Outdoors Briefs - Sept. 5, 2014
Fishing access site development notice
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region One, has completed an environmental assessment for proposed improvements at the Island Lake fishing access site located in Lincoln County (T29N, R26W, NW¼ S31), including an improved gravel access road, a designated parking area for six to eight vehicles with trailers, gravel boat ramp, four designated campsites, a concrete vault latrine, fencing, fire rings and informational signs. Camping would be allowed at the fishing access site in designated areas only for a nightly camping fee of $7.
The draft was out for a 30-day public review through May 11, with 13 comments received. The comments and agency responses are included in the decision notice. Based on the analysis in the environmental assessment and comments received, the agency proposes to develop Island Lake fishing access site as set forth in the decision notice.
Copies of the decision are available at the Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell; Montana State Library, 1515 E 6th Ave., Helena; Fish, Wildlife & Parks state headquarters, 1420 E 6th Ave., Helena; and the agency’s website at fwp.mt.gov under Public Notices; and available for viewing at local libraries.
Contact person: Tony Powell, coordinator, at (406) 751-5423 or e-mail to tpowell@mt.gov.
Yaak Valley Forest Council receives grant
The Yaak Valley Forest Council has been awarded a grant for work carried out through the Yaak Headwaters Restoration Partnership Project, a collaborative effort with the Kootenai and Flathead chapters of Trout Unlimited, the Cutthroat Trout Foundation, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Kootenai National Forest.
The grant was part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s youth initiative to inspire young adults and veterans to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors, and the President’s 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Initiative.
The Yaak Headwaters Restoration Partnership Project is one of three Montana-based projects to receive funding through the America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists competitive grant-matching program that funded 40 other programs nationwide. These grants have helped leverage $1.9 million in federal funds into a total of $6.7 million to provided paid conservation work experiences for more than 620 youth on public lands.
Registration open for wolf trapper class
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a wolf trapping certification class from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Region One Headquarters located at 490 North Meridian Road in Kalispell.
This one-time certification is required for all wolf trappers in Montana. Individuals that have been certified in years past do not need to take the class again. Another wolf trapper certification class will be held at the fairgrounds in Kalispell on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Online registration is required for all participants. This course, and others scheduled around the state, can be found at fwp.mt.gov under the “Education” tab.
Classes are taught by agency staff and experienced wolf trappers. In addition to specifics on equipment and techniques, participants will learn about the history, ethics, management, regulations and requirements of wolves and wolf trapping.
The entire Montana wolf trapping certification class education schedule can be viewed at http://fwp.mt.gov/education/wolfTrapping/
Deadline extended for Forest Service contest
You don’t have to be a J.K. Rowling or a Dr. Seuss to take part in the Forest Service’s wilderness writing challenge, but you do have to be a student and you do have to participate by Sept. 18.
The Forest Service’s Northern Region encourages all students to submit their personal reflections about wilderness – whether it is a 140-character tweet or the maximum length of 500 words.
Submit your writings online at the Forest Service’s Northern Region website, www.fs.usda.gov/r1, where you will find the rules of engagement. Hard-copy submissions can be
The first 50 writers to submit will receive a poster created by Monte Dolack that commemorates the Wilderness Act’s 50th anniversary.
The challenge is hosted by the Forest Service’s Northern Region as part of a national celebration of the passage of the Wilderness Act 50 years ago by Congress. The Forest Service will sponsor a celebration from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Missoula’s Silver Park. Selected writers will read their submissions starting at 2:30 p.m.
Many local Wilderness-50th celebrations are listed on the Forest Service’s website at www.fs/usda.gov/r1.
Firewood access in Libby Ranger District
The Forest Service is announcing its fall firewood cutting areas that will be open in the Libby area. Several gated-road systems on the Libby Ranger District will be temporarily opened this fall to provide personal use firewood for area residents. A total of 10.32 miles of road will be open this fall.
