BOZEMAN — For a fifth straight year, Montana State University recorded an all-time high for research expenditures — the funding put toward scientific discovery and other scholastic and creative pursuits. MSU is the largest research enterprise in the state, and its total expenditures exceed the research expenditures of all other institutions in the state combined.

MSU’s annual report to the National Science Foundation showed that its research activities accounted for roughly $230 million in expenditures during the fiscal year that ended in June. That figure is a 14% increase over the prior year, which was the first time in Montana history that research expenditures at an institution of higher education ever topped $200 million.

"Montana State's steadily growing research enterprise serves the people of Montana in a variety of ways," said Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development. "Research is an engine for economic growth, and many of MSU’s projects are developing innovations that can be commercialized and stimulate small business growth across the state."

The vast majority of dollars spent on MSU research come from federal grants and are won through competitive applications, Harmon noted. Roughly 90%, or about $207 million, came from federal sources including the Department of Defense, NSF, NASA and the Department of Health and Human Services. Most of the remaining 10% is from private foundations and donors, with 2% coming from the state of Montana.

The university’s record expenditures in 2022-2023 directly supported 858 undergraduates, up from 755 last year, providing funding through programs like MSU’s Undergraduate Scholars Program for students to work on research projects. The funds also supported 612 graduate students and 53 postdoctoral researchers.

"MSU prides itself on providing undergraduates with research opportunities, and this data shows we're expanding those opportunities and really getting students involved in hands-on, purpose-driven work that contributes to them completing their degrees and graduating," Harmon said. "These are our future researchers and business leaders."

A total of 238 faculty and professional staff served as principal investigators on grant projects, and 639 faculty received support from research dollars. During the fiscal year MSU researchers were awarded 524 new grants or contracts totaling $166 million — funding that will support research as it is spent over coming years.

“Competition for research dollars is fierce, and the success our faculty and research staff show in securing funds is indicative of the quality of their scientific and creative pursuits,” said Bob Mokwa, MSU’s executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. “This is research that will have a tangible impact, both on the Montana communities we serve and on the lives and educations of the students we teach.”

Exceeding $200 million in research expenditures by 2024 is a goal set forth in MSU’s strategic plan, “Choosing Promise,” and is part of the university’s larger goal of achieving the highest standards of research and creative outcomes. MSU first met that goal last year — two years ahead of schedule.

Among MSU’s academic colleges, the College of Agriculture recorded the largest figure at $50 million, followed by the College of Letters and Science at $29 million. MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering had $23 million in expenditures, while the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing had a total of $14 million and the College of Education, Health and Human Development had $6 million. MilTech at MSU recorded the largest figure of any university program, at $35 million.

MSU is one of only 146 institutions in the U.S. to receive an R1 designation for its very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and among those, MSU and Utah State University are the only two that also have an enrollment profile of “very high undergraduate.”

Highlights from the past year include:

• Backed by a $20 million NSF grant, MSU is leading a new project to understand the behavior and social impact of prescribed fires by developing new technologies for real-time monitoring and advancing collaborative relationships between researchers and educators across the state.

• Building on nearly five years of helping the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security improve methods for resisting cyberattacks, MSU researchers are leading a new effort to reduce software vulnerabilities across a wide range of systems under a $4.47 million, three-year DHS contract award.

• NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program is driving a pair of $1 million MSU projects to leverage MSU research to grow regional economic opportunities — one involving the use of photonics technology for precision agriculture, the other for quantum technology that’s set to play a critical role in 21st century communications, computing and other fields

• Faculty and students from MSU’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing are collaborating on a $1.9 million cancer care project, one of seven nationwide funded by the Merck Foundation, aimed at providing easier access to cancer care for rural Montanans.

• Angela Des Jardins in MSU’s College of Letters and Science is leading a project, funded with $6.5 million from NSF, that will give several hundred undergraduate students from around the country a unique experience conducting scientific experiments and livestreaming video to NASA during the 2024 total solar eclipse.

• Collaborators in MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development are working on a project, funded with $4.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education, to train school and mental health counselors to work in rural Montana.

• Two researchers in MSU’s College of Letters and Science received prestigious NSF CAREER awards totaling $1.25 million. Blair Davey in the Department of Mathematical Sciences is advancing a mathematical tool that can be used to model natural phenomena like electromagnetism, astronomy and fluid dynamics, while Amy Reines in the Department of Physics is researching the relationships between massive black holes and the properties of the small galaxies that host them.

• MSU’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University was awarded $400,000 through the National Institute of Standards and Technology to offer a variety of trainings and services to help Montana manufacturers more easily access parts and materials from domestic suppliers.

