Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will hold a regular meeting Aug. 6 beginning at 8:15 a.m. at FWP's headquarters conference room in Helena. At the meeting, the Commission will take final action on the future of the Green Meadow Game Preserve, northwest of Helena, and consider two land acquisitions: 1) 2,143 acres of primarily elk winter range adjacent to the Judith Wildlife Management Area; and 2) 2,565 acres in Fergus County, known as the Beckman Property.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

FWP Commission Chairman Stan Meyer, of Great Falls, has been selected by the Western Wildlife Law Enforcement Association as its Commissioner of the Year. Meyer was cited for outstanding support of wildlife law enforcement during his tenure as FWP Commission Chairman. Association Chair, Beate Galda cited Meyer's leadership during the season setting process, his concern for enforcement issues and for the wardens' ability to enforce laws and regulations enacted.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

Marshall Bloom, M.D., of Hamilton, has been selected by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies as its Outstanding Citizen Wildlife Contributor of the Year. In his letter nominating Bloom, FWP Director Patrick Graham characterized Bloom as "a tireless advocate for wild trout and trout habitat, both in Montana and at the national level.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has confirmed that whirling disease has been detected on four new rivers: the Gallatin near Logan; the East Gallatin, northwest of Bozeman; the Bitterroot, north of Darby; and the Yellowstone, near Livingston and at the mouth of the Shields River. Dick Vincent, FWP's Whirling Disease Coordinator, said FWP researchers on the main stem of the Gallatin captured five, 1.5-year-old rainbow trout this spring that had deformities. The fish were submitted to the U.S.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Governor's office are seeking nominations, or applications, from individuals for Montanans willing to serve on the Future Fisheries Improvement Program Review Panel. The panel consists of 13 individuals. One individual from each of the following categories will be selected: 1) irrigated agriculture, 2) licensed angler (representing warmwater interests), 3) high school student, 4) silviculture, and 5) fisheries biology.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

Governor Marc Racicot has appointed a new 15-member Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Council. Charged with developing recommendations regarding issues that involve private land, public wildlife, and hunting access, the Council membership includes landowners, hunters, outfitters, legislators, and a Fish, Wildlife, & Parks commissioner.
(Headlines - July 30, 1999)

Patrick Graham, Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, was announced as the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Professional of the Year at the group's annual meeting in Durango, Colorado, the week of July 12. The award is the group's highest award and is presented to an employee of a member agency for a career of outstanding contribution to the management, protection or enhancement of wildlife resources.
(Headlines - July 16, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a document that assesses the need to conserve Montana's privately owned forestland. The document will be used to help Montana qualify for federal forest conservation funds.
(Headlines - July 16, 1999)

Montana's Future Fisheries Review Panel will meet Thursday, July 29, beginning at 9 a.m. in the third floor conference room of the Historical Society Building in Helena. At the meeting, panel members will discuss 41 project applications, requesting approximately $715,000 in program funding, that were received prior to the panel's latest application deadline on July 1.
(Headlines - July 16, 1999)

Applications from hunters hoping to obtain tundra swan permits for the 1999 season will be available August 1 and must be postmarked by Friday, September 3. In the Pacific Flyway, which includes Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area -- 500 permits will be offered for swan hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Toole, Liberty, Hill and portions of Teton and Pondera counties. An additional 500 permits are available for the Central Flyway portion of the state.
(Headlines - July 16, 1999)

Sheridan Game Warden Jim DeBoer, a 29-year veteran of FWP's Enforcement Division, has been named the 1998 recipient of the prestigious Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year award for Montana. The Shikar-Safari award winners are selected based on their professional relationship with hunters, anglers and landowners in their districts, their dedication to the wildlife law enforcement profession and their participation in activities outside of daily enforcement work.
(Headlines - July 02, 1999)

If you are planning to bowhunt this fall, and haven't attended Montana's Bowhunter Education classes, July is your last chance for 1999. Opportunities to take those classes this year will end July 31. As a reminder: * All resident and nonresident youths, 12 through 17 years of age, are required to present a Montana Hunter Education Certificate when purchasing any hunting license.
(Headlines - July 02, 1999)

The 1999 Bannack Days celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, at Bannack State Park located 22 miles southwest of Dillon. The festivities begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and will run through 5 p.m. Sunday. A variety of pioneer skill demonstrations and entertainment is planned, including some new activities. Among the skill demonstrations are muzzleloading, spinning and weaving, candle-making, butter-churning, quilting, blacksmithing, bonnet-making and cabin-crafting.
(Headlines - July 02, 1999)

As the summer boating season heats up, FWP urges all boaters follow three basic rules while on the water: 1) Designate a skipper who won't drink alcoholic beverages while on duty; 2) Require that an approved lifejacket be carried for everyone aboard; and 3) Do not exceed a boat's safe carrying capacity.
(Headlines - July 02, 1999)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment prepared for proposed improvements to the Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery near Bridger. FWP is generally proposing to improve, renovate, or replace all major facilities at the Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery.
(Headlines - July 02, 1999)

