Wildlife management program programmatic environmental impact statement newsletter

8 Pages·1994·0.43 MB·English

by  Montana. Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

639*905
F2wnipn
1994- uia'DepcLrtn^eqt
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENTPROGRAM
PROGRAMMATICENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENT
NEWSLETTER
No. 1 January3, 1994
TheMontanaDepartmentofFish, WildlifeandParks
(FWP) initiated a comprehensivereviewofits entire MANAGEMENTALTERNATIVES
wildlifeprogramin1991. Thisreviewisdesignedto
comply with the Montana Environmental Policy Act Arangeofalternatives,includingaProposedAction,are
(MEPA). Youareanactiveparticipantinthisprocess beingdeveloped. Theywillultimatelychartourdirection
becauseofyourcommentsandconcernsexpressedatone formanagingMontana'swildlife. Wehaveidentified
ofour scoping meetings or by having mailed your severalissuesthatwillshapethesealternatives.
comments. Wewanttothankyouforyourparticipation
andtoassureyouthatyourcommentscontinuetoguideus. AttitudestowardwildlifeinMontanarangebroadlyfrom
negative(certainspeciesarepests)to favorable(using
wildlifeforrecreationthroughharvestingandviewing).
SCOPINGMEETINGS SomeMontanansbelievewildlifeshouldbemanagedas
ecosystem components. The No Action Alternative
Comments received from FWP employees during (continuingourpresentprogram)focusesonmanagement
November-December1991directedustowardabroad ofindividualspeciesorgroupsofspecies,withemphasis
approach,usingaProgrammaticEnvironmentalImpact on speciesthat arehunted ortrapped. Although it
Statement(PEIS)ratherthanasingleissueapproachfor identifiesrelationshipsbetweenspeciesandhabitats,itis
thisreview. Employeesalsolistedproblemsthatthey've weakinrecognizingrelationshipsamongwildlifespecies.
encounteredwiththecurrentprogramandcommentsheard Whilethecurrent Programemphasizesman's rolein
fromthepublicaboutit. managingwildlifeitdoesnotadequatelyaddressthebroad
rangeofcurrentsocietalattitudestowardwildlife.
We then received 674 verbal comments (issues and
concerns)during24publicscopingmeetingsduring1992. The preliminary Proposed Action calls for managing
Wewilladdressover78%ofthosecommentsinthePEIS wildlifewithafocusonecologicalsystemstoreflectthe
document.TheremainingcommentsarenotwithinFWP's diversityofallwildlifeandtheirhabitatswhilemaintaining
jurisdictionorfalloutsidethescopeofthisparticularPEIS. acommitmenttopreservingMontana'shuntingheritage.
Wewill,however,forwardthoseothercommentstothe Itiscertainlybroaderandmorecomplexthanthecurrent
appropriate management agency or region for Program. Ifweadoptthisapproach,wewillneednew
consideration. activities in ourexisting subprograms (Management,
Habitat, Research,LawEnforcementandConservation
Education). Overallprogramadministrationanddirection
WRITTENSUGGESTIONS offiindingmayalsorequiresomechange.
Wereceived601writtencommentsfrom63individuals,51 Fromyourinputwehaveidentified19majorissuesthat
organizations,7Montanalegislatorsand5government wUlserveasabasisforevaluatingourcurrentProgram,
aEgieghntcyi-eesigdhutrpienrgceanntheaxvteenddieredctcboemamrienngtonpetrhieoddiriencti1o9n92o.f oalutrerndaetvievleos.pinTghePsreopaorseepdreAscetnitoendoanndpagotehser2-7m.anWaegemheopnet
tthheewPiElIdSU;feagparino,grtahmeorremFaWiPnd'esrjwureirsedioctuitosni.detSheinj"cp:pe^b9u,t..U^i/l^l.^JpI.eachl.o,ersiititsa^tye'o-m'uen'traiasneddaittsmeseutbipnogisntsorcianptluertetersi.ssuesWea'ndd
FEB 0^ 13G5
HELENA,MONTANA59620
appreciateyourtakingafewminutestodetermineifthe OTHERACTIVITIES
issuestatementsincludeyourconcerns. Youmaysend
usanythoughtsonthelastpageofthisnewsletter. Please Aseven-memberSteeringCommitteewithinFWPprovides
rememl)erthatmanyofyourpreviouscommentsare bothgeneralandspecificdirectionsforthePEISprocess.
