FWP proposes to purchase more land on Milk River

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.

This property is adjacent to the 3,000-acre Lost River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and it would be added to the WMA.

Of the $700,000, $525,000 would come from Pittman-Robertson funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Those funds come from a tax on firearms and ammunition sales.

And $175,000 would come from the Habitat Montana Fund. Those funds come from a portion of hunting license fees.

The property is located along the Milk River and consists primarily of Milk River riparian habitats and associated uplands.

Conserving native habitat important for wildlife and enhancing public access to the property and the adjacent WMA are the primary purposes of the proposed purchased, according to FWP.

The habitat provides critical winter range for big game species including mule deer, elk, white-tailed deer, antelope.

The land also is home to upland game birds and waterfowl.

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.

Currently the private property is primarily used for livestock grazing.

FWP and the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation pooled $5.8 million to buy 4,500 acres of ranch land along the Milk River in Hill County in 2012.

FWP is managing the 3,000 acres it purchased as a wildlife management area that it named Lost River.

At the time, the purchase was controversial, with some landowners arguing the price was too high and some sportsman groups opposed it, too, arguing other habitat should have been given higher priority.

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For more information

The Draft Environmental Assessment can be found on the on the FWP website by clicking on the tab for “Submit Public Comments” on the main page. Look under the “Fish and Wildlife” tab and under “Acquisitions, Trades & Leases.” 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.