FWP announces public comment opportunities

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on environmental assessments (EAs), conservation leases and other department projects. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices. 

Lone Pine State Park Forest Thinning Project Scoping Notice 

FWP is seeking public participation and comment for a proposed forest thinning and tree planting project at Lone Pine State Park. The purpose of the project is to improve the overall forest health and timber stand diversity of the park. 

Comments due Oct. 18. 

Twelve Mile Farm private pond application environmental assessment 

A landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to stock Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. The private pond is approximately 0.10 surface acre and was formed by excavating and impounding a spring with an earthen dam near Twelve Mile Creek, a tributary of the Yellowstone River, in Billings. The pond is fed by a small perennial spring and groundwater. The outlet of the pond flows through a 6-inch culvert into another pool that drains into Twelve Mile Creek. Escapement could occur during high precipitation events, but landowners have installed screens to help minimize escapement. Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout are already well established in this drainage and risks associated with trout escapement are negligible and short-term in duration as these species are not generally piscivores and will likely not persist long-term in the creek due to unfavorable water conditions. 

Comments due Oct. 25. 

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