summarizedinthesestatements. Pleaseforwardthose Membersinclude: DonChildress(Administrator,Wildlife
additionalconcernstousbyFebruary10,1994. Ifyou Division),BobMartinka(DeputyDirector),BobbiBalaz
wouldlikeamoredetailedlistingoftheissues,please (FederalAidCoordinator),BeateGalda(Attorney),Gary
requestacopyofthislistbytelephone(994-3285)orby Burke (Law Enforcement), Kurt Cunningham
letter(Wildlife PEIS, FWPBuilding-MSU Campus, (ConservationEducation),andMikeAderhold(Region4
Bozeman,MT,59717-0322). Supervisor). FuU-timemembersofthecoreTechnical
Committee are responsible for carrying out those
All management approaches will be examined for directions. Thesepeopleare: JohnWeigand(Wildlife
biological-ecological, social-cultural, and economic ResearchBureauChiefandPEISLeader),GaryDusek
impacts. ThosediscussionswiUappearintheDraftPEIS, (Wildlife Research Specialist) and Scott McCoUough
whichwehopetohaveavailableforpublicreviewand (EnvironmentalImpactSpecialist).
commentbylate1994. Youwillreceiveacopyofthis
DraftPEISbecauseyouarealreadyanactiveparticipantin FWPbiologists havebeen writingaboutthebiology,
theprocess. ecologyandmanagementofindividualsf>eciesorgroupsof
speciesofwildlifeinMontana. Additionaldepartmentand
university experts have been writing on wildlife
THEPREFERREDALTERNATIVE management,lawenforcement,conservationeducation,
departmentfundingandaccountability,economics,socio-
APreferredAlternativewillbeidentifiedafterpublic culturalaspectsofwildlifemanagement,andenvironmental
reviewandcommentontheDraftPEIS. Yourreviewof law. Otherdisciplinaryexpertswillbeinvolvedasthey
thatdocumentwillassurethatideasofferedbyourpublic areneeded.
willbeconsideredbeforeitsfinalformulationandadoption
bCyommFiWssPiona.ndThtheePrMeofnetrraendaAlFtiesrhn,atiWvieldwliilflebeanpdresPeanrtieeds TinheFmWaPg'nistudleonagndhiimsptoorryt.anceWofethiwsaenftforttoisuennpsaurraelleltheed
intheFinalPEIS. conservationofourwildlife forfiituregenerationsof
Montanansanditsvisitors.
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENTISSUESIDENTIFIEDFROMPUBLICSCOPING
ACCESS is essential to equitably distribute travelrestrictions,primarily
recreationalopportunity over Montana's land those related to use of
baseandtoobtainoptimaldistributionofharvests motorizedvehicles
ofgameandfiirspecies. FWPhasauthorityto impacts to the land base
manageaccessonlandstowhichitholdsfeetitle includingcumulativeimpacts
orleasesbutservesasafacilitatororcooperator of recreational and
relativetoaccessonotherlands. nonrecreationaluse
Accesstowildlifeonbothpublicand b. Concernsaboutaccesstoprivatelands
privatelandsisdesirable,andFWPis centeraround:
encouraged to increase its role in
obtainingaccess. Generalconcerns • declining accessto private
relativetoaccessinclude: lands becauseofincreased
pressurevs.travelrestriction
• levelsofaccess onpubliclands
• equityamongusergroups
2
• FWPdealingwithlandowner • managing habitats and
' ' ' ' daicsccesosn/tternetsapnadsscrlaergiufliactaitoinosnof phoupnutliatnigonswaintdhempthraaspipsionng
• definitionofthescopeand opportunityvs. maintaining
intentofblockmanagement biologicaldiversity
agreementsanditseffecton • trophyhunting
improving access for both
hunting and nonhunting b. ConcernsaboutMontana'shuntingand
recreation trappingheritageinclude:
• public access as a
prerequisiteforacquisitionof • retainingtheopportunityto
easements,etc. • houunttsaniddterapinterests
c. Thereareconcernsaboutaccessto compromisingopportunityfor
federal lands relative to restrictions Montanaresidents
intended to addresswildlife values. • biological and economic
Theseconcernsinclude: impacts of consumptive
