March 14, 2008

Contact:  Eddie N. Bennett, 303-236-8165

 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will dispose of a 7-acre parcel in the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range in Montana

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined a “Finding of No Significant Impact” for the final Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) proposed Disposal of Property in the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range.  The proposal is a Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act project administered jointly by the FWP and the Service.

 

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will dispose of a 7-acre parcel purchased in the 1940s.  This property was purchased in-part with Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act program funds which provided 75 percent of the cost of the land that became part of the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range.  In the 1960s, much of the surrounding property was traded for other properties north of State Highway 200 that offered greater wildlife values by providing increased connectivity within the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range.  Due to an administrative oversight, a 7-acre parcel was excluded from these earlier land exchanges and is now geographically separate from the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range. 

 

The removal of the federal interest in the 7-acre parcel constitutes a federal action subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.  The Service prepared a DEA to analyze the effects on the human environment and document the findings.  The Service used this DEA to determine if the proposed action is likely to result in significant impacts to the human environment.  Since it was determined the proposed action is not a major federal action which would significantly affect the quality of the human environment according to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, an environmental impact statement is not required for this action. 

 

The EA, prepared by the FWP and accepted by the Service, analyzed the environmental affects of the proposed Disposal of Property.  The FWP concluded that the proposed disposal will have no impacts on floodplains or wetlands, and will not affect historical and cultural resources, or threatened, endangered or candidate species. 

 

FWP has determined that the land no longer serves the purpose for which it was acquired and is requesting approval from the Service, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR), to purchase the federal interest in the land with non-license FWP funds.  FWP then proposes to exchange the parcel for another nearby property in private ownership.  The federal funds, administered by the Service, come from an excise tax on fishing equipment, import duties on tackle and boats, motorboat fuels, and small engine fuel.

 

• Copies of the final environmental assessment, which include details of the FWP proposed action, alternative action, decisions, and response to public comment, are available online by clicking on the title of the document at http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/federalassistance.  Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Service’s Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program at 303-236-8165. 
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Email Us: MountainPrairie@fws.gov