[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6160243,"mediaKeyId","5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377","parentId",5450845,"title","Residents press county on solid waste yard cleanliness, wildlife and bin capacity; commissioners ask staff for fixes","audioSeconds",2591,"startMs",1939000,"endMs",4530000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377&start=1939&end=4530","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377/thumbnail_1939000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160243/Granite-County/Montana/Residents-press-county-on-solid-waste-yard-cleanliness-wildlife-and-bin-capacity-commissioners-ask-staff-for-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160243-74b5858787a1d0542f8b6ea957143ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775398991&Signature=jNVOeCb-cMJdHmyFpgFXBQkRL1EC74E0pN4Vcw9eTKLJBcE3lsL9Yoc5QdxDdl0OmXKTK-WY539A~76N0BmeLuG89cKpagOUEUZLFONV6ODzG0aXMGPTKA0bNNllFNv-jGowW9pEs9niEc8UT7sY0ZgzKnGtu9eSSKJgMywwdYboynFJrp4cMi6H9wwWgeklZxRc0Es4CxJPKG7Ddl341Y2JjSeJtH1XafpOGbSrFBHUVtArRGiAvBKEN~22hgIZgPMIIoF7b~XEWJKiTnsc4Q9eXZ78oxO03izi3B9JmULfyOfSTTd~JL7aH~dIUrHn~QGUuaVT4xGaRJR69TSUeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Granite County, MT","date","2025-07-23T11:53:01.747Z","article","Public commenters and county staff raised multiple operational concerns about the Granite County solid waste transfer site, and commissioners asked staff to take immediate cleanup and safety steps.

John (solid waste staff) described wildlife interactions at the site and advised non-lethal responses: “Only thing you can do is put a couple of or give a couple of live traps and put them out and catch them in there.” He also reported frequent litter, scattered mattresses and repeated complaints about material left near the gate and next to the scale. John said he ships full scrap loads and sometimes the trailers are full before a new pick-up arrives.

Resident David Disbrow (subdivision representative) requested dust suppression (mag) and said his homeowners association had supplied a written letter describing acceptable treatment. John confirmed staff would follow county-approved mag application methods and requested the letter be filed. Commissioners acknowledged prior complaints about mag making surfaces slippery when applied improperly and asked that applications follow the approach used on other county roads.

Site capacity and collection: staff and residents raised the scrap-iron bin schedule and noted public drop-offs can fill the container quickly during periods of heavy fence or chute repairs by local ranches. John suggested adding a second bin to reduce hazards from material left outside the container; commissioners asked staff to evaluate costs and bring the request back for possible funding.

Safety and enforcement: residents and staff discussed skunk encounters and concerns about people driving off-road on site slopes. The board directed staff to tidy the yard, post operating-hour signage, pursue an extra iron bin or more frequent pick-up and explore a short-term cleanup crew or contracted help to remove scattered litter.

Ending: Commissioners requested that staff deliver a cleanup plan, estimate costs for a permanent second scrap bin and return with recommendations next week; they also asked staff to coordinate trap placement and animal control options to reduce wildlife hazards to employees and the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and solid waste staff raised concerns about skunks at the transfer site, scattered litter and full scrap-iron bins; commissioners directed staff to pursue cleanup, consider an extra iron bin and adjust site operating hours or bin pickup schedules.","taxTitle","Granite County , Montana","taxId",79639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160248,"Granite County stays at Stage 1 fire restrictions; officials plan signage, outreach",376,5665000,6041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377&start=5665&end=6041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377/thumbnail_5665000.jpg","/articles/6160248/Granite-County/Montana/Granite-County-stays-at-Stage-1-fire-restrictions-officials-plan-signage-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160248-96ebeafe637c87f62079a1395f0e387d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775398991&Signature=Xumc~cypp-tyySCD6lsmxioWe-9D7W3kAhqsqrprSGSfXXblVgRcN3wgJGtm1PH5vnbY1MmJZnsSAe7YmTnCf7-pBskYvbRMIgxGx44ef-cPiwJ1mNv0F4nI-FNxnMhF-bQcvj0NNpa8WhAjO9ZfwmP4RWa5zON-LX2aZU1TxafrRU6evk2Bfzio3-fyW98wKXtciNpNv-UOPCU2DsDZLU-9vJTe-XDKFtbN4k51xe6bR7ffez0kZdW8G5RGkNdzJ-TJfU7otbBlsxsmymo4Ok8CVEfcrgg3F~13--6YyHjbbR50Q1LedZI07MjHhXObSl1Rxa7mu6ltIN~mllVJyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Granite County commissioners and staff agreed to maintain Stage 1 fire restrictions for the coming week and to expand public outreach and signage.