recreationontheresource
• arightofaccesstopublic • the appropriateness of
lands inherent in public huntingortrappingofsome
ownership species, such as bison,
• timingandlevelofmotorized grizzlybearandlynx,based
accessandforpurposesother onsocio-culturalperceptions
thanhunting
• impacts of all motorized c. Nonconsumptiverecreation
travel
• re-examinationofFWP'srole
d. FWPenforcesaccessrestrictionson inmanaginggamespecies
state school trust lands. Specific • involving the nonhunting
concernsaretimingofuse,expanding public in wildlife
recreationalusetoactivitiesotherthan conservation
hunting, and clarification of rules • conflictsbetweenrecreational
governingaccess. users, suchashuntersand
viewers, andconflictswith
e. Otherconcernsinvolved: other land uses, such as
abatingwildlifedamage
• specialcitizengroups,such
as senior citizens and 3 TTiere is a desire for FWP to evaluate
physicallychallenged enhancementofhabitatsandprovidinghunting
• purchaseoflargetractsof opportunitybasedonECONOMICcostsand
land by nonresidents for benefits.
recreationattheexclusionof
publicaccess a. Concern centering around FWP
• theeffectofaccessfeeson recognitionandinteractionwithother
publicaccess resourceinterestsinclude:
ThereisadesireforFWPtodefineitsrolein • economic values of both
managingRECREATIONALOPPORTUNITY gameandnongamewildlife
forbothconsumptiveandnonconsumptiveuses. vs.otherbasicindustriesand
societalbenefits
a. Concerns related to quality and • integrating other wildlife
diversityofconsumptiveusesinclude: valuesinresourcedecisions,
such as socio-cultural and
• trheespomnadnsnetorpuinbliwchiicnphutFWP ecological ,
b. Largenumbers ofgame on private • season length and reduced
agricultural lands affect landowners baglimitsvs.restrictionof
economically. General concerns access to regulate game
include: harvests
• maximum recreational
• landowner incentive vs. opportunityvs. impacts on
landowner acceptance of populations
wildlife • opening dates that
• restrictionofagriculturaluses accommodate needs and
onpubliclandsvs.landowner concernsoflandowners
parcicveaptteanlcanedsof wildlife on •. dheulnitnienagtidoinstarincdtdbeosucnrdiaprtiieonsof
• economic implication of • population goals and
timing and level of FWP objectives
responsetocontrolwildlife
damage b. Thereis aconcernaboutmeansof
takinggameandfiirspeciesforhumane
c. Concernsrelatedtocommercialization reasons relative to wounding rates
andprivatizationofwildlifeinclude: specifictoweaponordeviceandthe
useofdogs.
• guidingandoutfitting
• gameandfijrranchingand c. Concernsaboutdecisionmakingand
farming including facility implementingregulationsatthelocal
conditionandmaintenance levelcenteraround:
• economic incentives that
;- encourageillegal taking of • timelinessofFWPresponse
wildlife,suchasmarketfor • specific management
animalpartsandlocaltrophy problems, such as special
contests regulations to reduce crop
• economiccomfiensationvs. depredationbybiggame
recreationalopportunity • useofnonresidenthuntersto
• allocatinghuntinglicensesfor controlbiggamenumbers
salebylandowners
• replacingMontana'sdomestic d. Concernsrelativetolicensinginclude
livestockeconomywithone timing of purchase, a preference
dominatedbyindigenousand system, residency requirements,
exotic game species that landownerpreferenceforpermits,and
provides both economic distributionofnonresidenthuntersvs.
incentive and recreational opportunityforresidenthunters
opportunity
c. Another concern centers around
d. There is concern about economic mandatesforpublicinputrelatedtothe
impactsofwildlifedamagetoprivate regulatory process and decision-
propertyandcropsandadesirefor making.
