Interest in the proposed “Wolf Conservation Stamp” brings about comment period extension and eight public hearings.
After the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Commission approved a new “Wolf Conservation Stamp” earlier this year, interest in the unique fundraising strategy has elevated. In response, FWP has extended a comment period on the proposal and scheduled eight public hearings that'll be held simultaneously on August 14.
Here's how the stamp works. For $20, an interested party could buy a Wolf Conservation Stamp. The purchase would be nothing more than a donation, the money from which goes towards the management of the species.
According to FWP, money received from the sale of the stamps will first be used to pay for the cost of administering the stamp program. The remainder of the funds will be equally divided and allocated for the following purposes:
(a) grants awarded through the livestock loss reduction program, pursuant to 2-15-3111, MCA;
(b) wolf monitoring, habitat protection or acquisition within occupied wolf habitat, scientific research of wolves, or public education and outreach activities relating to wolves; and
(c) the hiring of additional wardens, as defined by 87-1-101(5), MCA, within occupied wolf habitat.
With the granted extension, comments on the stamp will now be received through Friday, August 22. To submit comments:
- Electronically, CLICK HERE or email fwpwld@mt.gov
- By mail, send to: Wolf Stamp Comments, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Communication and Education Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701
- By fax, send to: (406) 444-4952
Eight simultaneous public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 14 at the following locations:
HELENA
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Headquarters
1420 East 6th Avenue
KALISPELL
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 Office
490 North Meridian Road
MISSOULA
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 2 Office
3201 Spurgin Road
BOZEMAN
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 3 Office
1400 South 19th Avenue
GREAT FALLS
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 Office
4600 Giant Springs Road
BILLINGS
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 5 Office
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
GLASGOW
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 6 Office
54078 US Highway 2 West
MILES CITY
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 7 Office
352 I-94 Business Loop, Miles City
For more information from FWP, visit their website.
© Northern Ag Network 2014
Haylie Shipp
