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News:
US 2 Rockfall Stability construction complete (posted 8/24/2023)
Montana Department of Transportation
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and HiTech Rockfall announce the completion of the Rockfall Stability project on US Highway 2 (US 2).
This summer, crews completed rock scaling and installation of rockfall mitigation structures between Troy and Libby on US 2. This project aimed to enhance roadway safety by repairing the existing rockfall structure and removing potentially hazardous and unstable rock material. In addition, work included cleaning out the roadside ditch.
"We are pleased to have this project completed. The rockfall mitigation work enhances roadway safety features for drivers, and extends the service life of the highway," John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Construction Engineer, said. "We appreciated everyone’s support and patience as we finished this project."
MDT and Hi-Tech Rockfall crews began roadwork in April of 2023. Construction was completed in August. "Rockfall mitigation is vital work to protect our roadways and drivers throughout the mountainous terrain in Montana," Chris Reid, with Hi-Tech Rockfall, said.
MDT values public feedback and is grateful for drivers' understanding throughout travel delays. For more information or a map of the project area, please check out the project webpage: https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us2slopestability/.
Conservation license required to access most state lands (posted 7/10/2023)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Working with the 68th Legislature, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) simplified licensing requirements on state lands as part of Governor Gianforte’s Red Tape Relief Task Force.
The two agencies consolidated the conservation license and state lands recreational use license into one annual conservation license, supporting the maintenance of places like fishing access sites (FAS), wildlife management areas (WMA). On Montana school trust lands, conservation license sales will help fund Montana schools and other state institutions.
Effective July 1, Montanans who access state lands will be required to have a conservation license. Hunters, trappers, and anglers in Montana who have purchased licenses and tags this year already possess this license.
"Fishing access sites and wildlife management areas represent some of the most amazing outdoor recreation opportunities we have in Montana. Access to all these sites for a small annual fee is a tremendous bargain," said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Dustin Temple. "By requiring an annual conservation license for everyone 12 and older who uses these sites, we’re ensuring the cost of maintenance is shared by all users, not just hunters, anglers, and trappers."
Increased use on FAS and WMA sites has led to increased maintenance costs. Much of the increased use is from people who come to these sites to enjoy outdoor recreation, not necessarily to hunt, fish, or trap. With the requirement of a conservation license for everyone, that cost of maintenance is shared by all users.
On Montana state trust lands, the conservation license replaces the required State Lands Recreational Use License for general recreation on legally accessible state trust lands that are not otherwise closed or restricted. Recreational use fees are part of the revenue generated from state trust lands and help fund Montana schools and other state institutions.
"Conservation license purchases help fund Montana schools," said Montana DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. "State trust lands are working lands and now it is even easier for residents and visitors alike who recreate on state-managed lands to do their part to support the education of Montana’s students."
Hunters, anglers, and trappers are already required to purchase a conservation license along with their hunting and fishing licenses from FWP. However, for those people who enjoy recreation on any of Montana’s more than 330 FAS and 77 WMA sites, wildlife habitat protection areas, or legally accessible state trust lands, and don’t already buy a hunting or fishing license, they will need to have a conservation license to access those lands. These licenses, which cost $8 for residents, $4 for resident youth ages 12 to 17 and seniors 62 and older, and $10 for nonresidents can be purchased at any FWP office or online at ols.fwp.mt.gov/.
A Special Recreation Use License is still required for trapping, commercial or concentrated recreation, outfitting, or special events on state trust land. Information on access and licensing for special recreation on state trust land is available at dnrc.mt.gov/recreation.
Montana State Parks do not require a conservation license.
Libby area real estate news – July 2023 (posted 7/3/2023)
Team Hayes Realtors LLC
Goodbye June…Hello July!!
How has the market been so far in 2023?
January 1, 2023 – June 20, 2023 Real Estate figures were:
65 Residential SALES: 49 Libby; 15 Troy; 1 Yaak
44 Land SALES: 24 Libby; 15 Troy; 5 Yaak
6 Commercial/Multi-Family SALES: 6 Libby
23 Residential PENDING: 18 Libby; 5 Troy
25 Land PENDING: 10 Libby; 14 Troy; 1 Yaak
1 Commercial/Multi-Family PENDING (Libby):
100 Residential ACTIVES: 57 Libby; 41 Troy; 2 Yaak
93 Land ACTIVES: 53 in Libby; 36 in Troy; 44 in Yaak
17 Comm/Multi-Fam ACTIVES: 9 Libby
2023 has started off better than we thought it might. High interest and minimal inventory were a challenge - but our inventory has increased over the last few months. Homes and Land are selling, even though you may hear differently. If you’ve thought of selling, this could be the year to contact your Realtor and see if this just might be the time to move forward. Have a wonderful summer - it will be fall before you know it!!
Interest rates are rather challenging.
As of June 30, 2023- Conforming & FHA Loans: Per Quicken
30-Year Fixed: Interest/6.731%; APR/6.808%
15-Year Fixed: Interest/5.987%; APR/6.129%
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OFFICE #: 406-293-2725 Cell #’s:
(Alice) 406-293-8364
(Jim) 406-293-1926
Texts: (Alice) 406-293-8364
alice@alicehayes.com
jim@alicehayes.com
www.teamhayesrealtors.com
417 Mineral Ave, Suite 1, in the Mineral Plaza
Libby, Montana
Libby High School Class of 1963 60-Year Reunion Sept. 16 (posted 3/22/2023)
Libby High School Class of 1963 is having their 60-year reunion September 16th, 2023, at the Venture Inn, Libby. For more information, call Jackie Ruckman Swanson at 406-293-8851.
Libby
lies in the northwest corner of Montana and is nestled in a valley carved by the
Kootenai River on the flank of the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range and Wilderness
Area. Today
about 2,800 people live within Libby proper. The main industries are lumber and
wood products, mining, tourism and recreation. The movies "The River Wild" and
"Always" were filmed here. Contact the Libby
Chamber of Commerce for brochures, info on lodging and events, general area
information, and contact information for local businesses and services.
SUMMER
When the weather warms and the mountain
snows melt away, the Kootenai National Forest comes alive with over 2.2
million acres of public land as a playground. Mountain trails and lakes
open up, beautiful wildflowers come in bloom, and wildlife have their young.
Libby is the basecamp for the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area, 90-mile
long Lake Koocanusa, the Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, and the Ten Lakes
Scenic Area. There is good access to most of the Forest and plenty of room
to get away from it all!
WINTER
Winter in Montana means snow, and lots
of it! For those who love to play in the deep powder, the Libby area offers tremendous
winter fun. Turner Mountain Ski Area, located
just 22 miles from Libby, offers challenging downhill skiing with a beautiful
view. Their slogan is "steep, deep and cheap", and Turner definitely
lives up to that. It's still fairly undiscovered, so you can escape the crowds
and get the cheapest lift tickets around. For those who love snowmobiling,
there are hundreds of miles of backcountry roads to sled on in the Kootenai National
Forest. Cross-country skiers and ice fishermen also can find solitude on a lake
and miles of quiet forest trails to enjoy the outdoors. Those who are a bit on
the wild and crazy side will love the antics of the Libby Polar Bear Club.
Members take winter-time "swims" in frigid Libby Creek every Sunday
from October to April. Plungers have ranged in age from 3 to 61. As long as the
ice can be broken on the creek, if it has formed, the group will take their plunge,
no matter the temperature.
These people must be
craaaazzzzzy!
Libby
Polar Bear Club
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