FWP to hold public hearings on Quiet Waters Initiative
Rachel Thorton, Hannah Thorton, Hannah Mercil, Andrew Mercill and Ester Mercill, members of the Kootenai Eagles Pathfinder Club at the Libby Seventh Day Adventist Church decided that instead of going trick or treating on Halloween, they collected food for families in need.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold public comment meetings around the state in January on proposed rules to limit motorized watercraft use on some of the state’s water bodies.
The proposed rules address a petition, known as the Quiet Water’s Initiative, submitted to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission this past spring by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
The petition states Montana has experienced advanced motorized technology on its waterways, which has potentially opened up waters previously thought to be unusable by motorized water craft.
At its regular May meeting, the Commission initiated rulemaking on the petition, stating, in part, the Commission should consider being proactive instead of reactive to the changes in recreation on Montana’s waterways to avoid conflicts and protect traditional and safe recreational uses.
For a complete list of waters considered in the petition, please go online to fwp.mt.gov. Click on the News tab and then click again on “Rules” under “Recent Public Notices.”
Public hearings on the Quiet Waters Petition will be held at the following times and locations:
• Jan. 3 at the FWP Region 1 office, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 4 at the FWP Region 2 office, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 5 at the FWP Reg ion 3 office, 1400 S. 19th Ave., Bozemen at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 9 at the FWP Region 5 office, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 11 at the FWP Region 4 office, 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 11 at the FWP headquarters office, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena at 6 p.m.
The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than Dec. 9, 2016, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Kaedy Gangstad, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; telephone (406) 444-4594; or email kgangstad@mt.gov.
Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Attn: Quiet Waters Petition, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; or email QuietWaters@mt.gov, and must be received no later than January 13, 2017.
Bird watchers assemble
For the 47th year, local bird watchers will participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the Kootenai Valley on Saturday, Dec. 17. This effort mobilizes over 72,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,400 locations across the Western Hemisphere to help scientists monitor the health of bird populations. Those interested in participating either as field observers or watching and recording at their own homes, especially those with bird feeders, please contact Gene Reckin at 293-9344 or 291-8482.