Through cooperative efforts with the Montana Power Company, the Trust for Public Lands and a private donor, Giant Springs State Park near Great Falls has added a 2,784 acre conservation easement to its holdings. The easement will protect the scenic views from the park and from the Missouri River. It adds 12 miles to Great Falls' Rivers Edge Trail. CONTACT GREAT FALLS.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Park management plans are currently underway at Bannack, Clark's Lookout, Frenchtown Pond, Giant Springs and Lewis & Clark Caverns. Park management plans help guide operations and management decisions for up to ten years. Without a good management plan, decisions are less likely to reflect a park's overall mission and resources. CONTACT HELENA.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Flathead Lake State Park sports the state_s first _marine trail . . . a network of access points and stopover areas for users of human and wind powered beachable watercraft._ In other words, you can _hike" by water and reach specially designated camping spots in your canoe or rowboat. Other states have instituted these systems, but Jerry Sawyer and our staff in Region 1 developed Montana_s first. CONTACT KALISPELL.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Welcome to the first addition of the Montana State Park News. To keep you better informed about Fish, Wildlife & Parks, especially your Montana State Park System, we are pleased to launch this newsletter. We hope to publish a few times a year to let you know about issues facing state parks and about recent improvements, to tell you of future projects, and to keep you posted on upcoming events.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

In June, FWP awarded $486,000 from the Recreational Trails Program to 64 Montana trail project sponsors including federal, state, county and municipal agencies, plus private clubs and associations. Grants are used for trail development, maintenance, renovation of trails, areas damaged by use, and acquisition of lands for trails. In fiscal year 1999, $144,000 from Montana's Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program were awarded as grants to 22 trail projects.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

During a recent weekend, Hell Creek State Park near Jordon on Fort Peck Reservoir hosted 176 camper units. This record high for a non-holiday likely results from Ft. Peck's great fishery and a new fish cleaning station, improved camper pads, and clean drinking water. John Little, Regional Park Manager from Miles City FWP comments, "It sure doesn't hurt that the 26 mile gravel road leading to the park was improved last year." CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Montana State Parks Eighth Annual Poster Contest attracted finalists from 40 Montana fifth grades. Contestants illustrated this year's theme "Montana State Parks are Home to Many Plants and Animals." Judges picked the following winners: 1st Place - SAMANTHA DORNE, Salmon Prairie Elementary, Swan Lake; 2nd Place - KELSEY OLSON, Lewis & Clark School, Missoula; 3rd Place - SAMMY COUTURE, Lewis & Clark School, Great Falls; and Honorable Mention - KYRIE HOANG, Smith School, Helena.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

With construction completed on the Tongue River Dam, the reservoir level has increased 4 vertical feet. Hence, many traditional camping and day-use sites have been flooded. The higher water dislodged numerous logs, driftwood, and other debris. Boaters are urged to use greater caution on the water. CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

June 5 marked the grand opening of the Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump Visitor Center. Years of planning culminated in the development of this facility and in improved resource protection at the park. The building includes a classroom and interpretive hall designed to educate visitors on the Plains Indian buffalo culture. New park manager Connie Jacobs supervises a small seasonal staff. Gros Ventre advisor Warren Matte is also helping FWP create stronger ties with Montana Indians.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

A hefty share of your state park fees pays to fix the vandalism caused by a few visitors. You can help us direct that money to better uses by calling the TIP MONT hotline to report acts of vandalism or other violations you witness in state parks, fishing access sites and wildlife management areas. Callers can remain anonymous and rewards are available if the information provided leads to a conviction. Do call 1-800-TIP MONT (1-800-847-6668).
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

The Big Arm unit of Flathead Lake State Park invites you to try out the latest in circular camping comfort, a 20-foot wide, 10-foot tall yurt. Yurts, semi-permanent spheres, have been used for centuries by nomadic tribes of Siberia. Big Arm's new yurt sleeps up to six people and is furnished with many comforts of home. The domed tent is available year-around and is equipped with a wooden deck, electrical outlets, lights, electric heat, and a propane barbecue. Reservations recommended.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), an important source of funding for federal, state and local outdoor recreation projects since the mid 1960s, but unfunded at the state and local level since 1995, may be making a comeback. Many cities, counties, state parks and fishing access sites were developed and acquired with LWCF monies. Currently five pieces of legislation are being considered in Washington, D.C.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)

Construction of the new group use area at the Caverns was recently completed. It provides a much-needed location at the Caverns for visiting school groups, family reunions, and annual picnics. Cars and buses no longer need to compete for the same roadway space. CONTACT BOZEMAN.
(Parks - July 01, 1999)