Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following environmental assessments (EA) and proposals. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
Statewide Fisheries Management Plan 2027-2030 EA
FWP is releasing the proposed 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan (SFMP) and associated EA for public review and comment. The plan identifies statewide fisheries-management goals, priorities and strategies intended to sustain and enhance Montana's fisheries and angling opportunities. The EA evaluates potential environmental effects of implementing the plan and considers alternatives.
Comment deadline: Sept. 14
Upper O'Brien Creek restoration project draft checklist EA
O'Brien Creek (Missoula County) is a tributary to the Bitterroot River that supports a cold-water fishery including both native westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) in its upper reaches, and non-native WCT hybrids, brook trout and brown trout in its middle and lower reaches. In the project area, the historic alterations to the watershed have resulted in a heavily degraded stream that was heavily incised, lacked woody debris and lacked connection to the floodplain. The goals of this project are to 1) improve in-stream aquatic habitat, 2) reduce sediment loading, and 3) restore floodplain connectivity/processes.
Comment deadline: Sept. 16
Kelly Island FAS checklist EA
FWP is proposing a project to repair and stabilize the upstream streambank at the Kelly Island Fishing Access site (FAS) Spurgin Road parking area located in the city of Missoula in Missoula County on the Clark Fork River. Kelly Island FAS is approximately 713 acres in size and consists of improved infrastructure including a vault latrine, asphalt paved and gravel roads, concrete block boat ramp, signage and three parking access points.
Comment deadline: Sept. 23
Kona Bridge FAS bank stabilization checklist EA
FWP is proposing a project to repair and stabilize the streambank at the Kona Bridge FAS located in the city of Missoula in Missoula County on the Clark Fork River. Kona Bridge FAS is approximately 2.75 acres in size and consists of improved infrastructure including a vault latrine, asphalt paved road and parking area, concrete block boat ramp and signage.
Comment deadline: Sept. 23
Sluice Boxes State Park streambank stabilization project draft checklist EA
Sluice Boxes is a Montana State Park that envelopes 7 miles of Belt Creek as it enters the Little Belt Mountain Range approximately 35 miles southwest of Great Falls. This project would occur in the park's main access point, the Evans-Riceville Trailhead. The Evans-Riceville Trailhead is the further downstream site in the park and is used as a boat take-out in the spring as well as a wading river access point during the summer. The proposed project area is heavily affected by erosion due to continuous use throughout the year. The proposed project aims to repair and restructure the existing bank to maintain its integrity. This proposed construction is designed to funnel users into a central area that is hardened to withstand the use the site will receive in the future and rehabilitate the bank erosion that the site is currently experiencing.
Comment deadline: Sept. 23
Upper Thompson conservation easement draft EA phase 2
FWP proposes to purchase a 13,297-acre conservation easement – the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement – Phase 2. This is the second and final phase of a two-phased project totaling 47,907 acres of important timberland and fish and wildlife habitat owned by Green Diamond Montana Timberlands LLC in northwest Montana.
Comment deadline: Sept. 26
Proposed prescribed fire project on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area
FWP may be preparing an EA on a proposal to implement an aspen recruitment, prescribed fire and tree planting habitat improvement project on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area. This projected is intended to be completed in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service Larabee Hat Vegetation Project on the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Comment deadline: Sept. 30
September 24 Fish and Wildlife Commission special meeting agenda items
FWP is seeking public comment on items that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its Sept. 24 special meeting. The topics open for public comment are:
- Administrative rulemaking petition – 24-hour trap check
- Administrative rulemaking petition – bear spray requirement
- Initiation of administrative rulemaking process – predator management policy
More information about these agenda items, how to submit comment and comment deadline 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.
October 14 Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission agenda items
FWP is seeking public comment on a variety of items that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its Oct. 14 meeting. The topics open for public comment are:
- 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations
- Flathead River drainage Brown Trout Regulation
- Grizzly Bear Release Sites
- Northern Leopard Frog Relocations
- Temporary Full Closure of Kona Bridge Fishing Access Site
- Public Use and Commercial Use Fee Schedules
- Thompson Island Acquisition
- 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, how to submit comment and comment deadline 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.