Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced today it would proceed with a revised cooperative project in the Elkhorn Mountains to protect a population of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout in a 2.2-mile stretch of Staubach Creek. However, the use of special fish toxicants to remove brook trout may still be a year or more away. "We're pleased with this revised plan," said FWP's Michael Korn, coordinator of the agency's Helena Area Resource Office.
(Headlines - July 31, 2000)

Montana's Wolf Management Advisory Council met in Helena recently to continue its work to develop a wolf management plan for Montana. The 12-member citizen's panel discussed a series of broad topics to address wolf management policies that would be "socially acceptable, biologically possible and economically feasible, while maintaining flexibility of management options.
(Headlines - July 26, 2000)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed today to close the middle reach of the upper Big Hole River, a 28-mile stretch, to all angling due to extremely low water conditions and high water temperatures that threaten the river's native Arctic grayling population. The closure will take effect at midnight, Wednesday, July 26. The upper reach of the Big Hole River, a 19-mile stretch from Rock Creek Road bridge to the mouth of the North Fork, has been closed to angling since July 1.
(Headlines - July 26, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will intervene if a threatened lawsuit is filed against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its recent decision not to list the westslope cutthroat trout as a threatened species, FWP officials announced today.
(Headlines - July 26, 2000)

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet in the FWP Helena office, 1420 East Sixth Ave., August 4. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and is expected to end at noon.
(Headlines - July 24, 2000)

Montana's Future Fisheries review panel will meet Wednesday, July 26, at 8:30 a.m. in the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission Room, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, in Helena. The public is welcome. Panel members will discuss 19 project applications requesting approximately $325,000 in program funding.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a Latrine Placement Environmental Assessment (EA). This EA covers the replacement of old latrines and the placement of new latrines statewide at FWP fishing access sites and state parks. Written public comment will be accepted July 21 through August 31 by FWP's Parks Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT., 59620. A copy of the EA may be requested in writing or by calling the Helena FWP office at 406-444-3750.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on two documents charting the future of Montana's state trails. The Montana State Trails Plan and the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) were prepared in cooperation with other managing agencies and trail users. The Montana State Trails Plan provides long-term, inter-agency direction for the statewide motorized and nonmotorized public trail system.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

About half of Montana's major river stretches are rated moderately to extremely dry according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service. "Fish are undoubtedly beginning to feel the stress caused by low flows, higher water temperatures and competition for space and food," said Larry Peterman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries division administrator.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

Two public hearings will be held soon in Billings and Big Timber on a proposed land exchange that would put Alberton Gorge near Missoula, a popular fishing and whitewater recreation area, into public ownership. Public meetings were held in Superior, Helena, Missoula and Fortine earlier this month. Written public comment will be accepted until July 31 by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The land exchange is a collaborative effort involving Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the U.S.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet July 27-28 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn. The Council will meet on Thursday, July 27, from 6 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., and Friday, July 28, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Hunting access issues to be discussed include the Block Management Program and other Fish, Wildlife & Parks access and habitat programs, access to public lands, and a recently completed legislative audit report on outfitter industry issues.
(Headlines - July 21, 2000)

Two public hearings will be held soon in Billings and Big Timber on a proposed land exchange that would put Alberton Gorge near Missoula, a popular fishing and whitewater recreation area, into public ownership. Public meetings were held in Superior, Helena, Missoula and Fortine earlier this month. Written public comment will be accepted until July 31 by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The land exchange is a collaborative effort involving Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, The U.S.
(Headlines - July 14, 2000)

Like the rerun of a favorite Western movie, Bannack Days, July 15-16 at Bannack State Park, offer an irresistible step back in time. "Once a year, this 1860 abandoned mining town comes to life," said Fish, Wildlife & Parks park manager, Cindy Staszsak. Craftsmen and women line the streets dressed in period clothing and demonstrating long-forgotten skills such as spinning, black smithing, candle making and black powder shooting.
(Headlines - July 14, 2000)

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Council will meet July 27-28 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn. The Council will meet on Thursday, July 27, from 6 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., and Friday, July 28, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Hunting access issues to be discussed include the Block Management Program and other Fish, Wildlife & Parks access and habitat programs, access to public lands, and a recently completed legislative audit report on outfitter industry issues.
(Headlines - July 14, 2000)

Montana's Future Fisheries review panel will meet Wednesday, July 26, at 8:30 a.m. in the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission Room, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, in Helena. The public is welcome. At the meeting, panel members will discuss 19 project applications requesting approximately $325,000 in program funding.
(Headlines - July 14, 2000)

