On June 5, 2013, at 6:30 p.m., the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission (commission) will hold a public hearing at the Seeley Lake Community Center, 3248 Hwy 83 North, Seeley Lake, Montana, to consider the proposed amendment and adoption of recreational use rules on Lake Alva, Harpers Lake, and Lake Marshall.
(ARM Rules - 05/09/2013)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would close a portion of Florence Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Bitterroot River to address safety concerns while the Eastside Highway bridge is replaced.
MDT will provide public float passage through the construction zone, but there may be short periods of time when activities will create unsafe conditions for river users. Accordingly, the rule would also grant FWP, with the approval of the local FWP commissioner, the authority to temporarily close the entire site and the Bitterroot River 1,000 feet above and below the construction site if conditions become unsafe. (ARM Rules - 05/02/2013)
FWP seeks comment on a proposed rule that would temporarily close a nearly two-mile stretch of the Clark Fork River near Warm Springs Ponds and a small portion of the neighboring Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to address public safety concerns while construction crews work to remove toxic sediment on Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) property as part of the Clark Fork Superfund cleanup project.
(ARM Rules - 05/02/2013)
Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program requested 1 3/4 miles of the Clark Fork River, ten acres of the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area, and a road in the wildlife management area be closed to public occupation due to Superfund cleanup construction activities. The Superfund cleanup activities require heavy equipment with large loads in an area of recreational use. The closure is necessary so construction crews can safely operate and maneuver without potential collisions with recreationists on the river or on the land. The closure is also necessary so recreationists, including those with limited maneuverability, are not subject to potential collision with large equipment or loads being carried by heavy equipment. (ARM Rules - 03/29/2013)
On February 19, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. the commission will hold a public hearing at the Hampton Inn, 1140 Highway 2 West, in Kalispell to consider proposed amendment and adoption of rules regarding recreational use on Echo Lake, Abbott Lake, and Peterson Lake. (ARM Rules - 01/17/2013)
FWP is seeking comment on the proposed Fishing Access Site (FAS) Annual Rule. The proposed rule sets the fees for FAS camping, group use permits, facility rentals, and special recreation permits (SRP). The proposed rule includes a $5 increase to the minimum SRP fee for commercial use, competitive events, and organized groups on the Blackfoot and Madison rivers; the minimum fee would be increased from $95 to $100. The proposed rule would also authorize FWP to require food storage at fishing access sites to address or prevent bear/human conflicts. FWP anticipates implementing food storage orders at only a limited number of fishing access sites at this time. For more information call FWP at 406-444-3888. (ARM Rules - 12/20/2012)
On March 8, 2012 the department published a notice of public hearings on the proposed amendment and adoption of rules regarding upland game bird release and habitat enhancement programs. The department has amended ARM 12.9.602, 12.9.604, 12.9.606, 12.9.615, 12.9.701, 12.9.702, 12.9.703, 12.9.704, and 12.9.706, and adopted NEW RULE I (ARM 12.9.707) as proposed. The department has amended ARM 12.9.705 as proposed, but with changes. (ARM Rules - 09/06/2012)
On May 24, 2012 the commission published a notice of public hearing on the proposed amendment listing tilapia as a controlled species. The commission did not amend the rule. (ARM Rules - 09/06/2012)
The Skibstad wildfire is burning near Columbus, Montana. Fire suppression efforts include several helicopters bucketing water from Cooney Reservoir. The closure is necessary so helicopter crews can safely operate and maneuver without potential collisions with recreationists on the river. The closure is also necessary so recreationists, including those with limited maneuverability, are not subject to potential collision with large, heavy water buckets suspended from helicopters.
(ARM Rules - 07/26/2012)