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| Bridger Canyon News & MESSAGE BOARD |
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Bridger to Bangtails Coalition
Posted on: 2010-07-23
Community Education & Awareness Speaker Series
Scheduled Events
http://b2bcoalition.org/Articles/CEASS/index.htm
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Weeds and Weed Control in Bridger Canyon
Pictures from the Weed Hike
Botanist Jennie Birdsall will lead a hike to identify noxious weeds common to Bridger Canyon and illustrate methods of controlling weeds, including biological (insects), herbicides and mechanical (mowing and pulling). Jennie has many years of experience in weed control field research for the Forest Service and can discuss results of those efforts. She will answer questions participants may have regarding their own situation. See pictures from last year and our monograph on the weed control effort for a preview.
The 3 to 4 hour hike will cover about 2 miles and traverse steep, brushy terrain. Wear appropriate boots and clothing. Bring things appropriate to a day hike (hat, sunscreen, water, ...). We encourage parents to bring children who are able to negotiate the terrain.
• Time: Saturday, 14 August 2010, 9:00 AM
• Location: 7003 Bridger Canyon Road
The location is immediately before the 7 mile marker coming from Bozeman. It is across from Kelly Canyon Road and the Lower Bridger School. Please park at the bottom of the driveway.
Website: b2bcoalition.org/Articles/CEASS/index.htm
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| ANNUAL CANYON PICNIC!
Posted on: 2010-07-13
A great time was had by a large group of Canyon residents on Sunday August 22, 2010 at the Fire Department.
The committee did a great job of organizing the food (so much and so yummy!), setting up tables and chairs inside the station (the weather was a little 'iffy'). The kids loved rides in the fire truck, the silent auction was a lot of fun, everyone enjoyed the music. All in all, it was a successful picnic. Anyone have some photos to share??
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| Zoning update - 6/28/10
Posted on: 2010-07-06
From Tom Fiddaman, President of BCHOA:
The zoning advisory board has been working away at updates to our zoning documents. You can follow the process live here:
http://zoning.posterous.com/
Our first project has been to tackle the General Plan. Much of the work involves reorganizing and updating information, and separating policy recommendations from resource inventories.
At our last meeting, we reviewed the statement of goals in the current general plan (see http://zoning.posterous.com/goals-in-the-current-general-plan ). Based on our comments, the PD drafted a new goals section, which you can view here:
http://zoning.posterous.com/draft-propert-owners-goals-for-general-plan
I've also appended an excerpt of the text below.
The Goals section is crucial, as it guides the development of policy in the remainder of the documents. Please take a moment to let us know how you feel about this draft. You can comment on the post linked above, or respond to this email (I'll assume your remarks can be shared anonymously, unless you indicate otherwise).
Thanks!
Tom
Proposed Draft:
PROPERTY OWNERS' GOALS
1. To secure increase citizen participation in the planning process and maintain continuous coordination, education and cooperation between citizens, public and semi-public agencies operation in and around the Canyon.
2. Preserve and protect both the quality and quantity of the environmental resources (water, forest, soil, vegetation, fish, wildlife, wildlife habitat, air, wetlands, and night sky) of Bridger Canyon.
3. Encourage and protect agriculture pursuits.
4. Encourage and protect open space and a rural atmosphere.
5. Promote thoughtful development of recreational areas taking into consideration surrounding areas, the influence on water quality and quantity, traffic generation, fire hazards, and environmental concerns.
6. Ensure that the guiding principles of Bridger Canyon are implemented and maintained to provide clarity and predictability that will protect private property rights.
7. Promote development which is planned in accordance with the geography, the environment, safety, and engineering concerns, keeping in mind the rural character of the area, and the ecological balance.
8. Protect the rural character of Bridger Canyon by preserving Bridger Canyon Road as a two lane road.
9. Recognize the Bridger Bowl base area as having been historically used and planned for a variety of recreational opportunities, commercial areas, and higher residential and overnight accommodation densities than what is found in the general Bridger Canyon planned area.
