Former Spotted Bear District Ranger says he was ousted

The former Spotted Bear District ranger claims he was removed from his post last spring in part for trying to protect the Bob Marshall Wilderness’ natural values.

Last April, Scott Snelson was quietly transferred from his post at the Spotted Bear District to a desk job at the Flathead National Forest headquarters at the behest of then Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele. Snelson finished his career as a staff officer of recreation, engineering, heritage and land. He retired a few weeks ago.

Snelson had a long career with the Forest Service before being named district ranger in 2017, including a background as a fisheries biologist. He has both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Montana State University in biological sciences.