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)

Three hearings will be held on July 16-18 regarding the proposed amendment and adoption of rules regarding gray wolf management in Montana. Public comment regarding these rules must be received no later than July 25, 2008.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(ARM Rule - Published June 27, 2008)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for the purpose of conducting a depletion population estimate of lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. The proposed action would involve contracting with professional fishery consultants to conduct gill netting over a three-week period beginning in late August or early September 2008. Information obtained from the proposed action would aid in understanding the status and characteristics of the lake trout population, and the potential impacts of lake trout on the aquatic ecosystem in Swan Lake, and help to determine feasibility and effectiveness of alternatives for managing the lake trout population (e.g., suppression of the population). All lake trout sampled during the project will be culled; those that are salvageable and of suitable size for consumption will be field-dressed and donated to food banks or other facilities. Following a 30-day public comment period, including a public meeting, FWP received 11 written comments and 7 oral comments all in favor of the project. Based on the analysis in the draft EA and comment received, it is recommended that the proposed project be implemented. There were no changes to the draft; therefore, the draft becomes the final EA. A copy of the decision notice is attached for your information.
(Decision Notice - Published June 27, 2008 - Archived 07/2008)

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks proposes a shooting range expansion and improvement project that will assist the Dillon Rifle and Pistol Club to build, modify or expand former and new ranges, add a vault toilet and a new parking area, and to make the range more handicapped accessible.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 26, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) issued a decision notice on the Slamon Lake Paving and Electrical Project. The notice prescribes paving only the day-use unit of the park and not installing the electrical pedestals in the campground. To view the complete decision notice, open the file below.
(Decision Notice - Published June 26, 2008)

Wild westslope cutthroat trout from Jumping Creek and North Fork Deep Creek (Smith Drainage) will be transferred to Tyrell Creek (Smith Drainage).
(Decision Notice - Published June 26, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) proposes to grant the Conrad Gun Club D.B.A. Pondera Shooting Sports Club a shooting range grant for range improvements.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 25, 2008)

Under this proposal, non-native fishes in Jumping Creek would be removed using EPA registered piscicides containing rotenone.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 24, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) propose transferring non-hybridized juvenile and adult westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) to currently fishless Lange Creek (Sun River Drainage) from Chamberlain Creek (Belt Drainage).
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 24, 2008)

A decision to purchase the Riverside Inn property has been made. This will preserve a traditional access at the old county bridge on the Stillwater River, help spread out public use along the river, and mitigate a long-standing problem of parking along the North Stillwater Road.
(Decision Notice - Published June 24, 2008)

The Department fully supports the concept of conservation easements to protect diverse wildlife and agricultural values from development, subdivision and human encroachment. Approximately 75 % of the Milk River Valley and associated riparian and shrub grassland habitats have been developed for agriculture and livestock production purposes. Recently, Milk River lands have been bought solely for recreational purposes. This generally results in termination of public access, functional agricultural operations and heightened game damage problems on neighboring farms and ranches. Unless actions are taken to preserve the remaining undeveloped or moderately developed areas along the Milk River through conservation easements, much of the private land that presently provides wildlife habitat, agricultural benefits, scenic values and public access will be lost.
(Decision Notice - Published June 24, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to acquire approximately 12 acres of land adjacent to the Clark Fork River approximately 8 miles northwest of Missoula. The property consists of two tracts of land. Tract 1 contains 3.91 acres, which will be a donation to FWP, and Tract 2 contains 8.43 acres, which will be purchased by FWP. Both tracts of land would be included in the Fishing Access Site program and provide river access to bank anglers and floaters. The drat EA for the project is available below. Comments on this draft EA must be received no later than July 21, 2008. Comments should be mailed to Rory Zarling, MFWP, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59804-3101 or emailed to rzarling@mt.gov . If you have questions, please contact Rory Zarling at 542-5500.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 20, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is requesting public input on the Commercial Use Plan Environmental Assessment. The comment period is from June 23, 2008 to July 14,2008. Please email fwpwld@mt.gov or mail comments to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Commercial Use Plan EA Comments, 1420 East 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 200701 Helena, Mt. 59620
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 20, 2008)

In 2007, local rancher and wilderness enthusiast, Charlie Lincoln passed away. In his estate, he bequeathed his ranch to the diocese of Helena with the stipulation that if the Archdiocese decided to sell the ranch, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) would be given the right of first refusal to meet the highest offer. Mr. Lincoln’s ranch incorporates a variety of habitats supporting numerous game and non-game species, fourteen miles of the Marias River still in a natural free flowing state with a variety of native and sport fish species, unique geological and cultural resources, and recreational potential for diverse users groups. The most obvious feature of this property is the undeveloped, natural conditions found throughout. There are few if any river bottom properties like this left in northcentral Montana. The contiguous size absent of development, owned on both sides of a major river, and the virtually unchanged pre-European landscape is rare. FWP has prepared this environmental assessment in the likelihood FWP exercises its right to purchase and proceed with acquisition. FWP proposes the acquisition of approximately 7,540 acres in fee title and continued leasing of 1,325 contiguous acres of important wildlife habitat along the Marias River. The Lincoln Ranch encompasses riparian, sagebrush-grassland and cottonwood gallery forest habitat communities that support an abundance of game and non-game species. The Marias River meanders through the property with numerous oxbows. Aquatic habitat favors many native and non-native fish species. If FWP acquires this property, recreational uses are almost unlimited. Fishing, hunting, river recreation, developed and semi-primitive camping, hiking, cultural and natural history interpretation, wildlife viewing, and other possible compatible uses would provide Montanans and visitors unique recreational opportunities.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 19, 2008 - Archived 07/2008)