Current General Plan language:
PROPERTY OWNERS' GOALS
1. To maintain continuous coordination and cooperation between citizens and public and semi-public agencies operation in and around the Canyon.
2. To secure increased citizen participation in the planning process and, if necessary, to work for legislation which will offer protection from the adverse effects of urbanization.
3. To preserve and protect those environmental qualities that are resources of the zoned area.
4. To maintain high water quality standards through constant monitoring.
5. To encourage agricultural land preservation and the needs of the rancher.
6. To disseminate information on good logging practice and silviculture so that timber resources can be conserved.
7. To set limits on areas of high intensity recreational use based on access, sensitivity of surrounding uses, influence on water quality, traffic generation, fire hazard, and environmental effects.
8. To insist on attention to vegetation, sanitation, wildlife habitat, erosion, and public safety concerns for new development.
9. Elements of community design (roads, utilities, etc.) should be planned to include environmental factors in addition to usual safety and engineering considerations.
10. New residential development will be encouraged in low density tracts or clusters.
11. Residences, commercial facilities, public buildings, street signs, etc., shall be designed to fit the rural character of the area.
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| Christine Pentecost's Web Site
Posted on: 2010-05-29
Enjoy Christine's photos at
www.bridgermountainphoto.com
You'll be amazed!
Website: www.bridgermountainphoto.com
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| BCPOA NOTES from Tom Fiddaman
Posted on: 2010-05-08
Friends of Bridger Canyon,
This is a busy month. Topics in this note:
- zoning hearing
- BCPOA newsletter & annual meeting
- zoning advisory board
- other events
Next week, Thursday May 13, The Bridger Canyon Zoning Commission is scheduled to discuss the Brass Lantern zoning violation (specifically, the application for a CUP to amend the PUD to eliminate the violation so that a permit can be issued). BCPOA opposes this application, and we’ve heard very clearly that most of you do to.
This would be a great time to stand up for our zoning. There are two things you can do:
- Attend the hearing. Even if you just stand up and say, “I’m in favor of meaningful zoning enforcement, and I oppose this action to legalize a violation that harms Bridger Canyon,” it’ll make a difference – the commissioners definitely pay attention to participation.
- Submit a letter to the commission. Even a very simple one is helpful. You can send letters to Bridger Canyon Zoning District commissioners, c/o the Planning Department, planning@gallatin.mt.gov . If you copy us on your letter, we can keep track of feedback and be sure it all gets into the public record ( tom@metasd.com ).
I’ve already submitted a lengthy letter on behalf of BCPOA, which you can read here http://drop.io/BrassLantern along with a copy of the CUP application and other information as it becomes available. The letter includes the 16 pages of responses we received when we asked the canyon about enforcement last month. BCPOA board members will be at the hearing. Hearings start at 9:00; we don’t have an agenda yet, but expect the commission to complete the Greenridge PUD discussion first (public comment is currently closed on that).
The BCPOA annual newsletter will be in your mailboxes soon – watch for it.
The BCPOA annual meeting will be held on May 25th, 7pm, at the fire station community center.
The first meeting of the Bridger Canyon Zoning Advisory Board will be next week, Wed. May 12, 5-7pm at the Gallatin County Courthouse community room (on Main St in Bozeman).
Agenda
1. Call to order; roll call.
2. Public Comment (items not on agenda).
3. Overview of meeting logistics
4. Discussion of Staff Bridger Canyon Zoning Regulation review 5. Top five issues of importance regarding either the Bridger Canyon Zoning Regulation and/or Plans 6. Further Public Comment 7. Adjournment
The FD pancake breakfast & art sale is on May 22nd, 7:30am, at the fire station community center.
There’s a benefit Bluegrass concert May 29th.
