August 19, 2025
Hey Y’All,
Our respite from the fires has come to an end. From southeast to northwest Montana fires are burning the prairies and in the mountains. Please keep the fire fighters in your thoughts. And, please be fire-wise here in Helena and the tricounty area. Even with the welcome rains in July and August it’s a long, hot summer. I had a chance to float the Missouri River from Toston to York Islands last week with some friends. Even to a civilian like me the river looked stressed: low water generally, yellow scum on the banks where water used to flow, clumps of algae in the river and long tendrils of algae (green snot) clinging to the rocks all along the way. I’ve also driven up & down the Big Hole river a couple of times the last month or so, and noticed similar conditions. As I told Matt Elsaesser, the good news was that I saw very few people fishing or rafting the Big Hole; nor did I see much irrigation in the hay fields around Wisdom. I take that as an indication that the voluntary, cooperative agreements between ranchers and recreationalists on the Big Hole are being honored, and that those user groups are restricting themselves in these hot, dry weeks.
Meanwhile, we have another good Hometown coming up this week. Hope you can join us at Helena College this Thursday. Mr. Chris Brink, Director of Community Development for the city of Helena is going to join us. The state legislature has enacted some changes to the land use planning requirements for cities and counties. If you have time for a deep dive take a look at Title 76 of the MCA, the Montana Land Use, Subdivision and Platting Act. It is definitely a ’through the looking glass’ experience for the average citizen. Fortunately, professional like Mr. Brink are on the job and working on improving land use planning. The situation in Helena and Lewis and Clark County is similar to that of the other major, populated valleys in the state: a city surrounded by residential and commercial development along with historic agricultural users and activities. It’s a strange brew of overlapping interests, responsibilities and diverse regulations governing nearly every aspect of our civic and community life.
The Helena League of Women Voters conducted a couple of meetings last spring that delved into the new legislative requirements, especially a ‘future land use study.’ I found the League’s meetings very informative and helpful. We’ll hear and learn more this week from Chris Brink.
Please plan to attend Hometown Helena this Thursday from 7-8 am at Helena College. Or, Zoom into the meeting from your home or office, courtesy of Aja Rail and the good folks at Pinion, who have been hosting our meetings these last five years. Hope to see you!
Jim Smith
406-949-1002
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