Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has issued a Decision Notice for the Witt Roadside Menagerie Draft Environmental Assessment--a proposal to issue a Roadside Menagerie permit to Salima Witt to possess 3 non-human primates northwest of Darby, Ravalli County. No comments were received during the comment period, and the permit will be issued upon final inspection of the menagerie facilities.
(Decision Notices - 05/21/2012)

The habitat conservation project proposal for the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area (WMA) involves using the services of a private agricultural contractor to improve the condition of nesting habitat wherein a crop of hay is a by-product. By cutting and removing annual production of tame herbaceous vegetation, the stand maintains vigor, productivity, and resistance to invasion by noxious weeds, thereby increasing its function as habitat, prolonging its lifespan, and saving FWP maintenance and restoration costs. To compensate FWP for the value of the hay crop harvested and kept by the contractor, the contractor will provide additional agricultural services at other locations on the WMA in cooperation with FWP staff to improve habitat. The most significant activity will be cultivation, but likely will include picking rock, maintaining irrigation systems, and mowing weeds. This will benefit the WMA by accomplishing additional wildlife habitat improvements without additional expense or labor for FWP. The draft EA was out for a 2-week public review through May 17, 2012. Three comments were received that shared concerns, but all in favor of the project. There were no modifications to the draft EA; therefore, the plan is accepted as written, and the draft EA and the decision notice serve as the final document.
(Decision Notices - 05/21/2012)

The enclosed Decision Notice has been prepared for the Middle Madison Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Project. A total of 1 comment was received during the 14-day comment period ending May 21, 2012. This Decision Notice and EA are available for review in Helena at FWP’s Headquarters and the State Library. They also may be viewed on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov. Fish, Wildlife & Parks has decided to proceed with the proposed project with no changes to the Draft EA. Thank you for your interest.
(Decision Notices - 05/21/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposes to introduce westslope cutthroat trout to a fishless reach of Twelvemile Creek, a tributary to Deep Creek in the Big Hole River Drainage. Non-hybridized westslope cutthroat trout are present in Twelvemile Creek, the last non-hybridized population in the Deep Creek drainage. The cutthroat population is low and declining due to competition from non-native brook trout. Approximately three miles of fishless habitat is present in Twelvemile Creek upstream of a cascade fish barrier. FWP proposes to capture the cutthroat trout in Twelvemile Creek using electrofishing and transporting the fish upstream of the barrier with the hope of conserving this population before it is extirpated.
(Species Removal & Relocation - 05/18/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to purchase a 102-acre property for use as a public Fishing Access Site (FAS) at Bailey Reservoir, an outstanding warm-water fishery in north-central Montana. Bailey Reservoir is located in Hill County about 25 miles southwest of Havre. The property consists of approximately 55 acres of range land, plus 47 surface acres of reservoir. In addition, FWP is seeking approval to accept ownership of an adjoining 5-acre parcel, which the Great Falls Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana is proposing to purchase, with the option to donate the parcel to FWP to be part of the Bailey Reservoir FAS.
(Decision Notices - 05/18/2012)