Residents press Prairie County commissioners to schedule final vote on Big Sheep Mountain Park zoning

At the Nov. 26 Prairie County Board of Commissioners meeting, a string of public commenters urged the board to place the Big Sheep Mountain Park Zoning District (BSMPZD) on the next full agenda or a special meeting and to take a final vote. Cathy Grist asked commissioners to “please place the Big Sheep Mountain Park Zoning District (BSMPZD) on the next agenda or on a special meeting.” Several other speakers expressed similar requests and called for immediate action.

County Attorney Dan Rice provided draft resolutions for both a Do Pass and a Do Not Pass outcome and supplied findings the commissioners had compiled. Commissioner Todd Devlin read the findings aloud; commissioners discussed the wording of those findings and referenced Montana Senate Bill 117 (2025), abatements, decommissioning, and the draft Prairie County Growth Policy as context for their deliberations. Several public speakers also voiced concern about NextEra’s silence and asked the board to proceed despite limited input from the company.

Commenters emphasized local impacts. Kate Joyce, identified in the record as a Dawson County resident, urged commissioners to consider wildlife and livestock effects when deciding on wind development rules. Doug Rein, speaking with the TV Board, noted technical concerns about local service and mentioned an estimate for a new transmitter that would expand service from two channels to seven.

The meeting record shows the commission has materials for formal action but did not take a final vote on the BSMPZD during the Nov. 26 session. Commissioners recessed for lunch and planned to continue deliberations; Commissioner Dennis Teske did not return for the afternoon session. The board has both Do Pass and Do Not Pass draft resolutions on file for future action.