Issue: Species and Habitat Management /Effects on Wildlife 



Wildlife Introductions—Devtlopment of a consistent statewide policy for capture and release of 

 wildlife under this alternative could increase populations and distribution of designated species. The 

 number of species involved might increase from alternative 1. Releases of wild-trapped animals 

 would continue to minimize the time required to establish new populations compared with natural 

 dispersal of animals from existing populations. Moving animals from existing wild populations 

 within or around Montana also would reduce the risk of transmitting or introducing diseases and 

 would maintain genetic integrity of wildlife in the state. 



Expanded education efforts could increase public acceptance of wildlife introductions and lead to 

 increased introductions on a statewide scale. 



Nongame and T&E Speczej-Under this alternative, FWP would continue to devote effort to 

 identifying nongame species in need of special management and collaborate with other agencies and 

 groups in managing nongame and T«&E species. Increasing emphasis on overall habitat quality for 

 native species could decrease recovery time for some T&E species from alternative 1 or preclude the 

 need for protection imder endangered species laws for other species. 



FWP could increase effectiveness of habitat programs on private land from alternative 1 through 

 technical assistance and incentives to private landowners. 



Integrating Habitat Management with Species Management— ^'W? proposals imder this alternative 

 would continue to emphasize individual game species in its programs but consider a broader range of 

 wildlife in its habitat programs. FWP would continue to maintain big game populations at levels 

 acceptable to both landowners and recreationists. Increased emphasis on habitat issues under this 

 alternative could benefit a broad range of wildlife by acquiring priority habitats and applying 

 technical expertise across the varied land ownerships. 



Compensating Local Governments for Lost Tax Revenue—No effect. 



Setting Future Research Agenda— Both long-term and short-term research under this alternative 

 would continue to address resource management needs such as generating new knowledge to enhance 

 management of habitats and populations. Research would directly affect wildlife by providing a basis 

 for making policy decisions. 



Issue: Commercial Uses /Effects on Wildlife 



This alternative would increase FWP's role in the stewardship and protection of free-ranging wildlife 

 and their habitats through increased monitoring of importation of wildlife into the state and sale and 

 exportation of animal parts. Actions proposed under this alternative would provide monitoring and 

 enforcement to preclude commercial operations from adversely affecting wildlife populations on a 



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