The Montana Sikes Act is a habitat
enhancement program, created to enhance habitat
for those animals which are hunted, fished and trapped
on public land. The Sikes Act of 1974(Public Law
92-452) authorized the States (Montana Dept. Fish,
Wildlife and Parks)(FWP) in cooperation with the
U.S. Forest Service(FS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management(BLM) to enhance fish and wildlife habitat
on Public Lands.
Habitat enhancement projects come
from proposals submittted by Forest Service, BLM
and FWP biologists. An advisory committee reviews
projects and recommends funding.
Examples of projects are burning
conifers to maintain grassland habitats; weed control
on big game winter range; removing barriers to fish
movements, and enhancement of wetland and riparian
habitats.
