Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Dec. 20, 2023

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
Whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

 

City of Bozeman, Gallatin County Adopt Sensitive Lands Protection Plan
Regional plan maps ecological resources and provides recommendations 

The Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan crossed a major milestone this month. With the acceptance of the plan by the Bozeman City Commission and adoption by the Gallatin County Commission, the community will now have a regional and coordinated view of what resources are at risk as development occurs, and what steps can be taken to conserve and protect what residents value most.

“The plan provides meaningful information that will assist the county with implementing our Growth Policy,” says Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. “The menu of strategies that are available to address the impacts on sensitive lands are both at a macro level and a site-specific level in this plan, and they also encompass a variety of approaches from regulations to financial incentives. I think we have a really good mix of levers to use.”

“This plan is two years in the making and demonstrates our shared understanding of how important our ecological resources are to our quality of life. Now, we can clearly see which areas are most at risk and prioritize them accordingly for conservation,” says City of Bozeman Strategic Services Director, Jon Henderson.

The document outlines insights into the vision and values of our community, a set of thematic sensitive land models based on authoritative data sources, and a toolkit of recommendations that can be implemented throughout the Valley.

Online at the project website, residents can explore interactive maps for each theme, view the full Plan document, and walk through each step of the Planning process, from community engagement to the toolkit of solutions.

The Plan has been guided by the public and a Working Group of technical experts. It is a success story of collaboration between multiple city, county, agency, constituent, and landowner representatives.

For more about the Plan, including how to get involved in implementation, visit the Project Hub at https://gallatinvalleyplan.bozeman.net/.

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On 12/12/2023 at 11:31 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from two individuals who had gotten their vehicle stuck while recreating near the Sourdough Trail. The individuals were not dressed for the cold weather conditions and requested Search and Rescue respond to pick them up.

 

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSAR) volunteers from the Valley section responded. Volunteers utilized off-road vehicles to travel up the trail where the individuals were located. GCSAR volunteers evaluated the individuals on scene and provided them a ride back to the trail head.

 

Sheriff Springer would like to remind backcountry enthusiasts that not all trails in the county are permitted to be used by motorized vehicles and to read posted signage at all trail heads to ensure our trails can be legally enjoyed by all. Those trails which are permitted for motorized used should only be used by those with experience and proper equipment, especially given cold weather and icy road conditions. If you have any questions regarding trail usage in Gallatin County, please reach out to the National Forest Service or the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

In the afternoon hours of Thursday, December 7, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, investigated a death that occurred on a construction site near Big Sky. The victim was identified as 60-year-old Israel Duran Bahena who resided in Bozeman. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Israel Duaran Bahena during this time.

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Name: Dustin Lensing
Phone: (406)388-4262


Montanans: Celebrate the Holidays Responsibly by Planning for a Sober Ride Home

Montana Law Enforcement increasing patrols during the holiday season

December 7, 2023, Belgrade, Mont. – As the holiday season kicks off, the Belgrade Police Department and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are encouraging Montanans to plan for a sober ride home before celebrating. Historically, the period between December 15 and January 1 has a high concentration of impaired driving crashes and crash fatalities. Under the Vision Zero goal, Gallatin County law enforcement, MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways during the busy holiday season. Law enforcement partners across the state will be increasing patrols through the winter holidays and making Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests as part of the effort to help Montanans get home safely.

Montana law states that if drivers have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08 or higher, they could be arrested and face a DUI charge and other serious consequences, including having their driver’s license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time and up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.
“If you’re drinking during the holiday season, make a plan for a safe ride home,” said Dustin Lensing, Chief of Police, Belgrade Police Department. “Winter driving conditions are dangerous enough, and adding alcohol to the mix puts everyone in danger. For yourself, your family and your community, make a plan for a sober ride before you start celebrating. Whether it’s designating a sober driver or arranging to stay at a friend or family member’s home if you’re drinking, having that plan ensures our community stays safe.”
Why is Montana law enforcement on high alert during the holiday season? These are Montana’s sobering statistics:
● Montana has one of the highest fatality rates in the nation for the number of deaths caused by alcohol-impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled.
● In the last three years, over 60% of Montana’s crash fatalities have involved an impaired driver.

“Please celebrate responsibly this holiday season. Have fun, but don’t drive impaired,” said Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Steve Lavin. “We’ll be increasing patrols throughout the holidays to make sure Montanans get home safely so they can spend time with their friends and family. Do your part and plan ahead or call for a sober ride home if you’ve been drinking. Together we can keep our community safe.”

