopted a resolution clarifying when and how the Helena Police Department will cooperate with federal immigration officials. The vote was 4 to 1. The Helena commission seats and the mayor are elected in non-partisan races.

In the letter, Knudsen alleges the resolution established “a broad sanctuary city policy” that seeks to protect every illegal immigrant, regardless of whether the individual had committed a serious crime or not. The state further claims the resolution gives illegal immigrants “special privileges” in plea deals and establishes a “free-for-all policy” where a police officer can request the unmasking of Department of Homeland Security and ICE officers.

Knudsen has requested that the City of Helena, in their response, specifically describe in detail how the resolution complies with Montana law, provide emails and correspondence from city staff and the commission regarding the resolution.

Helena City manager Alana Lake told MTN in a statement: “The City of Helena is aware of the issues being raised by the Attorney General’s Office and is reviewing the matter. While we cannot discuss the details of a potential legal issue, the City is committed to transparency and compliance with the law. The City takes these matters seriously and will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities while remaining focused on serving our community.”

Passed in 2021, Montana House Bill 200 prohibits a state agency or local government from implementing any policy that prevents employees or departments from communicating with federal agencies regarding immigration or citizenship status for lawful purposes. It also states governments must comply with immigration detainer requests if they are lawfully made.

HB 200 was backed by Republicans and passed with only Republican votes. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the legislation into law on March 31, 2021.

Passage of the resolution by the Helena City Commission has drawn ire from conservative voices in Montana politics and on the national level.

The resolution said the commission supported the Helena Police Department avoiding “committing its resources to federal action for which it has no authority,” such as entering into an agreement with the federal government to directly enforce immigration laws. Under federal law, immigration enforcement is conducted by federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. However, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, state and local governments can voluntarily enter into 287 (g) agreements with the federal government that allow them to enforce immigration laws.

The commission further supported HPD’s policy not to stop, detain, or arrest a person solely on suspected violations of immigration law, including assisting other agencies in an arrest based solely on immigration law.

DEEPER LOOK: Helena has seen a growing debate over ICE and local police involvement

In the resolution, the commission also supported an HPD officer, using their own discretion, requesting the identification and unmasking of a Department of Homeland Security Officer if the HPD officer “feels it will not be interfering with the actions of federal officers exercising their jurisdiction.”

“This adversarial relationship by local law enforcement toward federal officers itself undermines public safety and forces immigration officers to fear for their safety when they are simply carrying out their lawful duties,” wrote Knudsen.

The resolution further supports the City of Helena’s policy not to consider immigration consequences in a plea agreement with a defendant.

The commission also supports the City of Helena not disclosing any sensitive information about any person – including immigration status, sexual orientation, or social security number – except as required by law.

“This is a restriction that directly conflicts with Montana’s prohibition on sanctuary jurisdictions, specifically ‘sending to, receiving from, exchanging with, or maintaining for a federal, state, or local government entity information regarding a person’s citizenship or immigration status for a lawful purpose,’” the attorney general wrote.

If a government is found to be violating Montana’s law banning “sanctuary cities”, the state could fine them $10,000 every five days, prevent them from receiving new grants from the state, and have their projects with the state re-prioritized. A government in violation can avoid penalties by becoming compliant with the law within 14 days of being notified of the violation.

Read the full letter from the Montana Attorney General to the City of Helena:

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