MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for a grazing project for the Woods Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lincoln County. The proposed action will allow cattle provided by a local rancher to graze on the WMA to better manage vegetation for wildlife cover and forage. The draft EA was out for a 30-day public review through 5:00 p.m., May 13, 2013. Four e-mailed comments were received, with FWP’s responses to the comments included in the attached decision notice. In reviewing comments, and evaluating the environmental effects and other relevant information, the proposed alternative, to allow cattle grazing on the WMA, was found to be the preferred alternative. Contact person: FWP Area Wildlife Biologist Tim Thier, (406) 882-4697 or e-mail tthier@interbel.net.
(Decision Notices - 06/08/2013)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the South Fork of Coal Creek Habitat Enhancement Project. FWP proposes to implement a project to increase available spawning and rearing habitat for westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout by adding large, woody debris into an impaired section of the South Fork of Coal Creek in Flathead County. The draft is out for a 21-day public review through 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013. Contact person: FWP Fisheries Biologist Amber Steed, (406) 751-4541 or e-mail to asteed@mt.gov.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 06/07/2013)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a supplemental environmental assessment (EA) for a Permit Application from Flathead County for Boat Ramp Construction on Church Slough in Flathead County. In October 2009, Flathead County submitted an application for a 124 permit pursuant to the Montana Stream Protection Act to FWP in preparation for the development of a boat ramp at Church Slough. In response to the application, FWP prepared an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to the Montana Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM). FWP’s review of the county’s design plan was to determine if the plan was technically sufficient and if the project would adversely affect any fish or wildlife habitat in accordance with the Stream Protection Act. In February 2010 FWP distributed the EA for public review, in April 2010 FWP published the decision notice, in June 2010 a lawsuit was filed to challenge FWP's decision, in June 2012 the county boat ramp was closed by court order, and in January 2013 FWP was remanded to District Court to complete a supplemental MEPA Analysis document. This document focuses on the directions set forth in the remand order by Flathead District Court, which requires FWP to analyze a new alternative that was not included in the 2010 EA and complete a more comprehensive analysis of secondary and cumulative impacts of the proposed action. The significance of those impacts to the human environment, both beneficial and adverse, is determined by using the criteria described in ARM 12-2-431(a-g). Public review and comments are requested on the supplemental components including the new alternative (Alternative C) and analysis of secondary and cumulative impacts for all alternatives. The draft is out for a 30-day public review through July 4, 2013. Comments should be mailed to Church Slough Supplemental EA, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 N Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or e-mail comments to mdeleray@mt.gov.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 06/03/2013)

In 2008, 4.8 acres of land along the Yellowstone River near Hysham was donated to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for the purpose of providing additional public access to the Yellowstone River and developing a fishing access site (FAS). FWP proposes to acquire a permanent right-of-way easement on 1.8 acres of accreted land located between the FAS and the Yellowstone River from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). FWP also proposes to develop the Amelia Island FAS and the accreted land adjacent to the FAS. Proposed developments include a designated parking area, a single-wide concrete boat ramp; a concrete vault latrine, informational signs, additional fencing, and improvements to the access road. Based on the Environmental Assessment on which seven favorable public comments were received and FWP’s evaluation, it is our decision to proceed with FWP’s preferred alternative B and implement the proposed action which states FWP will provide a boat ramp to the Yellowstone River at Amelia Island FAS. The current access road and parking area will be graded and graveled to provide better access in all weather conditions. Fencing and signing will delineate parking, public routes and lands, thus, limiting vehicular impacts to the surrounding habitat. A sealed vault latrine will be installed, which will help alleviate health concerns from increased human activity. Implementation of alternative B is contingent on acquiring a permanent right-of-way easement on 1.8 acres of accreted land located between the FAS and the Yellowstone River from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
(Decision Notices - 05/28/2013)

The attached Decision Notice addresses proposed actions for a project entitled Chadbourne Diversion Repairs and Fish Passage Retrofits. This Yellowstone cutthroat trout conservation project proposes to repair an aging irrigation structure that has had the added benefit of preventing wide-scale invasion of rainbow trout into the Shields River watershed. Built in 1908, the diversion has structural problems and rainbow trout can swim over the diversion at some flows. This project will restore the structural stability of the Chadbourne and add several retrofits that will make it impassable to rainbow trout. The EA included a selective fish passage component, which is no longer part of the project. Two comments were received during a 30-day comment period ending August 10, 2012. 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 . It is my decision to proceed with the proposed project, with the exception of the selective fish passage component.
(Decision Notices - 05/22/2013)