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 Wildlife CSl'Partts 



NOV 2 4 &£ 



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P.O.Box 200701 



Helena. MT 59620-0701 



(406)444-3186 



FAX:406-444-4952 



Ref:DO 1109-99 



November 24. 1999 



Scott Seacat l__- ■■ > 



Legislative Audit Division 

 PO Box 201705 

 Helena. MT 59620-1705 



Dear Scott: 



We have received the performance audit report on the Block Management Program. Your 

 thoroughness and constructive recommendations for improvements to this program reflect a high 

 degree of professionalism and a clear understanding of this evolving and complex program. 

 Thank you for your efforts. 



The current Block Management Program has only been in place for four hunting seasons. The 

 program was developed and has been implemented during a period of dramatic economic 

 hardship for the agricultural community. Consequently, there is a great deal of pressure on 

 landowners — including those who have traditionally allowed public hunting access — to seek 

 some form of compensation from hunting on their lands. Had the expanded Block Management 

 Program not been in place in 1995, I believe far fewer landowners would have been attracted to 

 the program. It is also clear that this program must continue to evolve as conditions change. 



The Department's response to the recommendations follows: 



Recommendation #1 



We recommend the Department: 



A. Create specific objectives that relate to the purpose and mission of the program. 



B. Establish measurable criteria which relate directly to the goals and objectives, and 

 develop strategies to allow for attaining desire results or outcomes. 



Concur 



The Department agrees that the development of more specific program goals, objectives, 

 and strategies is important and a natural next step in the evolution of this program. We intend to 

 integrate the goals and objectives of the block management program with the overall goals of the 



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