FWP is seeking comment on proposed Habitat Conservation Leases (HCLs). HCLs are incentive-based, voluntary agreements offered by FWP to help conserve priority wildlife habitats on private lands while also supporting working agricultural lands and public hunting and recreation opportunity.
Private landowners can enroll their land into a 30- or 40- year conservation lease in return for a one-time per-acre lease payment. Funding for the Program is generally derived from state hunting license fees and federal Pittman Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds.
FWP staff will hold a public meeting on July 23, 2024, where they will provide an overview of the HCL program as well as discuss specifics of both of the HCLs proposed within FWP Administrative Region 7.
· 52 Ranch Habitat Conservation Lease
· QT Ranch Habitat Conservation Lease
For more information, please refer to the Habitat Conservation Lease Program web page: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/habitat/habitat-conservation/lease-program
A programmatic environmental analysis and supplemental environmental analysis were completed by FWP at the start of the Habitat Conservation Lease Program. Notices for public comment for each proposed Administrative Region 7 project were released on July 11, 2024. These notices can be viewed on the FWP website at https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices or are available upon request from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Miles City, (406) 234-0900.
Public comment is welcome and will be accepted until 5 p.m. MST on August 9, 2024. Written comments can be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses below:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
ATTN: Name of Habitat Conservation Lease
PO Box 1630
Miles City, MT 59301
The public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. MST on July 23, 2024, at:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7 Headquarters
352 Interstate 94 Business Loop
Miles City, MT 59301
The meeting can be attended virtually at the following link: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/84197810175?pwd=6rEvhveUTpbozKZBanJ17PwOnzsdsR.1