Welcome!
NEWS RELEASE
From: Jeff King, Project Leader National Bison Range Complex: 406-644-2211, ext. 204; or Lynn Verlanic, Acting Refuge Manager Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge: 406-858-2286.
For Immediate Release (see below):
National Bison Range Complex to hold an open house to allow comments on the McGregor Meadows Waterfowl Production Area, Stream and Wetland Restoration Project draft Environmental Assessment
On June 7, 2012 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a meeting to hear comments from the public on the draft McGregor Meadows Waterfowl Production Area Stream and Wetland Restoration Project Environment Assessment (EA). The meeting will be held between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks office in Kalispell, Mt. The public will have an opportunity to offer their comments, which will be collected and presented to the planning team for consideration in the final Environmental Assessment. For directions to this meeting place, please call the refuge headquarters at (406) 858-2286.
The EA may be viewed on-line at www.fws.gov/losttrail. Copies of the document may be obtained at the refuge office at 58355 Bison Range Rd., Moiese, Montana 59824, or you can request copies by calling the refuge office at (406) 644-2211 or emailing them at bisonrange@fws.gov.
If you cannot attend this open house, you may still provide written comments on this document by letter, fax, or email. All comments must be emailed or postmarked by June 17, 2012 to be considered.
Email: bisonrange@fws.gov
Postal Mail: Jeff King, Project Leader, National Bison Range Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 58355 Bison Range Rd., Moiese, Montana 59824
Fax: 406-644-2661 Attn: Jeff King, Project Leader
We look forward to visiting with the public and hearing your thoughts on this planning effort and resulting draft document.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with the Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region via our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/51986662@N05, and watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws.
View the Draft Environmental Assessment (8 MB PDF)
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment Regarding the Interest of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to enter into an Annual Funding Agreement with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for the Operation and Management of Programs at the National Bison Range Complex
Draft Fiscal Year 2013-2016 Annual Funding Agreement Between the United States Department of the Interior and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
Welcome to the home page of the National Bison Range Complex. Located in northwest Montana, the complex is base for a staffed refuge - National Bison Range, 2 unstaffed refuges - Ninepipe and Pablo NWRs. Staff also manage the Northwest Montana Wetlands Management.
Spring Hours (May 12 – May 25, 2012):
Visitor Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.
Red Sleep Mountain Drive open daily 6:30 a.m.; start drive by 6 p.m. to finish before dark.
Summer Hours (May 26 – September 3, 2012):
Visitor Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.
Red Sleep Mountain Drive open daily 6:30 a.m.; start drive by 7:30 p.m. to finish before dark.
Fall Hours (September 4 – mid-October, 2012):
Visitor Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.
Red Sleep Mountain Drive open daily 6:30 a.m.; start drive by 6 p.m. to finish before dark.
PLEASE NOTE: Red Sleep Mountain Drive will be closed sometime between September 24 and October 4, 2012 while we move bison. We will have specific dates available in early September.
Winter Hours (mid-October, 2012 to mid-May, 2013):
Visitor Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed weekends and holidays.
Winter Drive open daily 7 a.m. to dark (weather and road conditions permitting). Red Sleep Mountain Drive closed during winter.
Special Events:
May 12, 2012 – Opening Day (Mother’s Day Weekend)
Open Red Sleep Mountain Drive for the season, weather and road conditions permitting.
May 12, 2012 – International Migratory Bird Day (Saturday)
A variety of walks, talks, and activities are offered; call or email for details and registration (406/644-2211 ext 207, bisonrange@fws.gov).
May 23, 2012 – National Bison Range’s 104nd Birthday (Monday)
Fees waived for the day.
June 9, 2012 – Get Outdoors Day (Saturday)
Fees waived for the day
June 22-24, 2012 – Montana Birding (Becoming an Outdoors Woman)
A class for beginning bird watchers. To be held at Ninepipe NWR. Contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for information and registration at http://fwp.mt.gov/fwpDoc.html?id=55720.
September 29, 2010 (Saturday) – National Public Lands Day
Fees waived for the day.
View Larger Version of the map
Regulations
- Remain at your car and on the road. If you are near wildlife, stay in your vehicle.
- Hiking is permitted only on designated footpaths.
- Trailers and towed units are allowed on the West Loop and prairie Drive; they are not allowed on Red Sleep Mountain Drive.
- No overnight camping
- Firearms are prohibited
- All pets must be on a leash
- ALL REGULATIONS STRICKLY ENFORCED.
Special Cautions
- For Wildlife's Sake - Do Not Approach Wildlife. Bison and other wild animals can be dangerous.
- The Red Sleep Mountain Drive is a 19-mile, one-way gravel road with 10% grades. Be sure of your brakes.
- Observe the ONE WAY ONLY and DO NOT ENTER traffic signs. Roads are narrow and disregard of signs could lead to accidents.
*To assist in planning a visit, please note the following restrictions:
Due to steepness of roads and tightness of switchbacks, no vehicles over 30 feet in length are allowed on Red Sleep Mountain Drive. They may access the shorter West Loops and Prairie Drives. No trailers of any kind may access Red Sleep Mountain Drive. These trailers may be left at the Visitor Center Parking Lot. And to protect the health of Range wildlife, no livestock trailers are allowed on the Refuge.
Also, because all scenic roads are gravel, motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed. They can access the Visitor Center and Day Use areas along paved roads.
