A new law went into effect on July 1, requiring government boards to record public meetings by video or audio.

The goal is to encourage public participation and provide greater transparency.

House Bill 890 drew some opposition at the state legislature last year, but it looks like boards around Montana have found reasonably priced equipment and are ready to post those meetings online.

Some boards such as the Yellowstone County Commission have already been posting recordings of regular meetings and discussions.

“It’s a right for everybody to be able to see what happened,” said Commissioner Don Jones, R- Yellowstone County. “And you know what we were talking about and our thought process.”

Jones supports the idea of HB 890 which states in its title that it provides for increased transparency and accountability.

“Our constitution has made it very clear that the Sunshine Laws need to be there to let the public have that opportunity, see what we’re doing,” Jones said.

The Montana Association of Counties (MACO) wanted the requirement to be optional.

“We want to follow the law,” said Commissioner Ross Butcher, Fergus County. “We want to do it appropriately. But when it’s ambiguous, that’s difficult.

Butcher is the MACO president and says it’s not clear what constitutes a meeting.

As chair in Fergus County, he says commissioners have figured out what meetings to record.

“I do think it’s easy enough to just look at it and say, listen, any meeting that you’re going to agenda-dize and follow the steps of an open meeting, then you probably should record it,” Butcher said.

The law applies to the Board of Investments, the public employees retirement board, teachers retirement board, the board of Regents, county commissions, city councils, school boards and county boards of health.

“Concern about the level of distrust and the lack of civility in our public discourse, first off,” said Rep. Brad Barker, R-Carbon County. “Second thing is it supports Montana’s constitutional right to know. And the third is we have the technological means.”

The Canyon Creek school board and the County Water Board of Billings Heights board are among those ready to record meetings.

“I don’t think any of us have a problem with transparency,” Butcher said. “I think it’s a good thing.”

“It should be beneficial if people want to get engaged and I encourage everybody to get engaged in their local government,” Jones said.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes joined six other tribes in defense of a new federal rule protecting their water rights in court.

The rule requires states to consider tribes’ fishing, hunting and gathering rights while crafting water regulations.

Twelve states sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the rule, which was finalized earlier this year.

Montana is not part of the lawsuit. Those states argue the federal government oversteps its power under the Clean Water Act and would severely limit their ability to craft water standards.

Seven tribes have filed a motion to intervene in the case. They say the rule is key to protecting “reserved rights,” which gives tribes the ability to hunt, fish and gather on lands they ceded to the federal government through treaties.

The tribes say the rule is within the EPA’s authority as it ensures treaties are adhered to.

By 2024montanacreek on July 2, 2024

Fire crews provide initial attack overnight to protect a structure.

TALKEETNA, Alaska-The Montana Creek Fire (#312) is located 16 miles south of Talkeetna and was reported on June 29th. Overnight, crews responded to a new grass fire near the origin. The fire remains 40% contained, with moderate fire activity primarily creeping and smoldering in timber. The fire is located in a critical Protection Area prompting multi-agency resource response. Ninety-six personnel are assigned to the incident including resources from BIA, BLM, State and USFS. Three crews, one fire use module, 1 engine, 2 water tenders, 3 Division Supervisors and one EMT.

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Fire crews continue to secure the perimeter and mop up will begin where conditions allow.  Investigators determined this to be a human caused fire. With the upcoming 4th of July holiday, the public is reminded that discharging fireworks in Forested lands is illegal.

Due to the fire activity seen within the fire area residents along the Leroy Davie Road and Montana Creek Road corridors were moved to a SET (Alert Status). However, an evacuation order has not been issued at this time. There has been confirmation that one outbuilding has been lost to the fire.

The Parks Highway remains open. The public traveling on the Parks Highway may continue to be impacted by smoke and a large contingency of ground resources assisting in fire suppression efforts between mile markers 94-100. The public is encouraged to stay attentive and slow down near the fire area as crews continue suppression efforts throughout the day.

In addition to ground travel, there has been a temporary flight restriction put in place to provide clear air space to aviation assets assisting on the fire. For more information on the TFR, please visit: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_5688.html

‹ Deception Pup (#252) & Flasco (#259) full containment in sight

Cooler temperatures and light rains calm the McDonald Fire ›

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry (DOF), Alaska NPS

Tags: Alaska Division of Forestry, BLM Alaska Fire Service, Montana Creek Fire

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