In a very unusual case of wasting game fish, a male wearing a baseball cap threw live, wild fish at passing cars in Great Falls on Lower River Road on June 1. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks authorities are seeking tips that might lead to the identification of the suspect. Anyone with information that may help solve this crime should call the FWP region warden sergeant, Gary Benson, at 406-4545850 or the TIP-MONT Hotline at 1-800-847-6668.
(Headlines - July 14, 2000)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a draft rule that would guide a new big game license preference system for hunters who apply for licenses and permits through the state's annual special drawings. According to FWP's Dave Mott, preference systems are typically used to improve the odds of drawing hunting licenses or permits that are in high demand. In Montana, for example, the odds of drawing some big horn sheep and elk permits are as high as 1 in 100, Mott said.
(Headlines - July 05, 2000)

It is my hope that by the time you read this you have already made several fun-filled trips to Montana State Parks and have plans to visit more parks this summer. In my trips to the parks this summer, I am very excited about how good the parks facilities look, the friendly parks staff and the number of wonderful comments I’ve heard from park guests.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

Fund raising efforts by the Friends of Makoshika have paid off with over $97, 000 in donations, grant funds and matching dollars for FWP. Construction on the Makoshika Amphitheater renovation project is now in full swing. The Friends group has hired a Montana Conservation Corps crew to complete access pathways to the recently renovated theater. The Friends are anxious to complete the project before the 9th Annual Dinner Theater on August 18th and 19th. CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

Spring Meadow Lake State Park got a much needed face-lift this summer when the entrance road on Broadwater Avenue was upgraded. The project was done to improve the visitor’s experience at the park and to reduce long-term maintenance costs. Dust blowing into the park will be reduced and annual grading and graveling will be eliminated. Spring Meadow Lake is open year round and the entrance road accommodates heavy traffic serving over 100,000 visitors a year.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

Whitefish State Park is one of only three public accesses to Whitefish Lake. With resorts, golf courses, and the town of Whitefish in close proximity, visitors come from all over the United States and Canada, making it one of the most heavily used state park sites in northwestern Montana. FWP conducted a visitor survey and held several public meetings, and determined that the primary use of this park should be for camping and boat launching.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

"Fitting Together Pieces of the Past" a new exhibit at the Ulm Pishkun Visitor Center has been completed thanks to a generous contributions from Great Falls residents Stan and Jane Meyer and the Cascade County Historical Society. The exhibit focuses on the archaeological work done at the park in the early 1990’s by MSU professors Jack Fisher and Tom Roll.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

At the annual Buzzard Days celebration at Makoshika State Park, the BLM State director Mat Millenbach presented a deed for almost 2,700 acres to FWP Director Pat Graham. As buzzards circled overhead Director Graham commented on how this helps protect and enhance Montana’s largest state park totaling 11,531 badland-studded acres. CONTACT MILES CITY.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

Tongue River Reservoir’s great fishing and proximity to Billings, Miles City and Sheridan, Wyoming make it the perfect weekend get-a-way spot. These two factors also make it one of Montana’s most remote, yet most heavily visited, state parks. The dam, which was constructed in 1940, and approximately 1000 acres of land surrounding the reservoir, is actually owned by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

A new area for school groups, family reunions, scout troops and company outings for picnics and camping is now open at the park campground. The first phase of this project, completed last year, included a parking area and a vault latrine. The second phase will involve the installation of a drip irrigation system, landscaping and a picnic pavilion.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

An actual size model of the base of the Washoe Smelter Stack is being built at the base of Smelter Hill in Anaconda. The Interpretive Viewing Stand will consist of interpretive signing, benches, lights, a short recreation trail, landscaping, and coin operated binoculars to safely view the stack. Once constructed, the interpretive viewing stand will provide visitors a significant experience of the physical size of the Washoe Smelter Stack.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

The annual parks division statewide poster contest for fifth grade students produced winners from around the state. Contestants illustrated the theme "Who Once Made Montana State Parks Home".
(Parks - July 01, 2000)

The Parks Division now has applications available for the FY 2001 Recreational Trails Program and OHV Program grants. The deadline to submit applications is December 15, 2000. Public agencies, private clubs and associations may apply for these grants. The Recreational Trails Program provides funds for development, renovation, maintenance and acquisition of land for trails. Grants can be for as much as 80% of a project’s cost. Approximately $734,000 in grant funds will be available.
(Parks - July 01, 2000)