HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a variety of items that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its next meeting, Oct. 15. The meeting will be held at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena starting at 8 a.m.
One of the agenda items open for public comment is grizzly bear relocation sites. Montana law requires FWP staff to only release grizzly bears at commission-approved sites within occupied grizzly bear range. The sites proposed are, by and large, the same as the commission approved five years ago.
Recently, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposed a rule change that would provide additional management flexibility for grizzly bears in Montana. This rule change would not impact the requirement for the Commission to approve grizzly bear relocation sites.
Another agenda open for public comment is public use and commercial use fee schedules. The public use fees, such as camping fees, have not been updated since 2014, and commercial use fees, such as vendor fees, have not been updated since 2007.
The fees in FWP's proposal were crafted after receiving ample public input. They are clearer and more consistent and affordable for visitors, businesses and staff than the current fees. They also better reflect inflation and the increasing costs of maintaining and managing public recreation sites.
Other topics open for public comment are:
- 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations
- Flathead River drainage Brown Trout Regulation
- Northern Leopard Frog Relocations
- Temporary Full Closure of Kona Bridge Fishing Access Site
- Citizen Petition for Rulemaking - Swan Lake Motorized Use Restrictions
- Decision on Final Adoption of Bitterroot River Motorized Watercraft Closure
More information about these agenda items is available on the commission meeting webpage.
Commissioners can submit amendments to any of FWP's proposals. If amendments are shared with FWP before the meeting, they will be posted to the webpage and will be open for public review.
Want to weigh in? Here's how
Your voice matters in this process. The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Sept. 24. There are two ways to comment before the meeting:
- Online portal (SurveyMonkey): Each agenda item includes a survey for submitting public comment. Letters and supporting documents may be attached to the survey.
- Mail: Send written comments to: Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, c/o FWP Liaison – Director's Office, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
Prefer to comment at the meeting?
You're welcome to comment in person on Oct. 15 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, or at your nearest FWP regional office – find locations here.
Joining by Zoom? You can comment virtually, but you must register in advance. Registration opens Sept. 30 and closes at noon on Oct. 14. Comment time at the meeting may be limited at the commission chair's discretion.
If you have questions about the comment process, please contact Jesse May, at 406-444-7826 or jessemay@mt.gov.