Purpose Statement
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working Group (BDWG) is a citizen-based committee of people who represent key interests, geographic balance, and knowledge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Members represent timber, country commissioners, agriculture/ranching, quiet and motorized recreation, conservation, hunting and fishing, outfitters and guides, and citizen interests.
An initial organizing committee began meeting in May 2011 to develop the concept and structure of the group, and to identify key people and interests to invite to the collaborative table. The full BDWG began meeting in October 2011 and has met almost monthly since its start.
Vision
The BDWG works to develop common understanding among diverse stakeholders and serves as a bridge to broader constituencies on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (BDNF). Working Group members hope to provide a way to resolve forest-level issues in a positive manner before they get to the appeal stage, resulting in more restoration work being done on the ground and in a way that achieves ecological objectives as well as community benefits.
There is currently no other forest-wide collaborative group on the BDNF, and the Forest Service has welcomed and supported the BDWG as a way to engage more deeply with the various interests involved in the Forest. The purpose of the BDWG is to develop agreement around priority areas and approaches for project work on the BDNF and to help facilitate completion of those projects at the local level.
Our overall objectives Include:
- Develop common understanding among diverse stakeholders and serving as a bridge to broader constituencies
- Reach agreements that will lead to more efficient and effective restoration project work being achieved at the watershed level
- Increase the understanding of Forest Service processes and approaches
- Offer and support innovations in forest management
- Identifying management efficiencies and priority projects
- Foster broader public support and ownership of proposed Forest Service actions
Meet the Working Group
Interest Group | Representative | Affiliation |
Co-Chair, Timber |
Sean Steinebach
|
Sun Mountain Lumber |
Co. Commish – N | Dan Sager
Dan Hagerty |
Powell County Jefferson County |
Co. Commish – S | Tom Rice,
Dan Allhands |
Beaverhead County Madison County |
Ag/Ranch | Empty | |
Co-Chair, Quiet Rec | Vaia Errett | Jefferson County Parks, Trails, Recreation |
Motorized Rec | Kerry White | Citizens for Balanced Use |
Conservation/ NGO | Sally Schrank | Greater Yellowstone Coalition |
Hunting | Joe Kambic | MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks |
Fishing | Empty | |
Comm. Outfitters | Empty | |
Mining | Empty | |
At Large | Chris Marchion Jim Keenan Leonard Wortman | Anaconda Sportsman
Butte-Silver Bow Jefferson County |
Meetings and Documents
The BDWG meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM at the Butte Archives in Butte, MT unless stated otherwise.
BDWG Protocols (Updated June 2018)
BDWG Capacity Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)
BDWG Partnership Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)
BDWG Communications Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)
BDWG Recreation Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)
Meeting Records
2024
- January 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes/Agenda
- February 7, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- March 6, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- April 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- May 1, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- June 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- August 7, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- September 4, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- October 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- November 6, 2024 Meeting Minutes
2021
- February 3, 2021 BDWG Meeting Record, High Divide Collaborative Overview, Out Year Planning and Montana Forest Action Plan map, Out Year Planning and CFLRP Priority Areas
- March 3, 2021 BDWG Meeting Record, AFRC Cottonwood Rule Presentation, Cottonwood Env. Law Center Presentation
- June 23, 2021 BDWG Basin Creek Water Treatment Plant and Watershed Field trip Notes
2020
- February 5, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record, Planning Area Evaluation Presentation, Collaboration in the Intermountain West Presentation
- March 4, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- April 1, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record and People, Fire, and Management Choices Presentation
- May 6, 2020 BDWG Steering Committee Meeting Notes
- June 3, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record and Out-Year Planning Presentation
- July 1, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- August 5, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- September 2, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 7, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 4, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
- December 2, 2020 BDWG Meeting Record
2019
- January 2, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 6, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record and CFLRP Restoration Strategy Presentation
- April 3, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 1, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- June 5, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- July 10, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- August 7, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 2, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 6, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
- December 4, 2019 BDWG Meeting Record
2018
- January 10, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 7, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- April 4, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 4, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- June 6, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- July 11, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- August 1, 2018 Boulder Lowlands Field Trip Notes
- October 3, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 7, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- December 5, 2018 BDWG Meeting Record
- BDWG 2018 Goals And Objectives
2017
- January 19, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 16, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 18, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- June 15, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- September 6, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 4, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 1, 17 BDWG Meeting Record
- December 6, 2017 BDWG Meeting Record
2016
- January 21, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 24, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- April 21, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 19, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- June 16, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- July 21, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- September 15, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 20, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 10, 2016 BDWG Meeting Record
2015
- February 19, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 19, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- April 16, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 21, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- June 9, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- July 16, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- August 20, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- September 17, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 15, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
- November 19, 2015 BDWG Meeting Record
2014
- January 23, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- February 20, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- March 20, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- April 17, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- May 15, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- September 25, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- October 16, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
- December 16, 2014 BDWG Meeting Record
2013