FWP seeking public comment on several items

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the 2023 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and several environmental assessments (EAs). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.


Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan
The draft 2023 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan incorporates updates in wolf-related research, more than 20 years of management experience, evolution in conflict management, new laws, social perspectives, and public input. The draft plan also references the transition to using the number of individual wolves as the population metric, rather than breeding pairs.

Comments due Dec. 19.


McGillivray Private Pond-Checklist EA
McGillivray has applied for a private fish pond license authorizing stocking of rainbow trout in an existing artificial, self-contained pond that is not connected to a perennial stream via surface waters or within the 100-year floodplain of Lolo Creek. The pond was constructed (excavated) for the purpose of private recreation, including fishing. The applicant has indicated (with documentation) that the pond water source (groundwater) is maintained through a valid water right. The pond has no defined inlet or outlet. 

Comments due Nov. 1.


Home Run Pond Drawdown and Fish Removal Draft EA
The purpose of the proposed project is to drawdown Home Run Pond in November 2023 to minimum pool levels to ensure the existing fish assemblage (undesirable species and illegally introduced species) will not overwinter. FWP will restock the pond with rainbow trout in the pond in spring 2024 following refill using the existing well (or alternate water sources). 

Removal of undesirable and illegally introduced species should improve survival and growth of hatchery stocked rainbow trout. Additionally, improved water quality, removal of undesirable species and the slight increase in water depth (removal of trash and sediment) will enhance fish survival overwinter.  

Comments due Nov. 2.


Eagles Roost Conservation Easement Scoping
The proposed Eagle’s Roost CE consists of approximately 438 deeded acres consisting of approximately 70 acres of cropland, 60 acres of riparian and 308 acres of native rangeland habitat. The property lies in Cascade County approximately 5 miles northeast of Cascade. The land lies in the Hunting Districts 445 and 440. The property is adjacent to the Missouri River, an FWP fishing access site and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation School Trust Lands (DNRC) property. The property is currently a working farm/ranch with a small cow/calf operation. The property is currently enrolled in FWP’s Block Management Program as a Type 2 property (access via reservation).

The primary objectives of this CE are to provide perpetual conservation and enhancement of high-quality native riparian habitats, maintaining traditional land uses, and to provide public recreational opportunities. The owners wish to protect the property in perpetuity to preserve habitat and maintain open space. The landowners are committed to maintaining a viable agricultural operation. This project would be the fifth FWP conservation easement between Ulm and Cascade, further protecting lands along the Missouri River from subdivision and development and ensuring the protection of fish and wildlife habitat.

Comments due Nov. 2.


Lellhame Private Pond Draft Environmental Checklist EA
A private landowner is applying for a private pond license and is proposing to stock an existing pond on his property located at 980 Jensen Road in Columbia Falls. The pond is approximately a half-acre and drains to terminal wetland that was dry at the time of viewing and is said to dry annually. There is also a shallow pond upstream of this wetland that is unlikely to support fish year-round. The outlet of the pond is a screened headgate structure. If necessary, removal of fish from this pond could be accomplished with rotenone.

Comments due Nov. 8.


Flathead Lake State Park -Yellow Bay Road and Tent Camping Improvements Draft EA
The proposed project would reconfigure and pave Flathead Lake State Park-Yellow Bay’s (FHLSP-YB) entrance and internal road system and would create five to seven additional parking spaces designed to accommodate vehicle-boat trailer combinations. A cul-de-sac would be incorporated near the entrance to FHLSP-YB to provide a space for park visitors to turn around and to control traffic flow during peak use periods. The cul-de-sac would also function as a location for a small visitor contact station providing information about FHLSP-YB and for fee collection. To accommodate the proposed project, one of the two existing park host sites and five existing tent campsites would be relocated. An existing non-functional shower-house would be removed, and the existing wooden vault latrine would be replaced with a new concrete vault latrine. Further, six passenger vehicle parking spaces would be added at this location. Finally, FWP proposes to refurbish the existing flush toilet restroom and a small maintenance shed would be added in proximity to the refurbished restroom.

Comments due Nov. 25.