March 2013
Greetings!

The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent provides a monthly newsletter to help connect people to news and events around the Crown
 
If you have an event or news item, an update from your group or just a great picture to share, please send that information to Molly Stenovec by March 22 for inclusion in the April newsletter. 

 

All newsletters will be archived on the Crown Roundtable website (www.crownroundtable.org).


Friends of the Crown
Friends of the Crown is an informal network of people and organizations that support the Statement of Values and Principles

Become a Friend of the Crown - 
"It is great to know that we are in this together. It helps us maintain momentum." - Friend of the Crown





Regional News

Southeast B.C. coal mines draw the ire of U.S. environmental agency 

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made a veiled threat to take Canada to the International Join Commission in a dispute over plans to expand coal production in the Elk River Valley..." Read full article

Vancouver Sun, February 6, 2013 

 

Potential Glacier concession bidder has ties to Blackfeet Reservation fracking

"With Glacier's concession contract out for bid for the first time since 1981, at least one company capable of making the transaction feasible may be in a compromised position..." Read full article.  

Missoulian, February 11, 2013   

 

Montana senators reintroduce bill to protect North Fork Flathead River

"In announcing the legislation, the Democratic senators said the North Fork Watershed Protection Act...would complete U.S. obligations to a transboundary agreement that protects the...Flathead River drainage from energy and mineral development." Read full article.   

Missoulian, February 7, 2013

  

Salish/Kootenai water rights compact heads to Legislature

"A contentious water rights agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Western Montana is headed for the ontana Legislature, where its sponsor ...[is] hopeful it can be ratified." Read full article
Billings Gazette, February 27, 2013

 

Grizzlies are 'not Alberta's to destroy' say opponents of restoring hunt

"Conservationists and experts say it would be premature to consider a grizzly bear hunt before addressing several other action laid out in a provincial recovery plan." Read full story.

Calgary Herald, February 21, 2013

 

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Partner on Biofuel Research

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are partnering with Northwest Renewables Alliance to research and develop a biofuel industry using waste wood. Read full story.

Flathead Beacon, February 13, 2013

 

Invasive species, septic leaching are top concerns

"Aquatic invasive species such as Eurasion water milfoil and zebra mussels are among the biggest environmental threats facing Whitefish Lake.." Read full story.

Daily Inter Lake, February 15, 2013

 

Baucus reintroduces Heritage bill: Act aims to protect public land on the Front

"U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana is taking another run at getting a bill passed in Congress that would increase protections for 275,272 acres of public land on the Rocky Mountain Front..." Read full article

Great Falls Tribune, February 20, 2013

Beyond the Region
Alberta seeks public input on fracking, lakes, and drinking water  
Alberta Environment will hold 20 public meetings to gather input "on the state of provincial lakes, water management, municipal drinking and waste water, as well as the impact of hydraulic fracturing." Read the full story or visit the website.
Edmonton Journal, February 5, 2013

Energy experts expected to fill vacant Alberta posts in Washington, Ottawa
"The Alberta government appears poised to fill its vacant posts in Washington D.C. and Ottawa with candidates who have extensive energy experience." Read full article.
Calgary Herald, February 1, 2013

Beetle outbreak worst ever, professor says 
"Diana Six, a professor of forest entomology and pathology, says climate change is exacerbating the outbreak, and she predicts warming temperatures will cause more like it in the future." Read full article.
Great Falls Tribune, February 13, 2013 

UM scientists to reopen Montana climate office
A team of scientists at the University of Montana is looking for state approval and eventual funding to reopen Montana's defunct state climate office, saying new technology could help local producers keep tabs on global competition and drive commodity prices. Read full article
Missoulian, February 17, 2013
Neighborhood News
This section features stories and updates from people and groups working around the Crown - submit your story today!
 
Updates and stories will be included on a first come, first serve basis.

UM Research Scientist Honored with Top Award
Erin Sextion was recently awarded the 2012 Conservation Achievement Award by the MT Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Read full press release.

The Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited (BBCTU) Partnering in Restoration Solutions Across Boundaries Within the Southwestern Crown of the Continent:
"...BBCTU has undertaken 12 priority projects with the Forest Service to restore fish habitat on the Seeley Lake and Lincoln Ranger Districts in the Blackfoot River watershed...The projects include removing undersized culverts that are barriers to aquatic species, removing unnecessary or resource impacting roads, restoring stream channels and restoring vegetation along stream banks to provide shade and cover which are critical to the survival of native aquatic species." Read full story.

From the Columbia Basin Trust:
"CBT has committed $200,000 per year for the next three years to the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds program to support initiatives that provide socio-economic benefits to the Elk Valley. One of the first steps is to create a priorities plan..." Learn more.
 
From the Clearwater Resource Council: 
Clearwater Resource Council, canoe trail mapping  During a float last summer, participants learn to identify native and invasive species and map out their findings.
Publications
Summary: Wildfire Costs, New Development, and Rising Temperatures
Headwaters Economics has recently published an extensive analysis of the potential for housing expansion in the wildland-urban interface, how climate impacts wildfire suppression, and offers suggestions for controlling future costs. Read the full report

Go Local Flathead Guide to Local Businesses
This is the Fall/Winter 2012/2013 guide to shopping locally in the Flathead Valley. View the guide

Memorandum of Understanding
This MOU is between 9 federal agencies in support of watershed and landscape scale coordination in the five America's Great Outdoors priority landscapes, one of which is the Crown of the Continent. Read the MOU.
Upcoming Events

Source to Tap Community Meetings

A series of community meetings to develop the Headwaters Action Plan for the headwaters of the Oldman Watershed. View full schedule and meeting details. *NOTE: March 6th meeting in Pincher Creek will be held at the Ramada Hotel. 

 

Crown Managers Annual ForumLarge Landscapes: Working Across Boundaries

Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort, Cranbrook, BC

Agenda

March 5 - 7, 2013

 

*Save the date* 

4th Annual Conference on the Crown of the Continent

Glacier Park Lodge, East Glacier Park, MT

September 11 - 13, 2013 

 


Please send feedback, upcoming events, information, success stories, or pictures that should be included in the next newsletter to Molly Stenovec. Deadline for submitting information is March 22.