BLM Montana News Release Feed

Restoration Work at the Historic Zortman Guard Station

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0700

For well over a century the Zortman guard station (in Zortman, Montana) contributed to this area’s rich history. Now, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is taking steps to ensure the historic structure will remain for another 100 years.

The BLM acquired the Zortman guard station (and its nearby garage) from the Jefferson National Forest in the 1960s. The guard station was originally built in 1905, making the structure over 100 years old and eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only known standing historic structure currently managed by the BLM’s HiLine District Office.

The guard station and garage most recently housed the BLM’s Lewistown-Zortman fire crews, but they have not been fully utilized since the BLM constructed new fire facilities (office/warehouse/bunkhouse/water system) in Zortman, in the late 1990s.

Without use and maintenance, the buildings were naturally deteriorating. In response, and as part of the BLM’s responsibility to maintain National Register eligible properties, HiLine District archaeologists Alicia Beat and Jody Miller prepared a restoration plan to preserve the guard station and garage.

Since 2008, the HiLine cultural resource management program has been actively working to restore the Zortman guard station. The primary concern was to reduce the lead hazard on the exterior of the buildings. The next two concerns were to replace the roofs and improve water drainage away from the foundations.

Through an intra-agency agreement, the U.S. Forest Service Region 1 Historic Preservation Team has been working 1-2 weeks each summer replacing the roofs and siding on the cabin and garage as well as addressing drainage issues around each structure. Using this intra-agency agreement with the R1 Preservation Team allows the BLM to stretch its cultural resource budget to the maximum extent possible. The R1 team will be back in 2010, to finish siding the guard station and the garage.

When this project is completed, the exterior of the Zortman guard station and garage will be fully restored, which will hopefully allow these structures to contribute to the area’s future for another 100 years.

BLM Christmas Tree Permits Available

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:35:40 -0700

Christmas tree cutting permits are available from the BLM Miles City Field Office for $5.00 each.

Coal Bed Natural Gas Workshop to be held in Sheridan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:35:40 -0700

The BLM will host a two-day research and monitoring workshop in Sheridan, Wyo. beginning on Dec. 2.

EA Available For Wild Horse Long-Term Holding Pasture Near Ennis Fence

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0700

The Bureau of Land Management is asking the public to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment for a proposed wild-horse pasture near Ennis.

BLM Completes Final Phase of Land Exchange

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:35:40 -0700

The Bureau of Land Management formally closed on the second and final phase of a land exchange involving the former Pumpkin Creek Ranch located about 15 miles south of Miles City, Nov. 17.

Butte Field Office 2009 Land Health Reports Available

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:15:00 -0700

Evaluation Reports completed during the 2009 field season on 18 livestock grazing allotments located in the Bureau of Land Management’s Butte Field Office are now available at http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/butte_field_office.html.

BLM Travel Plan Appeals Dismissed

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0700

The Interior Board of Land Appeals has dismissed all appeals to the travel plan decisions made within the Bureau of Land Management’s Butte Field Office Resource Management Plan, giving the agency the go-ahead to put the travel plans into effect.

BLM Acquires Meeteetse Spires Property

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0700

The BLM has completed the first phase in its effort to acquire 560 acres of private land adjoining the Meeteetse Spires Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The area is located along the eastern slopes of the Beartooth Mountains about six miles south of Red Lodge and features a rich variety of natural and cultural resources. The first phase of the acquisition consists of about 300 acres.

Bonus Bids Reach $21.6 Million at Nov. 3 Oil and Gas Lease Sale

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Bonus bids at the Bureau of Land Management’s November 3 oil and gas lease sale in Billings totaled $21,629,430.75.

Jacobs Honored for Her Work at Interpretive Center

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0600

Connie Jacobs, Director of the Bureau of Land Management’s Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center in Fort Benton, Montana, has been awarded the 2009 Silver Star Award for Excellence in Interpretation by the BLM’s Division of Education, Interpretation & Partnerships.