HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following environmental assessments (EAs), checklist EAs (CEAs) and proposals. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Introduction to Big George Gulch draft CEA
FWP is proposing to establish a westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) Oncorhynchus lewisi conservation population in the fishless headwaters of Big George Gulch (Sun River drainage).
The proposed location where WCT will be introduced in Big George Gulch is entirely within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest upstream of a 30-foot waterfall that isolates the upper 4.7 miles of fish habitat from downstream non-native fish populations. WCT from at-risk conservation populations in northcentral Montana that cannot be protected in place will be prioritized for transfer to Big George Gulch. FWP is considering the proposed action to prevent the loss of unique genetic lineages of WCT native to northcentral Montana, expand the current range and add stream mileage to the WCT conservation goals for the Sun River drainage, and reduce the likelihood of listing of WCT under the Endangered Species Act.
Comment deadline: March 23
Logan Public Shooting Range – Acquisition and Development
FWP is proposing to acquire an approximately 86-acre easement from the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) as a preliminary step in the anticipated development of a formalized public shooting range. FWP submitted an easement application to DNRC on Jan. 16, 2025. The proposed easement would facilitate the development of a formal public shooting range located along the I-90 corridor, approximately 2 miles south of Logan. FWP has released this draft EA to review the environmental impacts associated with the proposed acquisition and development.
Comment deadline: March 28
Siskin Island FAS Acquisition Project CEA
FWP propose to acquire an 82-acre island on the Upper Yellowstone River near the Pine Creek Fishing Access Site (FAS) for the establishment of a new FAS. The island is about 500 yards upstream from Pine Creek FAS, and 2 river miles downstream from Mallard's Rest FAS. The island features a rocky shoreline, mature cottonwood forests, willow thickets, marsh wetlands and open meadows that provide essential habitats for a variety of wildlife including waterfowl, songbirds, white-tailed deer, beaver, otters and fish. Mule deer and elk occasionally pass through the property. The island complex and associated side channels within the Yellowstone River supports high-quality spawning and rearing habitat for trout in addition to a variety of game and nongame fish and wildlife species. The name of the proposed new FAS refers to pine siskin, a native finch that can be found in the Paradise Valley year-round. The name reflects the excellent bird and other wildlife habitat on the island and highlights the conservation values of the acquisition.
The island is subject to regulated floodway restrictions. Primary access to the island is by floating along the Yellowstone River with walk-in access available from Pine Creek FAS during periods of low water. The island is currently held in fee title by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), and they would transfer ownership to FWP as a donated property. FWP would pay for the closing costs for the transactions, which are estimated to be around $2,000. If approved, FWP would hold title and administer the property as an FAS.
Comment deadline: March 28
Big Timber Ranch Private Ponds License Draft EA
A landowner is applying for two private fish pond licenses located on the Big Timber Ranch property in Sweet Grass County. Both ponds are about 8 feet deep, sourced by separate spring developments, and located on a bench above Little Timber Creek. Pond 1 is the larger of the two (0.95 acre), and its outlet flows into a defined channel for approximately 350 meters before entering Little Timber Creek. Pond 2's outlet flows overland down a steep slope approximately 100 meters before reaching Little Timber Creek. Each pond has an agri-drain inline water level control structure on the outlet with a 1/2-inch gap fish screen.
Although the ponds' location and outlet structures make the chance of fish escapement low, the effects of escapement could have minor to moderate impacts on a unique population of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout that occur in Little Timber Creek. Yellowstone cutthroat trout from an FWP-approved source would be the only allowable species at this time because the rainbow trout and brown trout pose unacceptable risks.
The project is sponsored by the private landowner, and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2026). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term. The private landowner would stock the ponds upon approval of the private pond licenses.
Comment deadline: March 30
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration McGinnis Creek Draft EA
FWP proposes a project to protect and restore WCT in McGinnis Creek in the North Fork Flathead River drainage by removing non-native trout upstream of a waterfall barrier and repopulating McGinnis Creek with WCT from Hay Creek.
Comment deadline: April 2
Fisheries Red Tape and House Bill 74 Implementation
On March 6, FWP published a Notice with the Secretary of State proposing to amend private fish pond and commercial take laws, as requested by the Water Policy Interim Committee. In addition to updates to rules based on HB 74, this rulemaking proposal amends and repeals rules identified by the Fisheries Division as part of the Governor's Red Tape Relief Initiative.
On March 30 at 10 a.m., the FWP will hold a public hearing via the Zoom platform, to consider the proposed adoption of the rule.
For a link to the public hearing and to read the proposal notice, click here.
Comment deadline: April 6
Upper Thompson Conservation Easement Draft EA Phase 1
FWP proposes to purchase a 34,610-acre conservation easement, the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement – Phase 1. This is the first phase of a two-phased project totaling 47,907 acres of important timberland and fish and wildlife habitat owned by Green Diamond Montana Timberlands LLC in northwest Montana. A public hearing will be held at the Thompson Falls High School Library, 601 Golf Street, on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 pm.
Comment deadline: April 11