• Rather than just being a hook and bullet club, the FWP has an obligation to nongame, native 



wildlife species it is imperative that long-range plans that enhances native w^ildlife 



species be implemented. Many are considered sensitive or listed under the ESA as threatened 

 or endangered. 



Response: FWP would continue its efforts to recover T&E species and influence , 



reauthorization of the federal Endangered Species A ct. Under the preferred 

 alternative, FWP also would, contingent on new funding, expand its efforts to recover , 

 and delist protected species, assume an instate leadership role, and increase efforts on 

 private land. 



ISSUE #14 

 Integrate Habitat with Species Management — 3 comments ^^^,^3 -.svpna/'Ol 



Summary 



Limited direct comment on this issue emphasizes a leadership role for FWP in wildlife habitat issues 

 in the state. However, some of this comment emphasized that license revenues used in habitat 

 projects should be directed at game species. 



Samples of Comments '^^^ ^^ ^"^^^ "^ *'-^^ 



• Habitat is the key word for all fish and wildlife. The department should again be the leader in 

 habitat issues, both by acquiring and protecting Montana's important areas, even if it means 

 butting heads with other agencies, both Federal and Local. Many nongame species benefit 

 from habitat and projects paid for by sportsmen. 



« We believe that habitat purchased by and managed with hunting license revenues should 



concentrate on managing game species. As sportsmen, we also support nongame 

 management, but believe nongame management should be funded by sources other than game . 

 license revenues. 



Response: The preferred alternative proposes to increase emphasis on maintaining 

 and protecting habitat at an ecosystem level, expanding its efforts to acquire habitat, 

 and collaborating with organizations and landowners to protect important habitats. 



ISSUE #15 

 Payments In-Lieu of Taxes — 6 comments 



Summary 



Most public comment directed at this issue questioned the need to extend these payments to include 

 those in-lieu of taxes on personal property. Most of these questions are addressed in Chapter IV of 

 the draft EIS. 



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