Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) proposes to remove standing dead and green beetle-infested lodgepole pine from select areas on Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in order to reduce road- and trailside hazard trees. Merchantable dead and dying timber will be removed from certain expanded road- and trailside units in order to cover costs of the project, such as removal of noncommercial trees, road improvements, and weed control. Funds generated in excess of project costs will be applied to the WMA’s several maintenance and habitat projects such as fence removal, erosion control, and interpretative signs.
(Plans - 04/04/2012)

The attached Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the proposed Adaptive Management Adjustments to the Interagency Bison Management Plan. This proposes the following adaptive management adjustments to the IBMP: • Allow bison on habitat on FS and other lands north of the park boundary and south of Yankee Jim Canyon. Bison would not be allowed north of the hydrological divide (i.e., mountain ridge-tops) between Dome Mountain/Paradise Valley and the Gardiner Basin on the east side of the Yellowstone River, and Tom Miner basin and the Gardiner Basin on the west side of the Yellowstone River (see Map #2 on page 13). • Trailer up to 300 female and calf bison testing negative for brucellosis from the Stephens Creek capture facility to a double-fenced quarantine facility in Corwin Springs for holding until release back into Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in spring as necessary. The quarantine facility in Corwin Springs is leased by APHIS and the State of Montana and APHIS have collaborated to complete environmental analyses for use of the facility. • Evaluate the effects of these adjustments and modify as necessary to prevent bison from occupying lands north of the hydrological divide and minimize the risk of transmission of brucellosis to livestock. The migrating bison within the expanded tolerance area would still be moved back into YNP by May 1 of each year. This Draft EA is available for review in Helena at FWP’s Headquarters, in Bozeman at the above address, 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 January 13 at 5 p.m. Comments should be sent to the following:
(Plans - 12/15/2011)