FWPtobetterdefineitsroleindamage
control. Specific concerns center 5. FWPobtainsmostofitsinformationrelativeto
around vertebrate pests, predator species habitat status, distribution, trend,
control,andgamedamage. productivity and mortality through periodic
SURVEYSANDINVENTORIES. Concerns
GeneralconcernscenteraroundREGULATION centeraround:
ofharvestthroughrestrictionofbaglimit,season
length,sexandageofanimalsharvested,and a. timing, consistency, efficiency and
access. accuracy of population and hunter
harvestsurveys
a. Concerns relative to hunting and
trappinginclude:
4
b. jduecdigseimoennstvsb.asseitde-speocnificpdraotfaessional '-,.' sdpeepcairetsmentorprogortahmesr or unrelated
c. impactsofaerialreconnaissanceand b. allocationoffundsfromresidentvs.
qualityofinformationvs.costofaerial non-residentlicensesandpermits
surveys
c. useoflicenserevenuetofundother
d. effects ofcapture and handling of wildlifeactivities
wildlifeusedforstudy like those related to non-gameand
threatenedandendangeredspecies
e. informationneededto determinethe
effect of control measures on d. rationaleforlevelsoflicensefees
populationdynamics
6. ECoDnUcCeArTnIsONabemopuhtasizCeOtNheSnEeRedVAfoTrImOorNe e. arepcprreoaptriioantiestsfoeneStlaetveelSschofoorlLwainlddslife
informationaboutwildlife,howthedepartment f. FWPandCommissionresponsibilities
fiinctionsandcoordinatingeducationalefforts andpoliciesincludinganexamination
withotherorganizations. Specificallythereare oftheinfluenceofhuntingandtrapping
needsfor: programsonmanagementpriorities
a. generalwildlifeknowledgeprograms g. recognitionofprivatepropertyrights
foradultsandyouth
11. ConcernsaboutWILDLIFEDISEASESAND
b. improved and expanded hunter PUBLICSAFETYinclude:
educationthatincludesadult-levelas
wellasyouthprograms a. theneedforcomputerizedinformation
onwildlifediseasesthatincludesrisk
c. keeping the public and legislature assessmentsforlivestockandhumans
informedaboutthePEISprocessand
implementation b. wildlife-motor vehiclecollisions and
7. TEhNeFOmRaCinEMcEoNncTerinnsMoanbtoauntaiwnivlodllvief:e LAW pcooltleinstiionasls for wildlife-airplane
c. highnumbersofdangerouswildlifevs.
a. inadequatepenaltiesforviolationsof riskstohumansafety
harvestregulationsandharassmentof
legal hunter activities that center d. adulterationofwildmeatresultingfrom
aroundfines, loss ofprivilegesand immobilizingdrugs
rewards for information leading to
arrests 12. Concerns about COORDINATION and
COOPERATIONinwildlifemanagementfocus
b. greaterparticipationbycitizensinlaw on:
enforcement
a. wildlife management and research
c. numbersofdeadwildliferequiredfor betweenFWPandthefederalagencies
successfulcovertop>erations andAmericanIndiangovernments
d. donationsofgamemeat b. FWP,otherstateagencies,andlocal
8. ACoCnCceOrUnNsTAaBboIuLtITFYWiPncludFedU:NDING AND hgiovgehrwnamyecnotrsridomrsa,naagnidnpgresdtaattoerslands,
c. assistance to private landowners in
a. theuseoffundsgeneratedvialicenses improving wildlife habitat with
beingspentonworkrelatedtoother consideration of the needs of
agricultureandextractiveindustries
efendjeoryamlenltawosftwhialtdlicfaenainndtercfoenrterowlitohf c. fgorsotwetrhingfobrieosdtisvearnsditryiapanrdiapnroatreecatsingold
predators d. impactsofmaintainingstreamflows
ohtabhietractoncearnnds:wbeltolcankdsmmaannaaggeemmenetn,t e. supplementalfeedingofwildlife
idnetveeglroaptiionng,speciinessecmtanacgoentmreonl,tplaannsd f. balancing wildlife numbers with
availablehabitat
13. FWP recognition that MULTIPLE USE g. accuracyofbiologicalinformation
OS- cmoinnsiindge,rsoltohgegringl,egitilmiavteestolcakndugsraezsinign,cludainndg h. impactsofnaturaldisastersandseasons
rwielcdrleiafteiovniaelwiunsge.sbeyondhunting,trapping,and i. ihumnptaicntgs,oreflarteicvreetaotisopne,ciseuscmhanasagtermoepnhyt
14. TPhreorgeraamre ccoonncseirdnesrthaNtOtNheGFAWMPEWilAdlNifDe plans
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED j. management of wide-ranging and
SPECIES. Relatedconcernsare: uncommonspecies,likethelynx
a. sourcesandadequacyoffiinding k. impactsofcontrollingnuisanceanimals
b. impactsofmanaginggamespecies 1. dfetifrmbietairoenrssa(nledgaplrevdeartsourssecological)of
c. FWP'sroleanddirection m. researchonspeciesinteractions
d. dsetcaitseiwoindemleavkeilsng at local, regional, 16. There are concerns relative to HABITAT
acquisitionandalteration.
