Montana Fish, Wildlife and FWP proposes to remove northern pike, blue gill and, if time permits, yellow perch from East Fork Reservoir starting in spring 2012, prior to the late summer draw down proposed by the City of Lewistown. East Fork Reservoir is proposed to be drained to allow repair of the damaged gate stem on the upstream face of East Fork Dam. Removals may also occur during and immediately after the East Fork drawdown. The objective of the fish removal is to reduce the magnitude of fish in the reservoir that may wash downstream into East Fork Spring Creek and Big Spring Creek. It is anticipated that 100 – 200 northern pike and less than100 bluegill will be removed, but under ideal sampling conditions the number of northern pike could be much higher.
(Recent Public Notices - 02/17/2012)

With the possibility of future no wake areas being requested for other established or new marinas for the commission to consider individually the commission is proposing adoption of one statewide rule regarding establishing no wake zones surrounding commercial marinas. Marinas have high boat traffic and have many boats docked so these areas regardless of location are susceptible to accidents and boat damage due to wakes. Currently over half of the commercial marinas have a no wake restriction and this proposal will make the rules consistent throughout the state. The commission is proposing amendment and repeal of rules that list individual commercial marina restrictions by body of water. A statewide rule would eliminate the need for individual marina restrictions to be listed in separate rules.
(Recent Public Notices - 02/13/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks public comment on the FWP Commission’s proposal to repeal obsolete and outdated Commission policies that were originally adopted between the years 1958 and 2000. A brief summary of each policy and an explanation of why it has been proposed for repeal may be obtained by downloading the “Summary of Obsolete Policies” document below. For a copy of each of the policies, please download the document below entitled “List of Obsolete Policies.”
(Recent Public Notices - 02/10/2012)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public comment for a fee-title acquisition of approximately 438 acres of property located in Sanders County (T18N, R25W, S1 & T18N, R24W, S6). This parcel is adjacent to the Flathead Indian Reservation and is located about 10 miles southeast of Plains, Montana. The land provides excellent year-long habitat for the Perma-Paradise (Knowles Creek) bighorn sheep herd (300-375 sheep) and mule deer. Its southerly aspect contributes to its winter range value and the steep cliffs provide critical lambing areas and escape habitat. Hunter access in HD 124 is very limited, and this property would provide new hunting access along the Flathead River and to adjacent Department of Natural Resources and Lolo National Forest lands. The land also has 1 5/8 miles of Flathead River frontage. This property would be managed similar to FWP’s other bighorn sheep properties in the lower Clark Fork region. A public hearing will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 6:00-7:00 p.m., at the Sanders County Court House, 1111 Main Street, in Thompson Falls. The draft environmental assessment is out for public review through 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 12, 2012. A copy is attached for your review. Please contact FWP Wildlife Biologist Bruce Sterling (406-827-4389 or e-mail to bsterling@mt.gov) or Regional Wildlife Program Manager Jim Williams (406-751-4585 or e-mail to jiwilliams@mt.gov) with questions or comments.
(Recent Public Notices - 02/10/2012)

Tunis Reservoir is located on private land on the west side of Highway 87 near the railroad siding of Tunis approximately seven miles west of Fort Benton. Public access to this reservoir is gained through an agreement between the landowner and Montana FWP that involves reasonable public access in exchange for FWP stocking the reservoir with fish. Water levels in the reservoir fluctuate. In years when water levels are high, the reservoir can provide reasonably good fishing. As of January 2012, the reservoir water levels are high. Montana FWP plans to stock the reservoir periodically with largemouth bass to improve angling opportunity and angling quality. The reservoir is 5-7 surface acres and has a maximum depth of 11 feet. This reservoir has been stocked since 1929 with coho salmon, brook trout, channel catfish and rainbow trout. FWP is proposing to stock largemouth bass in order to maximize angling quality in this fishery.
(Recent Public Notices - 02/07/2012)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the proposed Three Dollar Bridge Fishing Access Site Improvements. This project proposes that improvements be made by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) at Three Dollar Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Madison River. The proposed improvements include enhancing the entrance road, graveling existing parking areas on both sides of the river, improving a designated trail to the water on both sides of the river, and adding a new precast-concrete latrine on the west side of the river. Worn signs would be replaced and a new informational sign added. The proposed improvements would prevent further degradation and sanitation concerns at the site. This Draft EA is available for review in Helena at FWP’s Headquarters, the State Library, and the Environmental Quality Council. It also may be obtained from FWP at the address provided above, or viewed on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov . Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. The public comment period will be accepted until 5:00 PM March 8, 2012. Comments should be sent to the following:
(Recent Public Notices - 02/06/2012)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the replacement of an undersized and perched culvert located at a private stream crossing on Willow Creek with a bridge. Willow Creek is a tributary to the Blackfoot River. The intent of the project is to improve upstream fish passage to approximately 3.5 miles of Willow Creek for a non-hybridized population of westslope cutthroat trout, as well as for populations of brown trout and brook trout. The project also will create a more stable stream crossing, reducing sediment delivery to the stream. The project site is located on property owned by Jerry and Susan Biresch approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Lincoln in Lewis and Clark County.
(Recent Public Notices - 01/29/2012)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the removal of an undersized culvert and construction of a step-pool fish way located on the South Fork of the North Fork Divide Creek. The project would eliminate a migration barrier for a population of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout. The intent of the project is to improve fish passage to approximately five miles of the South Fork of the North Fork Divide Creek for a non-hybridized population of westslope cutthroat trout. The proposed project would not threaten genetic integrity because South Fork Reservoir, located immediately downstream of the project site, acts to isolate the population. The project site is located on property owned by Butte Silver Bow County approximately 10 miles southwest of the city of Butte in Silver Bow County.
(Recent Public Notices - 01/29/2012)

The Future Fisheries Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project designed to restore a 2,026-foot reach of the Ruby River that had been historically straightened by lengthening the channel and returning meanders to the plan form. The project also calls for relocating some livestock feeding corrals currently encroaching into the riparian corridor. The intent of this project is to enhance aquatic habitat and trout populations, improve water quality and enhance the riparian vegetative community. The project site is located approximately one mile south of the community of Alder in Madison County.
(Recent Public Notices - 01/29/2012)

The Future Fisheries Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project designed to stabilize approximately 1,222 feet of Haskill Creek, a tributary to the Whitefish River. The intent of this project is to improve water quality and fish populations within a reach of Haskill Creek and provide a demonstration of two different types of bank stabilization techniques. The project site is located approximately 2 miles southeast of the town of Whitefish in Flathead County.
(Recent Public Notices - 01/29/2012)