Community Briefs

Montana Recreational Trails Program Grants Available

HELENA – Montana State Parks announced that federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants are available for trail projects in Montana. Applications are due by March 11 at 4 p.m.

 Montana  State Parks manages the annual grant program that administers federal funding with oversight from the Federal Highway Administration. Projects include: development, maintenance and rehabilitation work on urban, rural, and backcountry trails; planning and construction of community trails and a variety of trail stewardship programs. Eligible applicants can include federal, state, county or municipal agencies, private associations and clubs. 

There is an anticipated total of approximately $1.4 million in RTP funding available to be awarded. The following RTP grant categories are offered.

• The Small Grant category comprises sponsors requesting $20,000 or less per grant application.

• The General Grant category includes sponsors requesting $20,001-$45,000. 

• One or two Big Grants of $90,000 will also be available this RTP grant cycle.

The Recreational Trails Program is managed through an online grant management database system, WebGrants.  The WebGrants system can be accessed through fundingmt.org.

Training sessions will be offered Jan. 21 in Missoula at the Region 2 FWP Conference Room from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for prospective applicants and current project sponsors. There are two other trainings scheduled for Bozeman and Billings.

For more information visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/rtpGrants.html. If there are specific questions, please contact Beth R. Shumate, Trails Program Manager at 406-444-4585 or bshumate@mt.gov.

Applicants Needed To Review Science Content Standards

HELENA – The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is seeking applicants to serve on a negotiated rulemaking committee to review updated science content standards.

With the passage of SB 345 by the 2015 Legislature, the OPI is following a new process for adoption of content and performance standards. The process involves the establishment of a negotiated rulemaking committee to review and advise the Board of Public Education about rules relating to K-12 content and performance standards. The committee will also advise the OPI on the preparation of an economic impact statement.

The OPI is using this new process to revise the K-12 health enhancement, arts and science content and performance standards. The OPI is seeking applications from interested parties to serve on the negotiated rulemaking committee, including individuals from the following groups: school district trustees, K-12 school administrators, K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, school business officials, parents and taxpayers. 

The OPI has posted an online form for individuals to apply to serve on the negotiated rulemaking committee. An applicant may represent more than one category, such as teacher and parent of school-aged children. Each nominee must be able to cover committee participation costs such as telephone calls, travel and per diem expenses.

Applications will be accepted via the online form through Jan. 29. Forms are available at http://app.keysurvey.com/votingmodule/VOTING3/f/1008998/3369?msig=43c53d521a4a0392e78beeddf69cc0ad

The negotiated rulemaking committee will convene its first of two meetings in March or April in Helena. The committee will conclude its work by mid-May.

For questions or more information, please contact Jael Prezeau, Administrator, OPI Content Standards and Instruction Division at jprezeau@mt.gov.

Governor Bullock Signs Executive Order Protecting LGBT State Employees

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization hailed Montana Governor Steve Bullock for signing an executive order that will prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for state employees, as well as state contractors and subcontractors.

In a press conference, Governor Bullock celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day by noting that it is time to “recommit to King’s values of compassion and equity” by expanding protections for LGBT people in Montana. He also spoke to Montana’s private business owners, stating,  “while an executive order applies to state government only, I encourage private businesses to examine their policies as well.”

“Discrimination in any form is wrong and through his actions today, Governor Bullock has taken a bold step to expand equality and fairness for all,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We commend him for doing everything in his administrative power to fight for the rights of LGBT Montanans and hope his actions encourage other government officials to make safeguarding protections for all residents and visitors a priority.”

Currently there is no federal law or regulation that explicitly bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Montana is one of 31 states where people are at risk of being fired or refused employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Nearly two-thirds of LGBT Americans (63 percent) report having faced discrimination in their lives, with workplace discrimination the most frequently reported challenge.

Four cities in Montana -- Bozeman, Butte, Helena and Missoula -- currently have non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBT residents and visitors from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The executive order, which goes into effect immediately, will direct Montana’s Department of Administration to ensure that state agencies, state contractors and subcontractors do not discriminate in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The order also bans discrimination in the provision of government services, and calls for inclusive non-discrimination and harassment prevention programs with an emphasis on cultural diversity.

In 2008, former Governor Brian Schweitzer issued an executive order that protected state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Today, Governor Bullock built on Schweitzer’s pro-equality actions by extending those same protections based on gender identity, and banning discrimination on both bases by state contractors and subcontractors.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 1/11/16 – 1/17/16

**The suspected arson fire on SOS Road in Seeley Lake is still under investigation. If you have information, you are encouraged to call Sgt. Bob Parcell at 406-531-0366 or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers 406-721-4444. Information leading to the arrest and/or conviction may be eligible for a monetary reward.**

1/13, 5:39 p.m., 13XX Copper Cliff Drive, Potomac: Assault.

1/14, 8:59 a.m., 30XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident - Hit and Run.

1/14, 2:06 p.m., 27XX Boyd Lane, Potomac: Theft.

1/14, 5:32 p.m., 16XX Swanson Meadows Road, Potomac: Assault.

1/14, 7:34 p.m., Grayling Drive, Seeley Lake: Accident - No Injury.

1/15, 11:04 a.m., 1XX Shoreline Court, Seeley Lake: Civil.

1/15, 7:30 p.m., Highway 83, Near Summit Lake: Slide-in No Property Damage.