Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) seeks public review of its proposal to acquire nearly 24 acres of land including a building that houses a visitor center, museum and artifacts at Travelers’ Rest State Park near Lolo. No state revenues would be used in this purchase. This acquisition would provide increased recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the area and allow for additional educational opportunities at the park. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared for this proposal.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 04/20/2012)

The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to provide a right-of-way (ROW) easement for the replacement of an existing natural gas line that delivers natural gas from Elk Basin Wyoming to the Billings area. Montana Dakota Utilities markets the natural gas to its Billings area customers. The pipeline ROW easement would be 138.1 feet long and cover 0.15 acres (50ft ROW) and would be located west of U.S Highway 72 on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone Fishing Access Site. Questions and/or comment may be submitted until 5 p.m., April 25, 2012 and addressed to Gary Hammond, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105 or emailed at ghammond@mt.gov.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 04/13/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will reopen for public comment the proposal to acquire 89.16 acres of land for the purpose of developing a day use fishing access site on Sixteenmile Creek. The land proposed for acquisition is located along a five mile stretch of abandoned Milwaukee Railroad right-of-way (approximately one mile west of Highway 89 and one-half mile west of Ringling, MT). Public comment will be accepted for 30 days, starting April 1, 2012 until 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2012. Comments should be sent to: Montana FWP, c/o Sixteenmile Creek Fishing Access Site Proposed Acquisition and Development, 1400 South 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718 or emailed to: Sixteenmile@mt.gov. Comments previously provided by individuals remain on record. No further submission is necessary. A public meeting to discuss the proposal has been scheduled for April 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Meagher County Courthouse in White Sulphur Springs, MT.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 03/30/2012)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the proposed renewal of an agricultural (hay) lease on the Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area for a 3-year period (2012-2015). This project proposes to continue a share-crop agreement with a long-time, competent lessee whereby the lessee cultivates and retains the first-cutting of alfalfa and grain hay, then continues to irrigate but does not harvest the second growth alfalfa and grain hay instead leaving the second growth for wildlife use during winter months. The benefit and purpose is primarily for wintering elk and deer providing forage for 2,000 – 3,000 elk and 150-300 mule deer. The area is also used by upland game birds including sandhill cranes. The primary objective is to retain elk on the WMA during winter months and reduce elk presence on nearby private agricultural lands where elk come into conflict with cattle. This area is open to public hunting during the archery and general rifle seasons, and provides hunting opportunity for elk, deer and upland game birds. This agricultural field has been under lease with the same lessee since 1989. The lessee has shown initiative in farming practices to increase productivity including fertilizing and conditioning soil, treatment of noxious weeds, has maintained the fields in good condition, and has fulfilled all conditions of previous leases. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. The public comment period will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. April 2, 2012.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 03/16/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) seeks public review of its proposal to acquire a conservation easement on 1,957 acres (to be known as the Sturgeon and King Mountain CE) and acquire fee title to 3,594 acres to form a Wildlife Management Area (to be called Douglas Creek WMA), north of Drummond in Powell County. The purpose of this proposal is to secure critical fish and wildlife habitat and to maintain compatible recreational opportunities and access for the public. The EA may be obtained by downloading the file below. Or, request the EA by emailing fwprg22@mt.gov; stopping by the Region 2 FWP office or by phoning 406-542-5500. Comments must be received by FWP no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 14, 2011.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 09/15/2011)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites public review of its proposal to accept the donation of approximately 68 acres of private land adjoining the Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), 7 miles east of Hamilton in Ravalli County. The WMA addition would protect elk winter range and improve public access. The EA may be obtained by downloading the file below. Or, request the EA by emailing fwprg22@mt.gov; stopping by the Region 2 FWP office or by phoning 406-542-5500. Comments must be received by FWP no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 11, 2011. (Due to technical difficulties, we have extended the dealine for comments to 5pm on October 14th.)
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 09/12/2011)

Region 7, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking for public comment on the proposed action to purchase an easement from the Wood Ranch that would provide permanent public access to the Custer National Forest in the Stacey, MT area. The final easement would be held by the U.S. Forest Service. The proposed action is to purchase an easement on 0.4-mile section of the existing Stacey Creek Road connects to a permanent easement held by the U.S. Forest Service that provides public access to the Custer National Forest. Road use and conditions would continue the status quo that has resulted from the landowner allowing the public to use the road to access the National Forest. FWP’s preferred alternative is to implement the proposed action as described in Section II of this EA. Public comment will be taken from the Friday, August 26, through Tuesday, September 20. Comments may be delivered by mail, fax, in person, by email or phone to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks – Region 7 Attn: Stacey Creek EA Comments 352 I-94 Business Loop P.O. Box 1630 Miles City, MT 59301 Email: jensign@mt.gov Fax: 406-234-4368 Phone: 406-234-0900 *Note Stacey Creek EA Comments in the subject line*
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 08/25/2011)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking comment on a proposal to accept the transfer of three parcels of land in the Milltown area. The parcels total 465 acres and would constitute the core of the planned Milltown State Park at the Blackfoot and Clark Fork River confluence area. The EA may be obtained by downloading the file below. Or, request the EA by emailing fwprg22@mt.gov; stopping by the Region 2 FWP office (3201 Spurgin Rd.); or by phoning 406-542-5500.
(Acquisitions, Trades & Leases - 06/24/2011)