Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following environmental assessments (EA) and scoping notice. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit?fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.

Management of Historic Structures at Clarks Fork Yellowstone Fishing Access Site EA

FWP is proposing a project to create an agreement with Bridger Historical Society (BHS) in an effort to restore historic structures and establish a walking trail to the structures in Clarks Fork of Yellowstone Fishing Access Site (FAS). The FAS was acquired with Access Montana Funds in 2009 by FWP. It is consisted of 172 acres of land adjacent to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, approximately 2 miles south of Bridger, in Carbon County. The Frances and Emma Jennings Homestead is a historic site located at the FAS. The cabin was built near the Jim Bridger Trail where it crosses the Clark’s Fork River near the mouth of Bridger Creek. BHS identified the Jennings Homestead as important to the community and began developing a preliminary plan to rehabilitate or stabilize the structures. Development to support visitation may include a walking trail from the existing FAS parking lot, pullout improvement adjacent to the FAS internal road, localized site and area cleaning, tree trimming, tree removal and interpretive signs.

Comment deadline: Dec. 14

Giant Springs State Park Renewal of Water Rights Lease, Infrastructure Agreement and Pipeline Easement Agreement draft EA Checklist

FWP is proposing to renew the agreement originally entered with International Malting Company LLC in 2004 and renewed in 2015 with Malteurop North America Inc. (Malteurop), successor in interest to International Malting Company LLC. Under the original and renewed agreements, FWP has leased water to the two companies for use in a malting barley plant north of the Missouri River near Great Falls. The source of the leased water is from Giant Springs and held by FWP under water right Provisional Permit 41Q 55863-00. Twelve hundred gallons per minute (gpm), up to 1,936 acre-feet per year, of the water right has been temporarily changed to industrial use. The remainder of the right continues to be used at the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery. This water use is nonconsumptive as it returns to the Missouri River via the City of Great Falls’ Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Comment deadline: Dec. 15

Banana Lake Fuels Reduction Project draft EA

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to implement a forest fuels reduction project on the Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park, Banana Lake Unit. The project would involve approximately 114 acres, with the primary objective of mitigating hazardous fuels. Treatments would involve tree removal, slash treatment, road maintenance, and follow-up treatments; such as grass seeding and noxious weed control.

Comment deadline: Dec. 22

Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park Fuels Reduction Project Scoping Notice

FWP is seeking comment for a proposal to implement a forest fuels reduction project on the Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park. The project would promote and maintain a mosaic of open and closed forest cover, reduce hazardous fuels that could result in severe fire and maintain and promote public safety, aesthetics and visual screening within developed areas of the park.

Comment deadline: Jan. 6

Whittecar Shooting Range draft Checklist EA

FWP proposes to utilize Pittman Robertson funds to remove and rebuild the firing line shelter at the Whittecar Rifle & Pistol Range. The range, located in Hamilton, is a premier shooting range offering a wide range of facilities and services to both qualified members and the public. Some amenities have been updated throughout the years, however, the shelter covering the 300-yard firing line needs replacement. This project would include removing the existing structure, benches and concrete pad. FWP would then facilitate the construction of a new foundation and updated structure.

FWP is also proposing an updated lease agreement with Whittecar Rifle & Pistol Club (club). The current leasing and subleasing structure is inadequate for efficient communication and management of the shooting range. The proposed lease update would simplify communications between FWP and the club, but there would not be significant changes to the daily operations of the shooting range.

Comment deadline: Jan. 8