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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following proposals and environmental assessments (EA). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
Bring Em (Lower Pond) Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock westslope cutthroat trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.90 surface acre and located west of McAllister, approximately 930 yards south of South Meadow Creek. South Meadow Creek flows into Ennis Lake and contains brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
Comment deadline: May 15
Bring Em (Middle Pond) Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock Rainbow Trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.90 surface acre and located west of McAllister, approximately 0.5 mile south of South Meadow Creek. South Meadow Creek flows into Ennis Lake and contains brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
Comment deadline: May 15
Jack Creek Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock Rainbow Trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.85 surface acre and located east of Ennis, approximately 250 yards south of Jack Creek. Jack Creek contains brook trout and rainbow trout. legally stocked. Rainbow Trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
Comment deadline: May 15
Bannack State Park ADA Upgrades
The goal of this project is to improve accessibility and opportunity for all visitors to enjoy Bannack State Park, especially those guests with mobility challenges. This project will specifically implement changes that will improve parking, access to the latrine, and access to the entrance of the park for people with disabilities. The reconfiguration of these elements provides opportunities to make additional improvements to this part of the park that will benefit all users including a larger and more pleasant picnic area, an interpretive plaza, and a more welcoming entrance.
Comment deadline: May 15
Walker Road Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.25 surface acre and located north of Bozeman, approximately 500 yards north of Bostwick Creek, which is a tributary to the East Gallatin River. The East Gallatin River contains Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The pond is fed from a groundwater well located at the site. The outlet consists of a rock armored spillway. The intermittent discharge of the pond is directed towards a vegetated swale on the property. Rainbow Trout are not native to the East Gallatin River but were legally stocked. Rainbow Trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence. The project is sponsored by the private landowner, and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2025). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term, and the license is transferable.
Comment deadline: May 16
Bokma Reservoir Private Pond Stocking and Fishing Access Agreement
FWP is looking to enter into a Private Pond Fishing Access Agreement (PPFA) with a private landowner. Under this agreement FWP would stock rainbow trout in Bokma Reservoir, located approximately 10 miles north of Columbus, Montana. Under the PPFA, the landowner would allow public access for fishing on Bokma Reservoir. This project would create a vehicle-accessible public pond fishery in an area where few flatwater fishing opportunities are available.
Comment Deadline: May 23
2025 Trail Stewardship Program grant awards
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the proposed awards for the 2025 Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) grant cycle. This year, the program is recommending $2,000,000 in grant funds to 44 projects around the state. A list of the proposed grant recipients is available at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship.
FWP received 61 applications requesting $3.86 million in funding this year. Applications were submitted by federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, 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.
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 27
FWP Central Services Facilities Upgrades
FWP owns and manages approximately 11.93 acres at 930 West Custer Avenue in Helena. The facility accommodates a combination of administrative and public service functions, including the Helena Area Resource Office (HARO), Montana Outdoors Magazine staff, FWP fleet management, procurement, and warehouse space for shipping, receiving and storage. Other facility uses include aquatic invasive species equipment management and Helena area parks and outdoor recreation maintenance shops. FWP conducts facility condition assessments of department owned administrative facilities on a two-year cycle. Assessments have identified significant deferred maintenance recommendations for aging structures at this facility. Funding has been appropriated, and authority granted by the 68th Montana Legislature, to begin to address needed improvements at this facility. The proposed project will, as current and future funding allow, remove and replace existing buildings at the Custer Avenue facility and HARO with new, more efficient buildings and site improvements. Improvements will consolidate office, public information, retail sales, maintenance shop and warehouse facilities.
Comment deadline: May 30
2025 Draft Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
FWP has prepared this draft EA in accordance with the requirements of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The purpose of an EA is to identify, analyze, and disclose the impacts of a proposed state action. This document may disclose impacts that have no required mitigation measures, or over which FWP, more broadly, has no regulatory authority.
Comment Deadline: June 8
Draft Montana Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
FWP has prepared this draft 2026–2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for public review and comment. The SCORP identifies outdoor recreation priorities and strategies for the next five years, providing a framework to guide decision-making and investments across Montana.
Comment Deadline: June 26