• Stephanie Wettstein in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is working on a $450,000 NSF-funded project to develop improved methods of making a bio-based plastic from agricultural biomass that would otherwise sit in farmers’ fields.

• MSU’s nursing college, backed by $3.9 million from the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration, is working to deliver quality medical, dental and behavioral health care to kids in rural and underserved areas of Montana while providing exceptional educational opportunities for MSU students.

• The ceramics program in MSU’s College of Arts and Architecture recently acquired three new high-tech kilns that have helped students develop their craft more quickly and efficiently.

• Roland Hatzenpichler in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry received a prestigious $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance tools for better understanding the human gut microbiome, which is implicated in a variety of health disorders.

• MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship earned another five years of accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the world’s oldest and most renowned business school accreditation organization.

• Eric Sproles in the Department of Earth Sciences was awarded $750,000 from NASA to fine-tune measurements of sunlight reflecting off snow in order to help calibrate instruments on the satellites that are used to manage water resources.

• MSU’s nursing college was awarded a grant of nearly $4 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a project aimed at increasing the number of qualified clinical nursing faculty and preceptors in Montana and the surrounding region to meet rising demand for nursing professionals.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on two environmental assessments (EAs). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.

White Bear Fishing Access Site EA

FWP is proposing a project to provide security features and develop additional recreational amenities to mitigate undesirable and illegal public behavior at White Bear FAS near Great Falls.

The proposed project would provide the following benefits:

• Provide additional security features to increase the safety and security of the public who visit the FAS;
• Provide additional recreational amenities to attract desirable use of the FAS and provide opportunities for nature viewing, fishing, walking, biking, dog walking and learning about the natural, cultural and historical resources unique to the area;
• Reduce the undesirable and illegal use of the FAS;
• Eliminate commission-imposed seasonal closures, keeping the FAS open year around.

FWP’s objective would be to begin work in early 2024 and complete the project by the fall of 2024.

Comments due Sept. 26.

Peters Pond EA

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock largemouth bass, crappie (black or white) and bluegill in an unnamed private pond. Bluegill are not authorized to stock in private ponds in Region 4 per Montana FWP Fisheries Division policy and are therefore not considered in this analysis and will not be permitted. The pond is located on an unnamed tributary of Box Elder Creek near the town of Roy with no documented fish presence. The project is sponsored by the private landowner and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2023). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term and the license is transferable.

Comments due Sept. 28.

WEST YELLOWSTONE – On Sept. 15, 9-year-old Sarah Simons of Texas was sworn in as Montana’s first ever honorary game warden. The ceremony occurred at the community center in West Yellowstone during a vacation to Yellowstone National Park with her family.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Chief of Law Enforcement Ron Howell presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office to Sarah in front of her family and several other Montana game wardens. Upon completing the oath of office, Sarah was immediately promoted to the rank of sergeant.

According to her website, www.sarahswarriors.com, Sarah has been interested in law enforcement since she was very young. She also has battled severe life-threatening, incurable diseases since birth. While undergoing treatment police officers from New Jersey sent her a “battle box” of gifts and items to encourage her to keep fighting. After receiving this box, Sarah’s mission became clear, to pay it forward and to send battle boxes to other kids fighting life-threatening diseases. Her mission has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity dedicated to sending packages to other children.

“Sarah’s courage in the face of life-threatening adversity and her selfless dedication to helping others are in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement and exemplify the values that Montana game wardens live by,” said Howell. “Sarah is an inspiration to us all and we are honored to have her join our ranks.”

For more information about Sarah and her mission, go to www.sarahswarriors.com or visit her Facebook page.

BOZEMAN, Montana (Sept. 18, 2023) – On Sept. 19, Bozeman City Commission will consider an ordinance that would regulate the time, place, and manner in which people can camp in the right-of-way. The item comes before the Commission after being continued during the Aug. 8 meeting due to the lateness of the hour. Since then, the draft ordinance has been reviewed by the Transportation Board and Economic Vitality Board. The goal of the proposed ordinance is to help the city better maintain its infrastructure and keep people safe, including those who are experiencing homelessness.

“One of the main things we have heard is concern around the time element which requires people to move to a different street after five days,” City Manager Jeff Mihelich stated. “This is a starting point that is meant to address the need to move vehicles regularly to properly sweep or plow the road, and we wrote the ordinance to be flexible on this based on individual circumstances. We hope all understand that we aim to be compassionate first as we look to manage impacts to our infrastructure.”

The proposed ordinance allows people to stay in the public right-of-way in a vehicle for up to five days if they are homeless and no other form of shelter is available. After five days, they must move to a different street. Additionally, people may not camp adjacent or across from a residence, park, school, or daycare, or within 100 feet of a business entrance. Other parts of the draft ordinance include that people must maintain clean and orderly spaces with no trash or personal items stored outside their vehicles.

