The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission proposes to amend ARM 12.6.2208, 12.6.2215, and 12.6.2220 adding species of birds to the list of controlled species, adding the small spotted genet to the list of prohibited species, and adding rescue facilities with national or state agency affiliation to the list of organizations and individuals that may be permitted for possession of prohibited species.
Public Comment Period Ends 8/29/2008
(ARM Rule - Published August 01, 2008)

Attached is the Decision Notice for the Poindexter Slough Fishing Access Site (FAS) Parking Area Development Project Environmental Assessment (EA). Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) proposes to construct an additional parking area north of Highway 91. Based on the EA, public comment, and the need for the project, it is my decision to proceed with the development project. Both the Decision Notice and the Environmental Assessment are available for review from FWP at the address above or online on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be directed to Jerry Walker, Regional Parks Manager, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, c/o Poindexter Slough FAS Parking Area Development EA, 1400 S. 19th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59718, (406) 994-3552, or gwalker@mt.gov.
(Decision Notice - Published August 01, 2008)

Meeting of the commission in Helena
(Commission Agendas - Published July 31, 2008)

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has issued a decision notice to amend the existing shooting range development grant to theYaak Gun Club to include the drilling of a well.
(Decision Notice - Published July 31, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) issued a decision notice on a proposal to gran $139,868 to construct an indoor shooting and archery range, improve the trap range and create a parking lot.
(Decision Notice - Published July 30, 2008)

Questions and Answers Period for RFQ# 090012 Kickabuck Creek Restoration Design is closed.
(Bids & Proposals - Published July 28, 2008 - Archived 08/2008)

Improve range security and safety. Replace the old dilapidated agricultural style fence with new 6’ chain link fencing.
Public Comment Period Ends 8/25/2008
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 25, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for the City of Helena’s urban deer reduction plan. A total of 55 comments were received during the 30-day comment period ending June 9, 2008. This Decision Notice and EA are available for review in Helena at FWP’s Headquarters and the State Library. It 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 Notice - Published July 25, 2008)

Improve handicapped access to the shooting and building facilities, making them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Provide long overdue repairs to deteriorating building and heating systems, i.e. windows, fascia and heat system. Replace 10 – 24 year old indoor and outdoor archery shooting butts for increased safety and efficiency.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 24, 2008)

The overall objective, of the proposal, will be to expand the variety of shooting and educational opportunities at the club while improving safety, handicapped accessibility, and overall operation efficiency and utility. Improve the parking area, enhancing handicapped and general user access, and to provide a more practical and usable classroom/meeting room for all users. Provide an updated and practical pistol range offering 360º shooting for law enforcement and public shooters. Providing improved shooting opportunities and enhanced shooting education programs for Hunter Education, 4-H, Boy Scouts, law enforcement, leagues, etc.
Public Comment Period Ends 8/25/2008
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 24, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) issued a decision notice on a proposal to acquire 12 acres of land near old Harper's Bridge. The notice prescribes acquiring land along the Clark Fork River west of Missoula---4 by donation and 8 by a purchase. This site would provide key access for floaters on a stretch of the Clark Fork where boat access is currently quite limited. The acquisition would also allow the possibility of FWP developing a formal Fishing Access Site in the future. To view the complete decision notice, open the file below.
(Decision Notice - Published July 24, 2008)

Replace older trap house with a safer and more secure concrete trap house. Eliminate the need for a person in the trap house during shooting, by replacing manual trap machines with automatic machines. Improve the release of “birds” for shooters through the use of a voice release system.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 24, 2008)

Minutes of June 12, 2008 Commission meeting in Helena
(Commission Meetings - Published July 23, 2008)

Confernce Call to authorize closure of Yellowstone River in Livingston due to fear of bridge collapse
(Commission Meetings - Published July 23, 2008)

Request for Public Comment - July 17, 2008 FWP Commission Proposed Tentatives
(Hunting - Published July 18, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes the acquisition of 7,540 acres of important wildlife habitat along the Marias River. The property straddles 14 miles of the Marias River approximately 8 miles southwest of Shelby and 70 miles northwest of Great Falls. The property is currently operated as a private ranch, consisting of 7,540 deeded acres, 492 acres of leased State School Trust (SST) lands managed by Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), and 833 U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acres. Important wildlife habitats that exist on these lands include riparian river bottom, cottonwood gallery forest, sagebrush grassland, and river breaks. The property would be purchased through a combination of funding sources, potentially including FWP’s Habitat Montana program and the Governor’s Access Montana Initiative approved by the 2007 Legislature. FWP, by virtue of the right of first refusal as granted in the Will of Charlie Lincoln upon sale of the Ranch, will use that right to acquire the property through fee-title purchase of the deeded acres. The leases of BLM and DNRC acres within the boundary of the property that are now held by the current landowner will be transferred to FWP.
(Decision Notice - Published July 17, 2008 - Archived 08/2008)

Commission Agenda for July Meeting
(Commission Agendas - Published July 15, 2008)

