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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 & Parks (FWP) has issued a decision notice to acquire through donation from Five Valleys Land Trust of Missoula approximately 20 acres of land, adjacent to the Bearmouth Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Upper Clark Fork River. The property for the existing Bearmouth FAS was just acquired in 2005 and has not been developed yet. The proposed acquisition would be added to the Bearmouth FAS enlarging its size to approximately 30 acres.
(Decision Notice - Published May 19, 2008)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for Coal Creek in Flathead County (T34N, R22W, S25 & 26) for the purpose of a restoration project. Based on the analysis in the draft EA and the comments received, it is recommended that the proposed project be implemented. There were no changes to the draft EA; therefore, the draft becomes the final EA. A copy of the decision notice is attached for your information. Please direct your questions or comments to Coal Creek Restoration Project, FWP, 290 N Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or e-mail comments to jtohtz@mt.gov.
(Decision Notice - Published May 16, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for the acquisition by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) of a donated Conservation Easement on a 225-acre tract of the Granger Ranches in Madison County, Montana. The easement area is an important spawning area for brown and rainbow trout as well as important habitat for resident and migratory birds and other wildlife. FWP proposes to acquire this easement and to restore, enhance, and create within it, a 16.64 wetland. FWP will begin restoration of the wetlands pending final approval of the Conservation Easement and will complete construction on-site no later than June 30,2008. The Conservation Easement area and restoration site are part of the O’Dell Creek Headwaters that was drained by ditches in 1955. This Decision Notice and 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 below, or viewed on FWP’s Internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks C/O O’Dell Creek Headwaters EA 1400 South Nineteenth Avenue Bozeman, MT 59715 Or e-mailed to: thinz@mt.gov
(Decision Notice - Published May 06, 2008)

This decision notice implements the Rosebud Battlefield State Park Final Management Plan. Public input throughout the planning process and comments on the draft plan were instrumental in forming the final plan. The plan stresses the importance of education, interpretation and resource management . It also addresses visitor services and access, pursuit of options other than mineral development, and collaborative efforts with neighbors, tribes, historians and tourism groups.
(Decision Notice - Published May 06, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for the acquisition of a gift water right from Mr. Ed Hillman on the Shields River. The proposed acquisition would be used to benefit in-stream flow and fisheries in the Shields River. Nine public comments were received during a 30-day comment period ending March 18, 2008. It is my decision to not proceed with the proposed project. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Scott Opitz 1354 Highway 10 West Livingston, MT 59047 Or e-mailed to: sopitz@mt.gov
(Decision Notice - Published April 11, 2008)

The proposed action is to treat Tunnel Lake and a small tributary stream with rotenone to remove an expanding white sucker population and restock the lake to create a mixed fishery including hatchery-produced westslope cutthroat trout and transplanted Arctic grayling. This action will provide a better growing environment for westslope cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling to improve recreational angling opportunity.
(Decision Notice - Published April 11, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for proposed improvement to an irrigation system using water from the Big Hole River near the town of Jackson, MT. The fluvial Arctic grayling population in the upper Big Hole watershed is threatened by low quality habitat and low instream flows. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing improvements to this irrigation system to ensure that migratory fish species like Arctic grayling can access seasonally important habitats as well as improve the management and measurement taken from the Big Hole River for the purpose of irrigation. One public comment was received during a 15-day comment period ending March 21, 2008. It is my decision to proceed with the proposed project with no changes to the Draft Environmental Assessments. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Peter Lamothe Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 730 N. Montana St. Dillon, MT 59725 Or e-mailed to: plamothe@mt.gov Thanks for your interest.
(Decision Notice - Published April 04, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for the Introduction of Westslope Cutthroat Trout to Elkhorn Creek, Gallatin River Drainage. This project proposes to introduce native westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) into Elkhorn Creek, a fishless stream in the Gallatin River drainage near Big Sky, MT. The project is designed to increase the overall distribution of WCT, a rare native species in the upper Missouri River drainage, and to preserve the genetic legacy of local “at risk” populations. Two public and one agency comments, all supportive, were received during a 30-day comment period ending June 11, 2007. It is my decision to proceed with the proposed project with no changes to the Draft EA. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Lee Nelson Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 415 South Front Street Townsend, MT 59644 Or e-mailed to: leenelson@mt.gov Thank you for your interest.
(Decision Notice - Published March 25, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) issued a decision notice on March 24 to implement site improvements at the Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Bitterroot River between Florence and Stevensville. The notice came at the end of a 30-day public comment period. Planned site improvements include adding gravel parking areas to accommodate up to 12 vehicles and installing a latrine. The final EA and decision notice are available for review by opening the file below. Or, to request a hard copy, contact the FWP Missoula office at (406) 542-5500.
(Decision Notice - Published March 25, 2008)

