Montana officials approved plans to temporarily expand emergency haying and grazing on various wildlife management areas in support of livestock producers affected by drought.

The decision freed up 15 new emergency haying and grazing leases at sites in 14 wildlife management areas.

Three of the affected areas — the Canyon Ferry, Fleecer Mountain and Blacktail wildlife management areas — lie in southwest Montana in Broadwater, Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Beaverhead and Madison counties.

Read more from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle here...