County staff noted multiple recent calls reporting burning activity and an increase in human-caused fires. A county official said the season’s low fuel moisture and hot forecasts make prevention critical: \"I'm good at probably staying with that stage 1 until next week and look at the stage 2,\" Scott (county official) said.

Actions and outreach: staff said they have large banners indicating Stage 1 and Stage 2 and will place them at high-visibility locations such as town entrances, the fire hall fence and other community boards. The sheriff’s office will post messages on its channels and staff discussed borrowing or placing a highway message board to amplify the restriction notices.

Rationale: officials described recent local fires and smoldering burns that were not fully extinguished and said a proactive restriction reduces the chance of a large, human-caused fire that local resources would struggle to contain.

Next steps: staff will distribute and post banners, coordinate with the fire district and sheriff’s office for messaging and reassess restrictions next week. Officials also discussed public education on safe burn practices and enforcement options during the Stage 1 restriction.

Ending: The county emphasized prevention and stepped-up outreach while warning that rapid weather changes could require escalation to Stage 2 if conditions deteriorate.","The county decided to remain at Stage 1 fire restrictions for the coming week, and staff will distribute large public signage, coordinate with the sheriff and fire district, and consider additional messaging on highways and town noticeboards.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160253,"County seeks HDR to deliver FERC-required assessment of Flint Creek Reservoir; commissioners to review contract",1457,7339000,8796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377&start=7339&end=8796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377/thumbnail_7339000.jpg","/articles/6160253/Granite-County/Montana/County-seeks-HDR-to-deliver-FERC-required-assessment-of-Flint-Creek-Reservoir-commissioners-to-review-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160253-01e4e7366a9d2f392bbf99fd7b788001/orig.mp4?Expires=1775398991&Signature=FLvxObvXDzqjiXxto2VjxtayEGJzvwma6SJr8cSqcIWgwLT8zCpvZSTmaRMm2wTZ4bd6aw4QSgdEMCqy2dL~YpCcTl3fUeLSkKnrUgn7MxNm7cjUFDVog06UeQW70J9RDIHPwXpaFdb0PczcU~VW5NrZzg1CpsfZuzhiWy~CDHS94J0NGHkAzYZk7E81h1dPDG-ZcxXVvDHXtmYqqlO1DwEXHok0X-jrhPujt1KSt-VASomswsOWMebR1skmoKLc4AEuyrPsVkfl~woVgOR4wEV7YxvSn-ZIOIHpRq8XATdx8wr3rxSI7NQckMJMmN6I8XlkBi2R64VaC4xVVyjCqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Granite County commissioners reviewed a proposed contract with engineering firm HDR to produce the FERC-required conditional assessment of Flint Creek Reservoir and discussed funding options and timing.

Jasper (HDR project team member) explained the scope and schedule for the conditional assessment, saying the work starts with an inspection plan submitted to FERC, includes a field inspection and a formal risk analysis and must be completed to meet the FERC deadline. Jasper told commissioners, “These can range in cost from kind of what you're seeing here is kind of the lower end of what these cost up to over, you know, $5,600,000 for larger projects.”

Key context: FERC requires a conditional assessment and the county must submit the report by Dec. 31, 2026, according to meeting remarks. County staff and HDR described the work as intensive — including on-site inspections, a potential workshop to run a potential failure mode analysis (PFMA), and a risk analysis — and noted that follow-on work often arises from such assessments.

Funding and grants: county staff said they applied for a DNRC reclamation grant for $75,000 but were not successful. Staff also said the DNRC Renewable Resource Grant can fund planning grants up to $40,000 and that other federal or congressional allocations might be options; they encouraged pursuit of grants and phased budgeting. HDR included a small placeholder ($5,000) for independent consultant support and a contingency for additional workshop needs.

Decision and next steps: the commissioners did not finalize contract approval at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to circulate the HDR contract and fee schedule for detailed review and to coordinate with county counsel and project lead Jeremiah (county consultant) for legal and technical review. Staff suggested phasing most of the expense into the 2026 fiscal year so the work spans two fiscal years. Commissioners directed staff to return with a finalized contract and a funding plan, and to circulate contract documents to commissioners, county finance and the study commission members prior to final signature.