Decision to proceed with improvements at Pelican FAS as outlined in the EA to include improved vehicle access, vault latrine, and boat launch construction.
(Decision Notice - Published March 18, 2008)

FWP has decided to amend the original decision notice regarding the Butte Trap Club.
(Decision Notice - Published March 12, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for the proposed chemical treatment of Randall Creek and associated ponds and ditches in Gallatin County. Wild trout and native game and non-game fish in the upper Missouri drainage are currently threatened by nonnative northern pike found in this area. FWP is proposing to remove northern pike from this system. No public comments were received during a 21-day comment period ending February 6, 2008. It is my decision to proceed with the proposed project, with no changes to the Environmental Assessment. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Michael W. Vaughn Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 S. 19th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59718-5496 Or e-mailed to: mvaughn@mt.gov Thank you for your interest.
(Decision Notice - Published February 25, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for the proposed building stabilization project within Bannack State Park, near Dillon, Montana. No public comments were received during the 30-day comment period ending January 21, 2008. It is my decision to proceed with the preferred alternative by going forward with the stabilization work on eleven (11) historic buildings within Bannack State Park. Proposed projects vary from building to building, but generally address foundations, roofs, replacement of sill and spandrel logs, and drainage issues. In addition, two frost-free water hydrants would be added to the current outdoor water system. No changes to the Environmental Assessment (EA). Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks c/o Bannack Stabilization EA Comments 4200 Bannack Road Dillon MT 59725 Or e-mailed to: dalec@mt.gov
(Decision Notice - Published February 07, 2008)

Decision to construct and operate a Fishing Access Site on the Musselshell River in cooperation with the City of Harlowton.
(Decision Notice - Published February 06, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to amend the 2000 Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Management Plan in three areas to address compelling issues. The preferred alternative (B) called for the following: · Allow trail development in the undeveloped section of the Park · Allow mountain bikes on portions of the Park trail system · Upgrade overnight facilities in the Park campground, specifically to develop a limited number of campsites with electrical and water hook-ups Twenty-three public comments were received during the 30-day comment period ending November 9, 2007. It is my decision to proceed with the preferred alternative detailed above. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Lewis & Clark Caverns Management Plan 1400 S. 19th Ave. Bozeman, MT 59718 Or e-mailed to: gwalker@mt.gov.
(Decision Notice - Published February 05, 2008)

The attached Decision Notice has been prepared for a proposed project that would remove nonnative brook trout from Green Hollow Creek to benefit an Arctic grayling brood population. The removal of brook trout would serve to reduce the likelihood of disease transfer from brook trout, which are carriers of several common fish diseases, to an Arctic grayling brood stock located within the drainage. It would also reduce competition between brook trout and Arctic grayling for space and food resources. FWP is proposing to removal nonnative brook trout from the stream using electrofishing and trapping methods. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks did not receive any public comments during a 30 day comment period ending January 21, 2008. It is my decision to proceed with the proposed projects, with no changes to the Draft Environmental Assessments. Questions regarding this Decision Notice should be mailed to: Jim Magee Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 730 N. Montana Street Dillon, MT 59725 Or e-mailed to: mageejames@mt.gov Thank you for your interest.
(Decision Notice - Published February 05, 2008)

Decision Notice for Freeman Roadside Menagerie
(Decision Notice - Published February 05, 2008)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, has completed an environmental assessment (EA) for the purpose of developing the Lower Flathead River Fishing Access Site (FAS) using funds from fishing license dollars. The site is approximately five miles SE of Paradise, Montana, in Sanders County. A copy of the decision document is attached, with Alternative B – to develop the Lower Flathead River FAS – being the preferred alternative. There were no changes to the draft EA; therefore, the draft becomes the final EA, available at FWP, Region One, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901. Please direct questions or comments to Dave Landstrom, Regional Parks Manager, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or e-mail to dlandstrom@mt.gov.
(Decision Notice - Published January 29, 2008)