The sun peeked out as we readied for the busy days and nights of calving season. After battles with mud, the shift to cooler temperatures froze the field into a landscape of ruts. The bales of hay balanced precariously as we edged our way through the cavalcade of bumps and drop-offs.
It would have been easy to drive fast to reach the cattle, but we wouldn't have had any hay aboard when we reached them. Many times going slowly and carefully gets you to your destination faster than speed without caution. Legislation very often follows this same principle.
In February, I introduced House Bill 434 (Montana Habitat Improvement Act). I've worked with numerous groups on this legislation that will work to alleviate one of the many issues that face Montana: the steady advancement of noxious weeds.
Right now, the infestation of noxious weeds has captured over 8 million acres in Montana. According to the Bureau of Land Management, infestations in Montana are growing by at least 5 percent per year. Nationally, the Environmental Impact Statement for the BLM in 2016 estimates the rate of spread on all western federal lands at 10 to 15 percent annually. Montana's state weed coordinator confirms that infestations across state lands are growing by around 14 percent per year. Following even the most conservative estimate of an increase in infestations of 5 percent per year, this would affect 400,000 more acres annually. With this in mind, the Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement Act started its path through the Legislature.
This bill proposes to add a grant program that would complement the current noxious weed grant program directed by the Department of Agriculture. The Noxious Weed Trust Fund provides around $1.6 million in grants sponsored by weed districts across Montana. Experts estimate that it costs around $70 per acre annually to treat infested acres. The cost to treat the projected new infestations grows to a staggering number as noxious weeds stealthily encroach on wildlife habitat and rangeland.
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HB 434 proposes a grant program directed by the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks that annually could spend $2 million from the Pittman-Robertson funds, generated through an excise tax on firearms and ammunition. This money would go to projects sponsored by weed districts, conservation districts or conservation organizations and would improve wildlife habitat by the control of noxious weeds. A 25 percent match would be required from project participants.
Similar to the Department of Agriculture program, projects for funding would be recommended by an 11-member advisory council. A scoring system for the grants that would improve wildlife habitat would be developed by rules. Projects that would cover lands that provide public access and cover multiple jurisdictions would score higher.
Currently, the grant program directed by the Department of Ag only covers the cost of herbicide or the application of herbicide. The proposed program also could pay for other methods of control, cost and application of seed and fencing costs as part of an integrated weed management plan.
Few proposals that advance though the Legislature solve any problem immediately. Just like the bumpy slow trip across the field to the calving barn with the precarious load of hay, the trip for the Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement Act will go through a slow bumpy ride through the Legislature. By the end of the Legislative process, it is hoped that a proposal advances that will slow the stealthy advance of noxious weeds while improving wildlife habitat for the benefit of wildlife and the public.
Editor's note: Each month during legislative sessions, Agweek will feature the Legislative Roundup from senators and representatives in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Each guest writer will offer perspective on the latest session and the highlights as they relate to agriculture. Flynn is a Republican representing District 70 in the Montana House. He and his family run Hidden Hollow Hideaway Cattle & Guest Ranch in Townsend, Mont.
