Comments sought on DNRC, FWP land buys
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: March 6, 2016

Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment that proposes to buy 9,488.26 acres from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation trust lands that lie within three FWP wildlife management areas.

The WMAs are the Sun River, Beartooth and Blackleaf in FWP Region 4.

The purchase would allow FWP to own and manage land it currently rents from DNRC within WMA boundaries. The lands would be conserved and managed consistent with WMA objectives.

FWP would combine one-quarter state Habitat Montana Program dollars with three-quarters federal Pittman Robertson dollars to buy the acreage, which has been appraised at $11.146 million.

Money from the sale would go into DNRC’s Land Banking Program. The combined funds from multiple sales can then be used to purchase other lands that have public access and provide equal or greater trust revenue than the lands sold. This results in a greater income to the trust beneficiaries (U of M, MSU, Common Schools, among others).

The EA is available on the FWP website: http://fwp.mt.gov/ under the public notices link.

Hard or electronic copies are available by emailing, fwpr42@mt.gov, calling 406-454-5840 or writing Region 4 FWP, 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405.

Comments may be made online on the EA webpage or by mail or e-mail to the above addresses. Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., April 8, 2016.

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