Community Briefs

Seeley Lake Biathlon Cancelled Due to Lack of Snow

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Biathlon that was supposed to be held Feb. 20 at the Seeley Lake Nordic Trails has been cancelled due to the unseasonably warm weather. According to Race Coordinator Cheri Thompson, the trail into and out of the range is nearly non-existent. Switching back to the old range is not a good choice for safety reasons.

Plans to hold a summer biathlon are in the works. More information will be provided once it is available.

Community Bus Available for SSHS District Tournaments

SEELEY LAKE – Community members and students are invited to ride the Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) Spirit Bus to the basketball district tournaments this week in Hamilton, Mont. Riders will be charged $5-10 for the ride and be responsible for admission to the tournament and their own food. The bus will run Friday and Saturday and may be more, depending on the demand.

To reserve a seat contact SSHS teacher Tonya Smith at 677-2224 Ext. 5727 or send her a message on Facebook. Seats are first come, first serve. This is sponsored by the SSHS Booster Club.

Potomac Library Collects Food for Fines

POTOMAC – Potomac’s branch of the Missoula County Public Library will be participating in Food for Fines amnesty week from Feb. 22 – 28. Library fines can be paid for by donating one can of food to the Potomac Food Bank per $1 owed.

Missoula County Growth Policy Available for Review

MISSOULA - The February 2016 revised draft Missoula County Growth Policy is available for public review.

Based on comments and feedback from the Dec. 1, 2015 Planning Board hearing, staff revised the draft Missoula County Growth Policy. Revisions address concerns including the need for an enhanced vision and improvements to the action plan found in Chapter 2. A more complete summary of the revisions can be found in the staff memo dated Feb. 12, 2016.

 At the March 1 hearing at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine, Missoula, the Planning Board is expected to accept public comments and take action on the proposed update to the Missoula County Growth Policy.

Following review and recommendation by the Planning Board, there will be a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.

For more information about this project please visit the project website: http://www.mcgrowthpolicy.us or contact Karen Hughes at 406-258-4657.

Landowners, New Access Program Offers Tax Credits

HELENA - Landowners have until March 15 to submit applications to Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP) for enrollment in a new program called Unlocking Public Lands.

The program may qualify a landowner for up to $3,000 in annual tax credits. Through this program, a landowner who enters into a contractual agreement with FWP to allow public recreational access across private land to reach a parcel of otherwise inaccessible state or federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or United States Forest Service (USFS) land is entitled to receive a $750 annual tax credit per contract, with a maximum of four contracts per year.

The Unlocking Public Lands program is a product of the 2015 Legislature, which expanded a program called Unlocking State Land passed by the previous legislature. While Montana contains nearly 31 million acres of BLM, USFS and state land, much of this land requires landowner permission to cross private land to reach the state or federal land.

“The concept of offering a tax credit in exchange for allowing public access across private land to reach public land is a unique and innovative way to provide incentives to landowners willing to accommodate public access,” said Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations. “The Department hopes these new opportunities and incentives may appeal to landowners throughout the state.”

More information about the program, including enrollment criteria and the application form, can be found at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/unlockingPublicLands/

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 2/08/16 – 02/14/16

2/08, 11:19 a.m., Highway 83 Mile Marker 20, Seeley Lake: Accident - Injury.

2/09, 5:41 p.m., Paws Up Road, Greenough: Theft.

2/09, 11:57 p.m., 21XX Highway 83, Salmon Lake: Suspicious Activity.

2/10, 9:42 p.m., 22XX Highway 83, Salmon Lake: Accident - Injury.

2/12, 10:06 a.m., Elk Creek Road, Greenough: Theft.

2/13, 9:03 p.m., Vannoy Lane, Greenough: Disturbance.