

November 30, 1998 



NOTIFICATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE DRAFT 

 WILDLIFE PROGRAMMATIC EIS AND SUPPLEMENT TO THAT DRAFT 



AS THE FINAL EIS 



TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: 



This is to notify you that, wdth the concurrence of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission, I have 

 made a decision to adopt the Wildlife Draft EIS and Supplement to the Draft EIS as the Final EIS, 

 and to accept Alternative 6 as the Preferred Alternative. After carefiil examination of public 

 comment on both documents, FWP foimd no new information to indicate that the preparation of 

 a final EIS is necessary to analyze the consequences of this action. 



The preferred alternative, as described in the Supplement to the Draft EIS, if implemented, woiild 

 replace the current program as described in the Draft EIS under Alternative 1 . The Preferred 

 Alternative would continue most current actions and policies, reaffirming the effectiveness of our 

 current wildlife program. It also provides for needed changes to the program through the 

 incorporation of actions proposed imder the other alternatives, primarily Alternative 3. 



In offering this alternative, FWP believes that the factors that currently influence our operating 

 environment will continue, including increases in the cost of deUvering the present level of services. 

 FWP also assumes that a growing human population and increased demand for services and 

 opportunities to enjoy Montana's wildlife resources will place additional pressure on FWP to protect 

 those resources. FWP also believes there will be an increased demand for new services that go 

 beyond the traditional activities of hunting and trapping. More resources will be required to address 

 the needs of species to prevent listings under the federal Endangered Species Act and there will be 

 impacts on management, recreational opportunity and land use for species which are listed. 



In response FWP proposes to seek ways to decrease the burden on hunters and anglers to fund 

 wildlife-related programs that benefit all citizens. For example, FWP would continue to seek 

 funding for work on federal endangered species, preventing the listing of vulnerable species and for 

 wildlife recreation not related to hunting and trapping. This alternative also provides direction for 

 the wildlife program to develop partnerships and increased local involvement to increase himter 

 access. It calls for expanded educational programs that emphasize Montana's hunting heritage, 

 hunter behavior and the role of himting and trapping in wildlife management. It would expand 

 FWP's collaborative efforts with other entities such as the Montana Agricultural Extension Service 

 and private enterprises to help deal with urban and nuisance wildlife problems and take a more active 

 role in providing land use plaimers information on methods to reduce the potential for 

 human/wildlife conflicts. 