Ending: County staff said they will seek grants, present a multi-year budget plan and return the contract for formal action next week when additional commissioners are present.","Granite County staff described a proposal from engineering firm HDR to complete a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditional assessment of Flint Creek Reservoir; commissioners discussed cost, grant prospects and timing and agreed to review the contract next week with an eye to budgeting across two fiscal years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160258,"Granite County approves temporary 40 CFS release from Georgetown Lake to aid downstream irrigators",756,2786000,3542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377&start=2786&end=3542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450845-d9307902ad4b8ea2571fc46837dfb377/thumbnail_2786000.jpg","/articles/6160258/Granite-County/Montana/Granite-County-approves-temporary-40-CFS-release-from-Georgetown-Lake-to-aid-downstream-irrigators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160258-3b3581f17d14f031b039a22d3815444f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775398991&Signature=mx3RsSw6yFKqlFfxFnTCS1pUVV13kcJmF-vLeCoyBBlYThVjFvGuQdSnUfEop5OthleMpUamEHOPgXHc6MVJt6iTSBx3pYf0fe71699O91EU8U6ZZNeK72O8wbhtJb3rtElaCf2X8Vuq-rREYmO3S6gmhwhoKMEcqY7nbXSdE1NEqkIFiZdIVzCf4TNdrD5BzNyMXf45KdVBIYRxLGTfc0PewRIIcrgtksFlQkfNIClN0-3VtK6CswUfltMN7QXWEWZYbhweo1YYWCF3Pab-zgFUKMa7xgYkCc86Ot4WuAdH1N2Z9UwB7A1z1bTySLWDaHVYCqK6NHgWOHgT4sipUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Granite County Board of Commissioners on July 22 voted to increase the temporary release from Georgetown Lake to 40 cubic feet per second (CFS) to provide more water for downstream irrigators and ranchers.

The move came after multiple public commenters urged the county to push for more water. Brad (producer/resident) told the commissioners, “I was just hoping you guys would, you know, increase the outflows there.” Monica (producer) described the local impacts to livestock and hay production, saying, “So we're paying for water we're never gonna receive because the water in Flint Creek is so low. The only thing that we would be doing is giving it to the fish.” Paul (county staff member) explained current operations: “30 CFS is going through the pipe and then, yeah, being released back.”

Why it matters: downstream ranchers and irrigators reported dry stock ponds, reduced hay options and the prospect of selling cattle early if water does not come. Speakers said the timing — hot, dry weather and low creek levels — means higher releases now could prevent economic losses for farms and reduce wildfire risk by preserving green fields.

Debate and limits: commissioners and staff repeatedly said the county’s authority to change flows is limited. A county official noted that increasing releases beyond 30 CFS would require consent from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Fish and Game), the U.S. Forest Service and other stakeholders. One county official said Fish and Game may be reluctant to approve larger releases but that the county would seek their cooperation: “We’ll see what Fish and Game says here. I’ll send out an email,” Blaine (county staff member) said during the discussion.

Decision: a motion to increase the outflow to 40 CFS was made, seconded and carried. The board recorded the motion and voiced unanimous support; a formal roll-call tally was not read aloud during the meeting. The commissioners instructed staff to contact state officials, to notify downstream water users and to pursue additional advocacy with the governor’s office and state representatives if needed.

Next steps and contingencies: staff said they will contact Fish and Game, the U.S. Forest Service and the governor’s office and will circulate updates to irrigators. Commissioners also discussed holding a public meeting next week devoted to water users and asked that Fish and Game be invited to attend. The county emphasized that releases above currently authorized flows may be constrained until required external consents are secured.

Ending: The commissioners framed the vote as an interim, week-by-week adjustment meant to relieve urgent downstream water stress while staff and local water users pursue the multi-agency approvals needed for sustained changes in release levels.","Commissioners voted to increase the Georgetown Lake outflow from the current 30 cubic feet per second (CFS) to 40 CFS, saying local producers need more water now while acknowledging state agencies’ consents are required to raise flows above the currently authorized level.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press county on solid waste yard cleanliness, wildlife and bin capacity; commissioners ask staff for fixes

Granite County stays at Stage 1 fire restrictions; officials plan signage, outreach

County seeks HDR to deliver FERC-required assessment of Flint Creek Reservoir; commissioners to review contract

Granite County approves temporary 40 CFS release from Georgetown Lake to aid downstream irrigators