Montana Department of Transportation — Vision Zero
This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero — zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Tammy Ross, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-9192 or tross@mt.gov.
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Alternative accessible formats of this document are provided on request. If you need an alternative format, contact the Office of Civil Rights, Montana Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

 

For immediate release: Dec. 5, 2023

Media contact:
Scott Randall, Robert Peccia & Associates
srandall@rpa-hln.com
406-447-5005

Gallatin County to Host Public Meetings to Gather Feedback on Intersection Improvements Projects

Gallatin County is in the early stages of identifying improvement options for three critical intersections on County roads between Belgrade and Bozeman. The purpose of this project is to identify potential improvement options for each intersection, conduct a detailed analysis of all options, and identify the best solution for each intersection. The analysis will consider multimodal traffic needs, safety concerns, environmental impacts, cost, feasibility, and input from landowners, stakeholders, and the public. Once a preferred alternative has been identified for each intersection, the County intends to move forward with design and construction as funding becomes available. The project intersections include the following.

• Alaska Road South / Cameron Bridge Road
• Alaska Road South / East Valley Center Road
• Love Lane / Durston Road

The county is hosting a public open house to provide information to interested parties about identified areas of concern, present preliminary findings, and gather feedback on potential improvements. The open house will be hosted in-person over a two-hour period, and the public is invited to drop in at their convenience to see what is planned and talk with the project team.

WHAT: Public Open House

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 14 from 4-6 PM

WHERE: Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman), Community Room

​In addition to the open house, the county will also host a live virtual public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 14 over the lunch hour. The meeting will start with a brief presentation covering initial findings and an overview of potential improvement options. An opportunity for public comment will be offered at the end. The virtual meeting will be recorded and posted to the project website for those who are unable to attend live.

WHAT: Virtual Public Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 14 from 12-1 PM

TO REGISTER: https://bit.ly/3R05cDJ

Pre-registration is required to attend. 

Community input is a very important part of the process. The public is encouraged to participate in the open house and/or attend the virtual public meeting to share their concerns, thoughts, and ideas with the project team. This project is intended to be a collaborative effort between the county, landowners, stakeholders, and the public. As such, all input gathered from these events will be considered by the project team as the project advances.

Comments can be submitted at any time to the project manager, Scott Randall, via email at srandall@rpa-hln.com, by phone at 406-447-5005, or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601.

For more information about the project, visit https://rpa-hln.com/gallatin-intersections/.

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On November 30, 2023, at 2:53pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a paraglider who had crashed near the top of the M.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the M Trailhead. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Command deployed a hasty team to assess the patient’s injuries and a secondary team with a one-wheeled litter device to extract the patient.

Gallatin County Search and Rescue Heli Team was deployed on standby.

Search and Rescue teams located the patient, assessed his injuries, and safely extricated the patient to the M Trailhead. The patient was transported to Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center by AMR.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the paraglider for contacting other recreationalists for help and other recreationalists for helping coordinate SAR efforts. Sheriff Springer would like to thank AMR paramedics and Bridger Canyon Fire for their joint support.

On November 28, 2023 at 8:58pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of a suspected intoxicated driver who crashed their vehicle on a neighbor’s property in the area north of Jackson Creek exit.  The driver reportedly sustained a minor injury to the head in the crash, then left on foot, not appropriately dressed for the cold weather.   

Due to the cold weather conditions and the mountain terrain, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to assist Gallatin County Deputies and Montana Highway Patrol in locating the driver in order to ensure their welfare.  The driver was not responsive to attempts to contact them by phone, and GCSO SAR did not locate them.  Eventually, GCSO Deputies received information that the driver made it home safely and chose to avoid contact with responders.   

Sheriff Springer would like to remind the public that in the event of a motor vehicle accident, remain with your vehicle until contacted by Law Enforcement, as it is the obligation of Law Enforcement responders to ensure the welfare of all involved passengers. 

On 11/28/2023 at 5:16 pm, 911 dispatch received a call from a recreationalist near Hyalite Canyon Road stating an elderly hiker had not returned to their vehicle after leaving earlier in the afternoon to cut a Christmas Tree. Due to cold weather conditions and darkness setting in, Search and Rescue was requested.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSAR) volunteers from the Valley section as well as an Ambulance from American Medical Response responded. GCSAR members deployed off-road vehicles, drones, and dog teams to locate the hiker. Fortunately, the hiker was eventually located by GCSAR members approximately three miles from where they had last been seen. The hiker was then transported to the waiting AMR ambulance for a medical evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreational enthusiasts to always have a backup plan when recreating. Being dressed for changing weather conditions and having adequate supplies is good practice for ensuring a safe trip. Also, cellular service is still spotty at best in much of Gallatin County’s backcountry. Having a communication plan that does not depend on cell service is always recommended.

 

On Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 9:37 p.m. The West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch center received a call requesting assistance for a stuck side by side on the Teepee Creek Trail 12 miles north of West Yellowstone. The hunter had gotten stuck in the deep snow and after several hours of effort, had been unable to extract the machine from the deep snow.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks responded to assist with the rescue.

The hunter was able to provide gps coordinates using an In-Reach gps device which let the volunteers to the location. They were able to safely extract the hunter who was then escorted to safety.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hunter for carrying a reliable means of communication in addition to a gps device which was integral in leading rescuers quickly to the exact location.