BLM California Virtual Visitor: Montana
Introduction and Highlights from BLM in other States
Welcome to Virtual Visitor, a recurring feature in News.Bytes, created to celebrate BLM's creation as a national agency. In California, there are 15.2 million acres of BLM public lands for you to use, share, and appreciate. Nationwide, BLM is responsible for 261.8 million acres, mostly in the 12 western States, including Alaska, and for 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate. Over the next few months, we will feature another BLM state (or in some cases, a group of states), providing you with a sampling of a particular office's specialties and areas of concentration, and links to more information.
The Bureau of Land Management in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota care for 8.3 million acres of public land in the three states as well as a 47-million acre mineral estate. These public lands are held in trust for the enjoyment of, and use by, the American people.
BLM California thanks Montana State Director Gene Terland, Public Affairs Chief Christine Tincher for their support with this feature, and public affairs staffer Mary Apple for checking our information.
Virtual tour of BLM Montana:
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
During his return trip to St. Louis, William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition climbed the Pillar and carved his signature and the date in the sandstone. Clark wrote, “This rock I ascended and from it’s top had a most extensive view in every direction on the Northerly Side of the river high romantic Clifts approach & jut over the water for Some distance both above and below...I marked my name and the day of the month and year."
While archeological digs and other recent research have uncovered artifacts that may have been left by the Corps of Discovery, Clark’s inscription is still the only remaining physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s passing visible on their actual route. This historic carving on the sandstone butte that Clark called a “remarkable rock” has inspired generations of visitors for more than 100 years.
Pompeys Pillar was proclaimed a national monument in January 2001.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
A segment of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which runs from Mexico to Canada, crawls through the Centennial Mountains from Monida to Red Rock Pass in BLM's Dillon Field Office. The trail passes through some of the most scenic country in southwestern Montana.
Garnet Ghost Town
One thousand people called Garnet home in the 1890s as they scoured the mountains for gold. Largely abandoned 20 years later when the gold ran out, today the town is well-preserved and offers a glimpse into the struggles of those early miners and homesteaders. The visitor center, open daily from June through September, has information about 19th century life here. Two rental cabins are available December through April; arrangements need to be made in advance.
Abandoned Mine Lands
Montana BLM has been working to clean up abandoned mines located on public lands utilizing a watershed approach since 1995. An inventory of 1078 abandoned mines located on public lands resulted in 65 sites that needed further investigation and potentially reclamation. Some sites contain threats to public saftey while others are significantly impacting water quality.
Fire
The Montana/Dakotas BLM has the lead in staffing eastern Montana’s three interagency dispatch centers located in Billings, Lewistown, and Miles City. The centers are responsible for initial attack and logistical support for all of eastern Montana and a portion of northwest South Dakota. The fuels in eastern Montana range from short-grass prairie to stands of pine in some of the island mountain ranges. The elevation in the area ranges from 3,500 feet above sea level on the plains to the highest point in Montana—Granite Peak at 12,799 feet.
Large fires are usually wind-driven events that may last from two-three days to two weeks. Summer temperatures in eastern Montana range from the mid-80s to low 100s with very low humidity. Interagency partners in the dispatch centers and fire suppression efforts include the Custer and Lewis and Clark National Forests, Montana Department of Natural Resources, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and local counties. In western Montana, where national forests comprise the majority of the federally-managed lands, the US Forest Service takes the lead in dispatching and fire suppression.
Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area
The Sleeping Giant formation is a well-known landmark, visible from Helena. The wilderness study area is comprised of about 11,000 acres of steep, irregular topography with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 6,800 feet. About half the area is forested. Twenty drainages dissect the area and provide solitude. Seven miles of ridgeline hiking routes offer spectacular panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. A diversity of important wildlife species live here, including a thriving population of mountain goats that occupies the high outcroppings. Other common species include elk, black bear, bighorn sheep, mule deer, osprey, and golden eagles. About 40 primitive campsites are available along the Holter Lake shoreline. A portion of the Sleeping Giant area is also part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Several deteriorating structures near the river evoke the lifestyles of early settlers.
Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River
The 149-mile Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River flows through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The land and the rugged, surrounding uplands (commonly call the Missouri Breaks) are defined in part by their history. The entire region was the homeland and lifeblood of American Indians. The river served as the pathway for Lewis and Clark, then the waterway for steamboats and a drawing card for fur trappers and traders.
We hope you have enjoyed your "visit" to BLM in Montana. Watch for more BLM destinations in the coming months.
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