Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public input on its proposal to accept the public hunting access component of 8,277 acres of conservation easements in the Upper Clark Fork, northwest of Garrison.
Under the proposal, Five Valleys Land Trust (FVLT) would purchase a conservation easement on the 5,167-acre Graveley Ranch. The Graveley family would then purchase 3,110 acres of adjacent property that they would also place under conservation easement with FVLT. The conservation easements would protect important big-game winter range, a variety of habitats for nongame wildlife, streams and associated riparian areas, and public hunting opportunities in perpetuity.
FWP would accept the public hunting access portion of the Graveley easements for the combined 8,277 acres and in turn help provide free, public hunting opportunities and enforcement presence. Funding for the easement would come from the Montana Department of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP).
FWP will hold a public hearing in Drummond on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Drummond Community Center (54 East Broad Street) to discuss the proposal, answer questions and take public comment.
Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. To review the draft EA and to comment, go to FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov, under “News,” then “Recent Public Notices.” Or, request information and comment by contacting Region 2 FWP, 3201 Spurgin Rd., Missoula 59804; by phoning 406-542-5540; or by emailing shrose@mt.gov.
(via MT FWP)
