New agenda item added to October Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on an additional item that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its meeting on Oct. 15. The meeting will be held at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena starting at 8 a.m.

FWP is proposing a land acquisition project that would establish the Thompson Island Fishing Access Site (FAS). The project would require the commission to accept title for a 32-acre island in the Stillwater River along with an easement that would allow for the creation of the new FAS. The island is known as Thompson Island and is approximately 5 miles north of Absarokee, 2 miles upstream from Swinging Bridge FAS and approximately 2 miles downstream from Jeffrey’s Landing FAS.

Other topics open for public comment are:

• 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations

• Flathead River drainage Brown Trout Regulation

• Grizzly Bear Release Sites

• Northern Leopard Frog Transplants

• Temporary Full Closure of Kona Bridge Fishing Access Site

• Public Use and Commercial Use Fee Schedules

• Citizen Petition for Rulemaking – Swan Lake Motorized Use Restrictions

More information about these agenda items is available on the commission meeting webpage. Commissioners can submit amendments to any of FWP’s proposals. If amendments are shared with FWP before the meeting, they will be posted to the webpage and will be open for public review.

Want to weigh in? Here’s how   

Your voice matters in this process. The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Sept. 24. There are two ways to comment before the meeting:

• Online portal (SurveyMonkey): Each agenda item includes a survey for submitting public comment. Letters and supporting documents may be attached to the survey.

• Mail: Send written comments to: Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, c/o FWP Liaison – Director’s Office, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Prefer to comment at the meeting?   

You’re welcome to comment in person on Oct. 15 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, or at your nearest FWP regional office – find locations here.

Joining by Zoom? 

You can comment virtually, but you must register in advance. Registration opens Sept. 30 and closes at noon on Oct. 14. Comment time at the meeting may be limited at the commission chair’s discretion.