Dutchman Wetland Tour Planned For Aug. 9

Print

A public tour of the land area known as the Dutchman Wetland, located one mile west of Warm Springs, will be offered Wednesday, Aug. 9th.   Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is currently taking comment on a proposal to accept the donation of the Dutchman land, approximately 3,750 acres of wetland, from the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO).

The informational field trip, to be led by FWP Wildlife Management Areas Manager, Dave Dziak, is scheduled to begin at 7p.m. Aug. 9 at the Anaconda-Deer Lodge Airport.    The automobile field trip will last about two hours, and participants will have the opportunity to ask additional questions about the proposed land acquisition.

The Dutchman Wetland is adjacent to Warm Spring WMA.   FWP proposes to aquire the donated land to protect wildlife habitat; add public access; and increase instream flow rights in Warm Springs, Lost and Dutchman Creeks. The property transfer would also help fulfill Montana’s wetland restoration requirement described in a 1999 federal consent decree.

A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Dutchman proposal is available for public comment through Aug. 23.   To request a copy of the EA, contact the FWP Missoula office at (406) 542-5500, email vschmautz@mt.gov, or go to FWP’s web site: fwp.mt.gov.  

Contact Dave Dziak at (406) 693-7395 for additional information on the field trip.