Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting 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.
East End Colony Private Pond License Review draft CEA
FWP invites public review of a private fish pond located in Hill County. A private landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to include rainbow trout and brown trout as permitted species on the license. The pond is an excavated pit with no inlet or outlet, adjacent to an intermittent drainage with no record of existing fish species present, and a reservoir owned by the landowner. Water in the pond is controlled via a pumping system set up for stock use.
Comment deadline: June 3
Whitebird Creek Bridge Replacement draft EA
Whitebird Fishing Access Site (FAS) is located on the Stillwater River approximately 6.5 miles northeast of Absarokee, on West Whitebird Creek Road. West Whitebird Creek Road and the existing bridge provide access to Whitebird FAS and several adjacent private properties. FWP has a public use easement to West Whitebird Creek Road with the right to maintain the road.
The bridge over Whitebird Creek has been deteriorating, and a November 2025 inspection by DCI Engineers found the bridge to be in critical condition. Public access at Whitebird FAS has been restricted to walk- or float-in only since December 2025.
FWP intends to provide a safe crossing structure for the public with a goal of completing the project by May 14, 2027, or sooner. FWP has initiated design and alternative analysis with DCI Engineering and is now seeking public input and feedback on different alternatives.
Comment deadline: June 5
Thompson Chain of Lakes Fuels Reduction draft EA
FWP is proposing to treat approximately 1,272 acres of the Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park complex, with the primary objectives of promoting overstory development of long-lived seral species, reducing hazardous fuels that could result in severe fire, reducing the risk of bark beetle infestations, and maintaining/promoting wildlife habitat for priority wildlife species. FWP intends to utilize grant funding obtained from a Community Wildfire Defense Grant to pay for this work.
Comment deadline: June 5
North Shore WMA Annual Crop Production draft EA
FWP is proposing to cultivate and grow annual crops on 350 acres of the North Shore Wildlife Management Area for the purpose of providing leave grain for migratory waterfowl and cover for upland gamebirds, particularly pheasants.
Comment deadline: June 5
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.
Comment deadline: June 6
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
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks have added four additional items to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda for June 12.
These additional items are open for public review and comment. These agenda items are:
- Elk Hunting Access Agreements (to include staff-reviewed agreements)
- MaltEurop water lease renewal
- Beaver translocations
- Mountain lion regulations for the Charles M. Russell and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuges
Comment deadline: June 7