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HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following proposals and environmental assessments (EA). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit?fwp.mt.gov/public-notices. Public Comment: Private Fish Pond License Application A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock westslope cutthroat trout and sterile (triploid) rainbow trout in an existing artificial, self-contained pond that is adjacent to, but not connected to a perennial stream via surface waters or within the 100-year floodplain of Petty Creek. Comment deadline: Oct. 21 Sportsman’s Bridge FAS Temporary Construction Access Draft Checklist EA FWP proposes to provide temporary and limited egress on portions of the Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS). Contractors will require more space than is available in the existing highway right of way to safely exit large trucks from the project area while facilitating the replacement of the aging bridge on Highway 82. Delays to traffic on Oldenburg Road and Highway 82 would be greatly reduced, and safety would be enhanced for travelers and construction equipment operators. Comment deadline: Oct. 22 26 Mile Fishing Access Site Proposed Lease and Development FWP proposes to enter a no-cost Recreation Permit with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to construct a FAS on the Upper Yellowstone River on property adjacent to mile marker 26 on MT Highway 89. The site is located approximately 5 miles south of Emigrant, in Park County, on public land managed by MDT. The site, commonly referred to as “26-Mile,” has a long history of public use, primarily for boat launches and take-outs. Over time, several informal boat ramps, roads, and parking areas have been pioneered on the MDT property. Resource damage, littering, and public safety concerns have increased in recent years, particularly after the 2022 flood, which left sections of the riverbank dangerously steep. Comment deadline: Oct. 25 Ninemile Creek Restoration Phase 7 Draft Checklist EA - Future Fisheries Improvement Program FWP proposes to provide Future Fisheries Improvement Program funding to a project on Ninemile Creek, which is a tributary to the Clark Fork River and provides spawning, rearing and overwinter habitat for migratory recreational fish species. In the project area, floodplain reconnection and channel improvement would be addressed through a restoration project. This will benefit fish species, stream function, anglers and the public who recreate at the site. Comment deadline: Oct. 26 Montana Beaver Transplant Program Draft EA FWP is considering a new program that would provide guidance on how beavers can be transplanted in appropriate areas and ecosystems across the state. FWP staff have developed a draft EA that evaluates a proposal to establish a Montana Beaver Transplant Program (MBTP). Comment deadline: Oct. 27 |