MSU Extension is giving Forest Stewardship Workshops in Bozeman, June 3,4 and 11, 2010. See http://www.cfc.umt.edu/extensionforestry/calendar.htm
These events are on the BCPOA calendar, with additional details where possible.
http://bcpoa.net/calendar.html
Tom
Website: bcpoa.net
Email: tom@metasd.com,planning@gallatin.mt.gov
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| Canyon Zoning Enforcement Query Results
Posted on: 2010-04-12
4/7/10 From Tom Fiddaman
Thank you all who responded by email or on our survey form. I've posted responses as of today here:
http://bit.ly/b3bXp6
(the responses are summarized on
the BRIDGER CANYON POA Section)
Website: bit.ly/b3bXp6
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New Fire District Trustees
Posted on: 2010-02-09
UPDATE:
Congratulations:
Colleen Carnine and Franklin Cole are all set to become trustees in May. They filed their paperwork prior to the Feb. 19th deadline noted below. Thanks, Colleen and Franklin, for your willingness to step up and serve our fire district and community!
Posted February 8, 2010:
The Bridger Canyon Rural Fire District Board of Trustees has two positions opening up this month. Please consider using your passion and energy to serve your Bridger Canyon community as a Trustee and help guide the Fire Department through this exciting new phase in its development.
Trustees are elected to three-year terms, which begin in May,2010, and these current openings require paperwork to be filed with the county by Feb. 19.
If you are interested or have any questions about becoming a Trustee, please contact Lisa Daniels, 582-5796, or email her at kidzrgreat2@msn.com.
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| Wanted: Paperback books, DVD’s, Christmas Cards
Posted on: 2010-01-08
Adopt A Sox is a charitable corporation established to obtain donations of goods, services, and money for the purpose of sending care packages to military personnel from Gallatin, Madison, Broadwater, Jefferson, Park and Sweetgrass counties stationed overseas.
In 2009 sixty care packages were sent to individuals in the military that were stuffed with warm greetings from home, goodies that included packages of beef jerky, candy, gum, nuts, healthier items that included instant oatmeal, trail mix bars, granola bars, fun things such as playing cards, puzzle books, small football, comfort items such as hand warmers and toe warmers, etc. Each box contained a paperback book and a DVD.
With the escalation of troops overseas in 2010, it is anticipated that over 750 care packages will be needed to have all troops receive one. To this end, we are collecting paperback books and DVD’s (these can be used) throughout the year. These items may be dropped off in the large mailbox marked Large Packages by the Bridger Canyon Fire Station or you may call Margie at 556-9230.
If you have new Christmas cards, maybe 2 or 3 from a boxed purchase, we can use them. Each person receives a hand written card in their package. Cards received with a beautiful picture but no writing on the back, we can use. These we will give to children to write personal messages.
Interested in volunteering? Call Margie at 556-9230. This will be a massive project and we appreciate all the help we can get!
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| See Bridger Canyon Fire Dept Section
Posted on: 2009-09-29
Thank you from Fire Chief, Dan Astrom
Updates on the fire
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| Fire Dept. Report Sunday 7:30 p.m.
Posted on: 2009-09-27
Good evening all,
Here is a brief recap of the meeting this evening at the Community Center. Dan Astrom, fire Chief, along with representatives from DNRC, the Forest Service, and the Sheriff's department were there to talk about the fire and what happens next.
Dan reported that the burn perimeter of the fire is 378 acres as of Sunday morning. Of that, about 220 acres actively burned. They are not yet talking about percentage contained, as there are too many hot spots they are still trying to manage. The burn area extends from Flaming Arrow Road to the south up north to the parking area at Bridger Bowl. It extends to Bridger Canyon Road on the east and beyond Taiga Road to the west.
There are currently over 100 firefighters on site working. Today there was a helicopter doing water drops on hot spots and there was additional help from a crew from Fort Peck. There were 6 water tenders working, 9 brush trucks, and 4 structure engines. Water is coming from Ross Peak as well as the pond at Bridger Bowl.
Over 80 structures were in danger from the fire, and Dan is pleased to report that THERE WERE NO STRUCTURES LOST AND NO INJURIES ON THE LINE!!! There was some fire damage to some structures. For those of you who saw the fire Saturday, this is a miracle outcome. The Sheriff's department reported that this success was due to the work of our fire department and all the other fire departments that responded so quickly. Way to go fire department! The official cause of the fire is under investigation.