The attached Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the Poindexter Slough FAS Improvement to improve the safety of recreationists visiting this site. The proposed development will provide better public access to area anglers in addition to increasing other general public recreational opportunities with the additional parking area near Poindexter Slough and the Beaverhead River. 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 21, 2008. Comments should be sent to the following: Poindexter Slough Improvements EA Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 South 19th Avenue Bozeman MT 59718-5496 Or emailed to: gwalker@mt.gov.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 19, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is requesting public comment on adopted season proposals from the FWP Commission at its June 12 meeting. These proposals address 2008 Tentative Bison Seasons and Quotas, 2008 & 2009 Tentative Furbearer Seasons, 2008 Tentative Furbearer Quotas and 2008 Tentative Wolf Quotas.
(Hunting - Published June 13, 2008)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the proposed Lake Helena Fishing Access Site. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Helena Valley Irrigation District to establish a Fishing Access Site (FAS) on Lake Helena. Development would include an access road, parking area for 15 truck/trailers, fencing around an irrigation ditch, a boat ramp, latrine, and signs. 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 . Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. A public meeting will be held at the Lewis and Clark Library on June 23rd at 6pm. The public comment period will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. July 14, 2008. Comments should be sent to the following: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Helena Area Resource Office Parks division PO Box 200701 Helena MT 59620-0701 Or e-mailed to: cmarr@mt.gov
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 12, 2008)

EA for the Freeman Roadside Menagerie, Environmental Assessment
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 12, 2008)

Attached is a solicitation letter, proposal requirements and license auction rules.
(Hunting - Published June 12, 2008)

Decision to acquire 4,666 acres of important wildlife habitat along the Yellowstone River, and secure public access to an additional 4,760 acres of difficult-to-access adjacent public lands and approximately 5 miles of Yellowstone River shoreline.
(Decision Notice - Published June 06, 2008)

Second posting of EA to acquire 4,666 acres of habitat along the Yellowstone River. This EA is referenced in the Decision Notice of June 6, and, as such, is part of that Decision Notice.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 06, 2008)

Agenda of the June 2008 commission meeting in Helena
(Commission Agendas - Published June 05, 2008)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for a fee-title acquisition of 50 acres of the Hodges property located in Sanders County. This property is locally known as the “Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area” just east of Thompson Falls below Koo-Koo-Sint Ridge along Highway 200. FWP proposes to complete the acquisition at a cost of approximately $450,000, with major funding coming from the Montana’s Bighorn Sheep Auction Fund. This proposal represents an exciting collaborative bighorn sheep conservation project between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Flathead Wildlife, Inc., Montana Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Five Valleys Chapter of Safari Club International, a private individual, and the Plains High School ninth grade science class. The Hodges project will conserve winter range and lambing habitat for the migratory Thompson Falls bighorn sheep herd in FWP Bighorn Hunting District 121. In addition to bighorn sheep, this property would be managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to conserve and enhance habitat for a diversity of wildlife species in the lower Clark Fork region east of Thompson Falls, Montana. FWP adopts the draft EA as the final EA and proposes to complete acquisition as described in the decision document, which is attached for your information.
(Decision Notice - Published June 04, 2008)

Decision to remove eastern brook trout from the Sage Creek drainage in an effort to reestablish a self-sustaining population of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
(Decision Notice - Published June 03, 2008)

Legal Notice on draft EA to remove brook trout from a 3-acre private pond on an unnamed tributary to the Boulder River to protect a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout.
(Legal Notice - Published June 03, 2008)

EA for the removal of brook trout on a 3-acre private pond on an unnamed tributary of the Boulder River to protect self-sustaining rainbow trout.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 02, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) issed a Decision Notice to purchase fee title and accept management responsibilities for an approximately 296-acre parcel (currently held by Sherrie Jamison), located 3 miles northwest of Anaconda in Deer Lodge County. The land, which will be managed as an addition to the Blue-eyed Nellie Wildlife Management Area (WMA) complex, lies within 2 miles of the existing 162-acre Blue-eyed Nellie WMA, as well as within 2 miles of Garrity and Lost Creek WMAs.
(Decision Notice - Published June 02, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for review and public comment regarding a proposal to grant funds to the Central Montana Shooting Complex in Fergus County Montana at T15N, R18E Sec. 3: lots 1 & 2, S1/2 Ne 1/4. Approximately 2 miles North of Lewistown, MT. This project tentatively plans to provide $9395.00 in partial funding towards purchase and installation of two vault toilets.
Public Comment Period Has Closed.
(Environmental Assessment - Published June 02, 2008)