FWP SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS, EMERGENCY CLOSURES

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several draft environmental assessments (EA) and emergency closures. Sage Grouse Translocation Montana to Alberta Timeline Extension EA FWP is seeking public participation and comment to extend the timeline to 2026 to complete a sage grouse translocation from Northeast Montana to Alberta, Canada. The translocation of sage grouse intends to supplement sage grouse populations in Alberta, while habitat is improved in southeast Alberta. By extending the project timeline to 2026 and pending Fish and Wildlife Commission approval, the translocation of 40 sage grouse is expected to bolster the sage grouse population in Alberta, as well as transboundary sage grouse that range between Montana and Alberta. Comments due Jan. 23. Draft EA for Parsons Slough and Willow Spring Creek Water Management and Lease Agreement FWP is seeking public participation and comment on a draft EA for a water management and lease agreement on Parsons Slough and Willow Spring Creek (Madison County). Parsons Slough and Willow Spring Creek are cold, spring-fed tributaries of the Jefferson River near Waterloo that cool the Jefferson River and provide cold water refugia along with important spawning habitat for brown and rainbow trout. FWP proposes to enter into an agreement with the owner of the most senior and most downstream irrigation water rights on Parson Slough and the only irrigator on Willow Spring Creek. FWP would lease water in both streams for instream flow water lease and change the points of diversion to pump from the Jefferson River instead of diverting the cold water from Parsons Slough and Willow Spring Creek. Up to 206 acres would remain in irrigation with 97 acres no longer irrigated, although if the landowner choses to not install two planned center pivot sprinkler systems, less area would remain in irrigation and more water would be protected for instream flow. Streamflow into the Jefferson River from the streams would increase as much as 11 cfs during the period of high irrigation demand and would be expected to cool the water of the Jefferson by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit under low flow conditions (experienced at least in 1 out of 10 years). With water being pumped from the Jefferson River, the net gain in streamflow would be up to 7 cfs, which represents a 13 percent improvement in streamflow over August low flow conditions. The term of the agreement would be 30 years with the option to renew. The owner would be responsible to construct the new pump site and the other water conservation infrastructure. If approved, this project would begin in 2024. Comments due Jan. 27. Flathead Lake State Park-Yellow Bay Gravel Beach Shoreline Erosion Protection Draft EA FWP is proposing to build a dynamic gravel beach to limit or eliminate shoreline erosion at Flathead Lake State Park- Yellow Bay (FHLSP- YB). Shoreline protection structures have been permitted and used as an accepted approach to the problem of shoreline erosion on Flathead Lake since 1989. The beach design would stop the loss of existing shoreline and vegetation due to wave erosion, provide a natural transition from the aquatic environment along the shoreline to the adjacent vegetative areas and improve recreational opportunities along the shore of FHLSP-YB. Comments due Jan. 31. Maltbie Private Pond EA A private landowner is proposing to stock a newly constructed pond on his property on Browns Meadow Road in Kila. The landowner is seeking a permit to stock rainbow, brown and westslope cutthroat trout and largemouth bass into his private pond. Comments due Feb. 2. Emergency Rule Closing the Fairweather Fishing Access Site in Gallatin County FWP has determined that flooding and ice jams justify the adoption of emergency rule closing the Fairweather Fishing Access Site. Comments due Feb. 12. Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area Grazing and Water Development Plan Draft EA FWP is seeking public review and comment through Feb. 12 of its proposed approach to livestock grazing and associated water development on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The draft EA for the plan outlines how cattle grazing agreements with neighboring private landowners would be implemented for the overall benefit of wildlife. The plan also prescribes how water sources for livestock would be developed on the WMA. The draft plan does not approve specific grazing agreements on the WMA, instead it provides a framework for where it could be allowed, what types of practices would be used and how grazing would be monitored and managed. Any future grazing agreements would require public review and Fish and Wildlife Commission approval as part of a separate process. Comments due Feb. 12. Adoption of Emergency Rule Closing the Selway Park Fishing Access Site in Beaverhead County FWP has determined that flooding and ice jams justify the adoption of emergency rule closing the Selway Park Fishing Access Site. Comments due Feb. 26. Adoption of an Emergency Rule Closing the Valley Garden Fishing Access Site in Madison County FWP has determined that flooding and ice jams justify the adoption of emergency rule closing the Valley Garden Fishing Access Site. Comments due Feb. 26. Adoption of an Emergency Rule Closing the Ennis Fishing Access Site in Madison County FWP has determined that flooding and ice jams justify the adoption of emergency rule closing the Ennis Fishing Access Site. Comments due Feb. 26.