In working with those who are experiencing homelessness, the City must comply with case law from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals including Martin v. City of Boise and Johnson v. City of Grants Pass. These cases recognize people experiencing homelessness have a constitutional right to keep themselves warm and dry while sleeping when there are no other forms of shelter available. The proposed regulations continue to protect this constitutional right, meaning people can and will be allowed to sleep in the right-of-way.

The city is implementing a tiered strategy to address houselessness. In the short term, staff are in the process of hiring Health and Safety Compliance Officers to help connect people to services and maintain a clean community. For the mid-and long-term, the city is working with HRDC to build a permanent shelter and working to increase the housing supply for people at every level.

Within the community, some residents have cited safety concerns around this population. However, recent reports from Bozeman Police have not shown a dramatic increase in overall crime. Additionally, some have called for a dedicated camping area for unhoused residents. The City has researched this option but has identified numerous issues. Those staying in the right-of-way cannot be forced to move to the campground and areas can be costly, from land value to hiring security to managing the site.

Those interested in more information on the city’s houselessness work can contact the City Manager’s office at 406-582-2306.

HELENA – By order of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, the hunting of all bighorn sheep will close in Hunting District (HD) 501, one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Sept. 19. 

The bighorn sheep quota in this HD has been met. For more information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/by-species to check the current quota status, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.

BIG SKY — Careful observers of Lone Mountain may have noticed significant progress on the Lone Peak Tram over the past couple of weeks. We’re happy to report that it’s not a mirage: three of the four required track ropes have been installed, and the top and bottom terminals are officially connected.

The new Lone Peak Tram requires four track ropes in addition to the haul rope. Each cabin travels on two track ropes on either side of the haul rope that provide support and stability as the cabins move between the terminals and over the tower. 

The haul rope, which is expected to be installed in the next few weeks, is centered directly above the tram cabin, attached by the hangers, and provides the propulsion for the tram. 

Each rope installation is a multi-day process, as the track ropes are too heavy to be installed directly by helicopter. First, a helicopter suspends a pilot rope in the air after teams on the ground have secured it to the bottom terminal. The helicopter then flies the pilot rope to the tower, where it is secured in the tower sheaves, then flown up to the top terminal, where it is secured in the top terminal sheaves and anchored to the ground.

“While it can sometimes take hours to install pilot ropes, the helicopter pilots at Timberline have been flying these up in 10 to 15 minutes,” said Jas Raczynski, Big Sky Resort’s construction project manager. “We’re fortunate to have a super talented pilot.”

Ground teams then attach a slightly larger intermediate rope to the pilot rope to pull between the terminals and over the tower. With the intermediate rope threaded, the process is repeated, and the track rope is pulled between the terminals. The track rope is then manipulated via cranes and other heavy equipment to ensure precise placement. Once the ropes have been secured around the bollards at the top and bottom, the final tensioning process begins. After a half day of rope tensioning, the installation is complete. This entire process is repeated four times total to install each track rope. 

“It's very exciting to finally see the path the new tram will travel up to the summit of Lone Mountain,” Raczynski said.

BOZEMAN -- Fjällräven, the Swedish brand known for its timeless, functional and durable outdoor equipment, expanded its global retail footprint with a new brand store that opened in Bozeman on September 2. To celebrate the new location, the first in Montana, Fjällräven is hosting a grand opening weekend with a series of in-store events on September 30 and October 1.

"This is an exciting milestone for Fjällräven, as we've long wanted to open a store in Bozeman but wanted to make sure we did it in the right space and at the right time," said Sarah Tava, Global Director of Retail at Fjällräven. "The Fjällräven brand has a lot to offer the community in Bozeman, from custom backpack fittings to tailoring and repair services to in-store events and education. We're excited to get to know the people, trails and nature that makes Bozeman such a special place."

Fjällräven's grand opening weekend will feature:

• September 30: The fun kicks off Saturday at 7 p.m. with a grand opening celebration including music, drinks, a ribbon cutting and giveaways for the first 50 guests. Learn more about the brand and enter for a chance to win a Fjällräven jacket by completing Fjällräven Bingo. Register here.
• October 1: Fjällräven will be hosting its first community event in Bozeman with the kickoff of the Nature Unplugged Hike-A-Thon. Fjällräven regularly partners with Nature Unplugged, a nonprofit working to promote preventative mental heath solutions that inspire wellness in the digital age. Hike-A-Thon is a month-long challenge and fundraiser for Nature Unplugged that encourages people to get outside while earning Fjällräven store credit for miles walked/hiked. Special guests include Sarah Tava, Global Director of Retail; Danny Harkins, Bozeman Store Manager; Chef Scott Meyers, Backcountry Dining; and Nature Unplugged. Registration is limited. Register here.

