Author Archives: Mark Egge

About Mark Egge

Transportation planner-adjacent data scientist by day. YIMBY Shoupista on a bicycle by night. Bozeman, MT. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Making Bozeman a Better Place to Bike and Walk

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Mark Egge

An Open Letter to Bozeman City Commission Re: Making Bozeman a Better Place to Bike and Walk 6 January 2019 Madame Mayor, Mr. Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners: Bozeman’s Strategic Plan rightly calls for increased participation in active transportation. Active transportation … Continue reading →

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A Brief History of Bozeman

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Mark Egge

I’ve just delightedly found that Bozeman’s 2009 Community Plan (a.k.a. Growth Plan) contains a brief (10-page) and delightful history of Bozeman, from the first peoples here some 10,000 years ago on up through the present. If you’re curious who arrived … Continue reading →

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Sure, Go Ahead. Get Lost in Montana

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Mark Egge

It started innocently enough. A quick five or seven-mile loop through Tom Miner basin just north of Yellowstone National Park; a perfect “taper” run leading to the race on tap next weekend. With Mipso playing on the Sweet Pea stage … Continue reading →

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Recreation Impacts of Logging Limestone West

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Mark Egge

Context: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is currently proposing to log state trust lands at the urban-wildland interface on the south side of Bozeman. The project will clearcut 500 – 1000 acres of trees, and result in … Continue reading →

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Bozeman’s Tourism Business Improvement District: An Unfair and Unwelcoming Tax

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Mark Egge

Suppose that, one night in a quiet corner of a dark room, Bozeman’s hotel owners make a pact to all raise their rates by an agreed-upon amount. Hotel revenues will go up, as guests would face the same price increase … Continue reading →

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Heat is for Haters

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Mark Egge

Congratulations! You’ve taken the eco-conscious choice of removing all sources of heating from your house! You’ll really enjoy those lower energy bills (if only you can survive until summer), and will sleep well at night in your zero-degree sleeping bag, … Continue reading →

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Vote for Open Lands – Bozeman!

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Mark Egge

I first came to Gallatin County as an 18-year-old in 2004 to attend Montana State University. In many ways, Gallatin Valley as it exists today would be unrecognizable to me then. Yes, it is more prosperous, more diverse, and offers … Continue reading →

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2017 Year in Review

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Mark Egge

For liberals and progressives, 2017 showed itself to be an unmitigated shit of a year. The political attacks on public lands, climate change, rational order, and human decency were relentless and heartbreakingly effective. While a shit year for the world, … Continue reading →

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Farewell, Facebook

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Mark Egge

As a general life philosophy, I like to travel light. For years, my rule has been, if I can’t easily fit it in my car (with all of the other things in life I own) I probably don’t want it. … Continue reading →

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Gallatin Custer Forest Plan – Comment Today!

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Mark Egge

Reposting from something I shared with a local Bozeman listserv: The local unit of the Forest Service has released its draft forest plan which will guide the administration and development of forests surrounding Bozeman, Big Sky, and Livingston for the … Continue reading →

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