Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to purchase another 640 acres of land 45 miles northwest of Havre in north Hill County for $700,000.
The property is adjacent to the Lost River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and if acquired would be managed as a part of this WMA. The property is located along the Milk River and consists primarily of Milk River riparian habitats and associated uplands.
According to the Great Falls Tribune (http://gftrib.com/2cis68e), the funding would primarily come from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service through the Pittman-Robertson funds. This fund comes from a tax on firearms and ammunition sales and will provide $525,000 of the $700,000 purchase price. The remaining $175,000 would come from the Habitat Montana Fund, which is generated from a portion of hunting license fees.
Montana FWP states that the primary purpose of this proposal is to conserve and enhance native habitats or rangelands that provide important habitat for wildlife species and to enhance public access to this property and the adjacent WMA.
Currently the private property is primarily used for livestock grazing.
A public meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Hill County Electric Hospitality Room in Havre to provide information and take public comment.
The Draft Environmental Assessment can be found on the on the FWP website HERE. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. Sept. 16. A copy of the proposal can be requested by calling the Region 6 Headquarters at 406-228-3700. Send all written comments to the following address: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Attn: Lost River WMA Addition Proposal, 2165 Hwy 2 East, Havre, MT 59501. Comments can also be emailed to Scott Hemmer at shemmer@mt.gov. Additional information regarding this project can be obtained by contacting Hemmer at 406-265-6177, ext. 224.
Source: Great Falls Tribune, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