A total of 6.5 miles of Redemption Ridge roads 2387, 2385 and 2389 will be open from Sept. 4 until Sept. 21. Those roads are located off the Wolf Creek Road 36 about 7 miles, take a right off Wolf Creek. and follow the signs. There are adjacent Plum Creek lands where firewood cutting is prohibited, these areas have been signed.
Nearly four miles of Barron Creek Road 4816J will be open as well. It is located about 13 miles off the FDR 228 road. There are also designated old-growth areas on all these roads. Old growth stands have been clearly marked in the field with signs where cutting of firewood is prohibited.
Forest personnel will patrol the roads during the open season as outlined above. In order for the district to maintain this program, full compliance from the public is needed. Personal use Forest Service firewood permits are required. Provisions listed on the back of the personal use permits will apply in these areas. Firewood permits, instructions and maps for these areas are available at Canoe Gulch Ranger Station or the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Libby.
Signs will be posted at road closure devices, indicating the road will be open during the dates listed above. The above roads could be closed on short notice if moisture conditions develop where damage to the road surface becomes a problem or during periods of extreme fire danger. The roads could be reopened when conditions change.
For additional information contact Canoe Gulch Ranger Station at 293-7773.
Montana State Parks seeks comment on fee rule
Montana State Parks is seeking public comment on the 2014 Biennial Fee Rule, an assemblage of user fees and associated rules for the Montana State Park system.
The proposed user fees include modest increases for camping, campsite electrical service, cabin, yurt and tipi rental, nonresident entry, nonresident annual entrance passes and Lewis and Clark Caverns tours. Specific highlights include: modest increases for campsite, cabin, yurt, tipi and electrical service fees for both resident and nonresidents; modest increase for nonresident daily entrance fees, and an increase for a nonresident annual entrance pass and granting resident camping fees to annual pass holders; modest increase for standard Lewis & Clark Caverns tour fees for adults; and an increase for winter candlelight tour fees for adults.
The fee rule would grant the authority to establish premium camping fees for select campsites based on popularity or other highly coveted amenities or locations.
User fees are the second largest source of revenue for Montana State Parks and are critical to sustaining a quality state park system. Montana State Parks does not receive revenue generated through hunting or fishing licenses. The last state parks user fee increase for residents occurred in 2003 and for nonresidents in 2010.
To review the proposed 2014 Montana State Parks Biennial Fee Rule and a reference to both current and proposed fees, visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on ‘Public Notices/Submit Comments’ on the right-hand task bar.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed user fee changes until the deadline of 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Comments can be submitted online at the agency’s website.
The public can also send comments by regular mail to: Montana State Parks, 2014Biennial Fee Rule, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
Registration open for NW Montana Hunter Education classes
Hunter Education classes are ongoing or completed in Libby, but there are several other opportunities to get certified prior to the hunting season.
Registration is now open for Hunter Education classes across northwest Montana. All registration is through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. Register at fwp.mt.gov; click Hunter Ed Schedule and follow directions to register. All class details will be found online. Here are schedules for communities in northwest Montana:
Columbia Falls – An orientation night will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sept. 2 at the Columbia Falls Fire Hall. Classes will be held at Columbia Falls High School from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sept. 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25 and 29, with field course on Sept. 27.
Bigfork – Orientation is September 17, 7-9 p.m.; Classes held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sept 22, 24, 26, 30, Oct. 2 at the Bigfork High School. The field day is Oct. 4, and test night is Oct. 6.
Eureka – The Eureka session will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Eureka Middle School Library. Remaining classes will take place from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sept. 15, 16, 18, 22, 23 and 25. A field day will take place on Sept. 20.
Kalispell - Students must register online, and attend an orientation. Final dates are being worked out with Flathead High School. Check the online scheduler.
Parents are encouraged to attend the first evening’s class for a discussion on responsibilities. Students must attend all classes in order to be certified. Subjects to be taught include proper gun handling, hunter ethics, wildlife management and identification, game care and survival.
Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license in Montana. Only individuals 11 years of age or older at the day of sign-up may be certified upon successfully completing the course.