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.
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
Beavertail Hill State Park Comfort Station Upgrade and Modernization
FWP is seeking public comment on a proposed project at Beavertail Hill State Park in Granite County. Beavertail Hill State Park is a 65‑acre park along the Clark Fork River that provides camping, river access and a popular rest stop for residents and Interstate 90 travelers. FWP proposes to construct a new, fully ADA-compliant comfort station to replace the existing 1978 facility, which is in failing condition and does not meet current accessibility or visitor needs. The new building would include flush toilets, handwashing sinks, heated water, shower stalls and designated parking for users. Site preparation and utility work are planned for 2026, with most construction anticipated between fall 2026 and spring 2027. The purpose of the project is to improve accessibility, public health and the overall visitor experience while supporting the park's role as a key recreation and rest area along the Interstate 90 corridor.
Comment deadline: April 3
Wedding Reservoir Fish Stocking
FWP is proposing to stock fish in Wedding Reservoir, which is situated on publicly accessible lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in Phillips County. Species considered for stocking include rainbow trout and bluegill. At full pool, Wedding Reservoir is approximately 14 feet deep and capable of supporting fish species targeted by anglers. The purpose of the project is to increase angling opportunities in this area. The proposed species would be stocked during the summer and fall of 2026. FWP would use hatchery-reared fish and wild fish transfers from nearby sources to establish a recreational fishery accessible to anglers at Wedding Reservoir.
Comment deadline: April 3
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
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Introduction to Nebel Coulee and Thunder Creek CEA
FWP is proposing to establish a westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) Oncorhynchus lewisi conservation population in Nebel Coulee and Thunder Creek (Belt Creek drainage). The proposed location where WCT will be introduced in Nebel Coulee lies within U. S. Bureau of Land Management and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest lands upstream of a 1.35-mile dry stream reach that isolates 1 mile of perennial fish habitat from downstream non-native fish populations in Big Otter Creek. The proposed location where WCT will be introduced in Thunder Creek lies entirely within Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest lands upstream of a 1.5-mile dry stream reach that isolates 2.4 miles of currently fishless habitat from non-native fish populations in Tillinghast Creek. WCT from at-risk conservation populations in north central Montana that cannot be protected in place will be prioritized for transfer to Nebel Coulee and Thunder Creek. Montana FWP is considering the proposed action to prevent the loss of unique genetic lineages of WCT native to north central Montana, expand the current range and add stream mileage to the WCT conservation goals for the Belt Creek drainage, and reduce the likelihood of listing of WCT under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Comment deadline: April 7
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Introduction to Phillips Creek CEA
FWP is proposing to establish a westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) Oncorhynchus lewisi conservation population in the fishless headwaters of Phillips Creek (Two Medicine River drainage). The proposed location where WCT will be introduced in Phillips Creek is on State of Montana land upstream of a 30-foot waterfall that isolates the upper 4.2 miles of fish habitat from downstream nonative fish populations. WCT from at-risk conservation populations in north central Montana that cannot be protected in place will be prioritized for transfer to Phillips Creek. Montana 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 Two Medicine River drainage, and reduce the likelihood of listing of WCT under the Endangered Species Act.
Comment deadline: April 7
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
Recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative trail planning effort
FWP is seeking public review and input on recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC) citizen advisory group and its trail planning effort. The group worked on ideas for a multi-use trail system in western Montana's Fish Creek Complex in the fall of 2025 and released its draft recommendations on March 17. The FCC served an advisory role to FWP, and its recommendations are intended to inform potential next steps. The FCC's recommendations were written by the citizen committee, not by FWP, and the package released for public comment reflects their unedited input. The recommendations provide general guidance for the agency but do not provide final approval of any specific projects, which would require additional planning, funding decisions and environmental review as applicable. After the comment period closes, FWP will review and summarize the public comments received on the FCC recommendations. The input will help inform FWP's internal review and consideration of next steps.
Comment deadline: April 17