Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area habitat project comment period extended; field tour offered

HAMILTON – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is extending the comment period from April 15-30, 2021 on its proposal to conduct habitat restoration work on Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), east of Hamilton. The proposal calls for removing some conifer trees on approximately 1,100 acres of grass/shrublands and forested areas on the WMA.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project was initially out for public review earlier this year, and the extension will allow for an onsite field tour of the project area after a portion of the WMA opens for seasonal use on April 15. The proposal calls for thinning some conifer trees to promote more native grass, shrubs and aspen tree growth that are important to a variety of wildlife species.

FWP staff will conduct a tour on Friday, April 16 beginning at 10 a.m. The focus of the tour will be to examine habitats targeted for improvement, with the FWP forester and local wildlife biologist on hand to describe treatments and answer questions. Participation in the field tour is limited to 15 people and interested persons should sign up by calling FWP Wildlife Biologist Rebecca Mowry at 406-363-7141 (leave a message if no answer).  Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Travel from the parking lot to treatment areas will be on foot (no bikes, horses, or dogs).

Afterward, attendees can survey the open portion of the WMA at their leisure in accordance with WMA regulations (no dogs allowed, and no entry until noon each day leading up to the general full WMA opening on May 15).

Review the draft EA now on FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov, under “News and Public Notices.” Or, request the EA now and mail comment (beginning April 15) to: Region 2 FWP, Attn: Calf Creek Forest EA; 3201 Spurgin Rd., Missoula 59804; or by emailing shrose@mt.gov. Comments must be received by April 30, 2021. For questions, please call 406-542-5540.