Briefing papers on topics addressed at the July meeting
(Commission Agendas - Published July 14, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Gallatin National Forest are jointly scoping to determine if the agencies should purchase the grazing rights from the Royal Teton Ranch for a 30-year period, and authorize, install, and maintain fencing and cattle-guards necessary to keep bison in acceptable areas as described in the IBMP. Fencing is required as part of the grazing rights purchase agreement with the RTR to reduce the risk of property damage and human injury. These actions would enable the IBMP partners to implement step two of the IBMP and allow specific numbers of bison to occupy portions of management zone 2 north of YNP.
(Legal Notice - Published July 11, 2008)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the Poindexter Slough Fishing Access Site (FAS) Fiber Optic Line Installation and Easement. Southern Montana Telephone Company is requesting a right-of-way easement from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) for an underground telecommunications cable. Southern Montana Telephone Company, Wisdom, MT, is in the second year of a 3-year, system-wide plan to upgrade their telecommunications facilities in their rural exchange areas of Grant, Jackson, Wise River, and Divide. The purpose of Southern’s upgrade program is to replace portions of its aging telecommunications infrastructure with fiber optics, providing state-of-the-art services and technologies to its rural customer base. Southern’s proposed upgrade will also provide for redundant/alternate routing of its long distance and critical services such as 911 emergency services, providing for increased reliability of these essential services. The draft EA is available for review from FWP at the address provided above or viewed on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on July 28, 2008. Comments should be sent to the following: Poindexter Slough Fiber Optic Line Installation and Easement EA Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 South 19th Avenue Bozeman MT 59718-5496 Or emailed to: gwalker@mt.gov.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 11, 2008)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for a new access site on the Yellowstone River south of Emigrant, Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to develop a new river access on the upstream parcel of the Point of Rocks Fishing Access Site (FAS), to replace a substandard pioneered ramp downstream that is causing erosion. Development includes new highway signs, a concrete boat ramp, vault latrine, parking for 12 vehicles and an overflow parking area for approximately another 12 - 15 vehicles. The existing highway approach will be improved as well. The draft EA is available for review from FWP at the address provided above or viewed on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2008. Comments should be sent to the following: Point of Rocks Fishing Access Site Initial Development Project EA Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 South 19th Avenue Bozeman MT 59718-5496 Or emailed to: gwalker@mt.gov.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 11, 2008)

The STATE OF MONTANA, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, (FWP),(hereinafter referred to as “the State”) is seeking a contractor to provide professional design and planning services for the Kickabuck Spring Creek spawning channel project. A more complete description of the services sought for this project is provided in the following Scope of Work.
(Bids & Proposals - Published July 10, 2008 - Archived 08/2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released a draft environmental assessment for review and public comment regarding a proposal to grant funds to the Medicine Lake Trap Club for shooting range improvements located on leased property. This project tentatively plans to provide $4317.00 in partial funding towards installment of a new electrical system with heaters, replacement concrete trap house, concrete pad and sidewalks. A draft EA has been completed and is available for review. To receive a copy of this EA contact FWP in Helena at (406) 444-1267. An electronic version is also available under the public notices link on the FWP website: www.fwp.mt.gov. The comment period ends 5:00 PM on August 11, 2008. Written comments will be accepted at FWP, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620 or e-mail kcunningham@mt.gov.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 09, 2008)

Build a new Pistol Range adjacent to the current rifle range.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 08, 2008)

An Environmental Assessment has been prepared for acquistion from the Holmgren Ranch of 72 acres of land along the Yellowstone River, west of Columbus, Montana . This will provide public access to the river and secure the opportunity to develop additional amenities.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 08, 2008)

Purchase from Holmgren Ranch of 72 acres of land along the Yellowstone River, west of Columbus, Montana for additional public access and future improvements.
(Legal Notice - Published July 08, 2008)

Minutes of the May meeting in Glendive
(Commission Meetings - Published July 07, 2008)

Decision to remove brook trout from 3-acre private pond on a tributary to the Boulder River. This will protect a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout and provide a sport fishery.
(Decision Notice - Published July 03, 2008)

Provide enhanced access to all shooting positions: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Access Paths, ADA Shower and Bath Hose Remodel, and Electrical Improvements (See Paragraph 10).
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published July 03, 2008)

The STATE OF MONTANA, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, (FWP), (hereinafter referred to as “the State”) is seeking a vendor to provide fleece jackets and vests for our warehouse stock. A more complete description of the garments sought is provided in the following invitation for bid.
(Bids & Proposals - Published July 02, 2008)

The STATE OF MONTANA, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, (FWP), (hereinafter referred to as “the State”) is seeking a vendor to provide four (4) each snowmobiles, F.O.B. 930 Custer Avenue, Helena, MT 59620. A more complete description of the equipment sought for this IFB is provided in the following specifications.
(Bids & Proposals - Published July 02, 2008 - Archived 07/2008)

It is proposed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to acquire 1.7 acres of private deeded property and 4.99 acres of an ‘old’ highway right-of-way from Montana Department of Transportation in order to establish and manage a Fishing Access Site. This proposed site is located approximately 4 miles SW of Malta, at the confluence of Alkali Creek and the Milk River.
(Decision Notice - Published July 01, 2008)