Flaming Arrow Road and Bridger Bowl Road remain closed at this point. There will patrols working all night tonight.
The Sheriff's department has posted a 35 mph speed restriction through the fire area on Bridger Canyon Road. Please adhere to this restriction. Fire equipment is moving on and off Bridger Canyon and they are not running lights or sirens, and they move very slowly (5-10mph) so it is essential that we keep our speeds down. The last thing we want is for a car accident to hamper the fire efforts.
At this point, the DNRC (Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) has arrived. By tomorrow there will be over 200 people on site. There will be 3 crews, 2 helicopters, 2 skidgins (don't know if I spelled that right) to help get water to remote areas, as well as management personnel. This group will continue to work with available local resources for the duration of this fire. Further, Bridger Bowl's dozer is being used, as well as their facilities for staging. The lack of cell phone coverage in the canyon has been a major hindrance during this emergency, so we are grateful to be able to use Bridger Bowl's infrastructure going forward.
The crews coming in will be lodging in a tent city near the site. Food will be handled by County Assist. The numbers of people they will need to feed exceeds our capacity, so DNRC will have staff to take over. If they need help from us, we will let you know. A HUGE thank you to everyone who brought food last night and today. The fire fighters really appreciated everything!
Dan is updating the fire department website as he is able. That site is www.bridgercanyonfd.org
Additionally, Bridger Bowl is reporting on the fire on their website, and occassionally may have webcam shots of the area.
I think I have captured the main points of the meeting here. Once again, thanks to all of you for stepping up and helping out again, you are wonderful!
Have a good night.
Mary-Martha
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| Economic Woes Threaten Raptor Research
Posted on: 2009-08-13
Per Tom Fiddaman on Bridger Canyon Forum (Google):
A few excerpts from Bozeman Daily Chronicle article:
By DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer
The Montana Audubon is doing some emergency fundraising in hopes of keeping open a bird-watching station on Bridger Ridge, after the national organization that had funded the site announced it couldn’t
afford it this year...
The site has been particularly vital to keeping stats on golden eagles, which like to soar above the Bridger Mountains on their way south for the winter, said Steve Hoffman, executive director of Montana Audubon.
Website: bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/08/03/news/000birds.txt
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| Mountain Pine Beetle Information
Posted on: 2009-08-13
The mountain pine beetle is a native bark beetle that usually produces one brood per year. It infests all species of pines and when populations are very high, other species of conifer trees may occasionally be killed. Adults emerge from under the bark during the summer and fly to new trees. Tehy can fly 15-20 miles, so even isolated pines are at risk. The larger pines are most at risk, but during epidemis, trees down to a few inches in diameter can be killed.
General Forest Information:
http://www.forestryimages.org/
Local USFS, John Councilman 522-2533
State of Montana Resource:
ctessmer@mt.gove (Curt Tessmer Local State Forester, 556-4506
Gallatin Conservation District
Dan Durham 522-4016
Website: dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/assistance/pests/default.asp
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| Google Forum
Posted on: 2008-11-22
Description: An open forum for discussion of issues related to Bridger Canyon
Managed by Tom Fiddaman - originated in May 2007, with updates on base area, oil and gas leases, weed and bug control, much more.
Thanks, Tom!
Website: groups.google.com/group/bridger-canyon-forum/topics
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| Bridger Canyon Views and Info
Posted on: 2008-03-30
For an up-to-date look at life in Bridger Canyon, check out Gary and Pauline Sager's web site from their home in the southern section of the canyon. You'll see elk photos, a dinner for our firefighters, spectacular views, and links to interesting web sites with more information.
Website: www.bclodge.com/
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| Bridger Canyon Women's Club
Posted on: 2007-07-31
If interested in joining the Bridger Canyon Women's Club or have address changes, please contact Pauline Sager, 7001 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman, MT 59715
406-585-8554, pauline@bclodge.com
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