Fjällräven's core business is outdoor and trekking equipment, from clothing and accessories to backpacks, tents and sleeping bags. Founded in Sweden in 1960, Fjällräven's mission is to inspire and enable more people to spend time in nature, whether that is through products, sharing outdoor know-how and inspiration, or hosting global and local events for its growing community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Learn more about the Bozeman store here.

About Fjällräven
In 1960, Åke Nordin founded Fjällräven in his basement in the town of Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden. Today the company's timeless, functional, and durable outdoor equipment enjoys a global presence and can be found in over 70 countries. Fjällräven's product range comprises outdoor clothing and accessories for men and women as well as backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. Fjällräven prioritizes acting responsibly towards people, animals, and nature and encourages and sustains public interest in the outdoors. The company is the initiator of two popular outdoor events, Fjällräven Classic and Fjällräven Polar, which attract thousands of participants every year.

BOZEMAN — As the City of Bozeman looks to update its wetland code, staff invite all members of the public to learn more about the project and provide input. City staff will host two meetings on Thursday, Oct. 5 – one virtually on Zoom at 12 p.m., and one in person from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Bozeman Public Library, 626 E Main Street. Meetings will begin with a presentation followed by breakout groups.

“Bozeman City Commission has determined that local mitigation of wetland impacts should be a priority in order to enhance quality of life and environmental protections across the city,” Nicholas Ross, Director of Transportation and Engineering, explained. “That’s why this update is so important. We know many in our community care deeply about our wetlands and it’s critical for us to be thoughtful about our ecosystem as we grow.”

The City began looking at an update to the wetland code years ago with the goal of encouraging local wetland preservation and creating a wetland bank, a large protected wetland area. Recent legal changes, including Montana Senate Bill 382 and Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, have impacted the city’s efforts. Notably, the Sackett decision removed federal protections for many of the nation’s wetlands and left management of these areas to states and local governments.

 
Wetland mitigation involves the creation, restoration, or enhancement of new wetlands to compensate for impacting these areas when developing on the land. The Wetland Code Update project will focus on how mitigation can occur around Bozeman rather than far outside city limits, with an emphasis on providing the greatest positive benefit to ecological resources.

 
The project aims to be wrapped up and approved by Bozeman City Commission by the end of the year.
 
For more information on the Wetland Code Update, visit engage.bozeman.net/wetlands.

Bozeman – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $1,605,660 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to develop a Sustainable Organics Management Program which will provide year-round recycling and composting services for organics and food waste in Bozeman, Montana. EPA is also making $632,629 available to the state of Montana to improve solid waste management planning and data collection in communities across the state. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funding to expand and create new waste management facilities in Montana is part of EPA’s largest recycling investment in 30 years.

“EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funds are helping communities across the nation reuse waste and reduce local and global environmental impacts,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker.  “We are proud to support a growing program that will serve Bozeman residents for many years to come.”

EPA’s grant award will help the city create a Bozeman Sustainable Organics Management Program with new residential collection infrastructure to provide single- and multi-family households with year-round diversion services for organic waste, including food waste. These investments include the purchase of carts, collection trucks, technology improvements and program education and outreach to residents and businesses. The city estimates the program will serve up to 7,000 households by 2026 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,950 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.

“Our seasonal yard waste composting program is already popular with residents, so to expand this service year-round and offer food waste composting for the first time is truly exciting for our community,” said Bozeman Mayor Cyndy Andrus. “We’re grateful to have been awarded this grant and look forward to the many benefits this program will provide."

The grant award to the City of Bozeman is part f the agency's newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. As part of today’s announcement, EPA selected 25 communities across the nation to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. In addition, the agency is making available approximately $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and plan implementation.

EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program is advancing the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.

These grants represent important steps toward achieving the EPA’s National Recycling Goal and Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal and will help build an economy devoted to keeping materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible, what’s known as a circular economy.

Additional Background
Today’s announcement for states, territories and communities is the first round of funding from this new grant program. In the coming months, EPA will announce the selected recipients of the recycling grants for Tribes and intertribal consortia, as well as the recipients of EPA’s new Recycling Education and Outreach grant program. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $275 million total from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2026 for grants authorized under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, the largest investment in recycling in 30 years. The recycling grants are supplemented with additional funding provided through EPA’s annual appropriations. EPA has selected these entities to receive funding for recycling infrastructure projects and anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. 

For details about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program selectees and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-related funding opportunities, visit the EPA recycling grants webpage.