Montana FWP Commission Acts To Preserve Habitat

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Acting to secure important wildlife habitat, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission at its June meeting approved acquisition of 106 acres in Lake County to expand the NinepipeWildlife Management Area. "The 106-acre parcel is extremely productive upland bird and waterfowl habitat immediately next to the WMA and near the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge," said Paul Sihler, FWP Field Services Administrator. The general area supports one of the highest recorded densities of redhead ducks, short-eared owls, rough-legged hawks, and northern harriers. The State Board of Land Commissioners will review the proposed acquisition June 18. A public review and 30-day comment process ending May 31 demonstrated unanimous public support for the acquisition. The Mission Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever donated $5,000 toward the acquisition and the Big Sky Upland Bird Association donated $400 as a show of their support. The Commission also approved transactions that are part of a long-range project to consolidate FWP lands in the Blackfoot-Clearwater winter elk range in a larger three-way land exchange with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Plum Creek Timber Company. The Commission approved an exchange in which the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will grant to FWP 1,080 acres of timberland valued at approximately $2 million in Missoula County in the heart of the game range. In return, FWP will grant to DNRC 1,740 acres in Powell County of land with approximately equal value. The exchange provides DNRC lands on the exterior of the game range that would be more easily managed to meet state land trust objectives and helps preserve lands within the game range for the benefit of the Blackfoot-Clearwater elk herd. The State Land Board will also review this transaction on June 18. "Steps now to ensure secure wildlife habitat on the Blackfoot Clearwater WMA and to enhance an important recreational resource like the Ninepipe WMA are decisions with long-term benefits for wild game, birds and waterfowl in the state as well as for the outdoors men and women of the future," Sihler said.