Tag Archives: public comment

Ten Lakes travel management plan open for comments

April 26, 2016Environmental Issues, NewsKootenai National Forest, public comment, Ten Lakes region, travel plannfpa

Big Therriault Lake - Kootenai National Forest — Big Therriault Lake – Kootenai National Forest

If you wish to comment on the Ten Lakes travel management plan, You’ve got until May 13 . . .

The Kootenai National Forest is accepting public comments on its proposed Ten Lakes Travel Management Project, which would guide motorized recreation rules in and around the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area.

Comments are due May 13, with a draft environmental impact statement for the plan expected later that month. The forest hopes to release a final environmental impact statement in August.

The project area consists of the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area and some of the common entrance points surrounding it. The plan addresses motorized use, which includes snowmobiles, dirt bikes and four-wheelers, as well as mechanized uses such as mountain bikes.

Read more . . .

Montana FWP seeks comment on fish and wildlife action plan

January 18, 2014Environmental Issues, NewsMontana Fish Wildlife and Parks, public comment, State Wildlife Action Plannfpa

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public comment on the latest State Wildlife Action Plan revision by February 9. Here’s the press release . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on an update to the state’s comprehensive conservation plan for more than 100 of the state’s fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Initially completed in 2006, the recent revision of Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy was led by FWP, working closely with team members from other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations.

“The team’s planning efforts included regular public updates and participation opportunities. Public input continues to be an important part of wrapping up Montana’s State Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 year-cycle,” said Deb O’Neill, FWP’s fish and wildlife plan coordinator in Helena.

In 2000, federal legislation created the State Wildlife Grant program intended to fund conservation programs for all fish and wildlife, including species not pursued by hunters and anglers. Montana has since been awarded $12.7 million in SWG funds for conservation programs ranging from prairie fish surveys and loon research to trumpeter swan and grizzly bear conservation.

To continue to participate in the federal grant program states must revise their plans every 10 years.

“Montana’s update contains the latest and best information available on the status of species and habitats in the greatest need of conservation, which will help to better direct Montana’s conservation and management efforts through 2024,” O’Neill said.

Comments on the State Wildlife Action Plan are due Feb. 9 by 5 p.m. For more information and to comment, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov choose State Wildlife Action Plan.

Montana FWP seeking public comment on Coal Creek project

June 7, 2013Environmental Issues, Newsbull trout, Coal Creek, Montana FWP, public comment, westslope cutthroat troutnfpa

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants comments on a “habitat enhancement” project for the south fork of Coal Creek. Here’s the write-up from the project web page:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the South Fork of Coal Creek Habitat Enhancement Project. FWP proposes to implement a project to increase available spawning and rearing habitat for westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout by adding large, woody debris into an impaired section of the South Fork of Coal Creek in Flathead County.

The draft is out for a 21-day public review through 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013. Contact person: FWP Fisheries Biologist Amber Steed, (406) 751-4541 or e-mail to asteed@mt.gov.

Supporting document: South Fork of Coal Creek Habitat Enhancement Project

Work on national wildland fire strategy winding up

December 9, 2012Environmental Issues, Fire Information and Status, Newscommercial logging, fire suppression, fuels reduction, National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, public comment, wildfiresnfpa

Work on the “National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy” is in its final stages, with the public comment period starting December 15. This will likely have a significant impact on wildfire management and generate quite a bit of controversy. The Missolian has an excellent report, with links to supporting documents. . . .

Wildfires and weather share a common problem: We all talk about them, but what can we do about them?

The federal government hopes to answer the wildfire question with a three-year strategy session that’s wrapping up this month. But there’s no guarantee the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy will save an acre of forest. In fact, it might force the nation to decide how much it’s willing to let burn.

Continue reading . . .

Reference: “National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy” page at forestsandrangelands.gov.