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.
Meyer Company Ranch Private Pond CEA
FWP invites public review of a private fish pond located in Helmville. All ponds are currently licensed for westslope cutthroat trout stocking under Permit #13012-8-0226-1, which was renewed March 1. The current application was submitted to add rainbow trout to the existing license. The water sources for the ponds are a combination of groundwater, spring water, and surface water. All ponds have valid water rights with the purpose of Fishery and Wildlife.
Comment deadline: May 14
2026 Trail Stewardship Program grant awards
FWP is seeking public comment on the proposed awards for the 2026 Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) grant cycle. This year the program is recommending $2,000,000 in grant funds go to 51 projects across the state. A list of the proposed grant recipients is available at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship.
In total, FWP received 74 applications requesting over $4.4 million in project funding this year. Applications were submitted by towns, cities, counties, federal agencies, recreational clubs and nonprofit organizations. Projects include maintenance and development of a wide variety of urban, rural and backcountry trails, construction of new trails and facilities, as well as winter grooming of snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.
The 2026 application process was highly competitive with many strong projects proposed. FWP and the State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) members reviewed and scored applications and met March 10 and 11 in Missoula to discuss projects and make a recommendation on the distribution of this year's funding.
Comments will be accepted in writing to P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701, and by email to: TSPGrants@mt.gov.
Comment deadline: May 15
Stimson Lumber Co Conservation Easement draft EA
FWP proposes to purchase a 20,704-acre conservation easement, the Stimson Timberland Legacy Conservation Easement. This working forestland is important fish and wildlife habitat owned by Stimson Lumber in Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties in northwest Montana.
Public hearings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:
- May 12 - Libby - Ponderosa Room - 952 East Spruce Street (south side of building)
- May 13 - Thompson Falls - Thompson Falls High School Library - 601 Golf Street
- May 14 - Superior - Superior High School Multi-purpose Room - 410 Arizona Avenue
Comment deadline: June 7
Sportsman's Bridge Fishing Access Site Disposal EA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 6 Office of Conservation Investment (OCI), is seeking public comment on a draft EA regarding the proposed disposal of 5.4 acres from FWP's Sportsman's Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS) in Flathead County. Funding for this project is administered through the OCI Program, therefore the action is subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
The draft EA, prepared by USFWS in cooperation with FWP, analyzes the potential environmental effects of the disposal and provides an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed action. In the draft EA, the USFWS determined the action would not have impacts to wetlands, floodplains or farmland; would not affect historical and cultural resources; would not have any effect on threatened, endangered or candidate species; and would not have any effect on the vegetation in the area or on local fish and wildlife or their habitats.
Comment deadline: June 7
Other items open for public comment include the following:
Changes to fishing regulations
FWP is seeking public input on preliminary proposals for the 2027–2028 fishing regulations and ideas for additional regulation changes.
FWP is scoping 41 department proposals for the 2027–2028 regulation cycle. Each proposal includes information on biological rationale, regulation type and references to the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.
Comment deadline: May 31
June 12 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda items
Agenda items for the June 12 commission meeting are now open for public comment. These include:
- Mountain lion quotas for fall 2026 – winter 2027.
- Elk Hunting Access Agreements
- Temporary Closure - Blackfoot River
- Upper Thompson Conservation Easement – Phase 1, Region 1
- Siskin Island Fishing Access Site
More information about these agenda items and comment deadlines is available on the commission meeting webpage. Commissioners can submit amendments to any of FWP's proposals. Those amendments will be posted to the webpage as needed and will be open for public comment.