e. reintroductionsvs.naturalrecovery a. Concernsrelativetoacquisitioninclude:
f. aadnedqhuaabciytaotfsinformationonpopulations •• aFlWtePrnaotwinveesrsthoippurocfhalsaen,dsuch
g. caonndflriectcsovbeertyweencontrollingpredators aesaselemaesnitnsgandconservation
• conditionsforpurchase,such
h. impacts recreational and economic as multiple species/multiple
opportunities • vparoltueecstion of archaeologic
i. useoflegalmeanstogainandkeep sites
managementofallwildlifespecies b. Concerns relative to alteration or
j. researchonnongamespecies enhancementinclude:
15. TnThehieesdrseinticoslufdaoecsuc:sonocnerEnCtOhLatOGwiIldCliAfLemSaYnSaTgEemMeSn.t •• hmeafubfleitctitapstlegouaoslfes,rweiclrdelaitfieon,uasned,
livestock grazing, logging,
a. phfuiuibmnlacitncisonainkngndoawwnildleddUrgfeeelatioonfshipescboestywseteenm •• lpfhiraarboneitd,teacudttseielvosoenslsoo,pfemwsepenettcl,iaanladlnsyddoutehetor
b. ifdoerntviafriicoautsionspeocfieshabitatrequirements ainncdreraosleedshofumsatantepaonpudlaltoicoanl
6
agenciesinaddressinghabitat c. anappealsprocessfordecisions
loss
• spreadandcontrolofnoxious d. policy-makingroleofthePEIS
weeds on FWP land and
otherwildlifehabitats e. useoflegalmeanstogainandkeep
17. Items related to PEIS FORMAT, managementofallspecies
ORGANIZATION,ANDCONTENTinclude: f. developmentofbalancedandflexible
programs
a. compositionofPEISteam
g. identificationofdecision-makers
b. literaturereviewonallwildlifespecies
h. holding wildlife observations
c. additional authority needed from confidential
legislature
d. globalperspectives 19. ConcernsrelativetoPUBLICINVOLVEMENT
INDECISIONMAKINGinclude:
e. trendsforlong-termftiture
a. politicalinfluencesandvotingonFWP
f. FWPgoals decisions
g. referencestowolf,bison,andgrizzly b. contacting groups/individuals vs.
environmentalreviewdocuments holdingopenmeetings
h. fiindingforPEIS c. gettingoutinformationontheFWP
appealsprocess
L arrangingthePEISintoaneasilyused
format d. addingcommitteesofprivatecitizensor
businessrepresentativestothePEIS
j. communicationofPEISimplications process
k. publicly-reviewed management plans e. keepinggovernmentinputtogetherwith
forallgamespecies otherpublicinput
18. ConcernsaboutADMINISTRATIONinclude: f. followingsuggestionsgatheredatpublic
meetings
a. developingchecksandbalanceswithin
FWP g. having decision-makers present at
publicmeetings
b. compliance with the Montana
Environmental Policy Act and all h. expanding public opinion surveys
environmentalregulations beyondtraditionalconstituencies
7
The following are my concerns about the developing programmatic environmental impact
statementonFWP'swildlifemanagementprogram:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
PleaseforwardyourcommentsbyFebruary10,1993to: WildlifePEIS,FWPBuilding-MSU
Campus,Bozeman,MT 59717-0322.
8