COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Trunk or Treat Fundraiser

Seeley Lake Elementary School will hots is Trunk or Treat fundraiser from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30.

Shooting Regulations

Continued misuse prompts shooting restrictions on state trust lands in Gallatin County.

Due to ongoing misuse of State Trust Land associated with recreational shooting – including public safety concerns, shooting debris left on site, and concerns that private property will be further damaged – the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced that two new firearm restrictions will be implemented on the affected lands in Gallatin County.

Restrictions go into place on Nov. 12 of this year, with an additional seasonal restriction going into place in the spring of 2023. The mix of temporary and year-round firearm restrictions are intended to allow the surface lessees to utilize their lease while maintaining access for dispersed recreational activities.

“While nearly all accessible State Trust Lands are open to the public for recreation with the required license, restrictions on recreational activity are sometimes necessary when the situation becomes unsafe or lessees are no longer able to use the land in accordance with the terms of the lease,” said Erik Eneboe, acting Bozeman Unit Manager.

Restrictions are being implemented on two tracts of State Trust Land, one along Axtell Anceney Road and the other on land south of Logan, MT, approximately one-half mile south of the interstate on Buffalo Jump Road.

Axtell Anceney Road – State Trust Land, Section 6 of Township 3 South, Range 4 East: Effective November 12, 2022, Firearms will be restricted year-round on all state trust land located south and east of Axtell Anceney Road.

South of Logan, East of Buffalo Jump Road – State Trust Land, Section 2 of Township 1 North, Range 2 East: A temporary firearm restriction will be in place November 12 - 25, 2022, for fence, water well, and solar panel repair and lease evaluation. Additionally, firearms will be restricted annually from April 15 - June 30 during the grazing season to allow for active grazing, fence repair, and general lease management activities.

A full legal public notice of the restriction is posted online at http://dnrc.mt.gov/public-interest/public-notices/2022-scoping-notices/october/recreational-use-restriction.

In accordance with the statues for management of State Trust Lands, Department staff have documented ongoing issues and are taking the restrictive actions after posting notices that firearm use on the parcels could be restricted if property damage and safety risk continued.

“Montana State Trust Lands are working lands managed to generate millions of dollars in revenue annually for Montana students and other beneficiaries. The ability to generate income from these lands is being jeopardized by the intense recreational shooting taking place,” said Eneboe. “The restrictions allow for the land to generate income through grazing leases, while maintaining access for recreation. However, if additional abuses occur or the current abuse continues, it is the duty of the DNRC to take additional action that could mean further restrictions.”

“Each of us has a responsibility to care for State Trust Land and we need the public’s help to keep each other accountable. Please report all misuse to Fish, Wildlife and Parks enforcement or the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office,” said Eneboe.

Negligent firearm use that creates an immediate threat to public safety, livestock, or private property should be reported to the local sheriff’s office by calling 9-1-1. Other recreational use violations or misuse of State Trust Lands should be reported by calling 1-800 TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) or submitted online at https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont.

An interactive map of recreational use closures and restrictions can be found at http://dnrc.mt.gov/recreation.

About State Trust Lands: The Trust Lands Management Division of the Department 5.2 million acres of state trust land. Through programs including sustainable forestry, agriculture, grazing and energy leasing, we generate millions of dollars annually for K-12 public education, including school facilities and classroom technology. Montana’s Trus

Book Club reads Case Histories

The Seeley Lake Library Book Club meets the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. The next gathering is Nov. 3.

This month’s book is Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.

Here is the description from the library catalog: Private detective Jackson Brodie finds his own need for resolution sparked by three investigations, including that of two sisters who discover a shocking clue to the disappearance of their third sister 30 years earlier.

Stop by the library to pick up ya copy.

Library offers podcasting studio

From Carrie Benton

This month the library incorporated a new podcasting studio for locals to use.

Come by to check out the equipment. If you have content to record, the equipment is ready for you - bring your own USB drive.

This new offering is thanks to a partnership with Montana Cable Access Television, who’s office and studios are now housed in the new Missoula Public Library building.

County taking feedback on services

Missoula County and the City of Missoula are seeking community input to help identify needs and gaps in services related to public infrastructure and facilities, economic development, community services and housing.

This collaborative city-county effort will help gauge the community’s interest and funding priorities and is the first step in determining how to effectively use potential state and federal funds.

The public is invited to fill out a brief and anonymous survey online at missoulacountyvoice.com.

The assessment results will be presented at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Missoula County Courthouse Sophie Moiese Room, 200 W. Broadway. Attendees can also join the meeting virtually on Microsoft Teams.

County to consider Helmville rezoning

The Powell County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, in the Powell County Commissioners’ Office at 409 Missouri Ave Ste. 201 Deer Lodge, MT 59722. The commissioners wil1:

1. Consider a revision to the zoning boundaries of the Helmville Rural Community District

2. Update and revise the Powell County Zoning and Development Regulations

3. Provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed changes

The revision of the zoning boundaries of the Helmville Rural Community District would change the following:

- Extend the southern boundary of the Helmville Rural Community District by a quarter section, adding roughly 1280 additional acres to the zone,

- Extend the northern boundary by the same, along with a roughly 320-acre triangle at the northwest end of the zone, and

- Extend the eastern boundary half a quarter section for an increase of approximately 320 acres.

The Powell County Zoning and Development Regulations have not been updated since 2011. This intent of this revision is to keep county zoning regulations current, relevant, and reflective of the values of landowners in Powell County.

Following the hearing, the county commissioners shall review the proposals and make any revisions or amendments it determines to be proper.

The Commissioners have the authority to revise zoning regulations and boundaries pursuant to MCA 76-2-205 along with the Powell County Zoning and Development Regulations, Chapter XI.

The proposed regulations and a map showing the proposing zoning changes in Helmville are on file for public inspection at the office of the county clerk and recorder: 409 Missouri Ave., Suite 203, Deer Lodge, MT.

Contact Amanda Cooley at 846.9729 for further information.