FWP to proceed with prairie dog conservation contract

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has issued a Decision Notice to proceed with a Prairie Dog Conservation Contract in Garfield and Rosebud County, Mont., eight miles north of Ingomar. The contract will conserve, protect, and enhance approximately 2,975 acres of important prairie dog colonies and associated habitat for 10 years, beginning July 2024 and continuing through July 2034. The contract would be implemented by a one-time payment of $148,750 to the affected landowner. This one-time payment would be funded by a 50/50 split between a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant and state tax revenue from FWP's Nongame Wildlife Account.

The initial Draft EA proposing a black-tailed prairie dog conservation lease was made available for public review and comment on April 8, 2024, through May 7, 2024, and was modified by a Draft Supplemental EA published on May 1, 2024. The Draft Supplemental EA changed the agreement type from a lease to a contract, but did not otherwise substantively change any terms of the prairie dog conservation action proposed by the initial Draft EA. The Draft Supplemental EA also extended the public comment period for the proposed action through May 16, 2024.

FWP received substantive public comment on the Draft EA. Most comments received were supportive, one was neutral, and some comments were opposed. Based on the environmental review provided by the Draft EA, FWP determined the proposed action will not have significant adverse impacts on the human environment and constitutes a reasonable and appropriate strategy to achieve identified objectives. FWP hereby adopts the Draft EA, as amended by the Supplemental EA, as final, and approves the proposed action.

The Decision Notice can be reviewed at https://fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2024/june/0606---71-ranch-prairie-dog-conservation-contract-decision-notice