Big Snowy Mountains WMA proposal open for public comment

Golden Valley County property would provide public access, wildlife habitat

BILLINGS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks published an environmental assessment this week that shows only a few very minor impacts from its proposal to buy 5,677 acres north of Ryegate to form the Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area.

Biologists are asking for written comments on the environmental assessment by April 25, 2022. They also have scheduled an online meeting for April 12 to accept comments.

The proposal calls for FWP to buy the property from Montana Children’s Home & Hospital, doing business as Shodair Children's Hospital, for approximately $8.22 million using Federal Pittman Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds for 75 percent of the appraised value and Habitat Montana funds for the remaining 25 percent.

The proposed property is entirely native mountain/foothill and prairie grassland habitats at the base of the Big Snowy Mountains with no farmed or crop land. It provides habitat for a diverse assemblage of species including elk, black bear, mule deer, pronghorn and at least 22 animals listed as species of concern. It is beneficial in maintaining huntable and viewable populations of game and non-game species, both migratory and resident.

The property is surrounded by large absentee landowners who rarely allow recreational opportunities to the general public. The lack of public access to elk is the largest contributing factor to the elk population being roughly 900 percent over objective in the hunting district.

The proposed purchase would provide permanent access to public recreation opportunities, including elk hunting. Wildlife viewing, photography and hiking would be other wildlife-related recreation available on this property. It also would serve as a gateway to access adjacent federal property in the Big Snowy Mountains. The central location of this property in Montana and proximity to Billings increases the probability it would receive substantial public use. Demand in this area is high for public access to elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and black bear hunting.

FWP would honor an existing cattle grazing lease on the property, in place until 2031.

FWP purchase of the land is the preferred alternative listed in the environmental assessment. The other alternative – take no action to buy the property – likely would mean a sale in the near term. If sold to a private entity, the opportunity to manage the property to benefit wildlife and provide public access likely would be lost.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife commission endorsed the proposed purchase in 2020. A decision on whether to proceed, based on comments made during the next month, is set for May 2022 with a final decision by the commission in August 2022. The purchase still would have to go to the state Land Board before it is final.

The full environmental assessment is available online at: https://fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2022/mar/0324-big-snowy-mountains-wildlife-management-area-fee-title-acquisition-draft-ea

Comments should be accepted until 2 p.m. April 25, 2022, and may be mailed to:

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
ATTN: Big Snowy Mountains WMA Acquisition
2300 Lake Elmo Dr.
Billings, MT 59105

Comments also can be emailed to fwpregion5pc@mt.gov with “Big Snowy Mountains WMA Acquisition” in the subject line.

 An online public meeting to gather comments and answer questions is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 12, 2022. An online address for that meeting will be published a few hours before the event on the FWP website at http://fwp.mt.gov.